Yuseong Spa

I did it! I have officially taken part in a public bath.

I didn't think that I would ever get up the courage to go to a public spa but today was the day. Jack declared June 19th Crystal Day. (I am still not sure as to why, but hey, who am I to complain?) He whisked me away on a trip today. Lunch in bed. Yes, I do realize that for normal people who wake up at appropriate hours it would be breakfast in bed, but I like to sleep so don't judge me. Jack brought me Kraze burger and then we headed off to Seojeong-ri KTX station. It is the fast train that goes up to Seoul. We arrived in Daejeon and hit up Costco, E-mart, and then headed off to Yuseong Hot Springs. It is a Spring popular throughout the city. It is said to have healing properties. It is high in alkaline minerals such as calcium, and potassium, sulphur, carbonic acid, silicic acid and radium. There is a legend that during the Baekje dynasty a young soldier was completely healed by the hot spring. His mother first saw an injured crane dip its broken wing in the water and then fly away. She took her son and he was instantly made whole.

We went to the spa hoping to use the outdoor pools that are coed and fully clothed but it wasn't available. I was really bummed. I found out the indoor spa was still available. I paid a cheap 5,000 won and went into the spa. It was very different for me to be in a crowded room full of naked women. haha I know it sounds pretty crazy to the average westerner, but here it is no big deal. No one seemed to worried about the fact that I was there and so I wasn't worried about them. I enjoyed the hot showers, the multiple hot wet and dry saunas, the jade rock room, multiple pools with different minerals and temperatures. I must say the cold pool was quite refreshing after hitting the first sauna. I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat. There was an awesome pool with High pressured waterfalls as well as jets in the warm and hot pools. It was amazing. After I showered off again, I headed back out to meet Jack.

I was completely worn out from just laying around in the heat and pampering myself. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon. I really liked it. Despite my super modest history and awkwardness around naked people I must say I will be finding a sauna in Gwangju to frequent as well.

We finished the day eating out at Bennigan's. It was like a little Irish/American haven right in the middle of Daejeon. After devouring my two entrees (that's right, I said two- once again don't judge me), we headed back to Costco to pick up the super comfy bathrobe I spotted earlier today.

All in all, I'd say the first annual Crystal's Day was a success.