Arabic Baths

2/9/10 Yesterday Gina and I went to the Arabic Baths in the Bario de Santa Cruz. First of all there are very few street signs here and then the streets change names often after a few blocks. Anyway, we wound are way hoping we were headed in the right direction and walked through streets so narrow only a small car can fit through. The distinctly European buildings rising on either side of the less than a foot wide sidewalks are kept up beautifully and although they are likely hundreds of years old they look magnificent. Luckily, we made the right turns and came upon our destination fairly easily, Aire de Sevilla. As we turned into the doorway we could smell incents, hear Arabic music and see candles along the perimeter of the walls. We checked in and headed upstairs to the waiting area where we had a small glass of tea. We then followed directions to enter the stairway and turn left into the locker room to change. Of course we headed down the stairs and had turn back around. I have a feeling the employees there are used to this occurring because they are patient and well choreographed. We changed and were told to wait (only us). That’s because our 45 minute messages were scheduled before our bath time. We went up three floors and had our massages in private rooms with candles lining the floor. I am really curious how much stuff has caught on fire in that place. After that we went down to heaven, the baths. A room opened off to the left which led to the huge steam/aromatherapy room (menthol) and another enclosed hot tub with a fabulous jet to massage your shoulders. From the hot tub if you look up there are stars cut out of the domed ceiling that let in just enough light. The next flight of stairs takes you down to the original salt water bath. In front the relaxation room opens up with yummy sweet tea and water in beautiful steel pots. The room is humid, dark and lit with candles so you can see the marbled walls. On the other side of the relaxation room to the left are the main baths, one of medium heat, the other hot and an ice cold pool big enough for one person to submerse themselves. The largest medium heat pool spans two rooms. One has intricate Arabic curved wood ceilings the other without the carvings, but with huge wood carvings on the walls. Above the large bath hangs a beautiful stained glass encasement the looks like it may be an ancient oil lamp enclosure. It is amazing beautiful and majestic looking. Because of our massage we were allowed to stay 45 minutes after the rest of our group which was so cool, because Gina and I had the place to ourselves for that time. The baths are like something out of a movie. They are relaxing, contemplative and enchanting. In the relaxation room sipping tea it is almost impossible to think about anything. Everything drifts away, it’s spiritual.