Do you happen to be in Istanbul and you feel like getting scrubbed, naked, by an also-naked stranger? Look no further!
On a serious note, my sister and I wanted to attempt the "traditional" Turkish bath house experience, so off we went to Aga Hamami. Built in the 1400s -- yes, that's right, before America was even "discovered" (using that term loosely) -- it maintains a lot of its ancient charm. The 6-foot fish tank, tv, washing machine, and "office space" dare to ruin the authenticity, but if you appreciate the culture clash of old and new world, you can almost accept them as ironic.
The actual bath house part of the hamam is pretty astounding - completely marble rooms to rinse, steam, and bathe. Laying down on the center stone in the middle of the large rinsing room, staring up at the domed ceiling, is an experience you won't ever find anywhere else. In terms of execution -- they give you a Turkish towel (they have little fringe on the edges) to take into the rinse room. You go to one of the many sinks and rinse yourself in warm water, then relax until called. Next stop is the steam room, where the menthol steam really puts you at ease. Then back to the big rinse/relax room. After, you're brought into the bathing room, where you remove your bathing suit/underwear/anything else you might have on, and the attendant (? not sure what she's called) strips down (sometimes nude, sometimes bikini bottom), and SCRUBS you top to bottom. I opted for the new exfoliating glove - it was a little extra but I wanted a new one. Once scrubbed (and I mean completely), she rinses you, washes your hair, and sends you back to the main room. My sister and I also got the oil massage but it wasn't all that. She just poured about a gallon of lube on my naked body and sloshed it around. The mud mask was fun, but you have to rinse it off yourself and it was pretty well caked on. If you want the long, full experience, go for the massage and mask because it's only another $20 or so, but don't expect it to blow your mind.
We got to sit and drink delicious apple tea between our massage and mask, and yet another adorable stray cat came to play with us while we relaxed. All in, it was 140 TL, which I think boiled down to about 45 USD. Worth every cent to be a part of a centuries-old tradition. You have to be brave, but if you are, you should go! read more