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Published: March 16th 2007
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The next day dawned bright and early - it was spa day!
Mike planned to drop me in Wiesbaden on his way to work so that I could enjoy one of their famous spas. I was nervous, because it would really be the first time I was exploring the city on my own. The spa wasn't open when I got there, so I wandered around the walkplatz, looking again at the sights that Mike had pointed out on Monday and investigating some of the side streets.
To my excitement, I found a Starbucks! I know, I know, in Germany, I really should have made a point of going to local places and avoiding things I could find in America. But baby steps!
I went inside and told the guy at the counter (in German!) that my German was not very good. Fortunately, he spoke almost perfect English, so I bought a cup of coffee and spent the next hour sipping it and looking at the pictures in German magazinees.
Finally, I got up the courage to go back to the spa. The woman behind the counter said she didn't speak English, but the guy sitting with her
pointed me to where I needed to go. I signed myself up for a relaxing massage and a "soft pack." While waiting for these treatments, I could use their saunas, jacuzzis, cold pools and other facilities. Sounds SUPER!
One catch: everyone is NAKED.
Yes, naked. And mostly old men. Naked old men. But when in Rome...
It was pretty liberating. And embarrassing. I spent some time in a hot room and dipped in the cold pool (of course, not realizing that it was cold until I stepped into it, but not wanting to look like a total moron, so I went in anyway). Then I would alternate between the hot tub and sleeping in an ergonomic chair (in a towel!). I was absolutely relaxed. My massage was perfect - exactly what I needed and an hour long. The soft pack was a little weird and claustrophobic, but ultimately relaxing as well. I was still ready to go when the time came though!
With an hour and a half to kill before meeting Mike, I braved the walkplatz again. I bought clothes in Esprit, and then decided that I needed a haircut. Gutsy, I know. I found a place that looked decent and went in to find out if they could cut my hair and if they spoke English. They only spoke a little English, and I don't speak any German, so it made for a creative haircut. But it was the best haircut that I've ever gotten - from the scalp massage when she washed my hair, to the extra time she put into blow drying it. I was thrilled - but bummed too, because now I've found the perfect hairdresser, but she's in Germany! After my haircut, I was late to meet Mike, so I rushed back to find him. It turned out that he was later than I was, and we decided to window shop for antiques before heading home. That night, we had plans to see a mutual friend. I got dressed up in my new duds from Esprit, and we drove out to his apartment. After I got the tour, we relaxed with a movie before gearing up for Gaudi Maxx. We called for a cab, and the craziest cab driver I've ever had arrived shortly after. I sat in the back with our friend, and the driver made sure to tell us that we could make out if we wanted to - he even tried to help us out by driving like a maniac through the streets, almost prompting me to grab onto my friend. I was grateful that I'd thought to buckle my seatbelt. He then told us that he had some great American music for us, and turned on "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, which produced a giggle from us. We did serenade him by singing along though.
Finally, we arrived at Gaudi Maxx and simply smiled at the bouncers as we slipped in the door. Apparently, the key to getting into these places is making sure that no one knows you're American.
And that's the end of my journal entries for Germany. I did spend a few more days there, a couple in Hanau, seeing the local army base, and then again with my cousin. Although I'd had my reservations, I did end up loving Germany, enough to return there again. And I definitely plan to go back.
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