How to get hot and steamy in Petra
admin August 7th, 2007
Fran, who blogs from New York, had always wanted to visit Petra and wasn’t dissapponted by the experience. One of the highlights - or at least - one of the more memorable moments - occurred in a nearby hammam or steam bath.
My first view of it all was to arrive just outside of Petra in the afternoon. I had spent hours in the desert at Wadi Rum and was hot, tired, sandy and exhausted. Upon check-in I was informed that there were appointments at the hamman.
The hamman is a steambath/massage that is common in the middle east. And the price was so inviting… what better way to wash the dust out?
Upon entering said hamman I was greeted by a man who was wrapped in a towel and wearing funny shoes with the toes pointed up, kind of like something out of 1001 Nights. He greeted me with what I was called all over Jordan “Mrs. Far-ran! You are welcome!” I must have looked a bit alarmed (was that towel going to slip off his waist???) and he saw this. To that he replied “Oh do not worry Mrs. Far-ran! Today no lady hamman, just man in hamman. Man in hammam is good! Yes?”
Did I really want to get a massage from a man wrapped in a towel with funny shoes? No. Did I really want a massage? I just said “wtf” to myself and carried on.
I must admit it was a great massage. And to my knowledge the towel stayed on the man the whole time. It was great, lasted about 90 minutes and all for about $30! He never did take off the pointy toe shoes either.
Check out the rest of her post. It’s well-worth reading.
