Massage Chinese Style and Curry

We had our convention at the weekend, more about that on another post. Saturday morning I received a text from my Sister in-law Myra. She wanted a massage and would love company, would I like to have a typical Beijing style massage?
Myra lived in China for 2 years before she became pregnant with our wonderful happy chap Elliot who is 8 months old. I believe she used to get a massage every week as they are so cheap in China and very good to boot.
Well she must have read my mind, I have been thinking about and needing a massage for a few months now. So I wholeheartedly agreed.
After the convention we went back to her home so Elliot could be fed, bathed and put down for the night while dad watched ice hockey and ironed. Her husband loves to Iron and he spends many a free night happily ironing away. I looked on in envy as he ironed like a professional, one eye on the game and barley a glance at his ironing as he first Ironed the back top of his shirt, then cuffs, collar and the rest of his shirt, systematically spraying with his very posh looking water bottle. Now that's a trait all husbands need to come pre programmed with.
Before we head to our appointment we are famished so Myra suggests we have dinner. Just around the corner is an Indian restaurant she says is fab. I don't need to have my arm twisted to eat Indian.. Lead the way Myra.


www.kathmandukitchen.com


The food was some of the best I have had in the USA. You had a choice of having your dish Tali style or a la cart. A la cart means that it comes just with rice. Tali style is above, it comes with Dahl, vegetable curry, rice, nan, a yogurt dip and a potato dish. All this for under $20.


Shortly after we made our way to the Massage place. Its called has a sign that says FOOT out side. It advertises itself as a reflexology place but its more massage, a little foot work but if your expecting professional reflexology you'll be disappointed. However the overall experience was very good.
Its not the most elegant place I had been to, but as Myra has been there before I had confidence. The location does nothing to install confidence but if you can look past that your in for a treat. You enter a small typical reception and the rest of the room behind a Chinese screen is darkened. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they do I see the room is full of leather spa chairs. Each one facing the wall so that there is a degree of privacy. Myra had given me some basic info ahead of time. Its would be in a room where others were getting the same treatment and that you wear loose comfy clothing so that they can massage underneath straps etc.
The above picture is not where I was but its a good representation, minus the pond, and the chairs are against the walls.


There were several others getting massaged but the lighting was dim enough and there was enough space that I didn't feel that like I would be uncomfortable. We requested women. We were lead to 2 spa chairs, our feet were put into a hot water and we were laid back in our spa chairs, and a long towel placed over us.
My lady said hello and then got to work, I personally do not like alot of chit chat. First she worked on my scalp, head, face and neck, this involved deep pressure and a little hair pulling. Something I hadn't experienced before, but it was relaxing and the different sensations were pleasant.
The lady then moved on to my hands and fingers, a typical hand massage, very nice. Next she moved on to my arms and under arms and arm pits. This was very strange to me. She used the towel at all times and she put alot of pressure on my underarms, this sent pins and needles feeling throughout my body and it wasn't my favorite feeling but I went under the assumption that they knew what they where doing. They lady then proceeded to use small slapping motions along my underarms and armpits. Well I just burst into a fit of giggles and so did the lady massaging me. Her reaction was sweet and this further relaxed me. After they finished my face she put a hot towel behind my neck and then wrapped my feet in one too. I also had a small towel over the my eyes and this added to my relaxation. The only sounds I could hear were sounds of nature coming from a dvd somewhere and the slapping sounds of others being thoroughly pummeled. All I could think was, I wonder if they will do that to me, I was soon to find out!
I was asked to lie on my front and put my face comfortably in the custom made face hole in the spa chair. My little Chinese lady was STRONG, she worked my back and shoulders with her elbow at times. I had moments of "I cant take this anymore" then she would move on. I thought about asking her to soften up a bit as she did ask me if the pressure was ok and I said yes. Because I'm tough!! At one point she climbed on my back her knees in my calf's, she slapped her legs up and down on mine and then put all her might into my back. It was all very strange but I have never felt so loose. It takes a little getting used to, and I have a sports masseuse I used in Placerville and she is great but she costs twice as much and she talks to me too much. I am sold on FOOT massage on Stockton Blvd. Its not fancy but its only $20 for a whole hour. Tip is $10, and they work hard. They are not what I would call professionals like my sports masseuse but they do know what they are doing. I loved it, highly recommend and will be taking friends there..