Spaaing the Deutschland Way. . .
It has taken me two weeks to feel like I could write about this cultural experience. . .A few weeks ago, I ventured to a place called Therme Erding with my friend Kate. She and I had been given “A Day at the Spa” for our respective birthdays, and we had finally found time and a friend who could speak German to make our appointments for us.
Therme Erding is not any kind of spa that I have ever seen in the US. Therme Erding is an indoor heated swimming adventure, complete with various types of hot pools to cure aches and pains (which explains the large numbers of retired people there daily), or just to warm you up in the frigid below freezing temps we experience here in Bavaria. During the summer months, the enclosed pools are opened to the sun by way of an automatic roof that opens, and outdoor slides for kids also open up. You can have your hair done, a facial or any number of different types of massages, some of these things were included in our “Day at the Spa” gift.
I had previously visited Therme Erding last spring with my friend Vera. That was when I discovered that Therme Erding had two different sections: the clothing required side, and the no clothing required side, both of which are coed. At that time, I stayed with Vera and we stayed on the clothing required side. Vera said she didn’t like going to the “naked” side, and that was fine by me!
I was not as fortunate on my second visit. I like to joke that Kate is taking me places I never thought I would go: first, she took us to Prague in the Czech Republic, then she took us to Croatia and now she has taken me to the dark side – the nude section of Therme Erding. Kate has spent a lot of time in Europe and enjoys the heated pools and saunas sans clothing. Kate is originally from the south, and I have told her many times that she has been gone from the south for far too long!
I don’t consider myself prudish, but this Texas girl had a hard time adjusting to the sights of the “dark side” of Therme Erding! Needless to say, my robe and towel stayed on my body 98% of the time. . .we won’t go into the details of the 2%!
I tried to make sure that I averted my eyes as much as I could, most of the time just trying to look down. Kate made me laugh and after coming out of one of the saunas when she said “Looking down is not always a good option!” You can interpret that any way you choose!
I did come to a few conclusions after this all day cultural experience.
1. Eating and naked bodies do not mix well. . .thus the sign as you enter the restaurant, clothing required in this area. (However, naked bodies would walk through to get to another area by way of the restaurant – that’s just not right!)
2. There are much worse (and older) bodies than my own. . .
3. Everything in life can be attributed to an episode of Seinfeld (think George’s shrinkage problem- and the German’s aren’t bothered by any of it!)
4. You could never come here with mixed couples friends – I can’t even begin to think about it. Can you imagine running into your friend or colleague one day while at the spa?
5. I am still a southern girl, and no amount of time in Europe can make me comfortable with public nudity!
posted by stuckinthemiddle @ 3:37 PM
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