The weather finally being nice on Wednesday, I rode to a nearby city to explore a different bathhouse. Checking the directions a last time, I noticed that Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm had a 15% reduced admission, a possible signal of it being quite empty then.
Leading to the thought that motorcycling to the baths is a bit counter cyclical, as the best weather for one activity is generally the worst for the weather. My local bathhouse offers a noticeable discount in the summer, as the number of visitors distinctly declines then.
This bathhouse was on the 5th floor, with visitors being buzzed in at the ground level. Being a newcomer, it took a bit before I found the button to press, with the door opening promptly. Much more promptly than the amount of time it took me to reach the top floor after climbing the flights of stairs.
I handed over my helmet, getting the accustomed towel and a wrist/ankle band with a key and a locker number.The decor in general was more subdued and more modern - distinctly less sauna and more club like, appealing to 'gay boys.' Drinking my accustomed beer, I went through several pamphlets, from the same source as the one I'd perused in a foreign country. Each pamphlet had a large ad for the big city bathhouse that I'd visited last spring. Providing at least a possible explanation for a similar feeling when sitting here for the first time.
The place was quite empty, the attendant busy, though not rushed. Bringing my beer to the Internet terminal, it took a couple of minutes to notice the typed strip of paper on the backlit keyboard, saying no eating or drinking.
I spent a while exploring, but essentially everywhere was empty. Not exactly a bad thing, as my exploration was definitely clumsy in the unfamiliar dimness of the large steam room, or through the cabins area. Where I did my first hit of rush, watching some gay porn on the screen, sitting in a sling, my feet in the stirrups - with no one walking by.
I went down the staircase, finding another dim area, taking a bit to discover the right way to go. There was another sling room, though without any chance to watch porn, and a larger porn area, with four individual chairs in a row and a fairly thin set of padded risers. Several men were already there, getting hard, so I went in, sitting at the far end of the top row.