My Haircut.....

It is Wednesday night...I have an important meeting in Medinat Zayad, the FAR western region of Abu Dhabi


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With the Western Region Municipality. A very important first meeting....So I haven’t had a haircut since I was last in Oregon with Matt in May 2008. I have been swimming and beaching it for the last 8 months in Guam. I decide that perhaps it is time for a little tune up. My theory is that a 5 star hotel is very safe bet considering that ALL the “Salons” I have seen thus far are for MEN ONLY.

Fortunately, for me they are open VERY late. I leave work around 1830 and walk in..I had gone in 2 days before to scope out the "health club" and noticed a nice salon that was open late. The supremely nice woman that had greeted me is from the Philippines..Comforting, I am missing my friends on Guam.

I walk in and the same woman is there to greet me. I say hello and she disappears to the back. A gentleman comes out and asks if I have an appointment. I respond, "No I do not have an appointment but had inquired 2 days prior and had been advised that it wouldn’t be an issue"

There is now a girl (with braces and short hair) waiting. He responds that I will have to wait until he is finished with her.... I tell him that is fine (thinking she has short hair, not knowing the high maintenance involved with straightening and washing and girl things). I proceed to have the wonderfully kind woman "thread” my eyebrows. If I am going to sit here, I might as well look good for the time! She proceeds to "thread" my eyebrows with complete and exquisite attention to detail. I have never been more happy with a "threading" job outside of NYC!

I am feeling quite comfortable with the whole UAE salon experience. I finally get to see the "hairdresser" a nice Egyptian who after about 5 minutes I realize does not speak very good English. I think to myself, he will understand "only a trim” HA

Picture Edward Scissor hands with my back to the mirror!



Just so you can visualize! OMG!

Hair flying everywhere! Just like when he is trimming the bushes! Goodness, I had heart palpitations. All I could use as a mantra was: "it will grow back, it will grow back.”

Lesson learned: make sure you use Google translate or something similar before getting your hair cut! Print it out and hand it to the hairdresser.... I like it long does or just a trim does not necessarily have the same connotation in multiple cultures....

I will live...argh!

Pictures to follow!