"Black Friday? Try a Spa Friday Instead!"

I’ve never understood the lure of Black Friday... you put all that hard work, time, and effort into creating a extravagant meal, only to turn around and fight crowds the next day? No, thank you!! That’s why I will be spending my Black Friday at Natura Spa to break away and relish in a quiet peaceful atmosphere. With a bunch of naked Korean ladies.

The first time I entered the building was NOT to go to the spa, but actually for karaoke....it was my first non-alcohol induced karaoke experience and boy I could not get enough! Are you surprised?

Since that building already had some great juju from my sober karaoke debut, I came to try this new Korean spa, Natura Spa, in the basement of the same building.

They give you a number on a wristband so you can just add things on your tab like a meal at the cafe-- only this time it’s a cucumber face mask. I love this.

I follow a ritual each time I go (which I try to at least once a month) by placing my order at the cafe for vegetable noodle soup. They’ll call your number over the loud speaker when it is ready-- and by ready I mean waiting at a set table for you, complete with Korean condiments and chopsticks. At a bargain price of $10. I know, right?!

While my meal is being prepared at the cafe, I start in the Clay room. It has a milder heat than regular saunas-- just to warm the body up a bit. I lay on a towel on the floor made of small clay rocks, and imagine I’m sunning on a rock beach in Santorini.

I rinse off, and if they haven't called my number already, I make a trip to either the dry or wet sauna. I have become kind of obsessed with the Korean soap operas they show in the dry sauna. I always poo pooed anything other than instrumental extraterrestrial spa music in this atmosphere, but I've grown to love the not so hush hush-ness of the Korean spa. It still does the trick of taking me to another place-- it’s like being able to watch the drama of trashy television, but having the luxury of not being able to understand how crappy the show actually is. I stare blankly into the screen that has no subtitles and sweat until I can no longer take it. "Number 84. Number 84 your order is ready in the cafe. Number 84."

Saved by my soup!

Soup hits the spot and is the perfect spa detox meal. As if I needed to sweat more while I'm here.

After the meal, I time it perfectly so I have about an hour of "amenity" time before my $50 one-hour acupressure massage. This is perfect to loosen up the muscles-- especially after standing on your feet for 13 hours the day before preparing the big meal.

From here on out it's a rotation of dry sauna, wet sauna, tea bath, and cold plunge pool (just what it sounds like-- turning the shower on as cold as you can stand), and of course some Korean soap opera watching.

Just about 15 minutes before my massage, I set up at one of the self-scrub stations. I know, I know- it sounds personal, but when you're there, nothing is! Hey-- if the 60 year old woman with 12 grandkids can do it, you can too! They sell these brillow pads at the front desk (they’ll add it to your tab) and you sit on a little stool and scrub your lovely epidermis from tip to toe.

Talk about a proper exfoliation! Too much labor for you on your luxurious day off? A nice lady will do it for you-- but I warn you-- be prepared to leave your dignity at the door (for you will become just another wet noodle).

All steamed and scrubbed-- now it's time for a rub! I like it best when I can no longer feel the boundary between my body and the table, and my pillow is wet from drool. Now that is a right good massage.

They aren’t so into letting you linger in the room, but that's ok because there is a relaxation area with really bright lights to ease you back into the real world. Their trashy magazine collection is nothing to write home about it-- so bring your own for the true spa experience. And come back often! Now doesn’t that sound better than Wal-Mart at 4am? If you're still worried about missing out on those sales, stay tuned for our next post where we tell you the best places to shop from the comfort of your own home, and homemade gifts that your friends and family will love!