Saturday, October 10, 2009

A Different Kind of "Call of Nature"

Combine a tropical climate, unregulated sewage systems, and the rainy season, and you can receive some rather unexpected surprises in your living space. Nearly every evening we receive a hard rain that cools this steamy country and floods the streets, which causes the storm drains to back up temporarily. After each storm, a deafening chorus of several frog species dominates the night sounds.

A few days ago as Kat lifted the toilet lid, a rather large frog was found splashing about the bowl. The ensuing shriek (it was not from the desperate amphibian) drew the dog in for a look, and together she and Kat watched the creature in fascination before it was scooped out and released into the comparatively safer environs of our fish pond.

Having a frog in one's toilet begs the question: What else is down there? I've never been completely sure of which outgoing pipe is actually connected to the sewer, and perhaps it's because I don't really want to know. With the knowledge that rather large cat-eating monitor lizards inhabit the lake a block away and have been seen crawling out of the sewers, I now take a precautionary second look before being seated. I've read too many Stephen King stories.

2 comments:

Awakr said...

John,

I've had the same feeling after showers in Bangkok during September, during night visits to the toilet with the chorus of frogs out the window. By the way, I'm returning to BKK on the 24th for rod nam on the 28th, be happy to see you. Good post, Carlo

John Stiles said...

Carlo, email me at thailandia49@yahoo.com and I'll send my mobile number. I hope we can meet while you are in Bangkok.