Gehen in die Sauna oder going to the sauna

I've always liked saunas. You sit there in a hot room and let the warm air surround you. You breathe deeply. You feel your pores open up and your muscles relax. It's wonderful.

http://saunascape.com/2009/03/how-to-take-a-german-sauna/
The official instructions on how to use a sauna

Saunas are popular in Germany. I can't say how popular, because I can't speak German to ask, but there sure are a lot of people every time we go. When we go to the sauna we pack a lunch and bring a book because it is a several hour or all day affair. I think the longest we've spent in one day is ten hours.

The biggest difference between German saunas and American saunas is the clothing. Or, lack thereof, in Germany's case. Germans don't seem to care about nudity very much. I've mentioned that there is no drape at the doctor's office and he doesn't leave the room while I undress. Boobs are pretty much fair game for public viewing. If you ever go to see a show with dancing girls, they will probably show you the full moon. Nudity is just not a big deal.

The place that we go has a couple of swimming pools and thermal baths with special salt in them and those areas are not nude. Well, at least not most of the time. A couple of days a week during certain hours everything is nude.

But, if you think that you will escape the public nudity by skipping the sauna, you are mistaken. The thing that was the most surprising to me is that the changing room is co-ed naked. So, be prepared to get comfortable with your nude body, and with seeing others in their all-together.

Just make sure you bring a towel to sit on.

Once you get into the FKK area (also known as naked town. At least by me.), you start to not worry that much. Everyone is naked. Most people don't look as good naked as you do, or think you do. It's all just the same. I've gotten to the point that I feel uncomfortable seeing people in bathing suits in naked town. It is hilarious when you see someone trying to stand out while naked. One visit I saw one woman with gold, heeled sandals and another woman with a chain around her waist that attached to her naval piercing. Most people just don't give a rip though.

If you ever get a chance to come to Germany and try out a sauna, I highly recommend it. It is a very relaxing way to spend a day. And if you are near Mannheim this is a great place to go.


Here's another blog's post about saunas that's pretty informative.


CD 14 One day past trigger.