Inside the Locker Room

Sometimes I feel like I am on another planet, especially when it comes to nudity here in Europe. I started going to a new gym this fall. At first when I went into the locker room, I would change as quickly as possible, hoping nobody would notice me. One of the first things I noticed is how the women just walk around naked, in no hurry to get their clothes on. They have conversations with each other completely nude. Instead of getting dressed quickly and then brushing their hair, they will stand naked and brush their hair in front of the mirror and THEN get dressed.

The next time I went to the locker room, I changed more slowly, not in so much of a rush. I noticed such a difference. I didn't feel the judging looks that I have felt in the locker rooms back home. The women taking quick glances to see if you have a better body than theirs. Women are walking around with their not-so-perfect bodies, and they aren't trying to suck in their gut in front of the other ladies. They aren't trying to hide anything, nor are they sizing themselves up to the other women. They are confident in their bodies even though they aren't perfect.

After getting used to being in the locker room, I have had this freeing feeling. It feels nice to be able to change without feeling the need to rush, without feeling judged. To be able to walk through the locker room nude and not once have a thought about what other people think about my body. What a great feelng!

The next week I take Mason to the gym to go swimming. I walk out of the locker room with a new sense of confidence. As we were looking for the swimming pool, I took a wrong turn. I walked into the room where all the hot tubs are. Even in my new comfortable closeness with nudity in the women's locker room, I was not prepared.

The room was full of men and women. Almost all of them were nude. I kept casually walking through the room as if I was not surprised by all the naked people, still trying to figure out how to get to the damn pool. In the hot tub to my left, there were two men and two women. The men were sitting on the edge of the hot tub (no, not inside the hot tub at all!) with their feet hanging into the water. Completely nude. They were sitting with their backs against the wall, penis tucked between their legs, casually having a conversation with the two naked women sharing the same tub.

The women were facing away from me, but they were also sitting on the edge of the same tub with their legs in the water. They are leaning over conversing to the two nude men. They all seem very comfortable. The part that shocked me was that their conversation and the mood of the moment in no way felt sexual. They seemed to all know each other, but I wondered if they did. Were they married? Friends? Just met each other? I had no idea.

As I panicked to get out of the room I noticed they all turned to see what I was doing. In my panic, I asked "Can you tell me how to get to the pool?" I tried to sound very cool and calm, like I am used to walking into rooms full of naked men and women. I do it all the time. They certainly sensed my uncomfortableness and I'm sure they will be laughing about the embarrassed American girl that came into the hot tub room that day for a long time.

GO COLTS!!!!!

I was going to go to sleep because the superbowl doesn't start until 12:19am here in A'dam. However, Peyton flew over to tell me how important it was to him that I am watching. I mean, I am his good luck charm and everything... GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Joys of Having a Son

Mason: "Mommy, you are the BEST cook."
Me: "Thank you!"
Mason: "I know you can't make really good stuff, but it's ok, you are still the best cook."