Frankfurt has six indoor and seven outdoor pools, most of them known as "bad" which translates to bath in German. These pools include long winding water slides, wide water slides, and wave pools. The indoor pools also have saunas and steam rooms. Many Germans believe in the healing power of these spas.
Two weeks ago, we tried an indoor pool. We arrived at seven for a short pre bedtime swim and expected to pay 8 euro for the family. The 32 euro price tag surprised us. We tried to bribe the kids with promises of ice cream, but after four weeks without a pool visit, they insisted on a swim. Besides the teenagers who seemed to require hotel rooms and the naked people walking around the coed locker room, the bad felt like an upscale indoor pool from home. We left feeling refreshed.
After a weekend of 95 degree weather and no A/C, we decided to try an outdoor pool. We picked one with a 118 meter water slide, two extra wide slides, and a wild water course for 8 euro for the family. We arrived to find a crazy parking lot with tiny European cars parked all over the place. Our mini van felt like a mac truck weaving through close knit match box cars. After standing in line in the heat (did I mention it is hot and we have no A/C) for 20 min, a German speaking life guard starts speaking animatedly to us. "Nein kinder" in this line. Since the pool lacked a sign to explain this rule, we refused to switch lines. When we finally reached the pool, we were surprised once again. The number of people reminded us of Disney on steroids. We walked into 40 degree water and could barely move without hitting someone. The family closest to us played by holding their kids' heads under water. Emily wondered out loud if the police would think that behaviour was okay. Thirty minutes later, the kids were as eager to leave as we were.
We will definitely try another bad - but maybe paying 32 euro is not such a bad idea.
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