Having ridden over 1200 kms on bumpy Myanmar roads this last week, my body was feeling pretty worn out. Furthermore, as I've been away from home, I haven't had the opportunity to do something bachelor men regularly do in private moments at home. This has led to the last couple mornings with me waking up having done vile things to the hotel bedroom's extra pillow. As I'm now in Mandalay, a cosmopolitan city with all that entails, I decided to get a nice rub down and take care of that other business as well. A bit of looking on the internet and I found what I was looking for: a massage parlor of questionable repute.
 
As my 90 minute "fusion massage" began, I began to think about the practice of 'happy endings'. It's really a dumb idea. I mean, as apparent in the state of certain part of my anatomy, I was not relaxed. I had some built up tension. Why not a "relaxing beginning"? That'd make more sense. I'm certainly in a more relaxed state after. Get it over with, and then the massage could take place onto muscles that are more supple and receptive.

Turned out mine was a "delightful middle", and much to the masseur's credit, after shower and clean up,  they continued the second half of the massage with just as much enthusiasm and professionalism as the during the first half.

$12 (plus $16 tip) well spent.