Harsh (loonie showers and pit toilets)

Canada is a harsh environment, compared to Southern Africa. Mosquitoes, black flies, bears, the cold and primitive camping.

The ancient Aztecs invented flush toilets 7300 b.c.e. and never looked back, but yet in Canada, the pit toilet rules. It's like they don't know any better here. Canada has a robotic space arm that goes around the earth multiple times a day, but flush toilets seem to be out of reach.

Then there are the showers. Now, I'm all for short showers. I've lived with water restrictions. Hell, it's been more than a week since I last showered. I appreciate that there's never a queue for the shower. I'm even ok with the whole loonie a minute thing. (That's 1$, they call a dollar a loonie here. It's got a picture of a bird (a loon) on. So it's called a loonie. Canadians can be cute.)

What I encountered in Masset, was a most evil shower. A 4$, 4 minute shower. Pure evil. You waste a minute getting the temperature right. Quickly soap up and quickly wash. Now. Hold on. I want to be thorough. Do I have time to really get all the grit and sweat off, or will I be left standing a soap covered fool? Fear of soapy foolishness wins out, and a stand there like a fool while money washes over me. Slightly cleaner, slightly more angry.

Namibia, 5 star car camping.

South Africa 3 stars.

Canada. 1/2 star.