Sasquash

Natural day spa…oOOo that sounds nice! I've just travelled 12 hours solo on a sweaty cramped train from Marrakech to Fez. I think I deserve a little pampering. I gather a few people from the hostel and we make a decision to travel to this so called ‘natural day spa’, Something of which according to google images was a beautiful blue tiled natural hot spring oasis.

We arrive after a few casual near death experiences on the rocky mountain roads. I had no idea what to expect other than the google images but the entrance and corridor quickly removed any chance of it being a blue tiled haven. The walls were cracked, the smell of old egg filled the air, sounds of men grunting and speaking Arabic only got louder as we approached. We broke out into the steam room filled with more than 60 men, slapping each others backs, pouring buckets of boiling water on each others heads, surrounding and bathing laps in the central “day spa”. The local men couldn’t help but observe the 5 out of towners that just entered the mensclub. A few men welcomed us with smiles and start waving their hands, guiding us to the water.

I slowly enter chest deep into the boiling hot, egg stinking green lagoon. I tried to withhold my pain from the sweltering heat until something took my eye…I noticed right next to me a massive drooping ball sack hung down nice and low from the side of the mans underpants! I couldn’t hold the pain in any longer I released a small scream as I placed my entire body further away from the sack but deeper into the watery furnace. Certainly no 'hot spring oasis' but certainly a moment i'll always remember.