Strandbad Muggelsee

In other words, I went to the lake today. A short S-Bahn ride from my apartment, and an even shorter tram ride from there (well, it would have been short if I hadn't gotten lost and gone the wrong, way on the tram!) brought me to the Muggelsee. It is still technically in Berlin and therefore was included in the month long train ticket that I have. Woo Hoo! It is a huge lake and on the northern end of it are a few public beaches. There is a nice family beach and about 300 meters away, a nice nude beach. Guess where I went? That's right my friends, my first real live experience with a completely nude beach! Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've seen naked men playing volleyball! I tried to laugh only on the inside. Everyone was totally comfortable, sprawled on their chairs or blankets. Naked people eating apples, naked people reading books, naked people sitting on public park benches (this seems just a tad unsanitary to me...no?) As I imagine all nude beaches to be (except on South Beach) the majority of the people there were old men. By the looks of it, everyone at the beach was a regular, judging purely by lack of tan lines. I was a little embarrassed by mine. Nothing says nude beach virgin like a white ass! It was a very relaxing and freeing day. I even swam in the lake, which was cold, but refreshing. The lake looks brown, but when you put the water in your hands, it is crystal clear. Probably not the purest lake in Germany, but for being that near to Berlin, I think it was pretty OK. Best thing.....no tourists! Just me, and a bunch of old naked people. OK and some young cute gay men. maybe I'll go back tomorrow and see what the weekend crowd is like :)