The natural hot sulphur springs in Tbilisi have led to a bathing culture in the Georgian capital. Situated on the Silk Road linking Europe and Asia, Tbilisi has seen thousands of merchants over centuries pass through weary and tired.
What better way to rejuvenate than with a relaxing soak and then a scrub massage in Tbilisi sulphur baths, one of the most popular things to do in Tbilisi. Soaking away in the roastingly-hot sulphur springs in Tbilisi I awaited my scrub massage.
Our tiled private room echoed our hushed conversations; What should I expect from this? Should I wear swimwear? Would Russ stay in the bath next to the massage table and watch my massage take place? My only point of reference was a desquamated massage I had once in Morocco, where I was scrubbed like a dirty dog with a mitt which can only be described as sandpaper.
This was one room, with a tiled massage table large enough for one, a wall shower and our sulphur pool. While he could have stayed, but he would have had to be a spectator for the whole experience. It was 40 minutes into our hour long soak, my masseuse entered our room. A busty Georgian lady wearing nothing more than a skimpy black singlet and black cotton shorts. I had mentally debated about being naked during my scrub but I convinced myself it was the local thing to do.
Any self confidence I had went out the window when she looked me up and down as she walked in. Cue a moment of utter self loathing and regretting the numerous khachapuri I ate the days before.
