The Chinese Massage

Yesterday, I wandered around China Town. I'm a little hestitant to eat at most of the restaurants, but I trust the Zagat guide and have eaten at two. The one I chose yesterday wasn't bad, although I still got a little squeamish about the mystery meat in the dumplings in the wonton soup. I also had the garlic chicken, which was delicious, although I had to pick around the bell peppers (I'm allergic).

One of my coworkers had told me about a place in China Town that she goes to for cheap but clean, no frills massage. She told me how to find it, and as she had predicted, I wondered what I was getting myself into to as I walked down the steps from the sidewalk into a dimly lit, pink-walled room. A petite (although aren't they all?) Asian woman met me and led me back into one of the "rooms." I use quotes because the walls between the massage areas didn't reach to the ceiling. They were just over my head, but I'm sure a taller person could have easily seen over. The front of each room has a curtain hung on a thin rope.

I laid face down on the table. The woman came in and asked, "You like strong?" I do and was thinking to myself how much I enjoy when a massage therapist uses their elbows to really dig into my back muscles. Well, I was amazed that she not only used her hands and elbows, but also her knees and feet! With a towel covering me from neck to feet, she spryly jumped up on the table and walked on my back, rocking back and forth from foot to foot on my butt, back and thighs. She had amazing balance.

I have been getting massage for years, usually the Swedish massage method. This massage was very different than I'm used to, but I enjoyed it and left feeling lighter and very relaxed.