We have a book in our downstairs toilet called ‘1,000 Places to See Before You Die’. I’ve never read it, partly because it’s way too thick and I hate reading, but it always seemed interesting to me. In that book, Cagaloglu hamami (Turkish Bath) is featured and today we went there to get a massage.
At a first glance it looked very posh with relaxing music playing in the background and the sound of flowing water in the distance. At reception you decide what service you would like to receive, Self-Service is where you bathe yourself and bring your own soap, shampoo and towel. This is obviously the cheapest option but is not recommended for your first visit. There is Traditional Style which is the service we chose and there are other styles such as aromatherapy oil massage, reflexology, Indian head massage, and facial clay mask.
Women and men are separated so my mum, sister and I were escorted to the lady’s section. At this point I was a bit nervous because I had no idea what was going to happen, and I knew nudity was involved. We were taken to our own private rooms to get undressed and to put these tiny little undergarments on. Then we sat and sweated in the sauna for 15 mins. It was hot! I sweated a lot!
I was unprepared for what came next. We were each taken by a ‘massage therapist’ to this big open room where there was a massive marble table in the middle and water taps at the edges of the room. We then had to strip off and lie on our backs on the marble table while our massage therapists rubbed us down, this is traditionally Turkish. It was the strangest experience ever, I don’t know if I felt like this because I’m British or because I've never experienced anything like it before! They then splash you with this cool water which is the nicest thing ever because you’re sweaty from the sauna. Then they dipped a cloth bag into soapy water and squeeze it onto you to create foam, they clean you with this for a long time! I got the giggles at this point because it was such an odd situation, to one side of me I could see mum and to the other side of me I could see my sister all lying there with bubbles on top of them. Such a surreal experience but it was actually great fun. Afterwards they wash your hair and then you’re handed a towel and led to another room for Turkish tea and Turkish delights.
If ever you find yourself in turkey I would highly recommend this massage treatment. I left feeling the cleanest I had ever felt, it was also a good laugh too!
Later that evening we went to watch the ‘whirling dervishes’ which is a traditional religious dance that men perform. It was interesting to watch but very long! I felt so sorry for the guys spinning around because they spun for 30 minutes!
In sum, when travelling be open minded to new experiences and traditions because they can be really fun and give you a taste of another way of life.
E x
*Unfortunately I couldn't get any photos of inside the Turkish baths (for obvious reasons) so I had to get them off google*
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