Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Berlin ,Swimming and FKK

It's nearly May and the weather is improving .Berlin has very cold winters but tends to enjoy long hot summers .
This last winter was severe and so all are now looking forward to an extreme summer.
For Berlin swimming is a round the year sport . In May the Freibad season begins.
Twenty eight open air swimming pools ( Freibad) are located throughout the city .
The water is heated , the facilities astonishing and all are maintained to a phenomenally high standard .
To go early in the morning makes for a wonderful start. Two kilometers , none stop each day ,leaves you feeling "almost" an Olympic champion !
I have to admit to looking forward to rain every now and then . Swimming back stroke enjoying the sensation of rain falling onto your body is somewhat sensual . Further more one feels like Cleopatra ----alone-- as the pool empties ------- Germans, accustomed as they are ,to a better and drier climate than we British ,don't seem to enjoy the double dose of water .
Nobody gets too exited if a female bather peels her costume down to the waist .Something which would result in rapid expulsion from the premises in UK. (oddly enough home land of the page 3 girl)
For now though I must be content with the indoor swimming baths and with over thirty one such establishments to choose from who could fail to be happy.
So sure ,Berlin is great for swimming but what you may wonder is FKK .
In German it is Freikörperkulture -------- in English ----nudism .
In certain venues on specific week day / evenings , the rule is, no costumes allowed .
Swimming is mixed ,the atmosphere great and Yes ,I love it ! It is an experience I can recommend .
No lurid types are around....... It is a most enjoyable way to spend an hour or two.
If you are in Berlin during summer try Wannsee where there is an FKK beach or any one of the numerous places listed in the internet .
Run by the Berliner Bäder Betrieb these places will guarantee you a great day .
Enjoy !!!

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