My Second Spa Experience Here

My first spa experience here didn’t go very well. It ended with me feeling sticky from the oils the untrained masseuse used, my navel feeling violated, and a level of unprofessionalism I can only describe as monumentally devastating.  The décor was a massage table (I think), a cellphone playing what was supposed to pass as relaxing music, and a rolling pin. Yes,  kitchenware was lying on the end table next to the massage table. The changing area was a storage closet that was big enough for me to change out of my clothes and lay said clothes on a stack of boxes.  

I didn’t expect much from my second spa experience here. I’ve come to not expect much from experiences here.

I found out about this spa from a friend. The spa is in a fancy mall. I go to this mall often and it’s convenient, so I figured I’d give the spa a visit. Even though said friend loved her experience there I concluded that my experience there would be like my other experiences here, underwhelming.

I was immediately blown away by the décor and the smell of the spa when I walked through those front doors. It was amazing!!! It was nothing like I imagined; It smelled good, it looked good and most importantly, the ladies at the front desk seemed attentive and professional. I got a little excited but calmed myself down. I reminded myself of the highs and lows of life and experiences. Don’t get too excited I reminded myself. Remember, your first spa experience here a few weeks ago: this could be the same thing, except in a prettier setting.  You could still come out traumatized, but at least the traumatic setting will be pretty.

I calmed myself down as I sat at the front desk to speak with the very professionally dressed and acting attendant. I had butterflies in my tummy as she asked me questions about what type of massage I wanted. Did I want this type or that type? Was I allergic to anything? I almost got up and started dancing when she told me the types of and the lengths of the massages they offered. Again, I calmed myself because I figured it was a play, a façade, something that would eventually result in me being underwhelmed and traumatized by the services they offered.  After the important details were completed (and by important details I mean payment and the type of massage I wanted). I was led to a space with lockers where customers placed their clothes after undressing for their massage. THE LOCKERS HAD KEYS WITH ARMBANDS!! I unlocked the big locker, took the key, put it on my arm and went to the changing area. The changing area was individual stalls complete with spa robes AND slippers. AND A SHOWER STALL!!! The attendant even gave me disposable underwear. I swear, I almost cried!!!

THIS is where it got CRAZY!!

The masseuse led me into a dimly lit room with calming music coming through proper speakers (not a cellphone). There was no kitchenware on the small table next to the massage table, only flowers and calming smells. She led me to a small bench to sit and after removing the slippers on my feet she told me to put my feet in a bowl of warm water with warm stones at the bottom.

Imagine obtaining a ticket to see your most favorite artist on stage, with front row seats AND a pass to meet said artist backstage after the show. You’re filled with a mixture of excitement and fear. The feeling of excitement is obvious, but the fear comes from knowing that anything could happen to turn this wonderfully anticipated experience sour. You could fall or stumble going to your seat, you could drop your ticket and get stampeded on when you try to find it, you could be seated next to some uncontrollable drunk or something much worse: an old ex. You just don’t know what can happen so the fear is lurking in the back of your mind and your tummy. This was how I felt going into this situation.

However, a bit of the fear subsided when she took my feet and gently washed them then took them out the foot bath and wiped them off.

She instructed me to lay on the massage table. I felt a little less fear as I sat on the heated massage table. Yes, you heard me, the massage table was heated!!!! it was perfectly warm; it felt like a secure warmth that surrounds you like your favorite song on an early Saturday morning right before you have to get out of the bed. Or a hug from a strong, protective mate who you know will always have your back. It felt good.

I laid on my stomach and felt less fear and more excitement within my tummy. I thought; this could be an experience to positively write about. She placed the properly sized spa towel over me and on top of that towel, she placed a warm, heavy sheet (or something warm) over my body. At some point, I think I heard angels singing. I’m being honest: I’m not sure if it was angels singing or my soul singing, but there was some type of singing going on and I’m sure I was the only one in that room who heard the singing.

Whatever it was, that was the minute I released my fear and embraced the excitement I was feeling all over my body and within my soul!!! OMG, I was having a SPAgasm or a MASSAgasm, (an intensely "explosive" or pleasurable experience or thing. IN this case, it was the massage), whatever. All I knew was I was in some form of heavenly bliss that made sense to me and it felt amazing!!

After the massage, I was led into another dimly lit room where the masseuse sat me in a chair with warm pillows. She left me in the chair and returned with green apple slices and herbal tea.

I died right then and there. I think my body was in the chair, but my soul was floating outside my body and crying because of this unworldly magnificent experience.

My experience here was so profoundly beautiful, calming and relaxing I came out not only overwhelmed but convinced I needed to be at this spa once a month.

I go to this spa once a month now. Every time I visit this spa the angels begin to sing as soon as I walk through the front door. I’m not underwhelmed with the service, the décor nor the experience. My navel has never been violated, the oils are warm and non-sticky and the masseuse who works on relaxing me is a professional and well trained in her field.

Thank you, SPA TIME!!!