As promised, here's more of the low-down on Jeju. When you first arrive, you're likely to notice that, unless you're Korean, you're in the minority. This place isn't a watered-down quasi-Asian meant-to-appeal-to-ladies-who-lunch kind of spa; it's a Korean bath house. Period.When you arrive, you'll notice an incongruous mixture of semi-precious stones, onyx, and black pleather chairs that would look more at home in the waiting room of an accountant's office. You'll be greeted by an attendant who'll trade you a uniform, a numbered locker key, and a toothbrush for $25.00.
Now for the locker rooms: Ladies to the left, Gents to the right.
Once you pass through the door of the locker room, there are some small lockers where you'll leave your shoes. Now barefoot, it's time to find your big locker, and put on your uniform. The locker room is a staging area between the sauna room (where people wear their uniforms), and the baths (where nudity is required), so you'll see people in all stages of undress.
You'll also see all sorts of signs advertising various other services that are available for additional cost, one of which bears the English translation of "Woman Hip Bath". The sign goes on to say that this treatment helps such conditions as "chill stomach" and "itch anus", among other things. While I haven't had this treatment, I've seen it in progress, and from what I can tell, the customer is draped in a pink tent-like cape, and then she is directed to sit on a chair with a large hole in the seat, like a potty-training chair. At some point a cauldron of what smells like boiling marijuana spiked with the Colonel's 11 Herbs & Spices is placed underneath the customer, and her nether regions are steamed for an unspecified length of time.
In any case, it's time to put on the uniform of elastic-topped shorts and matching t-shirt and go check out the sauna room. By the way, ladies, leave your bra in the locker. It's customary to free-ball at the bath house, so set your "girls" free in the spirit of cultural awareness.
4 comments:
whoa. Here I was all set to go, and now I'm just going to sit tight and wait for the upcoming blogs!
LOL, I was wondering if anyone would even be interesting in hearing about this place, but I should have known I could count on you, Maria!
Let me add that the heat of the sauna may cause dizziness and numbness in the face and neck. We must also point out that the restaurant found within the section where your uniform is required has a menu that is unsatisfactory at best. And I'm an avid consumer of kimchi.
Over all, if you skip the cocktails before steaming your nekkid body and avoid the restaurant, you're in for a real cultural treat! I'll go back for seconds and this time I'm getting the full body salt scrub.
Ash, too true! I had almost forgotten how woozy you got. I'll add that everyone should drink tons of water, and I agree about the food court.
All is not lost if you're hungry, though. There's a restaurant in that strip mall called the Sun & Moon Cafe, and it's AWESOME, so if you're looking for Korean chow, that's the place. The menu is in Korean, so we just asked the waitress for a full hook-up, and we got stuffed and walked out with leftovers for $40. I'll have to take you there sometime.
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