No Juan Is An Island

Berlin, Germany – A trip to a lake in the midde of a forest is all about nature and going back to basics. No establishments, no rooms, and no wild partying. And such is a perfect spot to practice naturism or nudism — wherein it’s just you and Mother Nature.

Naturism is a lifestyle of practicing non-sexual social nudity in private and in public.

In Germany, Berlin in particular, people are generally very open with the concept of nude baths. It is even culture under the concept of FKK (an abbreviation of Freikörperkultur, which translates to Free Body Culture). Despite the aggressive-sounding name, there is nothing confrontational or self-righteous or even erotic about this. Therefore, it is not uncommon to take the liberty and throw away one’s clothes and simply feel the atmosphere!

A good nimber of lakes in Berlin are notable spots for naturists. One favorite lake is Teufelssee, a glacial lake in the Grunewald forest in the Berlin borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. Nude bathing is allowed at this lake as in many parts of Germany.

I have always been curious about a naturist’s lifestyle and I told myself that I’ll give it a try when an opportunity knocks so that’s what I did when a chance came upon during a trip to Geemany. You see, such practice is usually frowned upon or questioned especially if you grew up living jn a conservative nation like the Philippines. I even had to explain to some friends twhen I posted a photo on my socials back then that I wasn’t being pervert or too liberated. I just wanted ro share one unforgettable travel experience in Germany.

That experience at a public nudist/ naturist lake was a liberating experience. For the first time, I felt accepted foe my lanky body frame without judgement. I spent an entire afternoon mingling with other nudists, chitchatting, swimming by the lake, eat some ice cream, and sunbathing.

Nudism or naturism truly espouses body positivity, freedom, and acceptance. It felt good ro know that it promotes respect for all bodies regardless of shape or size, fostering a sense of community among its practitioners.