​​​​​​Because humor is funnier when you know it's true.

When you gotta go, you gotta go

Back in the summer of 1971, my college friend, Susan, and I traveled around Europe.  Those were the days of sleeping in hostels, or on the beach, or even huddled with a group of newly acquired friends under someone's bedroom window.  That’s what you had to do when the hostels were full.  All that was needed was in our backpacks.  It was a simpler time, a carefree time, a youthful time, a time filled with sweet memories... I wish I could do it all again. 

Come to think of it, I actually can do it all again.  But first I'd need LOTS of luggage.  And all the necessities, starting with a large amount of prescription and non-prescription meds, you know, to cover every conceivable ailment that might ever arise.  In fact, I do that today with the little backpack I carry with me at all times.   I NEVER part with my medication.  God forbid I should get some indigestion after an exotic meal, or a bout of anxiety over not having my adult beverage quickly enough in first class.  When I travel, I am a walking pharmacy.  

And I carry lots of different outfits for weather changes, and lots of toiletries that I can't live without.  The list goes on.  Today, I exhaust myself just thinking about what I’ll need to survive any trip.  But back then, everything needed could fit in a small carrier.  Life was just simpler at 19.  I never thought of "what if" situations. 

Back in the day, when backpacking through Italy, my girlfriend and I met up with four American guys driving an old VW bus.  They offered us a ride and after assessing the situation, as any 19 year old would do, we of course accepted. We drove quite a long way until they decided to stop for the night in an unknown (at least to us) small Italian village.  Susan and I slept in the van, the guys slept outside. 

Well, early morning came and Susan and I woke up feeling well rested.  We got out of the van to see this little village with one little shop across the street.  We happily walked over and asked to use the bathroom.  The man said "no.”  What????   He just kept saying, "no, no, no, no!"  He obviously didn't want our business.  What business, I can no longer remember. 

So now Susan and I were in a predicament.  We decided to walk around this little town until we found another shop, but there were none.  By now our predicament turned into a full-fledged crisis. We had to pee, bad!  And we refused to do this outside, behind some bush, in broad daylight.  We drew the line there, and wanted a REAL bathroom.