This is intended as a parallel to the thread about staying awake… the two seem to go hand in hand.
On my way back to the States this summer from France was the worst. Maybe not too hellish compared to others, but damn, it felt horrible. I had a reception to go to in Cannes at 11, so showered at 9 AM. Came back, had to pack 6 weeks’ worth of souvenirs, clothing, books to be at the train station by 7 or 8 PM. Took the overnight train from Cannes to Paris - arrived in Paris at 8 AM. Got to the airport at 10:30, and arrived back at St. Louis airport at 1 PM, after a 7.5-hour flight. Then it took me 5 hours to get back to my friend’s house in southern MO. I felt so gross after running to catch a train, a bus, a plane, and my luggage… all in 80 degrees+.
A little over five days with nothing but baby wipes to attempt to cleanse the private areas. This happened both in North Carolina and California. In the summer. In the Marines.
Friends of mine the were part of Desert Shield/Storm tols me they went 65 days with out an actual shower. <blech>
Two or three weeks in fifth grade. By doctor’s orders even. I got the chicken pox, way later in life than I should have and the doctor told me not to take a bath and referably not to shower either. My mother always insists on following the doctor’s orders to the letter. I felt so horribly disgusting, it was awful.
I went 10 full days without showering when I was in jail. They actually had seperate shower stalls, but I figured if I smelled bad enough, the other inmates would keep their distance. It worked…too well. After about 6 days, my own stink was so bad it kept me awake at night. That, and the fact that my bunk-mate was about 300lbs and nicknamed “chainsaw” for his snoring.
About six days without bathing at all, when I was on a field expedition while in the Army in Korea. I had long hair then(I’m female!) and boy was it gross.
) due to illness.