Friday, April 20, 2007

East vs. West

There is nothing I love more than a good massage. I think my love of the massage started during college when ET#1, our various roommates and I would give each other massages (a "massage train" if you will) as a way to destress, and also as a way of procrastinating. Since I no longer have a 95 pound room mate to walk on my back, I have been shelling out big bucks for so-called professional massages in order to de-stress and unwind.

I am always torn between going to "high end" spas such as Bliss, and the always cheaper asian "massage parlors". The spas are always super clean and offer you soothing music, a selection of teas, bottled water, and samples of their otherwise overpriced products. Acqua Beauty Bar has a fantastic Russian masseuse that I thought was going to break my arm with the stretches he was doing, but afterwards I felt fantastic (this was perhaps one of the best massages ever). The massage parlors are easy to go to (no appointment necessary), are cheap, offer lukewarm green tea, and sometimes get a little "too close" for comfort. At the 24 hour "spa" in koreatown, one of the female masseuses climbed onto the table (surprisingly limber for a middle-aged korean lady) and straddled me during the massage.

My birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to treat myself to a massage. Bliss did not have any availability so I was going to go to my favorite chinese massage parlor (scary that I even have a favorite). But, sadly, while surfing the web this morning, I came across this. I guess I'll have to find a new favorite massage place...

7 comments:

And said...

maybe there will be a cancellation tomorrow due to the nice weather? you could get on the list. Happy Birthday!

stephanie said...

Ya- happy birthday ET#2! It's really unfortunate that Nolita was shut down. I'm sure many people benefited from the so called "unlicensed" massages.

Evil said...

well, why dont you just come over? i'm a licensed massage therapist. i have a license AND i'm asian. perfect, right?

stephanie said...

Evil- you may have a license, but do you give the happy ending?

Anonymous said...

Ah... The korean spa - provided hours of entertainment after the pain and initial shock wore off!!

Evil said...

hi *ss*...

the question should be: when do i *not* give the happy ending.

Anonymous said...

hahaha, that's too funny. i bet that she still give private messages.