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Carly Carson | Austria Has SOOOO Much to Offer
August 17, 2010
I did not go to Austria to view naked men. That was just a side benefit. We
started our vacation in Vienna. The city provides a wealth of inspiration for a writer, with everything from
richly decorated historical buildings to fabulous art and even the Lipizzaner
horses (amazing show and the riders...yum). We visited the Spittleberg district, where 18th century men could "enjoy life
to the full outside their home" — nice euphemism for red light district,
don't you think? It's now an upscale neighborhood and we had drinks one evening
at an outdoor cafe on a charming car-free side street. Totally romantic. I went inside to use the ladies room (identified by the bra on the door). As I
was washing my hands, I looked up where I expected the mirror over the sinks to
be. What I saw, however, was two young men doing their business about two feet
from my nose. In place of a wall above the sinks, there was a large glass fish
tank (immaculately clean and empty) which occupied the space between the men’s
and ladies’ bathrooms. One could scarcely avoid the "view". I was shocked, but I filed it away mentally for a story. I reported back to
hubby who said that women are total voyeurs, but they don’t want to admit it.
Are they? I have to say, I wouldn't have looked intentionally. One has to keep
in mind that all kinds of guys use the facilities. We moved on to Salzburg, a unique city that has been carefully maintained to
retain much of the beauty and charm of the past. We accidentally stumbled upon
the Mirabell gardens where (supposedly) the original Maria von Trapp and her
stepchildren could be seen singing and dancing around the fountain. What we saw was my next naked man, a fellow who was strolling inside the
fountain pool, attempting to hang onto his shorts. But he lost the battle just
as we walked by and we were successfully mooned. You know, I bet the children
were a lot more charming. Next we drove up into the lake district for some hiking. When we passed by Lake
Mondsee (also a setting for The Sound of Music movie) hubby noticed a nude
beach. We did not even take a peek (having learned in our travels that there is
rarely a person on a nude beach you want to see, well, naked). But we did not
escape the lady sitting on a bench on the regular beach who was changing her
clothes. Took off her bathing suit top as we approached and, by the time we were
walking by, she was in the process of removing the bottom. Okay, that’s the
naked lady story. Off subject. (However, I do feature this nude beach in a free epilogue to my
story Scarlet and the Sheriff, because Scarlet is the type of free spirit who
would not object to a bit of public nudity.) We drove into the Austrian Alps on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a
white-knuckle ride up to the highest mountains in Austria. This road hugs the
Alps, ascends to more than eight thousand feet in the course of 30 miles, and
was lined with bicyclists making the ascent. Can we say fit men? Unfortunately,
none of them removed their clothes for my enjoyment. When we got to the top,
however, there was a male hiker disrobing. Standing right there in the parking
lot, with dozens of people milling around. He stripped himself naked to change
his outfit. I don’t know why, though it’s not the first time I’ve seen such a
thing. Sadly, he wasn’t hot. Not that I looked. Our last night in Austria taught me, oddly enough, why everyone wants to know
what a Scotsman has under his kilt. It is well worth knowing about. So, here’s
the tale. We were at Octoberfest in Salzburg. The people gather in crowds under
a large tent to drink excellent beer, sing along to an oompha band, and dress in
native costume. (Think flowered dirndl dresses with aprons for the women and
leather shorts and checked shirts for the men. I have pictures
here. The sight of two Scotsmen in full kilted gear added to the festive
atmosphere. Added considerably, as you will see. Everyone sits at big picnic tables family
style, that is, wherever you find a seat. The Scotsmen were at the table next to
mine, and I was keeping a casual eye on them. (Yup, casual.) Though we were
all eating dinner, it was still full daylight. They were bantering with an
Austrian woman at my table, laughing and having a grand time (in German). The
guys stood up, still joking with her, when suddenly one of them simply pulled up
his kilt and exposed his wares for the Austrian lady. That’s right. He wore not
a stitch under that kilt and not only that, he was shaved as bald as a robin’s
egg. No, dinosaur egg would be a better simile. Because that man had a set of
pipes...whew, I’m still agog.
It’s amazing how shock immobilizes you, and yet allows you to focus intently. He dropped the kilt and the Austrian lady and I started to cry. No. No. We
didn’t. She blushed brighter than the red stripes on the tent. (We think she had
dared him to do it.) I managed to close my mouth and tell my husband what had
happened. The man sitting next to me and I laughed for ten minutes (though he
was also blushing). It was so unexpected. The two Scotsmen sat back down and
within five minutes, there were two young women sitting across from them
(coincidentally, I’m sure.) Well, in the US, that stunt would probably cost him a night in jail. But
Europeans are much more casual about public nudity. Both of my published
stories, Scarlet and the
Sheriff, and The Star
Necklace feature a bit of public nudity. That's by design, as I wrote The Star Necklace after
reading an article about an ancient custom where every woman, on the eve of her
wedding, had to sit by the side of the road and offer herself to the first man
who came along. (I never forget terrible facts.) Then I dreamed up Scarlet as a
contemporary woman who would know exactly what to do with that kind of custom.
(Don't mess with Scarlet, even if you're the Sheriff because she knows exactly
how to turn his life upside down.) You can read an excerpt from The Star Necklace here.
I have a contest to win a copy of this story on Fresh Fiction here.
An excerpt from Scarlet and the Sheriff is here.
Thanks for visiting.
Have you ever been surprised by some public nudity? Please share the story.
Also, we all know men are voyeurs. Are women?
Comments
19 comments posted.
Re: Carly Carson | Austria Has SOOOO Much to Offer
We were there when our daughter was young and her comment was "Euuuu (sp?) tell me when it's over so that I can open my eyes!)
