The steam room

For those of you who follow the philosophy of Erma Bombeck that you don't "participate in any sport with ambulances at the bottom of the hill" or those of you who just like water in it's other forms, this water activity is great. Having a steam bath is a healthy, relaxing, cleansing way of activating your immune system and helping you purge toxins from your body. This wood fired rustic steam bath is at a temple near my brother's house. The steam is mixed with herbs, and spices like cumin and ginger and is a great way to spend some time with the local old timers. The steam room is a great equalizer as sitting around with little clothing means it is hard to share anything but the naked truth.

Sure steam is not what it was during the height of the industrial revolution, transforming the world of work, or propelling us across the nation on rails. But after a day of skiing it is a great way to ease sore joints and muscles and it also opens up the pores on the skin and help increase your metabolism. Between steams you can sip a bitter drink from the same mix that is being vaporized into the rooms from one of the first steam engines, also still in use at this monastery... the tea kettle.