Free Willy
An Evening With The Nudists
It’s an image literally as old as time: Adam and Eve, clothed only in their freedom, standing hand in hand in the gardens of Paradise. The forbidden fruit that ended their naked liberation marked a turning point in the history of mankind. Not sin. Clothing. The Bible tells us Adam and Eve were unaware of their being naked in Eden, and maybe that continues into present day - maybe some people just have no shame when it comes to bearing all; low hanging fruit indeed.
As we all know, my days here in Corsica bring with them an unusual assortment of experiences and activities. It’s good to push yourself and embrace new things - after all, experiences can shape up and build our character. I draw the line at nudism.
I cannot deny my naivety in thinking that “our Adam and Eve evening” was just some typically French attempt at humour. The thought of accompanying a family of four to bare all seemed unlikely - even for my Corsican friends. The language barrier sometimes gets me into sticky situations, it’s true. This time, though, when we arrived at the nudist holiday camp to celebrate a stranger’s 50th birthday, even I was questioning where the hidden cameras and film crew were. Nevermind the fact I’d never met this 6”7 pony-tailed German nudist, I’d never even heard of our friend Yann. It was somewhat of a reality check when we parked up, and were met by the welcoming cheers of another family of four: both children fully clothed, and both parents definitely not, as we shook hands with a father at half-mast, and kissed a mum covered in sand like chicken in breadcrumbs. Polite as ever, I smiled and pretended I hadn’t noticed the elephant in the room - or at the very least avoiding its trunk.
I should be clear, Yann and his merry band of revellers at the party itself were fully clothed. Naturally, this was a comfort - particularly because past 8 o’clock it can get a bit chilly, and I wasn’t keen on being like penguins and huddling for warmth (even after two beers). In a way, though, I wish our guests had just gone hell for leather and embraced the madness. When you’re sitting in a tiny enclave, where everything around you is dancing in its freedom, you almost feel more uncomfortable. Eating the meat Yann had lovingly prepared - it was sausages, but that joke is too far even for me - I was surrounded by the naked beach volleyball team; an elderly football team wearing only trainers (no socks); and a grandad on a lounger smoking a rolly.
It does make you think, though. The weird comfort that sparks discomfort. Most people couldn’t care less, whereas I just couldn’t believe it. I cannot understand the thought process of taking your family on holiday to a nudist holiday camp - there were kids everywhere! Thankfully, this isn’t an option for me on account of immediate sunburn. It did make me reflect, though, on the attitude of just not caring; of embracing what to them is a form of liberation and freedom and being rooted to nature and life. I think it translates. We all have to find ways to feel relaxed, free, and detached from whatever it is that causes us stress and anxiety. Being uptight helps no-one - I say that as one of must uptight people in the world; I find relaxing stressful.
Anyway. The point stands. There are days here where I feel bored, alone, and miss those close to me - of course I do. Today is one of those days. I don’t feel great, but perspective is a brilliant and important thing. In all things we have to see the complete picture, and find a way forward. My life isn’t bad right now. I’m essentially on a (mostly) stress-free “private school finding myself gap-yah”. But it teaches us that even in the most idyllic and easy seeming situations, nothing is ever straightforward and there is no black and white - only grey. Nuance is everything, and remembering that sometimes can help us. I write because it makes me feel like I have purpose, and it distracts me from being bored, and being bored makes me overthink and be sad. If taking your clothes off makes you feel peaceful, then who am I to deprive you of that - sometimes baring all is what we have to do.