a date with mustafa

or, At the turkish baths.

we were staying at a hotel that had a hamam in the basement -- that is, a turkish bath. the four of us went.

it was very steamy and hot.

it was all white marble. it was an octagon. there were eight segments with benches and space for perhaps six to sit. you had to speak up to be heard over the sound of the running water.

around the octagons near the benches there are eight marble basins filled with water from two brass faucets, one for hot and one for cold. the water runs into the basin and pours over the top edge. at the bottom of the basin, submerged, were copper bowls that you use to pour water over your head. it splashes on the marble floor. troughs carry it away.

in the centre of the hamam is a marble octagon slab for you to lie out flat. this is where mustafa works his magic, giving you, according to the brochure, the massage of a lifetime. alas, mustafa's massaging hours went only til ten.

it takes two days to heat up a turkish bath and three to cool it down. i could only take about fifteen minutes in there. it was major.