My First Time at Athena

The nerves were mostly beforehand

Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed. I was given a brief overview of the park and the
key guidelines. No one was in a hurry, and no one expected me to immediately know exactly how everything worked. That helped more than I had anticipated.

I first took a walk around. People were drinking coffee, reading a book, or having a chat. Actually, nothing special was happening, and that’s precisely why the tension disappeared.

“I thought everyone would be looking at me. After a few minutes, I noticed that actually no one was paying attention to that.”

Everything quickly felt completely normal

The most remarkable thing was how quickly I stopped thinking about my body. There were people of all ages and very different body types. No one seemed to have anything to prove. Without any showiness, the interactions felt simpler and more equal.

After a while, I sat on the terrace with a towel. The sun was shining, there was laughter at a table nearby, and someone simply asked if the seat next to me was free. That was the moment I thought: why did I find this so nerve-wracking for so long?

A first impression of Athena

Meeting without rush. A simple moment in a green environment. At my own pace.

My first visit didn’t take away all my doubts at once. And it doesn’t have to. I mainly discovered that there’s room to get to know naturism at your own pace. Respect for yourself and others comes first.

For first-timers, I’d like to share one thing: almost everyone has taken that first step at some point. Bring a towel and sunscreen, ask your questions, and give yourself some time. Chances are it will feel normal sooner than you think.