My haircut at Filomena Spa

I finally had enough of my long hair so I called and made the appointment at Filomena Spa, conveniently located a few minutes from our apartment in Znjan. I was quoted the price of 40 kunas (8 dollars).

"A special price for the month of January," the lady on the phone informed me. I thought, "for that price why didn't I call sooner?"

I wanted a new style. Short. Very short. I asked my sister for her opinion and she told me over email, "Mochatelo cut-it off, New year, new hair-cut!" I showed up at the hair salon with my digital camera on hand, to show the lady how short I wanted it. I said, "I want it short, but long enough for a ponytail." In Croatian it went something like this, kratka, ali dug rep. She smiled and nodded. "Did that mean she understood my broken Croatian?" I hope so!

She shampooed my hair and massaged it, then conditioned it. Heavily. Did I mention my hair is super-dry? Reason #2 for wanting to cut it off. Reason #1, I tend to always style my hair in a ponytail and I wanted something different. She sniped here and there and vola all done! I looked and yes my hair was shorter but not as short as the girl in my picture. At that moment I said "OK, I like it." But I felt disappointed and angry because I didn't have the guts to try something totally different. I played it safe. Not too long but not too short.

Oh well. Next time.

After the haircut I walked downstairs to the first floor where my friend worked. She told me she was on break so I invited her to have coffee. We talked about motherhood, careers and adjusting to a new culture. She missed New York, and while adjusting has been difficult she wouldn't have any other way. Her break was over and she returned to work. I stayed behind and finished my coffee and just then the waiter brought some edible flowers!

Sugar-glazed edible pansies! I tried one. I was curious.

The texture was crispy like a Pringles potato chip without the saltiness of course, and quickly melted in your mouth. And eating one did something strange to the palate. Remember the Frito-lay Commercial, "Bet You Can't Eat Just One!"? It's true. I ate 4 or 5, maybe 6 if you asked the waiter. I left feeling happy and content. I hopped on bus #8 and went downtown to have more coffee with @pondjumpers. My new friend from Twitterworld!

And as soon as I figure out how to style my new haircut, I promise to post a picture.

Christmas Party at Filomena Spa

A few weeks ago we received an invitation to attend the Christmas Party at Filomena Spa. The same place I had my five-hour spa treatment for my birthday a few months back. It said -Save the date for December 23rd and bring a present so Santa can give it to your child. What a great idea, I thought. An opportunity to meet the locals.



Delicious appetizers were served. Some pastries that resembled biscochos and chocolate cookies were among a few that I tried. They were very yummy.




Champagne was served.



And she cried when she saw Santa! She didn't want a present all she wanted was her Daddy and Mommy....She was terrified!



Mingling at the party.



Happy again away from Santa!



It was a fun party. I met a girl from New York City we chatted in English. She has been living in Split for 6 years now. Her husband is Croatian and she is originally from Washington State. We exchanged numbers and promised to get together for coffee after the Holidays.


I took a minute and asked one of the hostess if I could schedule an appointment for a classic massage she said of course you can. Next Tuesday I will be back for some pampering. See you then!

FILOMENA SPA

My husband comes up to me and says I have your birthday present do you want to know now or on the actual day? Of course I say NOW! He presents me with a Gift certificate to a body relax at Filomena Spa for 5 hours! YES you read that correctly F-I-V-E hours! (And here I was thinking a one-hour massage, since I have bugging him for the oh past 3 months!)

So today was the day and this is how it went:

Jena greets Davor and I and says I have your robe and slippers ready. Jena is in charge of making sure I make it on time to every appointment I have that day. She spoke little english but was very friendly.I changed and Jelena takes me to the Spa Sauna Room: I had IT all to myself!!I felt like a child in a toy's store. I went into the Turkish sauna, it was like I was in the Amazon rainforest. I said ok, this is nice, I should meditate, 5 minutes later, "I now should try the jacuzzi with the salt beads Jena dropped in just for me". OK now the pool, I am "swimming" (those who know me well know I am not a natural swimmer), then decided I should try the shower with all the fun buttons. Ok now the other sauna. The Finland sauna: felt like I was in the Sahara desert.!!HOT,HOT!! I prefer the other sauna, and that's where I finished my first hour.

I sat on one of the 3 comfty chairs and waited for Jena to fetch me. She came in and said "here something to relax, close your eyes," I did, she sprayed my face and feet with some sort of spritz, ahh, I thought "this is how celebrities do it." Jena then took me to the Relax Zone: past a hallway with white leather sofas and a big basket of fruit(made me hungry) past a white flowing curtain to the outside where there were chairs and tables and another white sofa and ANOTHER pool.

I looked around: there was a guy reading the newspaper in his regular street clothes., A couple at the pool and ME in my white robe and slippers in this 70 degree temperature. ( I totally felt out of place!) Jena asked me if I wanted something to drink I said yes and would it be possible to sit inside? She said sure. I went back inside, a waiter came and asked me what I wanted to drink I said how about a juice? He said I will be right back. I thought "Oh no, there is a menu here does that mean I need to pay? nah, I will just play dumb." Then I was eyeing that fruit basket..should I, should I oh why not I walked over and grabbed a banana, what!I was hungry...finished the juice and another girl came by.

Anja introduced herself and asked if I was ready for my massage, I said "I am sorry I don't speak Croatian" she said "oh I speak little english, come with me." She took me to the massage room and said "lay down on your stomach and here is this" (she said something I didn't understand) but it looked like a package of Lavander? I layed down and I thought "hmm where should I put this package of lavender" then I opened the package it was a DISPOSABLE-THONG. I said to myself oh I guess I should wear this instead of my underwear. I hurried before Anja came. I made just in time! She knocked and we proceded with the one-hour massage. WOW to be so petite, Anja sure has strong hands.

An hour passed by and she said, "ok all done.. relax a few minutes ..then I take you to Jena." I put my robe back on, exited the room and Jena asked "everything ok" I said "yes", then she took me upstairs to hairsalon and turned me over to Marija who ONLY spoke Croatian I said I wanted my hair cut to shoulders as I pointed to them, then said PUNO KOSA (alot hair) she said not too short because it will be puffy (that is what I understood as her hands were waving around and pointing to HER hair..) I said ok what you think is better. She said DOBRO (good). She shampooed and conditioned then took me to chair. Marija was awsome, she framed the hair around my faceAND she even thinned it out, without trying to explain it to her. ( I don't know what charades I would have used for that, since I didn't know the croatian word for thinning).

Then another gal (I didn't catch her name) took me over to get my pedicare..Oh I am in heaven, another foot massage! (I think I even fell asleep). Jena then came for me and took me back to the relax zone, this time I said "I will sit outside" I had changed into my regular clothes and thought I could blend in better with my surroundings. I ordered coffee and read some Croatian fashion magazine and learned that big chunky earrings are IN, bye-bye big necklaces. And that bold colors(orange, green, red, yellow) go well with beige...

My husband commented POSITIVELY that he really liked my haircut...

I was very impressed and would rate this experience a 10 & 1/2!!!!!!