A Chinese Massage

According to colleagues who have visited Yuyao in the past, the Chinese foot massage is well worth the effort. For a very small price, you can get a very long foot massage. Well, yesterday was the day. After a morning expending a lot of energy in the classrooms, I decided to check it out. Armed with Lucy Liu, (my English-Chinese I-phone ap), I set out to find the massage parlor. Now, I need to interject that there appear to be numerous locations for massage. Fellow teachers Sally and Dave had discovered a location that they recommended I try. I cannot tell you the name... only that it is located near the Coffee Cafe. It has a bright yellow panda in front and some hanging red lanterns.

Walking in the door, I came into a large open area with a reception desk. A smiling, thin man looked at me expectantly. I smiled and quickly pulled out Lucy. She told him I wanted massage. Ahhhh.... he called upstairs to a woman who appeared wearing a traditional Chinese jacket and trousers. I followed her up the stairs and into one of many smaller rooms off the main hall. ( Yes, I was a bit apprehensive... could have used someone other than Lucy Liu for reassurance!)

I followed my masseuse into the room. There were three massage beds, each with a lovely pillow. She motioned for me to sit down on one of them. Then she disappeared and reappeared with a large basin of water and motioned for me to put my feet into the basin. Then she started talking to me and, of course, I had no clue what she was asking. Lucy Liu kept coming up with faulty translations. How difficult can it be to say I want a massage!!! Finally, I just pointed to my feet and my shoulders and she nodded. I wondered if I should take off my clothes and wrap up in a sheet, but I figured she would let me know. She, let's call her #28, (I'll explain later) brought in a glass of steaming tea covered with floating flowers, and a plate of sliced watermelon. She also turned on the large flat screen TV, so I could enjoy my favorite Chinese soap!

So, back to the feet. Now, #28 removed them from the bucket and placed them on a wide stool at the end of the bed. What happened next is difficult to describe. Let's just say it felt like each foot was put into an agate grinder. That woman had strong hands. She dug into parts of my foot that I never knew existed!! HARD HARD HARD! I lay back and tried to relax and enjoy myself! Whew! Then she took some lotion. Smoothed it on and was at it again. I am sure she spent 15 minutes on each foot. She was the one who should have been sweating!! After she was finished with each foot, she slapped it hard on the sole and then slapped her way up each calf...

Now, #28 was ready to tackle my shoulders and neck area. She motioned for me to turn over. I asked her if I should take off my shirt as I didn't want any lotion on my new Chinese shirt! "OK, OK", she said. Well, I have heard of the 'Deep Massage' and now I know what it means! Every cord in my neck was rubbed down hard along with each shoulder. I must have ordered the Deluxe Package because she continued to massage muscles right on down....

You get the picture... One and 1/2 hours later, #28 stopped. I couldn't move for a few minutes. I wondered if I'd be able to get up.

I pulled out Lucy Liu and had her tell #28 that this was the best massage I have ever had. She smiled and said, "xiexie". Then she wrote down the number 28. I had been told the massage would cost around 80 RMB, so I figured she was asking me for a 28 RMB tip which I couldn't argue about after what we'd just been through! OK... I gave her a 100 RMB bill. (About $20.00) She took it and I followed her down the stairs to the receptionist's counter. She gave them the bill and I was given 20 RBM's in change. I then gave her the 20 and was digging around in my purse for another 8. I didn't have 8, so I pulled out another 100 and tried to explain that I needed change. Well, things got very complicated. Everyone was saying "No, No" and she was pointing to 28. FINALLY, I got it!!! She wanted me to know that she was #28, so I can ask for her the next time I decide to have myself pummeled.

Everyone was very happy, and so was I!!!
I highly recommend the Deluxe Package.

Zai jian!
Joan


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Location:A Parlor Somewhere in Yuyao