Баняяяя

Remember that earlier post about nudity? Well, turns out I practiced getting naked just in time; a couple of days later, I woke up to my roommates, Elise and Grace, informing me that today was Banya Day.

Here is what my guidebook has to say about the banya: "Nothing beats St. Petersburg winter like the banya. Less hot but more humid than a sauna, the Russian bath sweats out all impurity, cleansing body and soul." And sweat we did...

Armed with towels and soap, the three of us made our way to a banya recommended by a guy in the group. We'd heard that banya women were not welcoming but found otherwise: everyone was very helpful in showing us what to do and where to do it.

We betrayed our banya-virginity by glancing self-consciously around before stripping completely down, shielded only by our miniscule towels. Then we entered the banya itself, a large sauna-like room with different levels (the higher you go, the hotter it gets). We had been given a birch branch to beat each other with (see below) and got a special demonstration from a helpful banya-goer inside.



(Actual birch branch used for beating)

When it got too hot to bear, we rushed out and jumped in the curtainless showers, all modesty forgotten. We repeated twice more and left, feeling "beautifully brilliant," albeit a little thirsty from the gallons we had sweated out inside.