Saturday, February 28, 2009

Spa Day . . .

** Edited** added one new picture of what regular feet and fish look like.

I've been looking forward to going to one of the local "spas" here in Tokyo. I'm not really into the public bathing thing but some of the other services sounded pretty good. I went to Odaiba with four of my friends. We had a great time but of course there is always some kind of a mishap when I am involved.

We decided to start the day in the STEAM room. Before you enter the room there is a sign in English that says please be quiet. Four of us entered. There were different "beds" to choose from. Some with large stones, some smooth like concrete and lastly the "marble" bed. I have included a picture so you can get a good idea. There was a Japanese woman already laying down peacefully on her "bed." There is a wooden block to rest your head on and she seemed very relaxed. She didn't even acknowledge that we entered the room. The four of us were deciding which "bed" to choose. I was slower than the other ladies in deciding. My friend Erika insisted that I take one of the "marble" beds. The stones looked very smooth and more comfortable than the "rock" bed. I laid out my towel and stepped into my bed.

So much for the peace and tranquility. I didn't know you were supposed to use the wooden planks to crawl onto and then gingerly roll over onto your spot. I went flying down. Wearing a Japanese Yukata (picture a cotton bath robe), feet up in the air, arms flailing and landed splat on my behind. We were all laughing so hard and trying to still be quiet at the same time. Erika was scrambling trying to pick up all of the "marbles" that scattered all over the room. I'm surprised that the employees didn't come running to see what the loud noise was. The woman who was laying there didn't even open her eyes to see what the commotion was. I'm sure on the inside she was busting a gut.

After that peaceful start I went and had lunch in the "food court." The only thing I could read was a Korean sign advertising Pulgogi PiBimPap. There were no English signs. Just Japanese and Korean. Funny. They had a lot of yummy looking food choices but I went with one I knew.

Next appt. for the day was a head massage. I got the Aloe treatment. They washed my hair and then proceeded to put this slime on my head. That's the only way to explain it. Then she molded and rubbed it in. Pure heaven. I was hoping I didn't doze off and snore.

I met up with Erika and Wendy and we went to our 90 minute massage. Wow. Never had one. My lady was a tiny little woman but man did she have some powerful elbows. I am still a little sore in spots that must have been extra tense. It was a Shiatsu style massage so there was some definite pressure. It was great. Face down on the table for that long we all got up with some serious morning head.

The last stop of the day was the fish pond. I was really excited to try this out. I had been hearing about these little fish that eat dead skin. Anybody who knows me knows I have some serious dead skin on my feet!!!! I didn't think it would bug me but it is a little wierd having all of these fish swarm onto your feet and start nibbling. I had the most fish eating on my feet. I called them my FISH BOOTS. There was a 15 minute time limit. Now I know why. Those poor fish were totally boated after I got out.

Wendy getting used to the idea of fish nibbling on her tootsies.

Not sure she likes the fish nibbling . . .

What the Japanese Lady's foot looked like. She must use lotion!!

My FISH BOOTS. All those little black things are fish.

The cafeteria.


How the steam room is supposed to look if you do it right. Notice the little "marbles." Now picture them all over the room. . . .

5 comments:

Heather said...

That is so funny. Wow...you are brave. I've heard about the fish, but I don't think I could have the fish eating frenze going on around my tootsies. Funny post.

Jill said...

I'm glad you guys had a fun time. I've still never been and always wondered what it was like. Thanks for the descriptions. you're fish boot picture was hilarious!

Rita said...

Your blog entries are pure entertainment!!! I love them. I agree with Heather , the fish experience might be a bit unnerving for me. I love hearing about all the things your doing. Keep the them coming

Joan said...

I think I would have been creeped out by the fish eating at my feet. The rest of it sounds.....ahhhh.......relaxing.
Lots of fun!

Amazed said...

I linked to your blog from mine. I thought tester-Jenny was like a blog moderator making sure I was following "blog" rules.....

Anyway, this post was hysterical! I was picturing a "marble" slab....until I "heard" marbles going everywhere! I WISH I could have been there. I LOVE crazy mishaps like this!

(So, are you a friend of Sophia or Heather White or neither?)

And truly, fish nibbling on my feet. I'm with you...I have peasant feet but man,oh man...fish nibbling?????