Yesterday I had my first experience at a Turkish Bath. As for the rest of Istanbul, all the superlatives that come to mind just don't seem adequate. This is an experience to be savoured that is part the bure bliss of complete indulgence and part medieval torture! After all I managed to find a place that has been open since 1475!
After shedding your clothes and donning an oversized tea towel, you are allowed to work up a good sweat in the sauna, your skin is 'exfoliated' by attendant wearing a glove that is somewhere between a sponge and fine sandpaper. I was then thoroughly washed from head to toe and given a massage that was beyond what I would have thought possible. I'm surprised I didn't break a rib or do permanent damage to my back! All this while lying on a large heated stone table in amongst other bathers.
It's unfortunate to admit that an enduring image of Turkey will be of an overweight, hirsuit, middle aged Turkish man, wearing little more than a tea towel, legs akimbo in the sauna. I will be eternally grateful for the tea towel and my chosen seating location not providing more of a view!
After a long days sightseeing, there is absolutley nothing better. There is nothing surer than my return to an hamam, probably more than once, before I leave Turkey.
It helps not to be shy, too self conscious or ticklish. Two out of three ain't bad I guess....
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