soy masajista

"...And her job situation?" The thought might have crossed your mind a time or two...or perhaps it hasn't. Well, in any case, it goes something like this: Before coming down here, I was hoping to find an English teaching position (what most foreigners do in B.A.) as well as find work as a massage therapist. The fact that I am without a work Visa only worried me a wee bit (I had heard it would be an advantage to have one, but it was not a necessity.) About a week or so after we arrived, I began emailing spas around the city, introducing myself and my desire to work in B.A. as a massage therapist. I received two speedy replies, did the whole interview bit, and soon thereafter found myself suiting up for my first day as a working massage therapist at Bella Club (hooray!). Let me note that this "outfit" I have to wear, yeah, no no...we're talkin' a white, midriff bearing, 3/4 sleeved, mini-smock of sorts, and the pants, let's just say they were way too short and incredibly uncomf- thank God I was able to switch up the pant situation! Anywho. Other than the get-up, the spa is great. And I will admit, I have always been a bit "ehh" about working in the spa environment and have forever known that I wanted to practice massage in a more personable, private setting. But, with my desire to get things going in B.A., the spa route was the first to present itself and I wasn't about to turn it down. Bella Club is set in an old, beautiful building downtown...high ceilings, lots of light, nice and breathable. On the first floor you've got reception and the fitness area, and on the second floor you've got the spa (w/sauna, tub, and deck.) The gals at the spa are really sweet and super patient with me, always helping me out. Good vibrations. Another plus is that I don't feel as if I have to mold my massage technique to any specialized, brochure-defined style. Each of the therapists has the opportunity to bring his/her own style and employ what they know about bodywork. I like that.

In other job-related news, just a little over a week ago I made the big purch: my first massage table. It was a steal- only $290 pesos (less than US $100.) From the little searching I did, I have come to the general conclusion that table quality here- not so top notch, but what can ya do? I located the best one I could find (which just happened to be off of an eBay-esque website,) went to the factory (which just happened to be the massage table-maker's living room,) and thought to myself, "This search of mine could go on forever, put aside your indecisive ways Linnea and just go for it." And so I went for it. And having thrown down a pretty peso for my new camilla, I was not about to throw down more money to simply jump in a taxi and head home, stress free. No, no, no- I was going to be stubborn with money (I get it from my papi) and save those pesos...I was determined to get that thing home via Subte (the metro). Oh you should have seen me hauling that beastly piece of equipment across B.A.! I about killed myself.

So now that I am fully equipped for this outcall based massage business, I have been networking with other therapists, posting myself on Craigslist (what would we ever do without cyberspace?!) and tomorrow I am actually having business cards made! It has really been a fun endeavor... especially with the opportunity to work in a personable environment where I can more thoroughly connect with the individual, one on one...so much more my style. I have been most approached by English speaking people who are either ex-pats residing here in the city, or travelers who are just here for a week or so and are hoping to receive a massage while on vacay. Between speaking Spanish and serving the porteños at the spa, connecting with fellow Americans within the comforts of their homes away from homes, and teaching a few English classes throughout the week at a language institute right here in Las Cañits, I am finding a nice balance among it all. I feel incredibly blessed by the flexibility these jobs have to offer, as well as by the ability to mix things up a bit- a little of this, a little of that. It keeps things interesting you know, not so routine...and this is certainly how I hope to keep things rolling. And alas, a little money flowing in the opposite direction!!! After almost 4 months of spending heaps and making nada, this is some much needed supplement for the well-being of mind, spirit, and bank account.