Aug 11, 2007 16:29
only wonderful in a building.
you go in, pay anywhere from 20 to 50 bucks and then spend as many hours as you want luxuriating in a lovely building with other super relaxed women and a few other women doing everything they an to spoil you.
we had a semi-private bay with three water taps, and we all sat around them ın the steam and filtered sunlight pouring cool water on ourselves, washing each others hair and in geenral preparing for the scrubs and massages. there were also a few water fights because we are big kids at heart.
then you lay out on this giant marble pedastel and just sort of soak in the steam and sunlight until an attendant comes over and scrubs every last dead skın cell off your body. its a lot more wonderful than it sounds, because its almost l,ike a massage itself. then they cover you head to toe in bubbles, whıch is possibly the most enjoyable experience ive had in years, and just rub you till you are the cleanest you have ever been. it is the most fantastic way to get a massage, because the soap makes it feel like hands made of silk are doing the work, and there is no friction at all.
then, if you waste money like me and jenna, you go get your oil massage, which is always good no matter what country you are in.
then you go back to the sauna room and lay around for another hour or so with your frıends, letting the oils soak in and scrubbing any last bits of dırt or grime from yourself. have a sing along, scrub your toes, have another water fight, and then take your sweet sweet time getting dressed and taking pictures after.
truly, the most relaxing of spas. we need these in america. like, yesterday.
after that we kind of wandered back to the ferry and back to kadıköy to take a nap before goıng out for a few drinks. some rıpped skırts and spilled beers later we decided the pretty green and white dress İS cursed (also the fireworks dress, and the dress i was mugged in) and needs to be left on the street. we crashed by 2am, and none of us argued.
jenna and i spent our last day wanderıng around kadıköy looking for souveniers, which we found, and drinking tea while eating rice pudding and playing set. and may i just say the turkish REALLY know what they,re doing when it comes to dessert? best rice pudding ever.
off to say our goodbyes and fly to athens now. i like turkey but im ready to move along, and neither jenna nor i can wait to see rett, so its a good day to leave.
goodbye, fair istanbul, we loved you much.
hamman,
istanbul,
bars,
athens,
europe,
cıgdem