It's been a long time since my last haircut... and I desperately needed one! I had meant to get it cut before we left, thinking it might be difficult to find someone here to cut it; but never did. So, today I decided to be brave, go out, and find someone to cut my hair! You're going to love this one...
I decided the bravest I could be, for right now, was to start at the mall. We live near a nice mall; but most of the shops are expensive compared to the market, so I wasn't sure if I could get my hair cut there. I had seen several other "salons" ~ a huge stretch for the name I would use for these places here ~ along the streets and alleys; but couldn't get the nerve to go inside one and go through with getting my hair cut. I have found out that when old, bright colored towels are hung outside a door, then it's a salon where women can get their hair cut. You know they have to take their veils off, of course, so the door and windows are all covered up to keep people who are walking by from seeing the women with their hair down. But, if I can't see inside, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to go in or not and knew if I went in, I wasn't going to be let out until they cut my hair :o)
The place in the mall you can see in, sort of, if you stand on the other side of the escalators and at the right angle! I stood there for a long time giving myself the "pep talk" to go in and ask how much it would cost ~ in Arabic, of course :o) I have learned a few useful things since we've been here...
So, I went over and stood at the door hoping to be ignored and could just leave, giving myself a pat on the back for making the effort! However, being that I was surely the only American woman in the mall... that zoo feeling again :o) I should have been more realistic! The older woman quickly got off the phone and starting yelling for me to come in (yes, in Arabic and I understood her ~ Yeah!); but she quickly started asking me something that I didn't understand. Once we get passed greetings, introductions, and simple vocabulary... I'm lost. Apparently, holding your hair up and pointing at it works as you ask "how much?" She told me and I asked her again because I really didn't think I understood her correctly, or she had to be mistaken... $6.00 ~ for a haircut? You have to be kidding... so they took me to the back of the "salon."
First, this petite young girl pointed to a chair where they were going to "shampoo" or wash my hair. Arabic lesson: replace the p with a b and you are saying "wash my hair" :o) I couldn't really talk to her either; but we did giggle a few times. I have decided that laughing is the universal "girl" talk around here; isn't it most anywhere? Once she started, I could have sworn that Helga had gotten a hold of me as hard as she was massaging my head! She was being very careful though not to let any water run down the side of my face because she didn't want to get it in my eyes or mess up my makeup. That was thoughtful... During the washing; however, another woman came over and starting asking me if I wanted a manicure, pedicure or eyebrows plucked ~ as best I could gather. Oh no, I thought... and even though I probably do, I politely said "no, thank you!" She was touching my face, hands and feet as she tried to convince me that it would be fun and the two girls were laughing now; but I really couldn't handle all of that today, so I politely said "no, thank you!" again. Thankfully, that appeased her and she left...
Well, I'm not sure what all she washed my hair in; but she finally finished and I had hair left on my head :o) so they wrapped me in a towel and moved me to another chair. I sat there for a few minutes by myself with a number of thoughts running through my head, then all of a sudden... a young man showed up with a magazine. No, not a magazine for my reading pleasure, a magazine to pick out a hairstyle. I knew it was going to be a struggle to let him know that I didn't want much cut off and as I looked at the pictures of the girls in the magazine, I started to get worried. They were pictures of scary, looking girls you would see on a runway in Paris or New York! I did NOT want to look like any of them and I didn't know what to do. So, I said the word for "a little bit" and held up the ends of my wet hair. There was a picture of a half~way, normal looking girl who had a few layers cut around her face with short bangs, which I didn't really want; but who can really be picky at this moment when you're at the mercy of a young Arab with scissors in his hand?? He started cutting away and a lot of hair was falling to the ground! When he finished cutting, he started drying... which took him a very long time because I could tell he was getting a little frustrated. Apparently, my hair wasn't laying quite the way he wanted it to... so he finally gave up and got a hair straightener. After messing with that for a while, I convinced myself to open my eyes and look... I still had hair left and it actually wasn't so bad :o) He took his time straightening my hair; but then decided to get the hair dryer back out! Oh no... I thought... don't do that! But knew it would be rude to start yelling "no" at him... so, he turned it on; but the setting was on cool. Apparently, that's a new hair tip girls... the cool air sets your hair from the heat of the straightener. Who knew??
Anyway, the young man seemed pleased and I was relieved... relieved to have this new cultural experience over with! I have more layers than I had hoped; but overall it's not bad from what I was expecting.
So, girls... come visit me and I'll take you to the "salon" :o) I looked on my way out and the manicures are really cheap... but I'll save that for another day!
So, girls... come visit me and I'll take you to the "salon" :o) I looked on my way out and the manicures are really cheap... but I'll save that for another day!
So... what do you think?