On the way into The Fort yesterday for the Canada Day celebrations, Rob pulled off into a canola field to answer nature’s call. I am beginning to take this in stride. I have certainly “seen” many an example of public urination in my time here to just chalk it up to the culture. Peeing at the side of the road, whether discretely as my love manages or with complete disregard as his best man showed when he  pee’d in the face of oncoming traffic on our caravan back from Jasper, is just a Canadian thing.

Knowing my fascination for the topic, Rob pointed out a news story in the Journal about the problem of drunken pub patrons relieving themselves in the doorways and alleys on Edmonton’s popular Whyte Avenue. Disgusted and in the hopes of stemming the tide, so to speak, business owners in that area are investing their own money in open-air plastic urinals. Three of these urinals, which can accommodate four men at a time, are going to be set up on the weekend nights in the busy club district downtown. Even though they will provide privacy to those seeking relief (something I am assured isn’t actually necessary in cases of emergency, drunkenness or a combination thereof), their backs will be exposed to those walking or driving by. In the interest of fairness, and to keep some desperate woman from attempting to use the urinals no doubt,  outhouses are also going to be provided.

You might be wondering if I have attempted to make the outdoors my personal potty again since coming here, and the answer is no. My husband is quite considerate and always manages to find me a sheltered facility  even if it is nothing more than an enclosed hole dug in the ground as rest area

facilities are in Saskatchewan. My daughter has yet to enjoy the wind on her bum as well. Although both Rob and I have mentioned to her the possibility of such a thing when we camp this summer, the look she has given us and her camel-like bladder lead me to believe that she has not assimilated to this point yet. 

Assimilation. And I thought it would be just getting used to French on the labels and signs.