Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Some Weird Things I Saw in Istanbul

By:
On:
In: Not Haunted
Affiliates policy

I always find weird things wherever I go. Istanbul was no exception. For this week’s Wordless Wednesday installment, I figured I’d share a few things that struck me as most weird.

UGLY FISH

I’m not sure how it tastes, but this super ugly fish was for sale at a restaurant. The last thing that comes to my mind is wanting to eat it. More like pray I never meet it in open water and can outswim it or get ashore if I do!

OH, THOSE CRAZY ROMANS!

When we toured Ephesus, our guide explained the bathrooms this way:

“There are bathrooms before you enter. If you have to go, I suggest you use them now. The tour will take approximately two hours. There are no facilities once we go inside. Well, there are ruins of ancient toilets, but trust me. Even if they were operational, I’m not sure any of us could care to use them.”

When we reached the “ancient toilets” part of the tour in the Roman Bath section of Ephesus’s ruins, my sense of comfort was tested at imagining sitting cheek-to-cheek (essentially) with others. But that’s what the aristocratic men would do. They’d go to the Roman Bath, hang out, and “socialize.”

In a tub full of water while you’re getting clean or relaxing I can understand, but while on the potty? Uh uh. No way. That’s private!

There were no dividers between the seats. What you see now is how they were back in the day.
Another interesting fact: the toilets were made of marble. Slaves would sit on them to warm them up for their masters to use.

A MODERN TOILET…AND ONE OF MY WORST NIGHTMARES

I had heard about floor toilets from others who had traveled overseas. I had never seen one, but feared the day I might. Luckily, when I did, it was in a bathroom that also had potties I was accustomed to. But sick and twisted me had to get a picture of the floor toilet for posterity.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:  "Captivating Historical Thriller": What is Creature on Netflix about?
I'm sure if you grow up using them, it's a cinch. But I have enough problems balancing as it is. This doesn't look fun!
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

9 Comments

  1. Oh why are potties so interesting? I can’t imagine having a group bathroom either. I have, however, had the experience of using a floor toilet. Different but I really don’t want to use it on a daily basis.

  2. Awesome collection!

  3. I’ve had to use a European floor toilet before too. Nightmare is right, especially when you have your period, constipation or diarrhea. Not at all pleasant.

    ~ Emme

  4. I’ve had to use those floor toilets in Europe before too. Total nightmare, especially if you had your period.

    ~ Emme

  5. Dang, those are ugly fish! And I don’t know which is worse — the ancient or modern toilets! 🙂

    Happy New Year!

  6. Awww, poor fishes. (Actually, I’ve seen uglier) There’s just something about staring at what is supposed to be food and seeing it staring back at me that makes me want to become a vegetarian. LOL Though usually not a long-lived feeling as I do enjoy a good BBQ. 😉
    Sheesh, I have no issue squatting in the woods to pee when camping/hiking, but even at that I usually have to hang onto a tree to steady myself so I don’t wobble & pee all over my shoes! I can’t imagine having to use one of those floor toilets regularly, and I don’t want to imagine having to use it for “number two” or during “that time of the month”. Eeewww. I will appreciate the comfort and privacy of my own bathroom in my apartment much more today, thank you. 🙂

  7. Author

    LMAO at the comments! I was SO thankful I did not have do to #2 and stumble upon a floor toilet. That seems like it would’ve been HEINOUS!!! Even my husband was happy about that.

    And I don’t usually mind fish faces. I grew up fishing and we regularly cooked them whole, head on. But the one fish face in that case really made me stop and say, “Huh? Now what on earth is it about that fish that would make anyone want to eat it?” LOL

    Thanks for all the comments!

  8. Wow, the fish does look ugly indeed. Any the roman toilets, reminds me of Spartacus, the series. Happy New Year 2012 and all the best in your travels.

  9. Author

    I’ve gotta watch this Spartacus. People keep referring to it! Thanks for the comment.

Check-In

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.