Tonight I went to a jujibang, which is a Korean public bath house and spa. The Korean culture is very open about being naked and bathing in front of each other (of the same gender), and they even scrub their fellow bathers down to reach that part of the back that you just can't get to. The men and women spas are separated. There is a strangely relaxed cultural mindset that you feel when you walk in. There is no sexual tension, no embarrassment, it's just basic and natural.....for them. For me on the other hand, it's a little weird. I'm all for trying things and experiencing the full Korean culture, but I'm also still new and can only handle so much new stuff at once. And I got scared because someone told me that she didn't know what she was asking for, and an old Korean lady came and scrubbed her super hard until she was beyond red. So there will be no getting naked in front of old women for me.
But that's ok, because just beyond the baths they have these rooms shaped like mud huts. There are hot rooms and cold rooms, and rock rooms and charcoal rooms. Each is supposed to have health benefits and help you cleanse your body of toxins. Those are very relaxing to sit in, and you get to do it in these pajamas they give you. The hot rock room felt so good! These jujibangs are in every city, and are open all night. So a lot of times travelers will go to these and sleep here instead of a hotel. They even have a snack area and a place where you can lay and watch TV. Good to know of an option for where I can stay during future travels!
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