Best of Budapest
I originally booked a trip to Budapest, known as the spa capital of Europe, with the intention of visiting a different locale each day. After our experience at Gellert, J and I decided to ditch that idea and find somewhere less crowded. An internet search led me to Karma Thai Masssage and Hamam, which has three locations in the city. Neither my nor J’s phones had internet connection outside of the hotel, and I trusted her ability to memorize the directions, instead of doing what sensible people do, which is to WRITE THEM DOWN. Ernest Shackleton was the navigator who led the 1914 expedition to the Antarctic. During that journey, his ship was trapped in the ice for months. Despite the odds, none of his crew died. J is no Shackleton. Clearly, it’s exaggerating to compare her to ES, but at times we were way off course from our destination and we were lost in the back alleys of the city.
Eventually, after ASKING for directions, we arrived. Wow, was the walk worth it! We opted for the coconut oil massage, and were led to adjoining rooms, told to disrobe down to our underwear, and lay facedown on the comfy futon. My massage therapist began by wiping my feet with a warm cloth, which was particularly welcome after our march across the city. She began deeply kneading my body with her strong small hands (Vulcan Neck Pinch anyone?) and I dozed off until it was time to turn over. Again, I went to sleep, deeply relaxed.
Two days later we returned for our hamam treatment and massage. This time we were given disposable thongs to don, and ushered into a what I could only compare to a spaceship. I told J that I felt that I was about to enter stasis for an interstellar journey. This prompted us to sing a botched version of Space Oddity and a discussion of the movie Moon, which i have yet to see. Sitting on a marble bench, we were both doused with warm water several times, then directed to climb up on the waist high slabs. Ok, now it felt like I was about to be autopsied! Instructed to turn over, I rested my head on a wooden pillow, and the scrub began. Some kind of soap was applied, alternating with what felt like soft, meringue, with thorough dousing of hot water between applications. I fell asleep, only waking to turn over so my front could get done. Again, I dozed off. One final warm water dousing was sealed with a cold one, with no warning. J and I both shrieked, and the ladies laughed and helped us into our robes. We were served hot tea on a low table, and then massaged with warm coconut oil as before. This time, the therapist stretched me across her knees, ending the session with several brisk cup-handed slaps on my back.
I am so glad that we found that place, and encourage you to visit should you ever be in Budapest. Karma Thai Massage is an oasis of peace and relaxation away from the hordes of the thermal spas everyone comes to see.
PHOTOS
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QJ7sztJzVXeocCt66
