Communal Shower I
Originally uploaded by Alisa Wilhelm

There is very little joy in showering in communal washrooms, but from time to time, in the lives of wanderlusting nomad types, it must be done. Communal shower blocks can range from manky pits, inducing fear & turning the stomachs of even the most hardened travellers, right through to those that are more on the 'clean, simple and not too scary' end of the scale. The first step is to decipher which category the communal showers you are considering use of fall into. If it is the former, then perhaps a better consideration would be to pick up some baby wipes, a can of deodorant and some dry shampoo - travelling proves just how long, if pressed, one can go without hot running water as a means of staying clean. If the shower block looks like it could be braved, than there are a few basic tips you can follow in order to have an experience that is not entirely grisly:

THONGS
aka flip flops, jandels, pluggers etc
Wear them. No matter how clean it looks, these are an essential item. You can't see the icky germs that spread fungal foot diseases, but chances are you'll see them on your own feet if you go for a dip without thongs. When sharing foot space with fellow communal shower buddies, it is better to be safe than sorry - foot fungus is one thing you DO NOT want to be sharing, right?

PLASTIC/CALICO BAG
This is for your bits and pieces (ie. clothing & shampoo). Most showers will only have one hook (obviously designed by males), very few will have bench space to leave you clothing on and the floor of a communal bathroom is the last place you want to be putting your clothing. To solve this problem of space, take with you a plastic or calico bag, hang it on the hook and pop all your bits and pieces into the bag while you shower.

PROPER ATTIRE
Wear shorts and a singlet or as little as decently possible. As previously mentioned, space is a hard to come by commodity in the communal showering business, so taking in as little possible makes for a much more pleasant experience. A towel and some fresh knickers plus whatever you are wearing (inclusive of thongs) should do it. If you try changing in and out of jeans or long pants you'll end up with wet pants... which isn't too pleasant.


Where is the oddest place you've had to shower & what are your top tips? How long have you abstained in order to avoid showering in a place that looked as though you'd come out dirtier than you went in?!