Day 50, 23 August 2012, Cemberlitas Hamam - Having tuckered ourselves out at the AyaSofya in the morning, we devoted the afternoon to more relaxing pursuits. James was on postcard duty and I went for a Turkish Bath. In Turkey. Finally. I chose Cemberlitas, which has been around 500 odd years, because it's gorgeous, historical, 5 minutes from our lodgings and after 500 years they should have a fair idea of what to do. They did. I didn't. But despite many choruses of "Lady - sit!" "Lady - wait!" and "Lady - turn!" - usually puncuated with a slap on the bum, it was huge fun. Like a car in a drive-through car wash I lay on the central marble slab (pictured), I steamed, pores opened of their own accord. I was then drenched in water by a massive Turkish lady who proceeded to scrub off many layers of skin, drowned me like a puppy in buckets of bubbles, rinsed me off again and then dispatched me to the soaking pool and jacuzzi. Off then for a pedicure to repair the ravages of two months travelling in Africa, Egypt and Jordan (not foot-friendly countries at all). Eventually it was time for an oil massage which must have been good because I got a gentle shake and a "Lady - wake up" at the end of it. Coming from a new country where history is essentially short, bathing in history as I did at Cemberlitas was an education - if only because I'll know how to do it next time! Here is the link to their website http://www.cemberlitashamami.com/
- from whence I've sourced some photos. Due to the ladies section being full of, well, ladies in a 99% state of undress, candid shots are not welcome. PS. Ignore the frolicky, nymph types in the photos - compared to the local ladies I was the pale, waif-like chickie on the slab!