Submitted by Kailey Schissler on the 2019 summer session program in Granada, Spain sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
On Tuesday, my roommate and I decided to treat ourselves to a trip to the bathhouses after a stressful week of work. We were able to use the pools, get a massage, and have tea. Needless to say, I was very excited. When we arrived, we got ready and went into the back to find the pools. The worker explained there were three pools: a cold, medium, and hot. She also gave us a pitcher of water, and 2 cherries each (which we thought was very funny).
I could barely stay in the cold pool for more than a minute, it was freezing. As I braced myself to go in, I reminded myself how on the tour, we learned the cold water was important to contract your muscles and close your pores. I enjoyed the warm pool, which we stayed in the most. The hot pool was like a hot tub, and once again I remembered how now, the hot water relaxed our muscles and opened the pores. The bathhouse was small, but only one other couple was in the pools with us. Halfway through, we were given tea and dried fruit. We were probably in the baths for about an hour before they came and got us for the massages. We got to pick rose or cinnamon oil, and the massage was 30 minutes.
Afterward, I felt very relaxed, and it was just what I needed halfway through our time here. While I am having an amazing and one of a kind experience, it is undeniable that there is a lot of work as well. It is not easy to fit a semester of a class in 4 weeks. I would 100% recommend a study abroad to anyone interested, but it is not an easy A. Be ready to work, but have an amazing time experiencing the culture and all the country has to offer! A trip to an Arab bathhouse is a great way to relax mid-semester!