China Is all about manicures, pedicures and massages. Spas abound much to the delight of expats who might not have the chance to indulge in such luxury at home. Although, there ought to be a small skull and crossbones at the entrance of every provider, a subtle warning that a fifty minute massage may include ten minutes of hair pulling and a few bruises. Even silver clouds sometimes have gray linings, kind of like my phone which is shiny silver on top and flat gray on the back. My husband gave it to me with a gleam in his eye, having just experienced the drug-like rush of purchasing a new bit of technology. I held it with suspicion. My friends have noted that my phone and I frequently part company, so he received a text from my friend Julie, “We’re going to a Korean spa at 10am. Ask Paula if she wants to come along.”

I dug out my phone and texted back:

“I hear you’re going to a Korean spa. I’m keen to go, but I don’t know what they do there. If it’s anything involving getting wrapped in a towel or a robe, I’m afraid they’ll look at me and say they’ve never had anything that would cover that much real estate. Maybe after that we could go swimsuit shopping, because that’s always fun.”

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