Anniversary Weekend Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal Continues...

Well, today was our Russian Banya day. Experienced a bit of the unexpected. I knew a Banya was a sauna but wasn't sure how it was set up or what we did. We went to the lobby and were told we were in Banya number "chiteer-ee" (4). We had our own little house! It was like a little wooden cabin. It had a living room with tv and DVD player, small bathroom, changing area, and the sauna area with shower. First you rent the Banya, and then you can add additional services if you wish. We added the "taking a steam bath in Russian style with the switches of green birch or oak twigs" extra. Little did we know...

So, our "Banya Dude" knocked on our door (didn't speak a lick of English) and showed us the phone and “charraded” (yes, I know that’s not a word) to us that we needed to call him when we were ready. Okay. Whatever dude. We changed into our swim suits and went to check out the sauna. Very nice. Called Banya Dude. That's where the fun began! He had Darron go into the sauna first (thank goodness!). Darron did and that's the first time I busted out laughing...he told Darron to take off his swim trunks! Darron did as was told and the Banya Dude “charraded” to him to lay on his stomach on the benches in the sauna. Banya Dude came out of the sauna and retrieved his "leaves". He then began hitting Darron with the leaves from head to toe! THEN he made Darron turn over which made me laugh even harder and he continued to beat him with leaves head to toe. The clincher. He made him get up and run out of the Banya down the steps and jump into the cold water! Let's remember people, he's in his BIRTHDAY SUIT! Darron came back in and Banya Dude went through the process again hitting him with leaves. Then he made him go lay down in the living room to rest. MY TURN.

Front of our Banya

Before the naked branch beating

Our Banya Dude getting the branches ready

Darron and Banya Dude after jumping into the refreshing water

After we move back to the US...possibly a career as a Banya Chick?

At least I knew what was going to happen. Thankfully I got to keep my bathing suit bottoms on! Same process. I have to say...I felt WONDERFUL when it was all done. So relaxed and my back and shoulders were no longer sore. The combination of the sauna/steam/twigs, and cold water was awesome! I'd do it again in a heart beat. Darron...thought one time was enough.

The ride home was uneventful. We stopped about an hour from Moscow and had dinner at a cute little restaurant. This was the first place we'd eaten that didn't offer an English menu. Luckily, we knew a few food words and dinner was delicious! All the way home we saw people on the side of the road selling things. From stuffed animals and inflatable pools to fruits and veggies from their garden. It was a great first Russian road trip!