Weirdest Places I’ve Changed a Diaper
February 19th, 2009 | by Kayt Sukel 14 comments
Ahh, potty training. I’m happy to say that Chet and I have come out the other side — and we’ve done so mostly dry. But that’s not to say there haven’t been a few hairy moments. Like this past weekend in Jordan.
A 25-minute walk into the Petra archeological park, Chet informed me that he had to go pee pee. And he had to go pee pee with a penis-grabbing certainty NOW NOW NOW. I looked expectantly at our guide, hoping against hope that we might be near some kind of port-o-john. Instead, Ahmet pointed towards some caves in the distance.
“We are a very long walk from the bathroom,” he said. “But that is okay. Just take him to one of those caves.”
I must have looked at him incredulously for he smiled and started leading us up the hill. “Really, it is okay. Everyone does it. If the cave is someone’s house, there will be a tea kettle out front. Find a cave without a tea kettle.”
As I kept my eyes peeled for tea kettles, I started to think about all of the places I’ve changed Chet’s diaper on our travels. And helping him find the perfect cave, I realized that, potty trained or no, our scatalogical travel adventures seemed to be destined to continue. And after we got back to our hotel room, I started to compile a list of all of the incredible sites that I’ve had to wipe my boy’s butt — and quite often, not in a sanctioned restroom. It’s an impressive list that includes (but is in no way limited to):
- The Munich Altrathaus;
- The Hohensalzburg Fortress;
- In a very dark corner of the Ayasofya in Istanbul;
- Inside one of the Queen’s pyramids in Giza;
- A painting restoration room in the Louvre;
- Waiting in line to enter the Lindt Chocolate Museum in Cologne;
- Way too many times outside in Barcelona;
- In a NYC taxi.
My list is actually longer but I’m afraid to keep going for fear that I’ll be banned from future tourist attractions. (Although part of me is seriously considering starting a UNESCO Heritage Site themed potty-bingo card for my own amusement). What can I say? When your kid has gotta go, he’s gotta go.
What about you? Got a great diaper-changing location and story to share? We’d love to hear it. If only to make me feel like I’m not a totally inept Mommy.
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Debbie Dubrow on February 20th, 2009
Hilarious. I’ve blocked all my inappropriate diaper change experiences out of my mind in preparation for having another baby…
Rich on February 20th, 2009
One day Chet will get back at you for that photo.
Sharlene on February 20th, 2009
I have done many a strange diaper change myself. None of the exotic locals you have mentioned as we have yet to leave the country with our little ones but once I did change a poopy diaper on Ladybird Johnson’s lawn. I bet not alot of people can say that. I have found myself to be a professional at the stand and change. You can do those literally everywhere!
Jamie Pearson on February 20th, 2009
I’m with Chet re: waiting. I once peed inside the primitive castle on Uçhisar Hill in Nevşehir, Turkey (Cappadocia’s highest point). I kind of feel bad about it, but I was out of options.
Elizabeth on February 20th, 2009
I haven’t been outside North America (yet) with my son so the most interesting place has been outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Talpa in Talpa, Jalisco.
Jane on February 21st, 2009
I remember the first time I ever changed a diaper in a bathroom on a 747. I am surprised my child came out alive. When they say baby changing facilities, they are actually joking.
TravelswithBaby on February 21st, 2009
In the dust at Pompeii. There were lots of offended passers-by, but it had to be done. It was hard to get the volcanic soot off the back of the changing pad, but I remember staring at it thinking that volcanic dust from Pompeii on our changing pad might be the coolest souvenir from the trip! (I’m such a sentamentalist.) No worries, I did… eventually… wash it.
Wendy Perrin on February 24th, 2009
My most embarrassing diaper change was in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy. I’ve shared a photo of it here:
http://is.gd/kJpg
Loved your article!
wandermom on February 24th, 2009
Oh my. I had a life-long dream of visiting Macchu Pichu. Which I did, traveling alone with my 2-year-old in 1998. Unfortunately, the altitude seemed to affect his tummy and I didn’t get further than the restrooms inside the park. I had to bail on my visit and just enjoy the little town – staying close to facilities and pharmacies.
Oh well, some day I’ll go back.
Andrea Ross on February 24th, 2009
The diaper changes I have blocked out, but I did breastfeed on the back of an elephant in Chiang Mai, Thailand! You gotta do what you gotta do and she was hungry!
Fabio van loon on November 10th, 2009
Probably the weirdest places i’ve changed a diaper was on one of the benches on the Island of Alcatraz. It thank god was not messy but it was really weird.
Fabio van loon on November 11th, 2009
Also when i was in the Piazza Navona in Rome when i realised i really had to change Brad’s diaper. I started to take off the soiled diaper when i forgot i was out of new diapers and baby wipes! It was terrible!
Yvonne on December 25th, 2009
Thank you for taking the time to do this.You are bookmarked!
fabio van loon on January 6th, 2010
which means?
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