Sauna...Russian Style

Continuing our Sunday experience at the family BBQ, once we had returned and everyone had had a good laugh at the pictures of me trying to drive the motorcycle and the story that Igor told of how I couldn't turn. It was time for the Sauna, because what Russian BBQ wouldn't be complete without homemade sauna experience. And yes, when I say homemade, I mean homemade. Igor's father and grandfather (since passed) built the sauna and the whole farm for that matter, you have seen in other photos with their own hands.

From inside the sauna

who knew butterflies like saunas

The men went in first and made it very very hot, or at least that is what Igor told me. Then it was the ladies turn. Since it was already quite hot outside I wasn't really inclined to participate in the sauna portion of the exercise. On the promoting of Igor, however I was persuaded to go in a "have a wash" at least.

With Igor's grandmother and great aunt (grandmothers sister) in toe I went into the sauna, anticipating to just have a quick wash before dinner. Since I speak no Russian and/or Belarusian, when people ask you if you want things it is not always clear what you are agreeing to. In this case, great aunt "Zena" asked me if I needed any help washing....when I didn't reply, much to my surprise, she took over. After being thoroughly washed, I was directed to stand and had large bowls (hard to explain, not really buckets not really bowls...anyway) of water poured all over me, then moved to the other side of the sauna for, what Igor later told me, is called "a light steam." The only way to explain this is that there is a spot that when you put water into it funnels out hot steam on to you which is then simultaneously acted out with being hit with a bunch of tree leaves (see video below scroll to about 35 seconds in for as close a representation as i can find). I have no pictures of my own from the sauna, as it was dark and I felt would be rather inappropriate to take pictures in there.

Ok, so they didn't "beat" me with leaves, though they were used. Still when you aren't expecting any of this you are surprised regardless of what happens. Anyways, the only other thing left to say about this experience was that we had a lovely time, had lots of good food. I tried some home brew Vodka, which is wayyyy stronger than anything I have ever had in a bar, so much so I had to have Igor drink the rest of mine. Let's just say for someone who never drinks he handled the Vodka really well.

Family BBQ

From left to Right: Iryna (Igor's mom), Zena, Vasily (Zena's husband), Vasily (Igor's dad), and Igor