Enjoy the Hamam

Once you are in Istanbul, whether for a vacation or for more permanent reasons there are some "musts' that you should do, such as a trip to a Hamam. A visit to a Hamam is an exotic, invigorating and unforgettable experience.

You may be asking, "What happens in a Hamam"? Well, the ritual is simple. An attendant leads you into the Soğukluk (cold room) where you adjust to the heat. Next, wearing only a Peştemal (a large striped or checked towel fringed at both ends and wrapped around the chest), and clanking on the marble floor in your nalıns (clogs), you pass through a wooden door and reach the core Sıcaklık or Hararet (hot room). Then your attendant will pour hot water on you and then begin to scrub every square inch of your body. Basically, every millimeter of dead and dirty skin is scrubbed off, even the skin between your fingers and toes.

Afterwards you are lathered with liquid soap and shampoo and given the choice of a full body massage (sometimes a little bit painful, but said to be well worth). The men and women working in the Turkish Hamams are known to give extremely invigorating massages. If you're up for it, let them work away your stress and weariness. The massage will start at your neck and work every muscle down the entire length of your spine to your feet. This is especially wonderful and guaranteed to make you feel relaxed. You will roll over, and the attendant will wash you from head to toe again as if you are a small child. One last shower and then it is time to leave the steam room.

Then you are given fresh towels and again brought to Soğukluk (the cool room) to rest, dry off, drink tea, coffee or refreshments and socialize with other "Hamamers".

A deep breath: YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE HAMAM

Finally it is time to go! So get up and get dressed and as you pass from the bathing rooms take a fleeting look at yourself in the mirror. Your skin will be glowing rosily (and feel as soft as a baby's) and may even look like a slightly undercooked lobster pink!

Best of all, taking a Turkish bath is like looking through a window into another world. When you visit a Turkish Hamam, you're really experiencing Turkey's culture.

A word of caution. If you are suffering from sunburn, a Turkish bath may not be a good idea...

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