Restroom Iconography XIII: Mountain View, CA

A couple weeks ago, Angie and I had an excellent lunch at Cascal, in Mountain View, California. We'd been there before, but I'd never used their restroom. I know, I know - too much information, but stick with me...

On this occasion, I did use the restroom. On my way in, the tile door icons immediately caught my eye. I reached into my pocket for my camera and found it wasn't there.

Damn... I've been posting interesting restroom icons on this blog for the past year and was bummed to miss these.

I immediately started planning my next visit to Cascal - with a camera. I'm sure this says something about me, but I'm not sure what exactly it says. And I'm not sure I want to know...

Anyway, I made it back to Cascal this past week, with my buddy Ed Muzio. We had an excellent meal - ceviche, queso fundido, paella, and a Cuban wrap.

At the end, I excused myself to 'take photos of the bathroom icons'. I thought I'd mentioned this little hobby of mine to Ed, but his expression indicated that I hadn't.

I explained, and then shot these.

I love gesture drawings. Rodin's sketches of Cambodian dancers are some of my favorite images. So, you can imagine how pleased I was to add these to my icon collection.

I'm not sure which I like more - the toreador or the flamenco dancer. So, I offer both.

Restroom Iconography XII: Santa Clara, CA

Yes, it's time for another addition to my ongoing collection of restroom icons.

This one comes from "La Paloma", our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant: home of amazing chorizo con huevos, excellent flan, a dozen camarone dishes, and my favorite long island iced tea.

Oh yeah, and a very, very cool staff.

Anyway... we've been going there for over 6 years now, but I hadn't shot the restroom icons until tonight.

This, of course, is the restroom for senoras and senoritas.

Everytime I shoot one of these, I worry that a woman will open the door and scream, just as I'm shooting the photo.

It hasn't happened yet, but it's inevitable, isn't it?

On the other hand, it might actually be worse if I caught a photo of some dude exiting the mens room, while I'm shooting the horn-tootin' hombre here!

I guess that's just proof that to be an artist is to take risks?

Ah, yes... We must all suffer for our art...

Restroom Iconography XI: Taos Inn

I'm always on the lookout for unique Restroom Iconography. 

Given the number of petroglyphs in New Mexico, I suspected that I'd find a lot of different icons in the hotels.

I was wrong.

Still, here's one I did find.

This icon marked the restroom at the Historic Taos Inn.

It's clearly patterned after the petroglyphs that dot the countryside.

Restroom Iconography VIII: Hotel California, Todos Santos

I've been documenting restroom icons for a few years now, and posting them for the past 6 months.

On my recent trip to La Paz, Mexico, I found the mother of all restroom icons. It's the Grand Canyon, Holy Grail, and Elvis of restroom icons.
It's the... well, you get the picture.

These icons are everything I like in an icon. Colorful, primitive, large and clear. It's hard to imagine that anyone will misunderstand these.

The icons are found at the Hotel California in Todos Santos, an artsy village located halfway between Los Cabos and La Paz in Baja Sur. It's a really pleasant place to spend a day.

There is some debate over whether this is the Hotel California that inspired the Eagles. If it isn't, well, it seems like it could have...
Come to think of it, doesn't that look like Glenn Frey on the right side?

Restroom Iconography VII: Hanauma Bay

While in Hawaii in January, Angie and I went snorkeling at Oahu's Hanauma Bay. The snorkeling was mediocre - the seas were rough and visibility suffered.

But - I found another cool restroom icon.

This man icon is roughed up around the edges, giving it a primitive feel, and then a tapa cloth was added around his groin.

I found it particularly interesting that they decided to distress the handicapped icon as well.

It really does look like an abstract petroglyph when that is done to it.

Just another example of how you can take a mundane object that we see every day and add a little character or culture to it.

Restroom Iconography VI: Waikiki Beach Walk

Our recent trip to Honolulu proved to be a treasure trove for Restroom Iconography.

This one, which I found at Waikiki Beach Walk, looks like it could have been inspired by the classic surf film, "Endless Summer" (a film which had a profound effect on me, as a kid).

Anyway, this sign has classic lines, and the wood inlay is - I think - an excellent touch.

Another example of design that is effective and attractive!

Restroom Iconography V: Hawaii

Hawaii must be a mecca of improvisational restroom icon design.

I found a number of interesting variations during this recent trip.
This sign is located at Honolulu International Airport.

Once again, we have a simple update of the traditional international icon.
The addition of an aloha shirt and the Hawaiian word for man tells us where we are, while maintaining the integrity of the original design.

How can you localize a standard offering with a splash of color or a pattern?

Restroom Iconography IV: Hawaii

In our continuing series of restroom iconography, we return to Hawaii.
This week, we find another creative interpretation of the familiar international icon.

Two nice features here:

1. The use of petroglyph symbols for the icons. I'm a big petroglyph fan, so I appreciate the nod to ancient culture - even if they probably just used a bush back then.
2. The use of Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language is a beautiful one, so I'm pleased whenever I see it.

One minor criticism: The woman looks like an Amazon.
She's quite a bit bigger than the male icon. Too much poi?

Restroom Iconography III: Japan

This is a no-peeing zone...

In a country where a man can heed natures' call just about anywhere - in an alley, in a bush, by the side of the road, off the end of a train platform - it's rare to find a place where you can't relieve yourself (just another reason why I love Japan).

Here, however - in a Tokyo parking lot by a pachinko parlor in a neighborhood close to Asakusa Temple - peeing is prohibited.

There is much to admire about this icon: The realistic pelvic thrust, the dotted stream, and of course the strategic placement of the cross line.

I also will give extra points for going with a square versus the usual circular red 'no' symbol.

It's a sign of my maturity that I didn't steal the darn thing (it would look great in my office).

And a sign of my immaturity that I regret that I didn't steal it...

Restroom Iconography II: Hawaii

Here's the 2nd in my series of photos that capture creative restroom icons around the world.

This one is from Hawaii.

Unfortunately, my notes don't indicate where these restrooms are.

If you know, please share...

The previous image I shared displayed a very loose interpretation of the international icon for a human figure.

This one, on the other hand, embraces the rounded, bland figure that we're all familiar with and dresses it up with a grass skirt, coconut bikini, and frangipani flower.

Restroom Iconography I: Mexico

Maybe it's my fascination with the human figure.
Maybe it's my interest in graphic design.

Maybe I'm just odd...

Whatever the reason, I am unreasonably delighted when I encounter a restroom with an atypical male/female icon on its' signboard.

I found this elegant icon outside the ladies room at the Marquis Resort in Los Cabos. I was waiting there for my wife (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

I'm not sure that Frank Lloyd Wright had restroom signs in mind when he said, "God is in the details". At the same time, I'm pretty sure he'd approve.

Sea Turtles - Maui

Today is the last day of our vacation in Lahaina, Maui.

I could talk about the weather, the food, the hula, or the people.

Ultimately, though, a trip to Hawaii always comes down to sea turtles.

So you can see, this was a great trip!