The Dacha

We just finished a four day weekend in Russia. It was independence day (I'm not sure which one). So on Friday, we were invited to a friend's dacha. It was the children's first time at a dacha and boy, did they have fun! They managed to stay out of the berry bushes, vegetables and roses but still played a lot in the garden. They experienced their first "outhouse", although it was a nice one (had a toilet seat). You had to climb up a make shift ladder to get to the second floor of the small cottage where there was a bed, chair and table for guests. We had the traditional shashlik (a full meat shish-ka-bob without the vegetables) and an awesome salad made from gleanings from the garden. David got to help Alexei saw some wood they used to stoke the fire for the "banya" - a Russian bath house. David, Kiana and Misha took turns washing our friend's van with a scrub brush and a bucket of water. Let's just say the lower part of the van got a good washing. Misha just couldn't get enough of washing the van and I think he did most of the work. He actually refused to eat! That is huge for him. David and Kiana also got to go into the banya. David and Yura went together as Yura taught David what you are supposed to do. First you strip down to your birthday suit in the first part of the banya. Then you go through another door where the "sauna" part is. There is very hot water that has been warmed up by a fire and a basin of cold water. There is also a bundle of birch tree branches with semi-dried leaves still on them. You wet these leaves to soften them a bit then you beat the heck out of the person next to you (ha-ha). No seriously, you lie down on the bench and the other person beats you with the leaves. It actually feels good and is supposed to be good for you. Then you can wash up with soap, shampoo, etc. After the boys were finished, the girls had their turn. There was a honey/sugar paste that Olga made me put on that is supposed to be good for your skin. When you come out of the banya, you are very hot and the cooler air feels so refreshing. It was a not so hot day (in the low 70's) so it was VERY refreshing. I recommend this experience for any visitor to Russia. At first it doesn't sound very pleasant, but as my friend once said, once you are "banya baptized" you'll never see the world the same way again! Have a great day.