And did I say there is no lifeguard at the pool?

In the US we are very used to the idea of a lifeguard -- someone in a red suit or shirt who sits up on a raised chair and scans the pool every 10 seconds.  In Arlington, they cannot even talk to another person, and are spelled every so often.  When they change lifeguards in Arlington, one set of eyes always continues to scan the pool.

Not so much here.  And maybe it is OK because the pool is only between waist and chest deep.  Adults can touch everywhere, and teachers are in the pool with kids during their lessons.  There is a staff person who greets me when I enter the pool area, and walks around straightening things, and is mostly looking down....

The pool does not open until 10:00am.  It has no free swim from mid-afternoon to 7:00pm because of classes for children.  In the evening there are usually 2 lanes for adult lessons or some very rigorous water aerobics.  Then there are two lanes for free swim -- usually 3-5 people sharing a lane.  And then there is one lane for people walking in the pool.

The pool is only 25 meters, and it is too warm (for kid's learning), but I need the exercise!