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29.9.06 - 7:38

Another day has passed by. Yesterday did prove to be quite interesting. After breakfast, we headed out to our normal Internet Cafe hangout to check e-mails and such. It's official. I have an apartment in Old Town Bratislava by Michael's Gate for the remainder of my stay. Unfortunately, I've yet to hear anything from either of the girls into regards of it being a good thing or bad thing as they've been so busy with the first official week of school.

Afterwards, we headed out to Tatralandia. The place itself is beautiful, situatied in a valley around high peak mountains. As we made our way to the entrance, I thought it would be wise to read over the pool rules. Hmmm.. pretty standard so far.. No running.. No diving.. No American-style bathing suits....wait, what? .. Looking further into it, they will not allow 'loose' bathing suits at all, so this means I would have to run in there wearing nothing but a speedo (*shiver* .. it's okay, it's a bad image in my mind too). Thinking that this couldn't possibly be true, I decided to watch the people in the waterpark. All of them were running around in speedos only. I guess it's the European way? .. *shiver* .. There was no way I could convince myself to do it. So we hoped in the car, and headed towards 'Besenova Thermal Park'.

Arriving at the Besenova park seemed to be a breeze. We went inside, and looked for the posted rules.... there weren't any. So I stood by the entrance again to watch people rolling in. I saw every style of swimsuit available, including the 'American' style. Seeing this, my confidence level wasn't up to the highest, but I was willing to give it a shot. We went ahead and picked up V.I.P. passes for the day (as it also included the spa). They gave us each a watch-looking device that we placed on our wrists. Actually a very ingenious idea. Each area of the pool was closed off by a gate, to get in, you had to pass your watch over the scanner. If you hadn't paid for access to it, then you don't get in. If you have, then the get will let you swing through it. Even the lockers were coded to your watch. You simply needed to walk up to an open locker, put your stuff in it, and then place your watch over the lock for it to close tight. Such a great idea! Made me feel like a Power Ranger again, or something (hey, as a child, I dreamed!!)

The place was very very very clean. As you first entered the park, you were required to take off your shoes in a foyer area. Then you could enter into the changing/locker rooms. You change into your swimming items, drop your stuff off at the lockers, and head on out. We walked to the mineral water pools outside first. It consisted of three pools. Two pools were like a sauna, as the tempurature was around 40°C. The main pool was more standard in tempurature sitting around 20°C. All three were dark mucky water flowing from a nearby lake. The water itself is known for it's healing attributes, and so many people flock to this area. While it looked appealing, I wanted to check out the rest of it first.

We headed around the area until we came to a small 'Fast Food' bar. Around the corner from that, was a gorgeous indoor swimming pool made of stainless steel, with a giant stainless steel tobagan (read: slide) that went from the second story back into the pool. I was intrigued by this display. So immediately, I got in.

Now mind you, it was a briskly cold morning here in the Low Tatras. The tempurature was a crisp 12°C, so doing too much swimming would get you a bit chilly, right? .. The water itself was again around 20°C, so the water was still a bit chilly, but it was so relaxing.

After spending some time there, we headed over to the spa area. The V.I.P. purchase gave you (1) visit to the spa area. Walking in, we were told to disrobe completely, and put on a towel. Hmmm? .. Okay, if the whole 'speedo' thing from Tatralandia was an issue, this has to be a major issue for me, right? .. Actually, no.. You were still covered by a towel, right? .. .. .. right?

The person in charge showed us around. All items in the place were self-reliant. They had quite a selection. They had a tranquility room which consisted of ceramic chairs and light music with a small water display in the center. They had a foot massage area, to which you fill the large container with what ever tempurature water you want, as it gently massages your feet. They had many many different types of hot aroma therapy (my favorite). They had a foot fountian, where you take steps up into containers of cold water, then hot with gentle massaging, then cold. They had an ice fountain, where you rubbed ice all over to get your blood running. They even had your whirlpool, steam bath, and ice bath (even an ice shower.. brrrr.. BRISK).

After spending some time in the aroma therapy areas, I felt a bit more comfortable looking around. There were people in there from all walks of life dressed in only a sheet themselves. I found myself in a tranquil peacefulness that I had never experianced before. It was incredible. It gave me another chance to reflect on these crazy items still plauging my brain. As people got more comfortable, the sheets came off.. In all locations of the spa.

Now, personally? .. I'm not much for stripping down in front of a bunch of people, but, it seemed okay. No one was there to judge you. In fact, it seemed to be a bit of a European lifestyle. Finally, I got the courage to go hop in the whirlpool when no one was around. Getting in wasn't an issue, but getting out? .. Well, you just need to wait for people to leave, right? .. That took some time. So here I was, butt ass naked in a steaming pool of massaging water. A young couple came in to join me. As you see, no clothes were allowed in the jacuzzi, everything was beared. Thankfully, I had the bubbles from the jets covering my shame. As we sat there for a long period of time, I kept telling myself that once this couple left, I would get out myself. As the couple left, a handful of quite attractive girls came in. Okay.. weird situation. Do I get up, bearing myself to these girls? Or do I sit back and let the bubbles hide me away? .. Ahh screw it.. I let the bubbles hide me.

