A visit to a Turkish bath

Both relaxing and stunning – which is a hard combo to pull off

I was in Istanbul for work last week (that’s a phrase I will probably not tire of dropping into conversation anytime soon). I was also in Rotterdam for the same reason (I mention that far less frequently). Both days of work were similar – I was a role play actor for a corporate client.

I love playing the role of role playing actor, because it reminds me of camp counselling; lots of listening, advice and work to foster good communications in the workplace, and hopefully make people more successful. There’s no crafts or talent shows or swimming, but it still feels like it’s the same type of work; it’s fun.

Plus I love going into workplaces for a short period of time, to sample the culture and learn about what goes on there, but not have to go there every day at the same time. Going to the same place at the same time everyday to do the same thing, while offering a sense of stability and security, is something I don’t miss at all about having a regular job.

But the day of work was not the best thing about my first trip to Istanbul. Nope. The best thing was going back to my hotel on Friday evening to find my wife, and spending the weekend with her.

Neither of us had ever been to Istanbul and the fact is we loved it. Situated on three peninsulas, each with a different character we enjoyed mostly the old town (Sultanahmet) but ferried and trammed our way into the other parts.

Highlights included visiting the Hagia Sofia, lunching with the owner’s son at a sidewalk cafe in the Grand Bazaar, visiting the maginficent and tranquil Blue Mosque and getting hustled by a shoeshine man.

The Turkish Bath

Not much to look at from the outside

But it was unanimously agreed upon by both of us that the best thing we did was have a Turkish bath. It was Cemberlitas Hamam, built in 1584. From the outside, if you don’t look up and notice the massive marble domes, it looks like a downmarket drycleaner. Which makes the spacious and imposing interior that much
more impressive.

Trying to figure out what to do was disconcerting, and speaking two words of Turkish as I do (Hello and thanks), proved to be small help. But in the end, Turkish bathing is pretty straightforward. And damn enjoyable.

After purchasing your treatment – Chiara and I went for the basic scrub and massage – we were given packages (mine had a hand scrub, hers had a hand scrub and panties) and sent to our respective chambers.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of Spirited Away while I was there, all wood and lofty ceiling in the main area. And steam and buckets. I went upstairs to my personal chamber, and the attendant at the top of the stairs helpfully instructed me on what to do. “Naked” he said, pointing at the wrap and slippers inside the room.

So I disrobed, grabbed the peştemal (towel wrap), put on the slippers, locked my room and put the key on my wrist, then headed for the chamber. Then I entered the first door, past the shower, and into the huge dome of the bath itself. I was alone. As I was for the major part of my experience. There’s amazing acoustics in there, I discovered as humming to myself and clattering bowls around the marble slab.

While there I lounged around on the octagonal marble platform, and threw water on me from the blue buckets scattered around.

After a few minutes I was wet and sweaty, as is the intention of the heat and water. A late middle-aged Turkish man came in and took control. He was also attired in a peştemal. He immediately set to work scrubbing me down with the hand cloth.

I’d been warned that this can be quite painful, and in online reviews many people found their experience rushed or unpleasant. Not so for me. He laid me down on the edge of the platform and gave me a good scrubbing (I know how that sounds). Then he sat me up, and continued. An embarrassing amount of dead skin sloughed off. I was then splashed with a bucket of warm water like this was a driveway car wash. Afterwards, he laid me down again and soaped me up, before dousing me with more water.

The treatment also included a head massage and hair wash in one of the little sub-alcoves off the main dome. The guy even threw in some amateur chiropracty on my back and neck. For which I’m not entirely sure I’m grateful, but I respect him going the extra mile. And it appears no harm was done.

The Turkish bath is a great place to get Spirited Away

Afterwards I sat relaxing again in the hamam, and then took a cold shower and relaxed in the main hall, waiting for Chiara. The women’s side is very similar to the men’s, only they also have a pool and a hot tub, so she took a little longer.

Afterwards we walked all of four minutes back to our hotel, feeling warm, clean and purified, and went directly into a restful sleep.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:41+00:00December 24 2013|

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

A visit to a Turkish bath

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar

A visit to a Turkish bath

Related Posts

A Visit to Edinburgh

How was working with Ryan?

Contact Ryan Millar