December 18, 2017 Portugal
Close shaves are not unusual when one travels to lands near and afar. This year’s had me in one of the most dangerous cities in the world Juarez (war-ez) Mexico; in Favela Rocinha a Brazilian slum, a democratic relocation camp in Namibia; on civilization’s edge on the Baroste plain of Mongu, home to Lozi people; Mauritius (an island uninhabited a few hundred years ago, now with their own language and a blend of cultures), India, where I got a make over including pedicure, manicure (they cured me? I did know this was possible), a facial, that left me with the same face, but less dry and wrinkled, finishing the year having had a close shave and haircut on each of the inhabited continents. Save for, Antarctica, which was not an option, I did not pack a Tux with me, that would allow me to blend in with very formal in demeanor and appearance locals.
I enjoy being engaged with the people in the countries I travel, getting a haircut is a universal but basic activity, that lends itself to relaxed conversation (will except when the blade is at one’s neck). Most the conversation was limited, I not speaking their language or them mine, but we find a way for get the cut I wanted, and some laughs in-between.
With my haircuts, up to now, coming from males, this one was unique, with me engaged in chat with ladies from my Country of Ireland, one’s from lands of my friends Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic, who all have moved to Portugal with their Artistic Hair Skills, to have a better life In Portugal, on the Sea’s and Europe’s edge. In my case my Hair Artist was Anna Suminova, a multi-national, like me but of different nations than me (Armenia and Ukraine.) She and her husband have been here for 120 days, and me just 7. She and her husband now employed, look to a bright future as my family who immigrated from Europe did in the past century, sharing in common, the conversations of a haircut.
Please note on the 4th photo, yes that is a paintbrush, not hairbrush, but is made with natural hair.