As they all stripped down and got into the whirlpool, I was a bit amazed. Following my observations of American culture, nothing like this would ever happen in the states. These girls were quite attractive, and me? .. well, you know me! .. While most of my female friends are confident that I would never take advantage of a situation, and have stripped down in front of me in the past, this was different. We're all in a place where none of us know each other, and I'm sure if I saw them on the street, would never be in the situation I was now. As the girls got into the whirlpool, and surrounded me on both sides, I thought 'hmmm.. actually, I'm more comfortable than I thought I would be' .. It wasn't sexual, it was relaxing. Yes, so very relaxing, tranquil, and peaceful.. Nothing could sour this moment......... then the jets turned off, and there weren't any more bubbles.... *gulp*

The time the jets were off (for a cool down) may have only taken 1-2 minutes, but it felt like 1-2 years. As here I was, completely surrounded on both sides both beautiful naked women, I got a bit of a sense of 'oh my damn' and crossed my legs over... Finally, the bubbles started back again, and once again, I felt a little more comfortable in what was going on around me. As the girls departed from the whirlpool, I realized that this would be the prime chance for me to go too.

I hopped up immediately, and ran for my sheet covering what dignity I had left. I headed up the to tranquil room for the remainder of my stay in the spa. I layed out on one of the ceramic chairs (with hot stones that lay across your back). Between the music and light display inside, I started to come to the sense of my mind again, and let it open up into my soul. I started to grasp things more clearly, and thought about who I was, and who I was supposed to be. The peacefulness of the room left me dozing off feeling a sense of comfort. The spa day would be something I wouldn't ever forget, and if I'm ever out this way again, I would absolutely love to come back.

Once you get over the bashfulness, you do feel welcome. You realize that no one is here to judge you or critisize you. The 'American' life is where the judgement comes into play. No matter who you are, or what you look like, a place like this could be a definate place to shine. How easily you will survive on your own? Well, I'll fill you in on that when I get to my apartment next week.

From here, we headed back to the 'Fast Food' area where we picked up a couple of sandwiches and drinks. Afterwards, we headed out to the mineral pools. I first entered the colder pool, just to see what it was like. The chill of the air made this pool a bit cold too fast. But it was a bit relaxing at the same time. The odor of the water wasn't the most pleasent, and there were swarms of gnats overhead, but it just felt peaceful and relaxing. Like jumping in the old watering hole when I was a kid.

Once it became too cold to handle anymore, I headed into the warmer pool. Immediately, I felt like I was in a personal warm blanket. You feel so refreshed and alive that you want to curl up into a little ball and fall asleep. The signs listed all around recommended no more than 30 minutes in the mineral water at any time; which is true, as when 30 minutes has expired, you are so warm that you need a cool-off.

We headed back into the indoor pool again for one last time. After spending so much time in the hot springs, the water in this pool was so much colder. I spent some time alone in the indoor pool again, as a random girl started to flirt with me with her camera. Maybe she saw something interesting about me? Maybe it was because I looked like some Italian mobster strolling into the pool wearing a muscle shirt and sunglasses with my hair slicked back from the water? Maybe she just thought I was just a crazy tourist that didn't know any better. Regardless, it was small things like this, that still made you feel welcome. No one gave you dirty looks. No one smited you for the clothes you had on. Everyone was there to relax and enjoy themselves.

Besenova is a wonderful place, and I highly recommend that if anyone of you reading this heads out to the Liptovsky Mikulas area, that you take a day (or even a few hours) and relax in the beauty that surrounds you.

*ring ring*

Wait, what's this? .. My phone's ringing at 8AM? Hmmm.. It can't be one of the girls, as this would be too early for them.. As I looked at my caller ID, I was shocked to see that it came up as 'Mark - Home'.. The first (and probably only) person to call me here in Slovakia! I was overwhelmed! I'm so happy to hear a familiar voice. Mark and Dani called me to give me some encouragement, and to just talk about the randomness of what has taken place while I've been abroad. *sniff* Mark's grown up now and taken it on his own accord to purchase a new computer (in the past, I was his go-to man for nealy all computer based questions, and I always helped him find the best deal). It was good to hear their voices, and to know that maybe I actually am being missed!

I vowed to him that together we would kick each of our asses into shape. Being a gym member myself, I was glad to hear he had signed up right before I headed out here. I explained to him that after being in Europe, I see why so many people are physically fit. It's given me time to reflect on myself, and my stubborn ways. I love my buddy Mark to death, but he knows as well as I do that while we'll say 'we'll head out to the gym tomorrow, I'm too tired today' we'll never do it. Our excersize? The 'brisk' walking getting out of the bed and over to the computer where we sit for the remainder of the day... That's no way of life, is it? .. Many changes will be in place when I get back. I want to change my whole well-being and be the man who I should be.

Well, it's about time to head off now. We're going to try to head out to Poprad, Slovakia for the day just to look around. It should prove to (hopefully) be another interesting day!