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Yes! A Pre-Flight Massage

I no longer dread waiting for hours for my flight after checking in at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I’m more worried that if I don’t check in early I’ll miss the chance of a good massage. Moreover, I’m preoccupied with the type of massage I’ll get: a one hour full body rubdown, a foot, back or scalp massage, or foot reflexology. The charge for a 20 minute back rub is $7.00 and my masseuse really worked hard on my aching back and shoulders and surprised me with a scalp massage to remove the fog in my head. She was also solicitous enough to ask me if her massage technique was hurting me. But I was already half asleep. Before finishing she asked me to sit down so she could stretch my back muscles and arms. What a clincher that was! True to the description given on their leaflet, the massage helped ease my anxieties. When we were done, I found I wanted more. But I had to board my flight to Tokyo.

With a little bit more time, I could have had a full body massage for P1,000.00 or roughly $22.00 per hour. The thirty minute costs half that. I’m especially intrigued with the foot massage because it is supposed to help stimulate blood circulation which is exactly what a traveler needs on those long flights while trapped in narrow seats and even narrower legroom.

What's next? I hope they’ll consider a foot spa, a manicure and a pedicure. So when I arrive at my next destination, I will look polished and relaxed.

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