While visiting an old temple this weekend I made the climb up a historic pagoda. The stairs are uneven and the space very cramped for a "Western" body. A few people ahead of us were an elderly gentleman and his grandson. They had made it to the top first and began taking in the view. My climbing partners and I waited a few minutes and then took a few steps up toward the top where the old man and his boy pleaded, "Just a minute." (in Chinese of course) There were a few grunts and phrases like, "still more" and "hurry up." Even after a full 9 months here I can still see many things and experience things that I come away saying, "Just when I thought I saw it all, there's that." Soon at the top of this historic and
sacred building, a stench filled the small room just down from the stairs that led from the heinous act of violation on top of the pagoda. People don't often search out a bathroom in this country, they go whenever it is most convenient. I guess you can add "at the top of a pagoda" to the list of places they will go. Don't judge them too harshly, they just have different methods of potty-training. I think when I get back, you will just have to believe me when I say, "you can't make this stuff up."
