17 March - 26 March 2006 nearby Paide, ESTONIA

From 17. 03. 2006 to 26. 03. 2006 nearby Paide (the explanation of the Estonians was “in the middle of nowhere”) took place a successful international project with the partnership of the “Open Youth” association. The participants were from five different countries: Estonia, France, Italy, and Sweden and, of course, Bulgaria. The topic was “SAUNA ABC” and we should have written brochures about the sauna. As you can see the main aim of the project was very interesting and we spent really nice time together.

We tried different saunas like Wooden, Russian, Finnish and Infrared. The wooden one was near the house we stayed in. There were steam stones inside and water with drops of aroma oil can be poured into the holes of the stones. The smell of the aroma oil has a special effect on the people: it calms down them and they can relax properly.
After staying about 20 minutes in the sauna we used to go out in the snow naked and, of course, to lie down on the snow. It is helpful for the body and for the process of cleaning the body. It was like in the Old Russian films and before that experience we could only dream on doing that.

On the 5th day we went in a Sauna Village nearby the capital city- Tallinn. During the way we got stuck with the bus and the boys had to push the enormous vehicle because we could not go out of the snow. Finally, we arrived in the village and we had the opportunity to try Russian, Finnish and Infrared Saunas. After the Infrared one we went in the Jacuzzi which was outside the house. That was the best way to relax ourselves. It was full of hot water so we really enjoy it, although it was cold winter. After that we went inside the Russian Sauna where the temperature reaches 100° C. Staying 10 min. was enough for us to go out and to jump into the pool with icy water. For those who are afraid and do not believe I can say that these procedures have absolutely harmless effect on people. Vice versa, it is helpful not only for the body, but also for the health. Then we tried the Finnish sauna where the temperature was 140° C and only the Estonians and the Swedish people could stand staying inside.

After that great experience we went on a walk in Tallinn and we had the opportunity to see the real beauty of the old and the new town and to feel the atmosphere of the town. Going on a disco was again a chance to get known with the culture of this country and with the young people.

The national evenings, of course, were very interesting and this was the way that we could get closer not only with the people, but also with the habits of those people, with their meal and their national dances. The Bulgarian evening, as ever, was most successful and I believe everybody will remember it forever.