I was in the mood to do something strange and unusual. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to take the plunge. Literally. I bought myself a swimming suit in the hotel's gift shop and made an appointment for a water-soaked massage called Watsu.
Watsu is water-logged Shiatsu... kind of. Sort of. Well, maybe. I think. But, since I haven't actually had Shiatsu - which is some kind of Asian technique in which they apply pressure to acupoints and stretch you out - I don't know for sure. But, I can say for sure that Watsu is nice.
When it was time for my own Watsu experience to commence, I pulled on my new blue Speedo bathing suit (don't blush... this is a one-piece suit), wrapped myself in a bathrobe, pulled on some sweat pants, and slipped on a pair of flip-flops. Right before I left my hotel room, I grabbed my room key and shoved it in the robe's pocket. Then, I walked through the maze of buildings at the resort until I came to the pool area.
My therapist met me at the door. “Are you here for Watsu?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“Come this way,” she said, pointing to a door. “I'm Susan and I'll be your therapist tonight.”
The Watsu area is inside a swimming dome, painted with Native American artwork. Dimmed lights glow while Indian flute music softly wafts through the air.
It was strange and unusual. (Check)
Susan then led me into the warm water, attached some floaties to my legs, and instructed me to lie back in the water. I did and, because it seemed appropriate, I closed my eyes and willed myself to relax.
As Susan pulled me about the pool and gently massaged me, I began to recall childhood events. I began to feel an intense desire to let my family know that I love them deeply. I began to wish I could make people's lives happier. I began, essentially, to wish for world peace.
It was strange and unusual. (Check)
After a while, I began to wonder when it would be over. Time had evaporated and I hoped it wouldn't end soon. I wanted to float in that pool forever, being gently pulled and stretched, my left-over surgical pain melting away. I wanted to stay in the pool until I turned into a giant waterlogged prune.
It was strange and unusual. (Check)
Finally, it was time to leave. Susan gently glided me over to the side of the pool, took off the floaties and put my feet on the pool floor. When I opened my eyes she said, “You like water.”
Yes, I like water. Very much.
I got out of the pool, dried myself off, wrapped my head in a giant towel, put my flip-flops back on my feet, slipped on my sweat pants, and put on my robe. Then I put my hand in my pocket to make sure that my room key was still there.
In its place, I felt a business card. I had mistaken a business card for my room key and was locked out of my room.
I sighed because I had no choice but to go to the hotel lobby and get a new key. Susan saw my distress and asked me what was wrong. When I told her of my predicament, she chuckled and said, “That's new. I don't think anyone has done that particular thing before.”
I had just done something strange and unusual. (Check)
I walked to the lobby, hoping that it would be empty, but when I opened the door I saw four employees having a lively conversation. Snapping to attention when I entered, the bell man asked, “Can I help you?”
“I've locked myself out of my room,” I replied. “I thought this business card was my room key.”
The bell man's eyes twinkled. “No problem,” he said. “We have lots of keys here. Lots of them. Lots and lots of them. I'll get one for you now.”
In a flash, he was back with a new room key. As he handed it to me, he politely said, “I do have to tell you that I don't think anyone has gotten locked out of their room in this particular way.”
“I'm not surprised,” I replied. “It makes perfect sense. After all, I am strange and unusual.”
(Check)
Have a great weekend, everyone! If you’re brave enough, go out and try something strange and unusual. It’s kind of fun.
- Ro
Muse: To be absorbed in one's thoughts; engage in meditation. Not intended to solve the world's problems, another person's problems, or to cover topics completely. One does not have to agree with musings to enjoy them, just as one does not have to be the same as someone else to appreciate who they are.
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