Hi everyone! I celebrated my birthday last week and I left clues in one of my posts to let you guys know where in the world I was. Well, I waited and waited but none of you showed up to my birthday party.
What’s wrong? Couldn’t solve the clues? Got lost? Got mugged in Tokyo and loss your memory? Got stomped on by Godzilla?
Well anyway, you didn’t show up and it was your loss cause I chose to celebrate my birthday in my birthday suit! Yes…..au naturel. Bet you are kicking yourself for not getting on that early flight to Japan.
After decades of thinking about it, I finally got a chance to go to a ryokan and go into an outdoor onsen. And I took the plunge! I embraced the whole experience which involves letting it all hang out in a public bath.
For the uninitiated, let me walk you through the process.
Step 1: Get Naked. – all you take with you is a tiny towel that is barely big enough to cover your privates. Now it seems that the native Japanese tend to strut around with the tiny towel folded neatly on top of their heads. Those less accustomed to public nudity may rather uncomfortably use it to shield the nether regions from prying eyes but it really doesn’t help much. I tend to subscribe to the strategy of using the towel to cover the face so that no one knows who you are.
Step 2: Soap and wash. – There are washing stations lined up along the side of a wall where you are expected to sit on tiny stools and wash and clean yourself thoroughly. NOTE:- You Have to be CLEAN before entering the hot spring pool. Soaping yourself in the hot pool is a major faux pas; nay – a major diplomatic incident; nay reason for going to war.
Step 3: Enter the hot spring fed pool and soak while enjoying the cold outdoors. The waters heal all kinds of physical and mental ailments and tiredness.
So here we go …….
Well, that’s pretty much the end of this post. If you were expecting some nudity, shame on you! Please remember this is a family oriented blog.
Now, do you really want to see the squirrel disrobed? I mean, do you really? Are you sure? Your final warning. It’s not too late to turn back. Last chance to save your eyes.
If you really want to see then follow this link…… I WANT TO SEE!
P.S. when asked about wearing his birthday suit for the occasion, LGS merely told the paparazzi that “it needed ironing”.
Realm of the Lone Grey Squirrel 
so funny and happy belated bday!
Well, every other squirrel in the world runs around with their nuts exposed and not a care in the world… so let’s chalk this one up to following primal instincts. I won’t even let the public see my pasty white hairy legs, so this would be far removed from my bucket list…
Sorry to have missed such a stupendous event! Thanks for the laugs!
laughs, I mean….
Oh Mr. Loh went for a birthday soak in his starker suit. The wonder and awe awaits all who wish to peruse him sans clothes in the warm springs. Well rested now from his time among the watery rocks the only question remaining is Calvin, where can i get a matching pair of those socks??
Beth,
Thanks. I plan to have a bath every birthday and watch the dirt rings tell the story of my year.
evilsquirrel,
Thanks for understanding my need to answer the Call of the Wild.
Molly,
Think you would try this?
Mark,
Yes, it’s one of those strange socks where they separate the big toe from the rest. Strangely comfortable though. I think you would have to get it in Japan unless you have one of those Japanese one dollar stores like Daiso near you.
Glad you enjoyed yourself. I may be able to show my pasty white legs here and there (although a rare siting in itself), unlike evilsquirrel13, but you won’t catch me in a swim suit (although, maybe an extremely modest one like from the 1920’s) let alone my b-day suit. happy belated birthday!
Emerrube,
Thanks. Actually, I waited and waited and waited until there was no one there before I went starkers!