Public bathhouses are one of the things I miss most during t..
🕑 Added 2020-04-13 16:12:52 +0000 UTC
Public bathhouses are one of the things I miss most during this pandemic isolation. I hold memberships to multiple baths in various states that I frequent as often as possible. I have always appreciated cultures where communal bathing has historically been the norm. Turkish baths, Russian banyas, Japanese Onsen, Korean baths!
As an introvert it’s one of my favourite social outings. I get to be social but I’m not required to socialize. I get to be naked (or mostly) in a public (often coed) setting but by nature of the environment and of the intimacy that is bathing, steaming, scrubbing, washing....there is a physical boundary around you and the other (mostly naked) bathers. Sometimes clustered in small groups in hushed conversation, but largely a little off to the side, separate, sweating and wet. It’s honestly ideal.
When I was in Tbilisi Georgia 🇬🇪 In October I didn’t miss the opportunity to visit the ancient sulfur baths in the historic Abanotubani district. Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD and it’s location on the Silk Road and having been built atop thermal hot springs, wound up being a stopover for healing and rejuvenation for travels between the East and West. The hot sulfur water pumps out of the earth at 40-50 Celsius and it was delightful. I had a private room so you better believe I documented my Georgian bathhouse experience. 10/10 recommend. 👀💧💦
