Public pay toilets installed in Hurghada

[newcastle]

Pay toilets being installed in Hurghada after complaints from tourists



Local authorities in Hurghada city of Red Sea governorate started installing pay toilets in el-Dahar Square on Tuesday, in a response to an Al-Masry Al-Youm report last week that the main touristic areas in the city lack public toilets.

Tourists and citizens have complained that they must resort to using poor toilets in popular cafes, houses and shops on side streets.

Head of the Tourism Guides’ Syndicate in Hurghada, Bashar Abu Talib, said that the city not only lacks adequate toilets, but that several of the toilets built on the walkway since its establishment have since been closed. He pointed out that these facilities have been taken over by street vendors, some who who rent children toys and bicycles. Talib called on the Ministry of Tourism and the Governor to install pay toilets on the streets.

The owner of a restaurant, Sayed Khaled, said that the tourist strip is about seven kilometers long and has about three toilets, some of which are closed or have no running water. These out of order facilities are then turned into storage for vendors, while officials of the city of Hurghada turn a blind eye.

Edited Translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

http://www.egyptindependent.com/pay-toi ... -tourists/

Another good idea which I can see foundering on the rocks of Egyptian mentality.

The initial placement, el Dahar square, is hardly tourist-land...but let's skip that.

More likely is the 'mamsha'...a long promenade in Sekalla lined with cafes, shops and hotels. The few existing toilets fell into disuse years ago and some have been commandeered by locals.

And who will clean these booths? I doubt they are the highfalutin type you see in London which clean themselves after each use. A (literally) sh*tty job which has never been a strong point for the cleaners in, for example, the airports. In fairness, the new terminal at Hurghada has pretty decent toilets now.

Presumably, they'll be fitted with hot air dryers...but how long will they work?

The alternative of paper towels doesn't bear thinking about....within a few days there'll be some grubby local hanging about outside handing out individual squares (nicked from inside) and charging 5LE a sheet.

Fancy being trapped in one during a power cut? Presumably the door will automatically open.....which could possibly be even worse

[HEPZIBAH]

Lazily copying my response to this when I read the article elsewhere earlier.

'This could prove interesting! It doesn't take long for a decent portaloo - pay on entry or not- to become a foul infectious resource centre. '

[newcastle]

Lazily copying my response to this when I read the article elsewhere earlier.

'This could prove interesting! It doesn't take long for a decent portaloo - pay on entry or not- to become a foul infectious resource centre. '

Let's not dwell on what kind of "resource" you're thinking of

[Major Thom]

At least Hurghada is making an effort. Suppose a fee may put public off especially if he fee is linked to inflation, but good luck in the effort to give tourists simething that is lacking.

[Dusak]

And no doubt within a few days some pervert has installed one of these microscopic camera lenses and will sit outside charging his mates for a view of a poo in the loo.

[HEPZIBAH]

The Loo Initiative.

A convenient convenience we should be thankful for,
Does it have a slider or an automatic door?
It may not be Ideal Standard, but another kind of pot,
Let's hope that they are managed, and not left to rot.
The older loos recycled,
Into stores and little shops
Perhaps they can sell paper
For when you've got the Egyptian Plops!
Do they come with wash hand basins?
Are they automated flush?
Do we bin the paper or put it down the loo?
We need to know, we're in a rush.
Oh what are we to do?
Do we risk this modern Tardis?
Do we pay our penny to see?
Or do we cross our legs in pain and hope that we don't pee?
Oh, these convenient conveniences
A mystery they be
I'll leave for another
To tell me what they be!

Hepzi
30/08/2017
(Coffee break scribbles - it was only a quick cup of coffee!)

[Who2]

Talking about being p**sed off...
Iv'e always had a thing about toilets.
The Victorian ones are amazing and most closed and disused for years. Why ?
simple: lgbt...or queer people to be precise.
Remember! the fear of desperately wanting a p*ss and who or what might be lurking underground in the shadows in a dirty mac ?
For years we threw out so many ideas about the ones on Clerkenwell Green, still derelict.

Except people as clever as me are turning them into great palaces athough underground,
here's one in Kentish Town. stylishly titled Ladies & Gents.

In the summer time thousands of people descend upon the Green,
surround by three pubs and has been the centre for revolutionary thought for a few hundred years.
Public conveniences had been around for 150 years and are a must if we drink like We do,
else we p*ss in the streets.
And in the summer time thats not good.
In Clerkenwell there are 8 closed abandoned underground toilets and only one in use
as a 'tanning centre, Now that's queer or what ?
I even sold the idea of a pop-up street one to Fabric the nightclub...
"Happy Eid" I'm off shopping....over denile!
Ps: Toilets do make money if ran with a business acumen..

[newcastle]

Not a new idea Doctor.

My "local" - spitting distance from where I lived in Spitalfields - was on the market last year for a cool 1 million quid. Viz....

A former public toilet is being sold for £1m in Spitalfields, one of London’s trendiest shopping and nightlife areas.

The underground convenience has already been converted into a nightclub, albeit with room for no more than 60 customers.

It is being offered by an estate agent as a “charming and quirky premises” and a “unique restaurant/bar in the heart of Commercial Street”. Clarke and Lloyd property consultants are advertising it on their website as a “brilliantly situated ... fantastic opportunity"

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/ ... lds-london

There's hardly a business idea they haven't been "converted" for.....even a 'des res'.

Architect Laura Jane Clark has spent more than £60,000 converting an abandoned toilet in Crystal Palace, south London, to create her dream one-bedroom flat.

Her living room used to be the main gents stalls and urinals and her bathroom was formerly the attendant's office.

The glass tiles on the pavement give natural light to her underground flat.

She said: "I love the originality of living in a toilet."



She could have saved a bob or two by moving to Hurghada....if "living in a toilet" was her aim No shortage of salubrious accommodation here.

I think the "public loo" idea is unlikely to translate well to Luxor.....anyway, the local lads don't need a discrete venue to display their bananas, as any male taking a constitutional along the corniche will testify.

What's the Arabic for " fancy a good time, dearie?"

[John Landon]

What's the Arabic for " fancy a good time, dearie?"

You want a trip to banana island on my boat..... ?

Call me dense, but It took me a while to figure that one out.

[newcastle]

Call me dense.....

You mean Denise?

But we've only just got used to 'John'.

When's the operation?

[carrie]

Don't know the name of the road but going into Hurghada, the street where Easy Bus depot is, they are making a wide central garden area with coffee shops and fountains. I hope some of the new toilets are going to be installed there. Looks like it's going to be lovely when it's finished.

[newcastle]

Don't know the name of the road but going into Hurghada, the street where Easy Bus depot is, they are making a wide central garden area with coffee shops and fountains. I hope some of the new toilets are going to be installed there. Looks like it's going to be lovely when it's finished.

You mean Nasr Street in El Dahar.

Yes...it is a mighty enterprise. I miss the statues they used to have there....like the giant snowman!

What puzzles me is how they are going to arrange access...the roads either side are amongst the busiest in Hurghada. Crossing them to access the central reservation should be fun (NOT!)

The first new portaloos are destined for the far end...I think.

I doubt they'll put many along the park...which is not really tourist-land. And the state of them after a couple of months use by the locals doesn't bear thinking about.