....into the lap of luxury..

In my last entry I wrote about my bright idea, to begin an exercise routine, bicycling around Margarit Island. Not a bad idea, it's just that my body cried out, "not so fast - how about tending to a few unmet nurture needs, first!". Ok, OK! So I dutifully searched out a pedicurist, which actually was no small task, thinking that my feet had done the greatest amount of work and most needed some additional care. Pedicures are usually a good place for an old fashion foot rub, So off I went. While the Hungarians don't seem to be as much into the massaging as I like, it did feel pretty good. However, after waking up a couple of mornings later, it became clear to me that there remained a few more physical needs waiting to be tended to. So, I decided this just might be the perfect day to explore one of those spas, that Budapest is so well known for. There are over 123 natural springs in the City, with 2 dozen plus thermal baths. Orginally used for medicinal purposes, they are now quite the gathering place, for both locals and tourists, of all shapes and forms. The temperatures can range anywhere from 86 to 104 F. The Communist's took over the baths when in power, with the City continuing to own them, making them quite affordable for anyone to attend.

So, with so many to choose from, and with my secret little shamefull love of luxury intact, where other to start, than the baths at the Gellert Hotel ?

It was there that into "her lap" I fell, fully embraced by wonderful, luscious, luxurious warm waters, hot waters, very very chilled waters, steamy waters, deep wavy waters, all preparing me for an incredible medical-massage (deep). Oh my goodness gracious. Now, at last my body was happy, getting all of the pampering I have longed and hoped for....and all for less than $30 US dolloars.

So, instead of staying the two hours I had intended, I ended up being there for 6, moving from showering to soaking to plunging to steaming to showering to soaking to sunning to swimming to sunning to plunging to soaking to deep massage to soaking to resting to water massage to soaking to showering to resting.....aaaaaah...where are we Toto?

Surely it is time to move on with the day. But only after making an agreement with self, that a weekly bath visit will indeed become a part of my routine. What routine there is. And with so many others spas to explore, it will be a real adventure.

Next week, I will visit the Turkish bath, just down the way. I am looking forward to that one.

Pictures to follow, I am sure.

On the way home, I came across the incredible Great Market Hall. It was built around the late 1800's. It is massive, with 4 floors of hundreds of venders. Everything from produce stands to butcher stalls, to a vast array of flowers, ice-cream stands, bakeries, snack bars, fish tanks with soon to be eaten creatures and plenty of tacky souvenir shops. Quite the rich experience one hopes to have in a market place. I know where I will be doing my shopping from now on.

Happy Inter dependence Day to all of you celebrating your freedom !!