The saga of New York toilet issue goes on and on

There were three things happening in one day on Saturday 12/30/2023, that I can't forget.

First, right after we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, we heard the call of nature. So, instead of following our initial plan, we changed our course to where we could locate a restroom. Most of the stores were not open yet. We were delighted to bump into a Starbucks, only to find an exception. "Can I use your restroom after I place an order?" "No public restroom here," two young girls told us.

We walked northward along Broadway, hoping to find a store that had a restroom for its customers. We tried a few stores without a luck. Finally we went into the breakfast hall of Walker Hotel. Everybody there was super kind. "You can use the restroom without ordering anything." The saga of finding a restroom ended happily.

Second, while we were passing some bushy area near southern tip of Manhattan, I spotted a woman standing alone, facing the bush. I was wondering why she's there all by herself. As I got closer, a man emerged from the bush. The two went away. Obviously, that man just relieved himself in the bush.

Third, while inside the subway, I looked around and was initially delighted to find restrooms here. Soon I learned that they are locked old relics.

There are plenty of well-maintained public spaces and food trucks in Manhattan, New York City, but very limited public facilities, which pose some real challenges to tourists.

My daughter told us, do some research before you go out each day, mark the locations or restaurants where they might offer toilets. This is my first advice to New York tourists.

My second advice, you can't wait till it's urgent. Because the waiting line can take up to 30 minutes long!

Remember this is New York!