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[littlekate]

Thank you Flat! Perfect explanation, but again coming from Russian. I guess, you are Russian judging from your obvious inclinations towards banya. Recently I was in the Turkish bath, only it was a genuine turkish bath, since it was in India Where are Turks and Finns? Where are their valuable comments?

[blacks2011]

hey : )
I know it's an old thread, but i would like to share my experience anyway.
I went to Russia three years ago to visit my friend . They have their own banya in the backyard. My friend decided to show me what "real Russian banya" is the day i arrived.
I was able to handle 7-10 min and then i run away . It was just way too hot...using "venik" made from birch branches made it even worse...
My friend's sister saw my pain and offered to go back with her. She promised not to torture me.
I was skeptical, but this time it was a completely different experience. She prepared everything before i got there. When i walked in it was not very hot, she put two containers with cold water inside the steam room and she made me wrap my head with a wet towel. When we sat down she splashed some beer on the rocks and it filled the steam room with such a wonderful smell. I could seat there for hours...mmmm...amazing!