(Karin Tillotson 9:43am August 17, 2010)
Austria being one of my favourite countries, I just have to comment! Yes, public nudity is accepted over there, unlike in this country. Not only did I find it totally enjoyable (yes, I DID look!), but I also participated, as far as I was able to (changing out of the swimsuit bottom into a towel).
It's a lovely country, and the people are some of the nicest I ever met when traveling in Europe. I'd go back in a heartbeat!!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 10:33am August 17, 2010)
I feel that any type of nudity makes people uncomfortable because it's not the norm in this country. I have a friend that doesn't think twice about changing her top in front of people, but it makes me blush, even though she still has her bra on. I was brought up differently, I guess, and even feel uncomfortable doing things like that in front of my own doctor!! lol
(Peggy Roberson 11:00am August 17, 2010)
I agree with Peggy but I also think that it is sad that we are so closed minded as a whole.
(Vickie Hightower 11:15am August 17, 2010)
Karin, so I guess you saw some nudists, as well. lol
Lyn, yes Austria is a beautiful and friendly country. Vienna has so many all-pedestrian zones. It's nice for visitors.
Peggy and Vickie, I wonder why we are so different in this country? (I have no theory, lol.)
(Carly Carson 11:44am August 17, 2010)
No stories about public nudity to share.
Hell yes, women are voyeurs; they just won't admit it. (I proudly will.) At least not in the USA. This country hasn't caught up yet with the European countries when it comes to being comfortable with their own nudity. I, on the other hand, had to get used to it. When you're thrown together with a bunch of strangers in boot camp, nudity is the last thing on your mind. I found as I get older, I get wiser too.
(Cynthia Netherton 11:55am August 17, 2010)
I've never really minded changing in a women's locker room. I figure that I don't have anything they haven't seen before. Also, since I had a male Gynocologist up though 2006, being examined by a doctor doesn't really bother me.
Nudity in mixed company other than doctors is a whole other story though!
(Robin Greene 2:01pm August 17, 2010)
Cynthia, I wonder if it's harder for women to not only admit to voyeurism, but also to even do it. Unlike men, we're not really brought up to believe it's acceptable behavior. Of course, there are some co-ed bathrooms even in the US, but that crosses the line for me.
(Carly Carson 3:55pm August 17, 2010)
Robin, I'm not one who wants to be naked in mixed company. Visited a friend once who was having a pool party. He forgot to mention they were skinny dipping. I worked with him. It was too awkward. I got the heck out of there.
(Carly Carson 3:58pm August 17, 2010)
No surprise public nudity to report. I am not comfortable with open displays of nudity.
(Mary Preston 5:57pm August 17, 2010)
Not total nudity but there was that family vacation in London when I was about 21 where we stayed at a B&B in which the windows have a view of the rooms across a tiny courtyard. I looked out of the window and realized that the room directly across the way was a communal bathroom and that a man was getting ready for his shower (he was naked but I didn't see much from the back).
I've never been to Austria before. I've been to Germany but only in January so I don't know if they're casual about nudity there as well (it was way too cold during my visit).
(S Tieh 7:58pm August 17, 2010)
I loved your story about Austria! LOL I think I would have been terribly embarrassed! Yeah I was told by a friend of mine who goes to clothing optional places, that the people that go to those are older not great looking have surgical scars, whatever and are just wanting to hang out but have no respect for young people who want to come and just be there to display themselves. It's about the freedom to do what they wish for the older crowd. Not seeing people who are great looking naked. Seeing someone changing clothings out in the parking lot, well that would have taken me by surprise!
dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 8:50pm August 17, 2010)
Mary, you're undoubtedly in the majority, at least in the US.
S Tieh, they are probably much more circumspect in the winter!
(Carly Carson 9:00pm August 17, 2010)
Brenda, I'm starting to realize I could do a whole blog series on this subject. lol Greece, St. Marten, Switzerland and Mexico are all places off the top of my head where I've seen folks who think clothing is optional. I saw what you're talking about with people doing a mud bath thing in St Marten. Not pretty. (We were on a boat.)
(Carly Carson 9:07pm August 17, 2010)
Thanks everyone for joining me today. It's been fun!
(Carly Carson 11:26pm August 17, 2010)
What is in the air over there? A blush
worthy trip : ) No nude story. Have
been mooned a few times - usually
teen boys. When I was in the Peace
Corps, I was riding in a horse drawn
taxi type vehicle. We passed a young
man standing on the side of the road
waving his "wares" at the passing
carriage.
Thanks for the smile. Read this to my
husband. He got a kick out of the kilt
antics. Thank Heaven he doesn't go
commando when he wears his. After
this story though, I'll keep a better
watch on him : )
(Patricia Barraclough 9:28pm August 18, 2010)
Oooh Patricia, you have a kilt-wearing husband? Yeah, you'd better watch him!! lol
(Carly Carson 8:23pm August 19, 2010)
I was recently flashed by an
elderly neighbor who I'm sure
did not realize that when she
was bending over to pull weeds
out of her flowerbed at the
roadside she was showing the
girls off in all their glory.
She was apparently bra-less
and ever time she bent down to
pull a weed the girls were
swinging free. If we hadn't
been on the motorcycle riding
by, I'd have stopped and told
her but now I don't if it
would just embarrass her.
(Lisa Richards 11:27am August 22, 2010)
Hmmm, this points out the fact that there's all kinds of flashing. Too often, it's not the kind that lights up your day, lol. She probably would have been embarrassed, esp. if you hopped off a motorcycle to tell her. So no need to feel badly that you couldn't.
(Carly Carson 2:03pm August 23, 2010)
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