Signs, signs, everywhere a sign..... (12/29/11)

So I figured an upbeat message is long overdue. Since I'm showing off signs today, I thought to show off the church and it's sign- cute isn't it! But, there are  a few signs that I find funny over here in Afghanistan.

Let's start off with my favorite, the signs in the bathrooms that tell you not to stand on the toilet. Why are they also in English? I can't imagine anyone in an English speaking country (USA) attempting to potty train Susie while doing a balancing act on the commode, can you?

There are signs in the port-a -potty's (Green Machines), with directions to the nearest squatty potty...also in English. I never even heard of these conveniences until I left the USA. Thankfully, I lived a sheltered and privileged life and I never knew what some had to go through until I started to travel.

Next are the big ol' smoking signs that glow in the dark. Granted, I am on on a blackout FOB, (only starlight and the moon illuminates) but there are few smoking spots so most of the people here have made there own little oasis close to their confinement. Most are courteous not to smoke next to the highly flammable tents, (I said most...there is also the Romanian area, my personal favorite smoking area because there's always a friendly face hanging out and they all have know enough English to get me through a cigarette thanks to "The Young and the Restless"). I'm still looking for the Bosnian spot as they stay up all night chatting, smoking and drinking coffee. Nothing like a double dose of stimulants to break up the monotony around here.

Then there's signs in all of the bathrooms telling you not to drink the portable water that flows freely from the faucet. What's it used for, you might ask? In response I say that you wash your hands in it and those same hands touch your face 20 times an hour or so. So, I guess as long as you keep your hands out of your mouth, you're OK...I have gotten out of the habit of putting my hands anywhere near my face. It's gross here! You also use the water it to rinse out your nose, shower and wash your hair all with your mouth shut!. Nice visual ay? Speaking of water, my "get the chlorine out shampoo" is a big hit and everybody wants to borrow it. It works great and removes all the chlorine build up...too bad we rinse with more chlorine and it's all a vicious cycle, but I'm still not as frizzy.

At some places there are so many signs that they are on top of each other and taped in rows, for your reading pleasure ...all in English.

And signs that teach bathroom etiquette while helping out the sanitation crew, very considerate!

"So I got me a nice search engine and I made up my own little sign...