In an increasingly fragmented world, the simple public swimming pool is emerging as an unlikely cultural sanctuary. For journalist Shadi Khan Saif, these communal aquatic spaces have provided a constant thread of connection and calm through a life lived across continents, from Bonn to Melbourne.
From Bonn to Melbourne: A Lifeline in Steam and Water
The journey began over a decade ago in the chilly German city of Bonn. As a newcomer battling culture shock, Saif found unexpected solace in the hostel's nightly sauna sessions. Though his German was limited, the ritual of sitting quietly among locals offered a rhythm and a sense of place. This feeling of belonging deepened when he was joined by two fellow Afghan students, transforming the steamy room into a space of shared laughter and free conversation.
Years later, having witnessed the fall of democracy in Afghanistan and worked as a journalist in multiple countries, Saif found himself in Melbourne. Drawn to the grand exterior of the Melbourne City Baths on Swanston Street, he discovered not a museum relic but a buzzing indoor aquatic centre, teeming with life. This sparked a realisation that affordable local pools, particularly in the suburbs, were accessible community anchors.
The Suburban Pool: Glue for a Diverse Community
In Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, Saif observes how the local centre acts as social glue. While saunas and gyms cater to adults, the public pools truly belong to children, families, and the wider community. During a scorching summer, his children's favourite haunt became the local wave pool, a place that opened their eyes to the sheer scale and robustness of their neighbourhood.
"What ties all of this together – the sauna in Bonn, the late-night gym in Melbourne, the wave pool in summer – is the quiet magic of shared spaces," Saif reflects. These are places where the constant pull of smartphones weakens, allowing genuine conversation to resurface. In sauna rooms, strangers discuss everything from housing affordability and travel plans to aching knees and weekend barbecues, interacting stripped of professional titles and uniforms.
Wellness Redefined: Calm, Community, and Joy
The atmosphere stands in stark contrast to the often-alienating experience of a shopping centre food court. At the pool, accents mingle freely and stories drift across generations and borders. No one asks what you do for a living, and crucially, no one checks their phone.
For students, tradies, retirees, and office workers alike, these spaces serve as a cultural refuge. They are small, steamy worlds where muscles recover, minds reset, and conversations survive. Shadi Khan Saif's experience underscores that true wellness extends far beyond physical fitness. It is found in the deliberate carving out of moments characterised by calm, community, and what he describes as "absurd little joy" – a necessity in a world that rarely slows down.
