More and more beauty treatments....

Since I've been in Thailand I've been indulging in my favorite past times. Yep, you can take the girl out of London but....for the last 6 weeks I've indulged in all manner of beauty treatments. Pedicures, manicures, facials, head massages, full body massages, reflexology, Thai massages. I've even branched out and administered my own colonic. Not something I'll be doing again I might add.

Aside from beautifying myself and having the opportunity to try out every single nail polish shade under the sun (burnt orange is a current fav) a beauty salon (or even the beach) is the ideal place to observe others and ask the beauticians questions. They are only too happy to answer.

Take Joy for example. I met Joy in Lucky, Lucky Nails on Koh Phangan. She was hilarious. Her and her colleagues asked me endless questions about the type of man I go for...questions like 'do you like Thai or Western men?' 'Western' I reply. 'Ahhhhh' was their response followed by a high pitched giggle.

Then they tell me about themselves. Joy pointing at her colleague: 'She like chocolate men but they no like her'. Other woman: 'They not like me but I like them.' Joy to me: 'I like Western men they rich.' Me: 'Not as rich as you may think.' Joy: 'I have two Western boyfriends. One from Wales (okay, no judgement) and one American, he fat. He very fat. He name John. John is fat and wants to take me to London. I not sure whether to go. What you think?.' A fatal question to ask me. Naturally I have an opinion on this and a new audience. Perfect. Up I step on to my soap box and begin my sermon.

I took great delight in 'advising' (okay, I'll admit sort of telling) Joy that going to London with 'fat John' probably wasn't a great idea given the fact she finds him physically repulsive. Yes, these are my words but she did agree with me when I put it to her in a basic form due to a slight language barrier. i.e Me: 'Do you think John is sexy? Would you like to see John naked?' Joy recoils at the questions and motions to making herself throw up. Subtext. She finds him physically repulsive.

I left the salon feeling pretty good about myself. After all I'd managed to save Joy from the clutches of an overweight American. Good Karma all round in my opinion.

Chiang Mai has a vast range of salons, clubs offering massages, reflexology, facials etc. One particular place (Thai Massage Conservation Club) which offered Thai massages really stood out from the rest - the massages were by blind masseuses. It was amazing. Really surreal environment too. Cool room, wooden floors. Dead quiet. The only noise was the whispering of the blind masseuses. The massage itself was amazing. Just the right pressure, not too much pulling and tugging. I'd definitely recommend it.

My other dalliances have included reflexology with a lady boy who sadly didn't speak a word of English. I tried to speak Thai. Ended up massacring the language so had to make do with secret looks at his/her Adams apple - went back the following day armed with my phrase book but she/he has left. FYI it was the best reflexology I've ever had!