Growing up in the tropical country of the Philippines, a public bathhouse was not in my vocabulary at all. I first heard the concept from K-Dramas (Korean TV Series) which they call Jjimjilbang (μ°μ§λ°©). However, I still have no clue what I am missing out. After 29 years of existence on Earth, a new world finally opened to me during my second trip to Kyrgyzstan! If you also don't know what you're missing on, let me share my first Banya Experience in Bishkek!
Disclaimer: I'm no Banya expert. This post is written to share my naΓ―ve experience from the big and beautiful world of a Banya.
What is a Banya?
A Banya is a public bathhouse, an essential part of the Russian culture. Segregated by gender, a banya is also a place where people socialize, relax, and beautify themselves. Other cultures have similar facilities like the Turkish Hammams, the Finnish Sauna, and the Korean Jjimjilbang. As I learned, a banya does not only have bathing facilities, but it also has a lounge to relax, restaurants or cafes, and a cosmetology section with services such as manicures, waxing, etc. But of course, it may differ from one property to another.
Banyas in Bishkek
In Bishkek, there are several banyas to go to like the famous yet quite old Zhirgal Banya which is now called Lechebno-Ozdorovitel'nyy Kompleks Zhyrgal in Google Maps. There are newer ones like Bath of Aphrodite by Baytur, Garden Spa, and many more.
Recommended by Kasiet who works at People Hostel, is a place called Bath of Aphrodite by Baytur. It was close to the hostel, so I walked my way towards the banya and it took me no more than 15 minutes.
Banya Experience in Bath of Aphrodite by Baytur
As always, the very first obstacle is the language barrier since I don't speak Kyrgyz or Russian at all. Fortunately, the lady at the front desk spoke fluent English and happily guided me on what to do inside.
So I followed her instructions: take a pair of slippers, access my locker, and change my clothes - either use the piece of cloth or bathrobe or get naked.
At the locker area, women of all ages are undressing here and there (I found a toilet inside quite late, and yes you can use it to change clothes). Some used the piece of cloth, some were totally naked. I decided to use the piece of cloth, but then I still had to undress 100%.
As timid as I can be, I start undressing one by one by shyly trying to cover my skin. Eventually, I managed to put on the bathrobe and walked inside to take a shower in the open shower area. There and then, I needed to take the bathrobe off of course, and so I did. I'm finally naked and after 2 minutes... I realized, no one really cares. The banya became a playground for me from that point onwards.
I explored all the areas like a child. From the wooden steam rooms, the ice-cold pool (I can only dip my feet and nothing else), the Turkish hammam, and the Salt Room, I loved it! Different rooms that may give you different benefits, you name it, it's there. It's totally up to you to experiment.
There's a lot more things to do inside the banya such as:
- Finnish and Russian Sauna Rooms (hotter rooms than the regular steam rooms - at least from what I felt)
- Flogging of the birch twigs (I'm too shy to ask due to the language barrier)
- Body Scrub/Peeling/Massage/etc. (lack of time)
Despite my lack of the local language, I managed to interact with the locals and they were quite happy to learn that I loved Kyrgyzstan. Our conversation was pretty basic and full of body gestures so it's short but meaningful to me. This was the moment when I finally realized that I should spend more time inside the banya. Unfortunately, it was time for me to leave. I didn't get the chance to see the lounge or eat anything either.
Reflections inside a Public Bathhouse
As overwhelming as undressing is, I'm surprised by how normal and casual everything is inside the Banya. Not only everyone else but me. I found myself walking as free as a bird and I realized how liberating it was. Women of different ages, sizes, and even colors, you name it.
Being naked isn't a big thing after all. Or at, in this part of the world.
Apart from the health benefits that a banya can offer, it's a place where my insecurities did not exist. My mind and body both concluded that a banya is so much fun. Sweating, showering, and then sweating again, is my new definition of fun lol.
IF ONLY I have access to a banya here in the UAE, you'll probably find me there every weekend!
Anyhow, that's about my banya experience in Bishkek and I'm finally fresh! Who would've thought I just suffered hiked Komsomolets Trail the day before? There you go and I'm finally off running to meet @kyrgyzgirl__ for our last dinner before my flight! Ciao!
