In town tonight on my way to the Thermae Spa Bath. As part of a birthday gift, which I’d yet to use, I’d been given a session at this wonderful natural spa centre in the heart of the City. I’d been before and had, I must admit, felt slightly uncomfortable with doing something which seemed so self indulgent, but on such a cold early Autumn evening as it was tonight the thought of the warm natural spa waters seemed incredibly appealing.
Walking through the bustling streets a truly heart warming thing occurred. I had just stopped to buy a copy of ‘The Big Issue’ – a magazine which supports the homeless by helping them help themselves, as it is sold by street vendors who are themselves homeless or currently living in temporary ‘shelters’ – and was tucking the magazine in my bag as an older homeless man came by… he looked like he’d had a whole lifetime of hard luck and was scavenging around a nearby litter bin looking for anything that seemed vaguely edible, when the street vendor approached him and handed him some money with the instruction to get something to eat.
I can’t begin to explain the look of gratitude on this old guy’s face or the huge smile that spread spontaneously across his face – in that moment someone, someone who had little more than he, had shown him kindness and he was truly grateful…It was incredible and heart warming to witness and as I turned to walk away I could feel my eyes start to well with tears. For the first time in years, it brought back some uncomfortable memories of my own experience of homelessness on London’s streets. I hadn’t thought of it in a long time, but in that same moment those memories of loneliness and fear came crashing back. I tried to shrug them of as I headed down the street but it was a reminder of just how easily circumstances can change in one’s life and impact in dramatic ways and just how powerful the smallest gesture of a kind word or smile can be.
It was dark by the time I arrived at the Spa… once changed I headed for the warmth of the steam rooms – four glass pods each with soothing individual coloured lighting and scent. As I entered the ‘green’ pod my nostrils were infused with the warm aromatic smell of eucalyptus and mint. Alone in this space I lay down on the smooth stone benches surrounding the room and drifted away in the fog of the steam.
Later I headed up to the rooftop, to the open air spa pool which is beautifully lit at night and which overlooks the city… it was truly magical – the air feels very cold against your skin until you melt into the warm, soothing spa waters…incredible.
I couldn’t take any photos from inside the spa but perhaps if you ever visit this city you might want to try it for yourself… www.thermaebathspa.com
Three hours later I headed home, my body warm and cosseted against the chill of the evening air.
love
Julienne x
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