I Feel Like a Lady Again

Posted by Liz
Date: January 24, 2010 (Sunday)

You’ve heard of “chick flicks” – well, this is probably a chick “post” – so guys, I won’t feel bad if you bail out. (But you may learn a lesson or two by reading!)

We're in Ste Anne Martinique - a GORGEOUS place - close second or maybe even topping our fave so far (Isles des Saintes)in terms of scenery and serenity. The only thing missing is the camaraderie of our cruising pals from the Saintes, although we did see our pals Leisha and Gregg (Australians on “Fine Gold”) and we gave them a send-off as they were heading out and south to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.

After quite a few gyrations yesterday using my high school French - I was able to garner an appt at the exclusive and private Club Med here for a pedicure, which I had today at Noon (midi). OOOH,LA,LAH.

Ed asked if it was worth it (45 EU – equates to about $68 US) - - overwhelmingly, YES!! You guys out there might not get all of this, but it was unlike the pedicure we get back home where you sit in the chair with your feet in a tub of water and all that stuff. Here, I was escorted into a large, private, and AIR CONDITIONED room, with great aromatherapy and candles. She had me lay on a reclining bed which she adjusted. (I actually needed a blanket because my body is not used to AC anymore!)

My lady left the room and let me “chill” for about 15 minutes – where I immediately fell into a nice little nap. When she returned, she wrapped my feet in warm towels, massaged them (guys, you can take a lesson here!), cleaned off the old polish, cut the nails and filed.

Next, she exfoliated my calves and feet with a mixture of sea salt and like a sandalwood (nice smell) oil mixture. It was unusual – because I had to tell her to NOT exfoliate the bottom of my feet! After two months of living on the boat and being barefoot all the time, I’ve built up some good calluses, which actually help give me much better footing when running around on deck. Smooth feet don’t cut it on a boat!

I told her that “mon mari et je, nous habitons sur notre bateau” (My husband and I, we live on our boat) – and she completely understood. (“Je Comprends”). I'm actually getting a bit more comfortable using my French - not as insecure about it - and kind of having fun trying to pull meaningful sentences together!

After the exfoliation, she gently bathed the feet and the calves, all the while I’m still sacked out on that delightful bed. Then, she painted them and “Voila!” - I feel like a lady again!

I figure I can go about 6-8 more weeks before the next pedicure – and by then I’ll be in St. Barth’s – another perfect place for such an indulgence!