I decided today was just for me, so I went to the spa – was there just as they opened at 9. It has not been easy the past week and I needed something to take care of myself – some major self care. I went by myself which was fine, it was my day and I figured if I met someone and talked to them, great. It is interesting to go there, it is no clothes, women only. At first the idea of not wearing clothes in front of other people is a little uncomfortable – something in me says I should have a slender body. Well, news flash, I don’t. But then, no one else does either and very shortly it is a nonissue. I will admit to being fascinated by the tattoos some women have – from a small one to some major art work on a large area of their body. But essentially we are all the same, just arranged with varying degrees of amounts in places. It reminds me of swimming in a way, I never looked in the mirror and just concentrated on what I want to do. What I found was me spending the first couple of hours thinking “This is just for me, I don’t have to think about anyone or anything else”, etc. After a bit I began to relax and concentrated on centering and grounding myself.
I started in the 97 degree pool; I sat in front of one of the jets and it began to reverberate inside my chest, a rather odd, though not unpleasant sensation. Then I went to the 104 degree whirlpool for awhile. As I was sitting in the whirlpool, I suddenly thought of my sister Ellen’s paintings of tiled rooms they were absolutely gorgeous with blues, greens and all kinds of combinations of both. I am not sure they were like Roman baths, but if I remember correctly, they were like this spa. As I looked at the women moving around, I suddenly thought of them as Ruben’s women. He painted women in the 1800’s who were fair skinned and well upholstered – like me. After a certain point I get really hot, so then I go over to the 60 degreepool. It is really cold as I put both feet in, but then it isn’t too bad – I have worked up to standing wait deep for a few minutes.. One woman told me that the old Korean ladies go back and forth between the hot and cold pools – that is what keeps them moving comfortably. Next time I work up to my chest – one day I even stay for 5 minutes! I decided to try the steam room – wow! was that hot, especially on my face. I wasn’t there very long, I could feel the sweat pouring down my face and I could taste the salt. I had a rinsing shower, then headed for the tea room.
I brought a book with me and had paid the extra $5 for unlimited tea. The tea room is small with lovely music playing softly. I love their jasmine tea, doesn’t need sugar or anything. I was the only one there, so I enjoyed a quiet hour with tea, my book and my own company. After that I did some more hot and cold pools, then I went into have lunch. They have gluten free things, though I couldn’t drink the barley tea they serve. I asked if I could bring my tea cup in filled with jasmine tea – no cups and saucers but I could take one of her cups and have jasmine tea. I don’t know how to pronounce my lunch but it was delicious – brown rice, all kinds of vegetables, chicken and a fried egg on top. It came in a hot iron bowl and the rice at the bottom had a bit of crust on the bottom. It looked like quite a large bowl, I was surprised to find myself finishing it. I worked with chopsticks for awhile but my hand got tired so I used the spoon for the rest. I also read with lunch and quite enjoyed myself.
I had one more go at the pools – I would go use the rooms but every one of them – charcoal, salt, etc. -all require you to sit or lie on the floor – not something I can do easily. Yes, I can fall down with no problem,but getting up is quite another story. That’s all right, I had quite a nice time with me, myself and I. I was really feeling mellow by then – when I came in the morning I wanted to stay all day and not go home – but I found by 2, I was ready to come back. Fortunately the traffic was light and it all worked out quite well. I definitely will be going back again and again. Not bad day for $40 – of course if I do the body wrap, the scrub, massage, body waxing and the moisturizing it would be a whole heck of a lot more.
Gift of RA 
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