A facial for me...

I haven't taken the time for a facial in a long, long time. For some reason, I woke up the other day thinking I need one. I've had a couple since living in Okinawa and they are what I would define as a "fru fru facial". A lot of creams, a lot of fluff but no real clean out your pores goodness that are the best kind of facials to get. This time I decided to try out the base hair salon. When I called and asked if they do the good pore cleansing facials they told me "yes, vely good faciar" (spoken in Okinawan broken Engrish). So...they had time to get me in right then...sounded good to me so off I go.

As I was getting my facial today I couldn't help but go back to memories of living in Italy. In Italy there is an Estetica Salon on every corner. All promising youth and beauty. The services were a wide range of facials, waxing, skin treatments, tanning...the list goes on. The Estetica that myself and most of my friends was a place we all called "The House of Pain". I believe the first time I heard it called this was by my friend Amanda. The name caught on and I don't think anyone knew it's real name...just "The House of Pain". There was nothing "fru-fru" about The House of Pain. NOTHING at the House of Pain was peaceful, relaxing or painless!! The owner and primary estetician was "Graciella". I guess her parents were thankful for her so they named her after "Gracia" (thank you in Italian) and added an "ella" to make it feminine. Graciella was certainly a good business woman. I think she probably became a millionaire because of the nurses at Sacile Ospedale (Sacile Hospital where all the Americans worked). Graciella waxed, peeled, electrolysisized, mud packed, squeezed, slapped...the nurses of Sacile Ospedale were always there! I remember getting a facial there one day and I thought I was going to DIE! All that Graciella could say was "so many impurities"..."so many impurities". She was bound and determined to ensure that no pore was left untouched. I thought for sure I would have to have reconstructive surgery after my appointment! My appointment finally ended and after purchasing more creams and potions and making another appointment to rid me of my impurities I was back home red faced and tired. After years of being a Graciella follower...I don't think I was ever rid of my all of my impurities but I certainly knew what a "good" facial was!

So...I am here in Okinawa still in search of another Graciella and her House of Pain. I have yet to find it and I'm hoping that today is the day. I'm tucked away in a corner of the beauty salon...behind a curtain that looks much like a hospital room. Right next to the pedicure chair that is bubbling water and has 2 Okinawan girls chatting it up...nonstop. Ever listen to 2 Japanese people talking? It's not a relaxing event and I just can't seem to understand one single thing. In Italy...I was able to eventually figure it out. Although I couldn't decipher every word...I could understand the general gist of the conversation. So...strike one for the base beauty salon. The table I was placed on was definitely not designed for anyone over 5 ft tall and it was butted up to the wall so I had to prop my feet up on the wall...strike 2. The facial...very relaxing...I think I fell asleep to be honest. Strike 3...Graciella would be appalled my impurities have not been extracted to her liking. I'll continue my search...someday I will find another House of Pain!