(^18) Chungju – Suanbo Hot Springs – 25 km
Departing Chungju, I ran into another cyclist, this time on a laden
bicycle. The Koreans were incredibly generous and wouldn't let you
leave without giving you something. With two energy bars in my
pocket, I said goodbye and soon arrived in the small mountain town
of Suanbo, known for its hot spring.
As I cycled into town looking for a place to stay, I heard someone
calling my name. It was Ben! We had breakfast together, which was
quite fascinating. Koreans sit on cushions on the floor and eat from
low tables. The dining area was a raised platform, and you had to
take off your shoes before stepping onto it. Ben not only paid for
breakfast but also took me to a spa where he had stayed the previous
night.
The spa was my first Jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) experience and
resembled a public bathhouse. This interesting setup offered separate
facilities for men and women, with a variety of hot and cold pools.
First, you would strip down, take a shower, and then have a thorough
scrub down before entering the pools. No bathing suits were required.
Public nudity was something I wasn't used to, and I found the
practice a tad unnerving. It seemed like most of the ladies had never
seen a foreign woman naked, as it felt like they never took their eyes
off me. I couldn't wait to submerge myself and stayed underwater
until I dared to dash back to where I had left my clothes.
The remarkable thing was that these facilities typically provided
napping rooms. They weren't meant for overnight stays, but usually,
cyclists used them as such. The room simply had a mat on the floor,
but free digs was a free place, even though I didn't think I could ever
get used to a wooden pillow!
leana
(Leana)
#1