When we chose the location for this weekend’s get-together — the far west end of 55th Street, where a tree-shaded, grassy lawn slopes down to the edge of the Hudson River — we had no idea that we would be next door to the world’s largest convention of sneaker enthusiasts, “Sneaker Con.” But when we arrived, laden with books and towels and tasty things to eat, we found a line of people carrying cardboard shoeboxes and wearing the most striking footwear. What was at first a short queue soon snaked around the entire perimeter of the lawn, encircling us to the tune of at least two hundred eager souls — most of whom, for lack of anything better to do while waiting to be let in, seemed to be watching us and speculating on the question of who we were and why we had no shirts on.
But — and this is why we love New York so — the speculation was good natured and polite, and aside from a very few nervous visits from inquisitive teenage boys, nominally asking us this or that but actually just angling for a close-up view, we were left to read in peace. (One of our number did comment at one point, “I think we’ve jump-started puberty for several people on line.” She wasn’t necessarily referring to the chronologically young, either.)
Our attendees this time included two representatives of the Feminist Press, who came bearing gifts, samples of their line of female-authored pulp fiction, and a French journalist working on a magazine article about America’s top-freedom movement; all three cast inhibition aside and joined us in bare-breasted relaxation. Other attendees hailed from as far away as Australia, Israel, and Barcelona and as near as the Upper West Side. One of us had to leave halfway through for a dog-walking gig; one arrived late after a long evening bartending. We also had not one but two physicists and a brief discussion of molecular dynamics. Alongside our customary stash of pulp fiction (including, hot off the presses, a new paperback edition of Lawrence Block’s amazing A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, basis for the forthcoming Liam Neeson movie), we read Sartre and BULLFINCH’S MYTHOLOGY. We ate chili-laced popcorn and coconut chips, fresh lychees and blueberries, petits fours from Maison Kayser, and some utterly delectable homemade tollhouse cookies. (One of our members brought her boyfriend, and her boyfriend brought the cookies. Good boyfriend.)
At one point, one of us, demonstrating considerable dexterity and upper-body strength, clambered up the nearest tree and deposited herself in the crook of two branches and proceeded to read Truman Capote from her perch.
At another point, we found ourselves discussing nipple piercings (one of us had just gotten hers done the day before).
At yet another, we communed with the gaggle of geese that frequent the lawn.
Was the afternoon perfect? Almost. It did drizzle at one point, and more substantial rain threatened. But we defied the threat and, improbably, the skies cleared. Neither we nor the geese were forced to fly, and our feathers remained blissfully unruffled.
Reblogged this on Naturist Holidays in Europe and commented:
Once more a perfect evening ! Keep it up girls ! We look forward for your next adventure !
Lovely as always, ladies. The hat and skirt is a stunning look.
Hey, just saw that your body painting session made it into a German tabloid:
http://www.bild.de/lifestyle/2014/bodypainting/new-york-36994996.bild.html
An entirely beautiful day! I even recognized a couple friends. Amen and Amen!
Hope no one did mind the teenagers intrusions unless they are offensive. Indeed puberty evolves throughout different ages and sexes!!!!
Enjoyable and entertaining pics!!! Thanks.
I have a general question regarding your group. It is very possible that you replied this type of questions to others already. Hope you respond again to me!
What is the general philosophy behind your group blogging with pictures? To be equal to guys in taking shirts off? To have liberty? To just have fun? To poke fun at others who may grumble? To show your beautiful bodies? All these? Or some other things……
We blog with pictures because it’s the best way to expose a much larger number of people to what we’re doing than could ever see us in person. If we go out even to the most populated spot in Central Park, perhaps a hundred or a few hundred passers-by might see us; maybe a thousand, but probably not. But if we take photos of ourselves out in that spot and post them on our blog, those photos will be seen by tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Since one of our goals is to spread our message as widely as possible, the photos are an invaluable tool for expanding our reach.
Apart from that, yes, it’s fun; yes, some of us find it sensual; yes we want to be equal to guys. But the main reason for the photos on our blog is simply to ensure that we’re seen by more people than we could reach in person.
But what is the message (most important to you) that you want us take from the blog perhaps? I understand that each of us will take with different flavor. What is your desire or expectation (may be)?
That women are entitled to the same rights as men, and that if women are granted those rights and make use of them, the sky doesn’t fall, society doesn’t collapse, and the world doesn’t end. That the sight of bare female chests in a public park is no more scandalous or sexual than the sight of bare male chests, which everyone accepts without question. That normal, smart, sane women can enjoy themselves in this way without harm coming to them or harm coming to others because of them. That being topless outdoors is fun. That reading is also fun. That the two together are a winning combination.
Those are some of the key messages.
Equality, Liberty!!! Fun !!!
Amen!!!
I don’t think you could possibly have said this more perfectly. Ultimately, while I believe that there shouldn’t be any social stigma to a woman baring her breasts in public, what a woman chooses to do with her body should obviously be her decision. I think it’s a shame that many women still view their breasts as strictly sexual and taboo and something strictly for the bedroom, but it’s their body and their decision. However, I hope women such as yourselves can help ease the minds of at least some women and encourage them to be more comfortable with their bodies. Society, particularly American society, loathes change and while I believe many people, men and women, are more open these days to the idea of female toplessness, there has been little incentive to remove the archaic rules against it or reverse traditional social norms that have placed a stigma on it. In the end, the people who want to ban it care way more that the people don’t.
I’m sure you made many young guys very happy, not to mention making the wait in line far less boring than it would have otherwise been. Keep spreading the joy 🙂
THANKS FOR SHARING.. BE HAPPY 🙂