Monday, August 1, 2011

Al-Pasha Hamman

On the weekend I went to the bathroom. A Turkish bathroom. With many other women in attendance. And it was just lovely. Al Pasha Hammam (Hammam is Arabic for bathroom, Hamam is the Turkish word) is, like many of the interesting things in Amman, located in the Old Town area. The exterior is beautiful stone and wood work covered in vines. When you enter, you are greeted by a beautiful hall with fountains, blue and purple lanterns, greenery and a relaxed ambience. 

But the real treat, of course, lies within the bathing area, and the ritual of the hammam. We're talking visits to the sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a large hot marble stone on which you can lie while sipping chilled hibiscus tea and contemplating whether to return to the jacuzzi or steam room. All the while, one can marvel over the arabic star lanterns that cast incredible shadows over the stone arches and the colourful bottle inlays in the dome ceilings. And when you are feeling so relaxed you could just about melt into the hot stone, you are beckoned for a scrub and massage, during which I definitely melted. After the massage, the new friend I went with (she's a mum in Charlie's baby group and a hostess with the mostest for baby group get togethers) who was well experienced in the ways of hammam had brought a facial mask which she sweetly shared with me. We applied it and went to a lounge area and had a hot hibiscus tea this time, and chatted away. She has had an amazing life. Hubby and I have been a little homesick lately, and that afternoon was the perfect antidote as I discovered a new place I love, and even more importantly, made a new friend and felt a little more connected to Amman.