Tax This, Naturally

The HST has had some far-reaching implications. It has surprised me in a few areas that I had not even thought of.

One such place was the naturist park we visited on Sunday. Yes folks, the government wants to reach into your pockets, even when you don’t have any.

Kelly and I spent the day at our favourite naturist park on Sunday. I’ll try not to gush too much about how I love it there; I blogged about that on my first visit.

We were not able to go last year, as Kelly spent the summer in Toronto for school. I have been anticipating the warmer weather since last fall, looking forward to when we would be able to go again. With the mercury well above 90F, it was time to get naked for sure!

Knowing the routine and being comfortable with it all made this visit completely effortless. Park the van, walk to the office and pay the fee, back to the van, take it all off, enjoy the day! Easy as that.

We had not been naked two minutes when a lovely older woman walked over to welcome us. I think she was on her way back to her trailer when she must have noticed some very pasty looking newcomers.  We introduced ourselves and chatted for a bit. It’s like that there; everyone is friendly. Sure we’re all naked, but that’s what unites all of us.

We scored a great spot: a picnic table and some lounge chairs under a large Hickory tree. Lots of shade, perfect  for a hot day, but in an open area with a strong breeze. Both the sun and wind felt incredible; I had forgotten how energizing that is.  On one of my trips back to the van to get stuff, another couple was stripping down next to their car, having just arrived.  I nodded, smiled and said hello. Later, I was trying to think of any other situation on earth where you could walk in on a couple taking off all their clothes and have it not feel awkward. I couldn’t come up with any.

The people there yesterday were a good mix of all ages. On past visits, it had been almost exclusively people our age (40’s) and older. This time, that was certainly still the majority, but there were also some 20- and 30-somethings in attendance. It was good to see. It pleased me to think that unlike me, they had acted on their interest rather than missing out until they were much older.

We had a wonderful day. We played games, we went for walks on the trails, Kelly went for a swim in the pool, and she also took a nap under the hickory tree. That’s how at ease we feel there. Kelly slept naked under a tree, and I left her there alone while I explored the trails  alone, and neither one of us was the least bit worried.  Multiple times during the day we left our table with our watches, car keys, games, food, binoculars (we’re birders) and everything else we had, just sitting on the table. Not once did I worry. First off all, everyone has to register at the desk, so they have everyone’s name and address. But that’s not really it. It feels like a community. There is a bond. If anything suspicious was going on, it wouldn’t go on for very long before someone stepped in. Beside, it’s pretty hard to steal stuff when you’re naked.

Kelly mentioned on her blog that we played Quarto. For the record we were tied when we got there (wins/loses) and we played two games yesterday. Despite being somewhat distracted, I managed to win one, and so we are STILL tied. I think my nonchalant gut-feeling quick-play method is a little frustrating to Kelly, with her deep focus, extensive 3-4 moves-ahead-planning strategy. Only because I still manage to beat her. 🙂

The end of the day always comes too soon. Reluctantly we get dressed and re-enter the “textile” world. I watched a woman across from us put on her thong and push up bra, then her pants and top.  It occurred to me that although I had seen her nude all day, this was the first time I thought of her in a sexual way.   Perhaps that is the most difficult aspect to explain. Until you experience it in this setting, you likely won’t believe it.  Being naked it not sexual, you don’t get aroused by it when everyone is in the same state. But someone covers up, and oh boy does the mind get going. There were a few women who would cover up from time to time. Perhaps they had gotten too much sun on certain bits, perhaps they just didn’t feel comfortable at that moment, whatever. I can tell you that THAT is what piqued my interest. That’s when the brain starts with the mental images and the curiosity.  You can’t help but think about what’s under there. Had they been nude, it’s all there to see, nothing special, just another body.

And although I’ve mentioned this in past posts, it’s worthy of a few more words. I feel a complete lack of social anxiety when I am there. I certainly have no insecurity about my body while there, which is HUGE for me, but I also have no anxiety at all in meeting new people. If you are insecure about your body, being naked in front of others should be extremely uncomfortable. If you normally have social anxiety, meeting new people while standing around nude should make it far worse. But in both cases, the complete opposite is true. Kelly and I talked about it at length and we have no explanation. Being nude with others removes ALL of that nonsense. It’s as though all that negativity is just trapped in our clothing, and once you shed it all, you are free to be awesome.

So, as I said, the end of the day comes too soon. The clothes come back on. And the drive home seems longer somehow. After a lovely day outdoors, we’re usually both pretty tuckered out. Kelly dropped her seat all the way back and slept most of the way home. She doesn’t know it, but she snored a little too.  I replayed the day in my mind, holding on to the awesomeness.