Annie went to a traditional Hammam today! Hammams have been around for hundreds of years and are the traditional bath houses. Even today, many of the homes in the medinas do not have running water, so the public bath house is a necessity. There is a whole process to it and Annie really wanted to try it. Not quite willing to go to the corner bath house, but definitely willing to try a more “upscale” version. Annie had 6:30 Hammam appointments. Annie was excited, Abby was nervous. Upon arrival they give you a robe and DISPOSABLE PAPER UNDERWEAR! Strike one as far as Annie was concerned. Did I mention they were paper THONGS?! Once in the paper undies and robes we entered the Hammam. First step is to remove your robe and get on a heated marble table. At that point some woman lathers you up with special black soap made from Argan oil. So yes, you are basically naked and as the kids say some rando” is soaping you up. Then they put on a glove that feels like steel wool and they SCRUB you...hard. Then they dump buckets of hot water over you, apply a clay face mask and wash your hair with Argan oil. At that point they leave you to let the oil and mask set in. So basically you are naked other than your paper thong, laying on a table for 15 minutes! When they come back to finish up they throw more buckets of water over you. You then progress to the massage room. Um...multiple people in same room.
When all is said and done you are super clean, with soft skin and relaxed after the massage. So, the greatest thing ever! Or, because it’s sooo awkward with the strangers, it’s just awful
Clearly no pictures allowed, but here’s a picture of the ceiling when you enter.
Well, the ceiling in the Hammam is beautiful but I'd have to turn around at that point. Kudos to you for going through with it. I'm perfectly content not to have experienced it first hand and am completely satisfied with the tale and my imagination.
ReplyDelete😂It was definitely an experience!
ReplyDelete