
My First And Last Thai Massage Was Super Painful!
June 21 — Thai massage today! I’m excited because a few of the girls highly recommend this place. Most of my body is fine after the hike, but my calves are surprisingly sore. It must have been all the uphill. On the first day the tracker said it was the equivalent to 27 floors and the second day 21 floors. Although I only got a few hours of sleep, I don’t mind getting out of bed. I’m really looking forward to the massage.
Besides getting completely out of Prague this is the first time I’m heading into the city to do something and explore. Well, if you don’t include the mall trip and I’m not. That was like going to the grocery store (but not like in Barcelona). The internet on my phone still isn’t working even though I changed the SIM to card to another one. At least it works in the house. I’m sure it will be fine.
Prague is beautiful. The architecture is stunning and there must be a good size Jewish community who comes here because I passed The King David hotel in the cab on the way. Arriving early to actually find the place was good planning on my part. I know myself too well not to. It’s in this indoor/outdoor mall and not super easy to find, but I did. Since I was early I decided to walk around.
This area is Praha 1 and I live in Praha 3. I’ve learned now when traveling to look for zones. Many of the countries are divided into fancy, nice, and not so nice areas. Where I am is nothing like this.
The streets are big and wide and a lot of this area doesn’t allow vehicle access. There is tons of shopping and if you like purses this is your place. Every other shop seems to be selling handbags. Really beautiful handbags.
While it’s 9:30am it is still very quiet out and feels more like 7 o’clock. Deliveries are happening and storefronts are only just opening. Outdoor seating remains empty though it is a nice day. I could have walked a long time but I decided I should head back for my massage.
Everything started great and the place had a relaxing feel. When I was booking the appointment online I watched a short video and it looked amazing. A woman had me take off my shoes and then walked me back to a room. She told me to sit on the lounge chair and then left. I wasn’t sure if we were doing the foot reflexology first or the massage. So I just sat in the chair completely unrelaxed and waited for instructions.
Another woman entered the room. She had a basin of water with her and washed me feet. Not a lengthy process, but very memorable. Even sweet. Now I was relaxed. She was amazing and though at times it was a bit painful on my calves the rest was completely relaxing. It was less like I was paying her and more like she just wanted to take care of me.
After the foot massage it was time for the Thai massage. On the floor, in the same room, next to my chair was what looked like a mattress. The same woman told me to remove my top and lay down. Okay, but there is no blanket or robe. On the video everyone was wearing a white robe. Can I have one of those please?
She starts out and immediately I know whatever information she wants I will give her. As she digs her fingers into my back and the base of my skull I’m not sure what she wants me to say. I have no secrets. What kind of Spock torture is this? How someone can inflict such horrible pain with a single finger is beyond me.
All of sudden she’s digging her feet into the back of my thighs and pulling my arms. Not at all relaxing but at least the pain has stopped. Or so I thought. She was just setting me up for another menacing move of trying to tear my tendons. I couldn’t see but I think she might have used her elbows.
I don’t know why I didn’t tell her to stop. Maybe it’s the curiosity to see where this would end up. After all the torture I burst out laughing when she started throwing me around. She had me place my hands on the back of my head like a prisoner (very appropriate), then looped her hands in and flung me left to right. My hair and my bare boobs were swinging from side to side. For some reason I thought of my sister reading this and laughing at me so I started laughing and couldn’t stop. I’m sure the woman thought I was crazy.
There was a calm part of the massage, when she rubbed my ears. I never knew how relaxing it was. Part of why I liked it was because she kept moving my hair. I would totally pay someone to play with or lightly brush my hair.
It was an experience for sure. What’s funny is we’ll be going to Thailand in October and I had been looking forward to massages there. Not any longer. Live and learn. When it comes to massages I’m a Swedish girl.
I decided to have lunch at a nice cafe I had passed earlier. Just an hour ago it was empty. Now it’s full of people and the streets are hustling and bustling. Nice day to sit outside and people watch.
A lot of women here are beautiful. Model beautiful and tall as well. There are plenty of travelers and people walking by with large hiking backpacks. I saw a woman with skin as orange as her hair. Lots of shopping bags from all the shops in the area. There were business people too. Plenty dressed in business attire maybe walking to lunch or back to work. Then I noticed a man reading a paper book while walking.
It’s not common to read paper books anymore. I know. People look at me funny all the time for it. How anyone can read and walk at the same time is beyond me. He was a large man with blonde hair down to his shoulders and wearing all black. I would figure if he didn’t have a book in his hand he might have a skateboard. I’ll never know if I’m right or not.
I feel numb. I’m not sure if it’s because of everything going on or the fact that I’m not sleeping well again and feel like a zombie. There’s a large part of me which feels guilty. Guilty for not being in more pleasure right now. Everything around me is stunning and yet I feel like there is a barrier between me and the world. A block from being able to enjoy it here.
After finishing my lunch I walked around without really knowing where I was going. The city is small so I ended up back at the mall. Again I looked for a curling iron with no luck. Instead of leaving the way I knew I took a different exit and was in another area.
There are a lot of activities going on in the streets and I think I smell funnel cake. Something is familiar. I sat in the middle of Old Town and felt nothing even though my eyes saw spectacular buildings and beautiful things. I hope this numb feeling doesn’t last much longer. Then I received a message from my sister and started crying. I guess I’m not numb.
— —
It was definitely a long day, but really good. I found energy in teaching my class and in the consultations I gave. I was also interviewed for a fun podcast and took part in a writing webinar. Today was long and absolutely worth it to finish better than I started. Even though I’m exhausted I would rather be exhausted from doing something I love — work.
My end of day gratitude:
- Being in beautiful Prague.
- Having a wonderful foot massage.
- Finding enjoyment in my work.

