In December 2021, I had a traumatic experience at the hands of law enforcement officials which triggered my anxiety and left me with PTSD. I shared my experience on Twitter, https://twitter.com/tsongamukololo/status/1471737316830068741?s=21 and a friend was greatly moved by the story I had shared. She called and apologized for what I had been through and gifted me a Masawara Retreat skin spa gift voucher. However, since my ordeal with the police, I have had a hard time leaving the house on my own so I kept postponing when I would go until I finally booked myself in for today.
Driving in, the foliage had me enveloped in a multitude of happy emotions and feeling calm. The reception I received from the guard, the front desk staff and all the employees there was nothing short of an impeccable hospitable welcome. The music playing, taking its cues from nature, had me feeling relaxed before I even began my treatment.
Mandy, my massage therapist, collected me from the waiting area and before we started, she explained what kind of massage she’d be giving me, what it entailed, how long it would take and asked me of any problem areas. I am a very ticklish person and have told a number of people to stop when massaging my feet or giving me a pedicure, today; I did no such thing. Mandy’s hands were the perfect combination of firm and soft. As she worked her magic on me with the most amazingly fragranced oils, I found myself being transported to a placid space and with each exhale, I felt the wraith of my anxiety leave my body.
When people say, “full-body massage”, in my experience they usually mean from the neck going down. Well, today I was in for a huge surprise and treat! Mandy began massaging my scalp, something I love so much that I’ve been teaching two year old Thando how to do it. Whatever thoughts, worries and fears I had left went out the window as her expert hands caressed my scalp and the temples of my head.
After my massage, I went to the nail bar which looked so picturesque with the waterfall rockery adding to the ambience of the place. Nothando, manicurist; gave my nails and hands some much needed TLC whilst a beautiful deadlocked lady, (I was having so much fun and her name slipped my mind) gave me a pedicure yes I didn’t stop her because she was also THAT GOOD! The wide range of polishes had me confused for a bit on which colour to pick so I settled for Burgundy red and it looks just as good as I hoped it would.
To the staff at Masawara Retreat, I may have just been another client to you, but what you did for me today, goes beyond any number of “thank yous”, I could possible give. I haven’t written anything since the incident and it took your hospitality and care to make me pick up the pen once again. I left feeling a surge of creativity thanks to you and I’ve even jotted down notes for my next book, having a clear view of what I want it to focus on and do for those who will read it.
To my secret Santa, I know you said this wouldn’t make up for what I went through, but I am here to tell you that it not only did that but so much more. The poet in me is awake and for the first time in a long time I felt unafraid of the outside and ready to embrace the world once more.
Novelty Ink 