THE HAMMAN

Not even sure how to write about this experience.....because it was unusual and in a whole category of it’s own! So a Hamman is very traditional in Morroco.It is basically a communal bath with a hard scrub and a social place where Moroccans go to relax and clean themselves. We were told to leave “everything” at the Riad, except a towel and the black soap and loofah mits we were issued. We walked a few minutes to the local Hamman, and the men went in one door and we went in another. We were met by three Muslim ladies who were basically naked except for their head scarves. No English. Big problem. We ladies thought maybe we would be allowed to wear our underwear...but thru much motioning.....we figured out it was to take off!  All off.Then we were led into a very hot steam room and sat on small pads on the marble floor. There were big buckets of water in front of each one of us, and since I was at the end of the naked ladies line...I was first to get scrubbed with a rough mit...and the black soap. And NO place was left unscrubbed . I was on my back, on my stomach, in the scrubbers lap, positioned here and there and for 15 minutes or so....was scrubbed clean, rinsed...scrubbed again and again. Then they washed our hair...all the time fetching hot or cooler water depending on the need. Other “women”....mostly young, came into the huge steam room while we were there...Everyone was naked.  Finally we were thru with the process and went to find our clothes. We met the guys outside and compared notes....with much laughing on descriptive renditions. I can say I Did feel very clean and my skin felt silky.......and I would do it again! It grows on you. The whole time we were there was a social time and naked bonding...and lots of laughing after the shock wore off. There was NO place for modesty....that’s for sure!