Spa Experiences and Other Forms of Torture

Friends,

I must admit I’m a novice to SPA experiences. I’ve been in sauna and Turkish baths, jacuzzis and pools before, but had never ventured into the menagerie of advanced torture devices. I was curious as to why people “indulge” in them, so I thought I’d try them first hand. What could go wrong? There was the aptly named mud bath, where you rub some dubious-looking goop all over your body, let it dry until you look like Casper the friendly ghost, only to take a shower and wash it off. Meh! There was the intuitively named steam box, which evokes Edgar Allan Poe’s stories of mystery and wonder (I imagine myself being locked into one and left there to wither away). I found-out my fear was unfounded, as there are no locks on the outside and you can get out any time you like. That said, it was not a life-changing experience. I decided to forgo the contrast thermal waters where you go into hot water, then cold, then hot again. Maybe I’ll subject myself to that torture some other day. My favorite part was the après-hype. Relaxing by the pool with a cold beer and an empanada --a donut would have made it perfect.

Happy Friday!

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