Mission Accomplished

I made my way to the barber shop today :-) I opted out of the $.85 USD place, I just wasn't feeling confident with that kind of a hair cut. So I went to a barber shop that I found actually just down the street from my apartment.

It was much more of a solon than anything, but I paid a total of $8 USD, and it got me all I could ever imagine...The workers were incredibly kind to me, greeting me as I came in, storing my backpack for me, etc. First, they washed and massaged my head. It was magical, and it lasted for a while, about 20 minutes. I was getting concerned after ten minutes, and I wasn't sure if I needed to tell the lady to stop or if there was an allotted time that she planned on massaging my head for, but I played along and eventually she finished. Then they gave me some delicious hot tea, and dried my hair. Next was the cut. This was where I needed to be prepared. Luckily, I had a mandarin lesson immediately before I left for the barber shop, and Linda and I practiced what I needed to say. My phrases of choice were "the same hair style that I have now, but shorter" and "a little bit shorter right here, please." Those two got the job done just fine =) There were times when my barber was saying some things that I didn't understand, so I just shrugged my shoulders and laughed, he laughed also. He could have been saying anything to me, and I didn't catch one word. That happens quite often, so I'm pretty used to it! He was very strategic and quick with his cutting. Strictly a comb and his small scissors were all he needed to do it. I was very impressed with his technique. After the cut, he shaved my neck with no shaving cream, just a razor, it was interesting, feels fine though. Then they washed my head again, dried it again, and I walked away with no small hairs pricking me from under my shirt, it was pretty awesome.

I had to get it cut today, as I'm heading to a big awards ceremony tonight. It's the 2010 City Weekend Reader's Choice Shanghai Restaurant and Bars Awards.

It's a fancy cocktail thing, and I'm supposed to get dressed up, so I'll be borrowing some dress shoes from a friend since mine got lost in my luggage :-) It should be fun, I'll keep you all posted as to what awards my boss' restaurants receive! Last year the brewery got Best Beer Selection and Best American Restaurant, so we'll see.

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PMM