Editor Pick
Russian Banya
- February 7, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
erikm from Utrecht, Netherlands
We were a little nervous. Cautiously my friend and I entered this unknown land of Russian tradition, to be confronted by naked men and ladies...lots of them. Having paid 50Rbl to use the banya, reputedly frequented by Rasputin in its younger days, we reluctantly stripped off, gradually realizing as we looked around us that we had none of the necessary provisions: no towels, soap, or slippers. Returning approximately six times to the charming, yet bemused, banya assistant to hire the necessary items, we noted the sign crossly informing that underwear is "categorically prohibited", dropped our towels, and entered the main bathroom.
The banya is more than just a "bathhouse" to Russians. Although those with no hot water at home use the facilities out of necessity, many visit because they believe that only the highest level of cleanliness can be achieved here. The banya usually consists of a sauna, parilka, (furnace-heated steam room) and cold pool. Although there are established traditions, people also develop their own routines and the banya experience is meant to be a personal cleaning ritual. Lingering by the showers clutching our veniki, (bundles of dried birch leaves that are used to "beat" out toxins) a tiny Russian lady took pity on us and introduced us to banya etiquette.
First, we took a standard shower and poured buckets of water over ourselves, before soaking our veniki in hot water for 10 minutes and entering the intensely hot parilka. Our attendant periodically disappeared to drink beer and, leaving us unsupervised at this moment, it all got tricky. Perched on "Metro" newspapers on the wooden parilka benches (yes, you could read the headlines on our rear ends) with our wet hair sizzling and frying (everyone else, of course, sensibly had hats on), we smothered ourselves in honey and hit ourselves with veniki. A second round was a must according to everyone surrounding us. We first dried off, working our way up the benches which grow hotter higher up, then manically beat ourselves to the cries of "Harder! Harder!" from our new Russian friends. Jumping into the basseyin (icy pool) came last, along with an unintentional shriek. Heartier banya-goers dash out into the snow at this point, but it was our first time after all.
Banyas
Kazachie Banya Kazachy per. 11, M Pushkinskaya – Showers, steam room, and cold bath. Open 24 hours. Men: Sun, Mon, Wed, & Fri (pm). Women: Tues, Thurs, & Sat. Admission 50 Rbl except Thurs & Sat, 100Rbl. Tel. 315 07 34
From journal Things to do in St. Petersburg-Russia
Ice-racing
- January 31, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
erikm from Utrecht, Netherlands
With the Finnish Gulf frozen, the St. Petersburg Off Road and 4x4 Club organizes it’s traditional yearly ice-racing. Professionals as well as amateurs can race behind the Pribaltiiskaya Hotel on Vasilevsky Island. If you don’t have a car, just ask some Russian if you can join him for a ride. Most fun you will have of course driving a car with adjusted tires, but slipping away while turning your steer every possible way is also a lot of fun. Wear warm clothes and bring your photo camera!
From journal Things to do in St. Petersburg-Russia
Ice-fishing
- January 31, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
erikm from Utrecht, Netherlands
The tradition of ice fishing is for many Russians a way to survive winter, selling the caught fish on markets and along highways. Want some catching of you own, here’s what you do. Buy an iron hand drill, a wire and some bait and some vodka, put on your warmest clothes, and head out on the Neva River, the Ladoga Lake or the Finnish Gulf and look for the other fishermen. It’s a men’s game, for women are said to bring bad luck.
From journal Things to do in St. Petersburg-Russia