Turkish Bath - Amman Style

I have never been this clean in my life.

The guys and I decided to treat ourself to spa-day today, and oh-boy, was it worth it.

Welcome to Al-Pasha: http://www.pashaturkishbath.com/index.htm

This was my first Turkish bath experience and because a genuine Turk went with me, I have validation that it was genuine. I wouldn't dare bring a camera into the "bathing" area so I hope you will trust my description of the event. Allow me to break it down into phases.

Phase I: After changing into your bathing suit (locker room nudity does not occur in Jordan - privacy during this phase of the event is of utmost importance) you enter the lavish bathing complex. First you enter a steam room. This room is all stone and the ceiling is embedded with colorful globular-glass lights. There is a steam mist that fills the room and it is hot. Very hot. Once seated on the stone benches inside you are brought a glass of water and prune juice. Both are consumed immediately. After 15 minutes you move out of this room, and after a quick shower you move into Phase II.

Phase II: Hot tub. Nothing out of the ordinary here. 15 minutes of soaking and Phase III begins.

Phase III: You now lay face down on a large stone tablet, and in my case, a 250 pound Syrian man rubs your entire body with a rough glove for a full-body exfoliation. And I mean full body. The large Syrian man then shows you the skin he has removed from your body. Soon he changes to a somewhat softer glove and rubs you again with a warm soapy mixture. You are then asked to stand and bowls of water are poured over your head until the soap is no more. Another shower and onto Phase IV.

Phase IV: This was my favorite. Another large Arab man lays you down on another stone tablet. You are then rubbed, thoroughly...

Lets pause and explain "thoroughly" - Every part of your body where skin meets skin, is separated with a hand, and you are slathered with olive oil from head to toe. Then you are massaged and stretched.

Phase V: This phase is what makes the Turkish bath "Jordanian Style". This is where you get a full body mud-masque with mud from the Dead Sea. After the mud is applied to your entire body you sit on a stone chair for 10 minutes while you rub the mud into your skin.

Phase VI: Now covered in mud, you return to the first 250-pound Syrian man who pours more bowls of water over your head to wash most of the mud off. This is followed by yet another shower.

Phase VII: Sauna. Hot Sauna. Followed by shower. Followed by application of huge towel tied toga-style around your body.

Phase VIII: Change, tea, complete relaxation...