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Wednesday, May 14, 2003
When Nancy Tiemann reluctantly took her first nude cruise, she figured she could hide in her cabin and read books if her shipmates turned out to be "a bunch of crazy people." (Nekked shuffleboard would have been MY first clue.)
She ended up enjoying it so much that she and her husband opened a travel agency that has sent 15,000 naked people on cruises and claims a hefty 70 percent repeat customer rate.
While much of the tourism industry has struggled through recession, war and terrorist threats, the nudist niche is taking off. Naked recreation and travel is a $400 million industry worldwide, up from $120 million in 1992, according to the American Association for Nude Recreation. (Let's face it, when you're walkin' around nekked, you have other things to be worrying about...)
Enthusiasts say social nudity is a rapid equalizer that leads to easy camaraderie. (Nothing says friendly like nekked!)
"You don't know a bank president from a bus driver," (you will, however, be able to tell the religion...) said Erich Schuttauf, the AANR's executive director. "People just tend to be more personal; they drop some of their guard down." (Too many jokes to insert here, pick one and run with it!)
At the industry's annual open house (open house...chortle), Nude Recreation Week, 260 nudist and clothes-optional clubs in the United States and Canada will open their doors and drop their fees (not to mention their pants) to give first-timers a glimpse from July 7 to 13. (A glimpse...YER KILLIN' ME!!!)
Barbecues, limbo contests and golf matches are planned along with orientation tours. Visitors are coached on rules and etiquette -- carry a towel to sit on, look people in the EYES, wear supportive and protective gear as needed. (STOP, I CAN"T BREATHE!!!)
Nudist resorts run the gamut from modest campgrounds (well at least the CAMPGROUNDS are modest!) to luxury villas with posh amenities. At the 300-acre Cypress Cove resort, guests often spend the day strolling nearby Disney World, then drop their duds for a dip in the pool, a pedicure in the spa or a pick-me-up at Cheeks Bar and Grill. (Hope there's no pool table there...)
Most nudist groups embrace the motto "nude is not lewd," battling suspicions that nudity equals sexual licentiousness.
Generally, it's the women who have to be reassured they won't be pawed by strangers or ridiculed if their bodies aren't centerfold-perfect, Tiemann said. (So what, no pointing and laughing?)
"If mama doesn't go, nobody goes. So you've got to convince her this is a safe thing," she said. (Just play THAT conversation over in your head..."Hey honey, guess where I want to go on vacation this year...honey?" Go ahead guys, I dare you, just for fun!)
Kansas @ 11:24 PM
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