Turkish Hamam Bath Experience

Greetings,


This post has taken a long time to write and post... maybe because I am still a bit traumatized from the whole experience.


First let me just explain the hamam...


The Hamam is the Middle Eastern variant of a steam bath, which can be categorized as a wet relative of the sauna.

In Western Europe, the Turkish bath as a method of cleansing the body and relaxation was particularly popular during the Victorian era. The process involved in taking a Turkish bath is similar to that of a sauna, but is more closely related to the ancient Roman bathing practices.

A person taking a Turkish bath first relaxes in a room (known as the warm room) that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air allowing the bather to perspire freely.

Bathers may then move to an even hotter room (known as the hot room) before splashing themselves with cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation.

The Turkish public bath took on an important role. It was not merely a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness. It was a place in which to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women would proceed from their harem to the hamam with great ceremony, accompanied by servants heavily-laden with delicacies to tide the ladies over the hours they would spend lounging in the steam.

The young women used this opportunity to show off their ornately embroidered towels and ivory inlaid slippers, not to mention their youthful figures, while older women would spot potential wives for their sons. Men would discuss the latest court scandal or talk business and politics. Contrary to popular ideas, hamams have always been either permanently designated for one of the sexes, or have a separate schedule for men and women.

**PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY**... will need it to further the explanation!

There are five stages to a traditional hammam experience. First the body is "seasoned" with heat as you lie down on the octagonal marble slab. Then the tellak and helpers vigorously massage the body. This is a stretching and sometimes painful experience. Don't worry, though, they know what they are doing and the steam gives an elasticity to muscles which makes the massage so deep. The third stage is a peeling off of the outer layer of skin known as tozu and involves depilation of the armpit hair. This is done in private by a bather in a solitary nook of the hammam known as a halvet. Razor blades or depilation powder are available at the hammam for this phase, although it is by no means obligatory for a visitor. The fourth stage is a thorough soaping and the fifth a relaxation where you sit very still, putting yourself back together after a marathon hygiene session.

OKAY... now for the Hansen episode in a Turkish Bath... there is ALWAYS a story with anything Harry and I do!?! Why, I have no clue?

So who does not go to Turkey and experience the infamous Turkish Baths? Those of you who know me... I AM a bath person. I love them. I soak for hours reading a book by candle light in my bath.

A Turkish bath..... is nothing like your bath at home!

I would go into great detail... but I have tried to suppress the details at great length. Just a For your Information.... before you go to Turkey.... please email me privately so I can discuss:

1. the differences between normal US conservative Southern ladies and European women

2. how picture can be misleading to a conservative white girl from the South

3. when given a garment of clothing such as this red frock (picture below) you should ask further questions regardless of the language barrier... use your hands and gestures to get your question across...

Traditionally, a whole range of paraphernalia is associated with the hamam. The pestamal, a colourful, checked cloth which is wrapped around the waist by men is still in use. Takunyalar, or wooden clogs, often inlaid or carved, have generally been replaced by plastic flip-flops. Soap, shampoo and other toiletries were carried in hand crafted copper or even gold plated tarak kutusu, literally comb boxes, and a copper tas was used to pour water over the bather.

4. Find out the occupancy of your bathing area BEFORE you enter

5. Understand the definitions of the 5 stages of Turkish hamams... like "seasoned body" and "vigorously massage" and "peeling off of the outer layer of skin" means in layman terms

6. Carefully read all disclosures

7. Understand that although it sounds cool to get a Turkish bath... it is NOT cool for another person to wash a grown adult!

Although it looks comfortable.... it is a very uncomfortable situation...

Again, please email me with further detailed information regarding a Turkish hamam if you are thinking of venturing that way!

Blessings,
Kristie