The bath was an experience!  Yilmaz took us to a bath that was supposed to be 600 years old!

First they showed us to a room to change and keep our stuff, which they locked behind us (we had the key on our wrist).  The first step in the bath was to rinse off.  They took us to a large room with an octagonal marble table in the middle.  There were private stalls lining the room.  Inside there was a marble basin with hot and cold running water.  We were instructed to rinse off.

After we were rinsed, then took us to the steam room.  The room was square with a circular, domed ceiling and it was HOT!  The thermometer said it was 125° F!  The room was lined with benches with wooden slats.  We were instructed to lay down and enjoy the heat!

After about 15 minutes they came and got us and took us back into the first room and we were instructed to lay down on the octagonal table.  There were mats along the edge.  Once there they washed us with a lofah.  It was pretty rough, but it felt pretty good.  They used quite a bit of pressure and scrubbed us from our neck down to our feet.  When they were done scrubbing, we rinsed off in a shower (with cool water), then went back to the table to be washed with soap and massaged.  They finished by pouring cold water from a 5-gallon bucket over our heads!  That was probably the most refreshing parts of the entire process!!

They gave us towels and we dried ourselves, then were lead out of the bath where we were dried thououghly and wrapped in a towel.  On the way back to the changing room we were offered fresh squeezed orange juice, which we eagerly accepted.

I'd have to say, it was an experience well worth it, and something I'm sure Alex and I will never forget!