Complexion connection

On Monday I met up with my aunt who is always fun to hang out with. The plan for this week was to grab some lunch, and then go to my cousin's spa for a facial. That's right, a facial. The self-conscious American man in me tried to back out, but apparently in Korea it's a common practice for men. In fact, Korean men are really into skin care. I was particularly shocked one weekend when after playing ball with my friends, all these dudes began to apply lotion to their faces and discuss their favorite moisturizer. My thoughts, "Uhh, didn't you guys just get back from the army??" It doesn't matter. In Korea, good skin is extremely important, and many will go long distances to have a great complexion.

Before my appointment, we went to a small restaurant and ate this. The squid was great, but the sauce was ridiculously spicy. My friends will know what I looked like while I was eating this... I should have worn a dry-fit shirt or something. My aunt laughed at me and pointed at the young woman sitting beside us. She ordered the same exact thing and was going to town on the sauce. Either way, it was probably good to sweat and clear my system out.

My cousin's spa was really nice and cozy. They definitely go for that rustic, at home feel. However, my aunt kind of just dropped me off with the attendants who couldn't speak a word of English. There was a bit of awkwardness when they told me to put on a robe, and I wasn't sure what articles of clothing (pants) I should take off. "No, not your pants," was their response, followed by the usual gigglefest that I've become accustomed to. As for the facial, it was nice, but extremely strange. I'm just not that used to a set of hands on my face for 2 hours straight.

I didn't have the mind to take a before shot, but here's the after. Take a good look, because this is the nicest it's ever going to get.

Ugh, enough about me and my skin. I think I'll go hike into the woods and chops some trees down. Bye!