What a wonderful, wonderful day! I woke up LATE, had a very late breakfast (almost lunch) at a cute local cafe in Albuquerque, and then drove toward where I thought the mountains were. Turns out I was wrong and headed toward the city. I realized that I was NOT interested in city stuff or museums today, and turned around and headed back east to the mountains. I had seen info on a scenic road through the mountains that would eventually lead to Santa Fe, so I hopped onto that road instead of getting on I-25. I am SO glad I did. I got to drive through the mountains, windows open, with Bruce Springstein serenading me (loudly)! Yay for scenic drives :)
I landed in Santa Fe and kept driving, feeling my way toward town. I eventually stopped in a parking lot to look up directions to my B&B only to discover that I was about 3 blocks away! My internal compass seemed to be working well today. I got to the B&B and checked in, got my stuff unloaded, had a little down time lounging on the super comfy bed, and then got myself back out on the road to a Japanese-style bath house just 20 minutes from my B&B.
Upon arrival, you are given a standard-issue kimono/robe, a locker key, and a brief tour of where to go. I opted for the "women's bath" which is a women's only section. I was really pushing my edges here since I'm generally freaked out by water and nakedness, and let me tell you, this place has an abundance of both. Well, I'm ok with other people's nakedness, and I'm ok with my own as long as nobody is around but me, but the idea of being naked in front of other people...well, there's a full-body blush. I don't even shower at the gym because I can't handle the being naked in front of other women part.
So getting to the tub took me a few stages. I had to start in the sauna in my kimono, then moved to a lounge chair in just a towel, then finally the full monty in the tub. After a few minutes in the hot water chatting with other great women, the whole being naked thing stopped being a big deal. Well it stayed a little deal, but was mostly fine :) I bounced between being in the hot tub, sitting on the edge of the tub with my feet in to cool down, getting back in to get really hot, then dashing to the cold plunge, getting so cold my feet started to spasm and then warming back up by sitting meditation in the sauna...all naked! I did this for over 2 HOURS. I have new-found comfort with my body. Sure I don't have a perfect body, but there sure wasn't anyone there that did. Everyone has flaws and scars and lumps and too much of some things and not enough of others. Right, being human doesn't mean being perfect. So I have a big butt and I don't have giant boobs. So what.
I didn't die of embarrassment, and I didn't drown (two things I was concerned about), and I would certainly go back another time. I'm not sure I'd be up for the "communal tub" that is mixed men & women...that's a whole other level of body stuff that I'm not ready to explore yet.
I am rested, I am hydrated, I smell good, my skin feels nice, I had an adventure and learned some things about myself...all for $20. What a bargain!
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