In the Buck

When I was a child I loved to be naked. Every time my mom would strip me for a bath, I’d run away to streak through the house, and ambitiously seek out everyone else that was home. Once located, I would take a flying leap into the room, throw my hands up into the air, and scream “MEEEEEEE NAKED!”. I can’t quite remember what appeal this had, and nor do I think my family really enjoyed my nudist expressions..but I must have just always felt comfortable in my own skin.

So, my excitement for nudity led me to what the lonely planet boasts as the largest public bath in Asia. True or not, this place was awesome. There were about 25 different baths, varying in size, shape, temperature, or medicinal value, both indoor and outdoor. There were also saunas, steams rooms, showers areas, and massage waterfalls. So, for about 8$, I got naked and bathed with a bunch of Korean women. And, for another 15$ I got the full scrub down. Lying on a table, a naked ajima (old Korean woman) put scrub mitts on and exfoliated me from head to toe. Leaving no skin untouched, she vigorously scoured me from head to toe. I came out feeling smoother than a babies bottom….(and the unsuspecting recipient an unintentional boob slap to the face). Sometimes it’s best to kick old childhood habits, but the implications of them will remain inherent in one’s character forever.