The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Sometimes
you have to try something off the beaten track just to remind yourself that you
are an adventurous person who isn’t afraid of anything. For instance, stepping
into a Chinese foot salon in Cairo to have your feet done by someone who speaks
nothing but Chinese.

Xin
Dongfang is located inside the Metro Market building in Zamalek facing Flamenco
Hotel. Although full-body massages are available (180LE), the centre specializes
in foot treatments. You can get a pedicure for 30LE and various kinds of foot treatments
like a ginger or crystal foot bath, both of which cost 88LE.

During
the foot massages, the reflexology technique is used. It is believed that every
part of your foot represents a different body part. By applying pressure and
massaging these parts without the use of tools, creams or lotions, reflexology
relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function
of the related areas of the body. It basically means that the more balanced you
are as a person, the less painful the therapy will be.

This
reviewer sampled the 25-minute pedicure and the 45-minute milk foot bath. Male and female technicians are available so
you can specify your preference for the treatment. The
treatment room has three comfortable chairs, so you can sit with your friends
and gossip while having your treatment. Since the staff members only speak Chinese, we assume
that our secrets will stay pretty much safe.

You are
first asked to put your feet into a wooden tub filled with warm water and
stones at the bottom of it. We suspect that they must have some sort of healing
effect, but since the technicians don’t speak English, we couldn’t ask. Don’t
expect a regular manicure here; there is no nail polishing here; as a matter of
fact they don’t even take off your nail polish. They just scrape off all the
dead skin and cut your nails. The scraping is done with a tool that closely
resembles a knife. Don’t be too scared, though; the tools are sterilized
before usage.

We also tried
the milk foot massage for 88LE. The water that was brought in the tub was a surprising
bright blue, not milk-white as we’d expected. The foot reflexology was applied
and once again, the more in balance you are, the less painful it is.

If
you’re up for a thorough and therapeutic foot treatment, then we recommend Xin
Dongfang; especially for men; as this isn’t an overly feminine, pink Hello Kitty nail salon. You
can just sit back, watch the sports channel and retain your masculinity, whilst
having nice feet afterwards; a perfect compromise.