My interest in Russian baths inspires me to travel to the villages of the Moscow region in search of "authentic" steam baths. In my opinion, they retain the same atmosphere that is so lacking in private Moscow baths.
I planned one of my trips to the village of Spass, where my good friend Nikolai and a local resident were waiting for me. Nikolay arranged for me a full-fledged tour of the village and local attractions.
One of these attractions was the bathhouse, which we went to after exploring the area. The first thing I noticed was a horseshoe hanging over the entrance. It is known to bring good luck. Despite the fact that superstitions are losing their former strength (now evil banniks are no longer afraid) to see such a detail is still nice.
The dressing room and the inner room are modestly but tastefully decorated. Firewood is stacked in the dressing room, which is used for kindling. The room accommodated not only benches, but also a washing machine, which turned out to be very unusual for me. On the table in the steam room rested a wooden scoop, which is supposed to scoop up water. The scoop clearly showed signs of repeated use - it darkened slightly, but did not lose its appearance.
The washing machine has become the highlight of this room. The fact is that this is not an ordinary car, but a good old "EVI". This "mechanism" reminded me of my childhood - the same EVI was in my parents' apartment. In those years, after washing, the linen had to be rinsed and wrung out, which everyone forgot a long time ago, since automatic machines came to replace them. I don’t know how compatible the car is with the steam room and if it will harm it. But I won't be surprised that Soviet-made equipment can withstand even in centigrade heat)
The windows in the dressing room had an unusual shape and I associated with the old picture tube from the TV. My imagination did not fail me - Nikolai had a similar image. At first glance, it even seemed to me that the window was made from one such picture tube. The double frame does not allow almost anything to be seen outside the bath, but lets the timid rays of light into the room.
The modest surroundings were complemented by a variety of brooms. Oak, birch, eucalyptus, with juniper branches. According to my "guide", the ceiling, shelves and walls are made of linden. The bathhouse was empty today, since bath day in the villages falls on Saturday. I arrived on Sunday, when the juniper aroma had not yet dissipated and was barely perceptible.
I was completely satisfied with my visit to the Spasskaya bathhouse. This trip became for me not only an occasion to gain new experience, but also an occasion to plunge into childhood long-forgotten memories.
I never thought that I would be able to see a thirty-year-old car and CRT-like windows in the steam room.