by Wendy
We interrupt this (semi) regular blog for an important announcement about showers in hotel bathrooms overseas.

I should know the drill by now. But I get distracted and forget that certain steps have to be taken to adapt. After one careless shower in an Iceland hotel that left me using almost every towel to mop up water on the flooded floor, I was more cautious and did not run into any other problems.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, know that there may not be a shower curtain, shower door, or even much of a partition between the shower area and the rest of the bathroom. No need to panic! But don’t ignore it either.

Check the showerhead and run water slowly until you understand what you’re dealing with. There may be multiple faucets so do a test run. Sometimes there is a hand-held shower contraption, but if you aren’t interested in that, there is usually somewhere to fasten the device where it streams like a typical fixed showerhead.

Next, sacrifice a towel or two to create a barrier between the rest of the bathroom and the shower area. Wind the towel really tight lengthwise and position it on the floor to stop the water from running all over the place.

There won’t always be a shower cap in the hotel so if you’re worried about your hair getting wet, you better pack one. I was surprised by the lack of toiletries in Iceland in general. Many hotels would have a soap dispenser or bottle of shampoo that is refilled between guests. Plan accordingly.

Of course, dealing with the chaos that is the Blue Lagoon changing rooms is another story. It is mandatory to shower before going into the Blue Lagoon, and you’ll want to shower afterwards to rinse off the silica found in the water. The changing rooms are a circus and you’ll want to be quick. Steel yourself for high school gym locker room conditions. No doubt, it’s worth it to relax in the warm therapeutic waters of the Blue Lagoon itself. And as a bonus, the unfamiliar Euro shower set-up in your tiny hotel bathroom will seem luxurious afterwards.