One Tub of Hot Water, Four Baths — Epoche A2
Tonight I finally understood the Japanese bath. It is not what I thought. 🛁 The bathroom at my homestay has two parts: the tub, and a washing space beside it with a low stool, a basin and a hand shower. All the washing happens there, sitting on the stool - soap, shampoo, rinse. The tub is only for soaking. Nothing with soap on it ever goes into that water. Here is the surprise: the whole family uses the same tub of hot water, one person after another. It works because everyone is already clean before they get in. The guest goes first - my host mother sent me in "while the water is hot". After me came the two children, then the parents. Between people, a cover keeps the heat in, and a button on the wall reheats the water without changing it. Even in the morning the water is not finished. The washing machine here has a thin hose with a little pump on the end. It hangs over the edge of the tub, and the machine pulls up yesterday's bath water for the wash cycle. Only the final rinse uses fresh water. One tub of hot water: four baths at night, one load of laundry in the morning. #homestay #ofuro #japanlife