Naked

So basically the main culture shock of being here in Iceland is the whole naked thing. If you go to a pool, in the change room you MUST change in front of everyone, and shower naked. If you don't shower naked, people yell at you. For real.

Coming from my, apparently, incredibly modest upbringing, this took some getting used to. After some initial weird feelings, I was actually feeling comfortable with being naked in a room with a whole bunch of other naked ladies. It was quite a liberating feeling. This first barrier that I crossed was however at the health center, where most of the ladies were older, saggier, and heavier.

The other day was my first foray into a *drumroll* normal swimming pool. Everyone looked like a model - the high majority were thin, muscular, hairless (apparently) and flawlessly tanned. THIS became my new culture shock.
I now entered a weird second puberty, where I felt awkward about the whole naked thing. I assume that it we were to go swimming 10 more times, my odd feelings would once again change.

All of these swimming experiences really got me to wonder, why the shame? Why does our western society promote shame of your body? Why do we feel awkward in public places, when really, we just don't have the small pieces of fabric that make up a bathing suit on yet? And why was my confidence suddenly depleted by the introduction of a new standard of beauty than I am used to?

I guess that is my thoughts on naked. And I guess I will have to ponder them all myself.