Sauna enthusiast in London
Aapo Markkanen bore his fellow Londoners by stories about saunas
London-based analyst Aapo Markkanen likes it hot and quick.
Aapo Markkanen is a Finnish industry analyst who conducts research and forecasts on consumer markets and trends for mobile services. His research interests include areas such as mobile music, mobile gaming, and mobile social networking – or virtually anything that people do on their smartphones and other mobile devices. Aapo has lived in London since 2007. A strong sauna enthusiast by all standards, he is known of his keenness to educate, shock and bore his fellow Londoners by stories about saunas and different ways of enjoying them.
1. How keen a sauna-goer are you, on the following scale: Scorching, hot, warm, mild, cool, cold?
– I believe I am somewhere between “warm” and “hot” in Finland, and varyingly “scorching” everywhere else.
2. With vihta or without? On a scale of 4-10, how good are you at making vihtas?
– Normally without. Last time round I tried a vasta, as it’s called in my home longitudes, in London wasn’t a very aesthetic affair. Someone had brought a big bin bag full of birch twigs, surely enough for several vastas, but it was too late in the autumn and they lost their leaves pretty quickly. By the time it was my turn to use it, there were no leaves left and as a consequence I got rather visible whipping wounds on my back. At home my girlfriend, who is not familiar with the concept, was understandably inquisitive about it.
3. How often do you go to sauna? Who do you most prefer going with?
– Two to three times a week. The Finnish Church of London has a sauna, and I use their communal sessions. Good friends are always good sauna company.
4. Do you use any sauna products, such as hats, scented oils, etc.? What about any rituals or habits after taking a sauna?
– A pair of flip-flops can be handy if the sauna involves a dip in a frozen lake, but apart from that I don’t use anything. The only ritual I have is a cold lager during or after the sauna.
5. Which of these describes you best: one who sits around in the sauna for a bit, one who enjoys the sauna long and hard, one who tries to persist even if it gets boiling hot, or one who takes the heat with a contorted face?
– I like my sauna hot and quick, in rounds of about 10 minutes. No etiquette on the length of a round or facial expressions, really: I simply leave when I’ve had enough.
6. Are there any ”sauna maniacs” in your family? What is your earliest sauna memory?
– My teenage brothers probably count as maniacs: last two winters they’ve built a sauna out of snow and ice next to our Finland home. The earliest sauna memory is from the (normal) sauna of that same home.
7. Describe your favourite sauna
– The Kaupinoja sauna in Tampere is really good. It’s located by the lake and run by the local winter-swimmers’ association. The kiuas is effective and the room large enough to have several levels, so all guests can find a temperature that suits them. I like the social aspect of it all: it’s a place where both the old and the young meet and share stories, in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. I like to say that the role that the public saunas have in Finland is similar to what pubs have traditionally been for Britain, or town squares for countries in southern Europe. It’s a bit of a shame, then, that they’re quite hard to find these days. Tampere has a great sauna scene, but for instance in Helsinki it could be much better.
8. What makes going to the sauna so pleasant? Are there any tips you could share with others?
– It’s just so relaxing. My tip would be to appreciate that relaxation is the reason why most people go to the sauna. So forget about roles and status, and don’t talk business or start a debate.
9. What’s the most unusual sauna experience you have had?
– I was once attending a friend’s wedding in Lithuanian countryside. The party was good and in the morning my head hurt, so it was a delightful surprise when I discovered that they had a lovely sauna by a small lake. It was unexpected and very much needed, and thus unusually great.
10. Wish list: Where would you most like to go have a sauna? Who would be your dream sauna guest?
– See the previous answer – there are treasures everywhere. An unexpected sauna when you really need one is the best I can imagine. As far as sauna guests go, a good friend who enjoys the sauna as much as I do and whom I haven’t seen for ages would certainly get an invitation.
11. Who would you like to see as our next sauna guest?
– Edward Lucas of The Economist is known to be a friend of saunas, and even has one in his garden. I’m sure he would have interesting thoughts about the theme.