Arabic Baths

Almost done with school! Almost there!

Today was the usual for classes. In grammar my professor talked about how tan I was (morena) and how she was white like milk. It was funny and entertaining because she said that she has to change her outfits because she doesn't like how she looks. Of course, she asked me for some of my tan skin, like everyone does. Ha, it seems to be the only thing I get asked for when I'm tan!

In Islamic Culture we learned about more random stuff that I will probably never use in my life or remember much of it anyways. 

I came home for lunch and read my book. I am getting really into this book, it is a good read! I'm trying to save some of it for the airplane ride home to Chicago from Madrid because it is a 9 hour flight.

After lunch I went back to the CLM for my class and I gave my presentation about drugs during Franco's regime. It didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked it to but it was still passing quality. 

Between my classes I went to the computer lab because I didn't bring my laptop today because of the arabic baths this evening. I just hung out with Drew (it's a girl and real real name is Rebecca but she likes to be called by her middle name) and watched YouTube videos.

In my Civ and Culture class we listened to presentations from other students about the food and drinks in all of Spain. Sam and Adam finished up the class with the wine in Spain. They brought in 3 different types of wine, all of which I thought were disgusting. I don't like wine and I think it is pretty official now. I gave Rachael the rest of my cups and she enjoyed them thoroughly. 

After class we walked to the Arabic Baths, which were really close to Plaza Nueva. We were in the second group with Sam, Adam, Evan, Raffa (Evan and Adam's Spanish brother) and German because we all had class until 8 pm. The other group left the CLM at 7:30 and were already in the pools when we got there.

When we entered the building we were greeted at the front desk by a man who gave us wristbands. We each got 2 bands and we were a bit confused as to why we got two bands of the same type, but we took it anyways. We were each given a towel, and then directed to the changing rooms and we changed into our swimsuits. 

When we walked into the pools rooms, we first went into the cold room, where Chelsea and Amy were hanging out. We then went into the hot room, which also had some tea for us to drink, and finally we walked into the warm room. No cameras were allowed in the pool or massage areas, and I didn't have my camera either way so it was okay with me. 

We decided to go into the warm pool to start, but first we had to shower to rinse off. After spending some time in the warm pool, we slowly made our way to the hot pool. While we were in the hot pool, we probably were in the pools for a total of about 15 minutes by now, a guy came around asking for people who still had wristbands on. Rachael and I went with him, along with Adam and Evan.

We were taken to the massage area, which was connected with the warm pool. My masseuse was a man and he was probably about 25, if I had to guess an age. He asked me a few questions before I got on the table, but I couldn't understand him so I just said "Si" and "Me da igual" meaning I don't care. I think he was asking if I wanted my legs or back massaged and what scent I wanted, but I definitely made a fool out of myself. I got on the table and he started massaging my legs. After about 10 minutes he moved up to my back. All of it was awesome! It was the first massage that I have ever had and it definitely won't be my last!

When I was done, I needed help tying my swimsuit so I called Leah over before I got off the table. That was a little awkward because I don't think my masseuse understood what was going on. 

My massage was double as long as the rest of the group (besides those who arrived at the baths with me) because the double wristband meant double time. I asked German why we got double bands and he said it was because he reserved it for 26 people but only 18 showed up so he had to get rid of the bands somehow and we got lucky with receiving the double bands! Man, was I thankful I had class late. 

We then drank tea and hung out in the pools for the rest of the time. It was nice and relaxing and wonderful. The man who walked around the room came and rang the bell, signifying that the time was up so we all got out of the pools and went back to the changing room to leave.

I rinsed off in the showers and then changed and got out of there. Oh I forgot one thing! The floors were heated! It was such a cool phenomenon!! 

When we walked home it was still bright outside and it was really nice. We got home, expecting bocadillos to be ready for us to eat (we asked Mila for them earlier in the day) and they were sitting in the kitchen, not prepared. It was just the bread cut in half. Mila was also nowhere to be found. Mila got home at 10:30 and then we ate dinner at 11pm! This is a record for the latest we have ate! 

Before and after dinner I worked on my photo book and I'm having a blast with it! It is so much fun and I want to make more, but wish they were all free. Soon it was time for bed, so I hit the hay!