Swimming, fully clothed, in Spain

When I was 13, my mum and dad took me on holiday to Spain.
It was a big deal then; I’d never even stepped foot on an aeroplane
before, never mind stepping on foreign soil!

The holiday was in a resort; you see, back then I wasn’t a class snob like I am now. I was too young to look down... On myself!
After arriving, we were herded into stark empty boxes with balconies:
The view, being a combination of semi naked bodies, water and waiters.
The water part did fascinate me though!
I’d never seen such a large swimming pool; outdoor as well!

After a couple of days in this make believe world, boredom became my best friend; we knocked about together, doing... nothing!

One day we were lounging by the pool, fully clothed of course: not only have I always been a bit... different... I was also just 13, so a combination of... ME and NO CLOTHES, defiantly WOULD NOT mix!

In my resort induced state, I wondered what it would be like to jump in a swimming pool fully clothed, while surrounded by semi naked people; well think about It; if you saw someone walking down the high street...in a pair of skimpy pants, you would think it’s a bit odd, right?, so, maybe I could assimilate the same situation by being fully clothed!

What do you mean I’m weird?! Just thought it could be... interesting, that’s all!

I looked round at my Dad; his sweaty bubbling skin evoked a simple silence all of its own.

Me - ‘Dad?’

Dad – ‘What?’

Me – ‘There’s a lot of people here, arn’t there!’

Dad – ‘Yes boy, there are.’

Me –‘And everyone is, well, not wearing much; are they?’

Dad – ‘No son, they’re not.’

Me – ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if someone jumped in the pool... fully clothed!’

He was thoughtful for a moment, then turned to look at me;

A smile slowly tore across his face;

Dad –‘Go on then! You jump in there, with your clothes on, and i’ll give you a tenner!’

Now, I was smiling!

I got up, and walked slowly to the edge of the pool, standing there, staring in to the abyss;

my delay started to cause attention;
people were starting to stare!

‘It’s now or never!’, I thought...

I dived in!

I climbed to the surface, and made my way to the water’s edge, pulling myself up onto the side of the pool.
Standing up I looked at my audience; no applause; silent!
My clothes were absolutely pouring with water, completely stuck to me like glue, and as I walked back to the hotel, I glanced over at my Dad;
his huge mesmerised expression radiating pride!

‘Wow, he’s impressed!’, I thought.

I walked through the hotel reception getting many stares, and got in the lift; yes the lift: I didn’t understand much about electrics at 13!

My Dad told the story many times; I think he was so proud because it brought us together, a bit of a defining moment; it was something that we both identified with, perhaps for different reasons, but identified with all the same!

I never did walk down the high street in a pair of pants though...

Hmm... I’ll leave that for the time being I think!