A funny thing happened on the way to the hairdressers...

WELL! Tooooday, I had my first adventure to the hairdressers in Japan and I tell you I may never leave now - I love this country, people are so nice!

First of all I wrote down my name and the lovely girl who took my details said "ohhh that's your name?" "Sagoi, Kawai!" - that means 'oh it's cool, very cute' in Japanese :)

Soo nice I thought! :)

THEN the stylist comes to look at my hair and as I anticipated his eyes widened in disbelief when I told him my hair was naturally curly (had it tied in ponytail), luckily I was expecting this and had brought along some photos so he could see the evidence for himself.

"ohhh like angel!" he said.

And that was it for me, I love these people I thought - so nice they are!

Then it was my turn to be surprised. "I have curly hair too" he says enthusiastically as he tugs out his hair tye to reveal layer upon layer of wavy locks (I tell you it was like watching one of those Wella Woman shampoo TV ads in slow motion!).

"Oh, cool!" I say giving my biggest grin whilst trying hard not to giggle. I am sorry, but it was like that time Elena and I went to the ballet and giggled uncontrollably at the men gaily flinging themselves about in tights whilst all the cultured people around us looked on disapprovingly....but really I mean c'mon - its just not natural!

oh dear, I am horrible, but I just can't help it you know, I'm from the country and I guess I like my image of men to be...well manly! Of course, intellectual, open minded, funny all that too (what that's not asking too much is it?), but asian men really are a lot more effeminate than kiwi blokes in some respects, I think it's all the fish and veges they eat...makes them slender...and they use moisteriser and dress well and do their hair.

He did make me laugh though, told me the rainy seasons coming up. Apparently in June it rains every day and the humidity is stifling...and causes in hair terms what he so charmingly called "fucking frizz"....I believe 'affro' is another term that's used. Oh Yay, I just can't wait for June.

Anyway, I digress, the haircut was great - but costly! almost $200 - make the most of it at home I tell you! You don't know how lucky you have some things, like going to the beach after work in summer, driving home in 20 mins, working only eight hour days!!!

And I left feeling nice and relaxed too coz they not only massage your head...but your shoulders and neck too!!

Oh and it's a two storey salon I went to right, so to communicate the staff wear these little ear plug things like intelligence agents do you know, and they pick up the little mic on a wire to say things to each other all James Bond spy like when they're working. so cool!

That's what I love about Japan right now, going absolutely anywhere is an adventure coz everything's new and I love watching all the people and the funky fashions they wear, they're so brave here - anything goes and no one cares which is so cool coz some of this stuff if you wore it at home people would STARE at you everywhere you went.

But what's worse kiwi's don't tend to be so polite in their staring either, they giggle and point at anything out of the ordinary. it's kind of sad we're like that huh, but I guess it's just coz it's a smaller town at home whereas here it's so big that you get a far broader mix of people and fashions.

Another thing I've noticed is how PATIENT japanese people are, but you have to be because you just can't get anywhere in a rush, it's impossible...and impolite. That's one good thing about this culture huh, they're very considerate and helpful and nobody pushes in front of anyone else.
It's kind of amazing really, but it has to be that way for this amount of people to live so close. Like the houses and apartments are so close that people wear slippers inside to reduce noise and don't play music loud or have parties. They're considerate of others and that's how they can live so closely together without killing each other.

But they also walk INCREDIBLY slow, kind of a shuffling amble, which I am not used to at all given that I am ALWAYS late, so not only am I having to learn to be patient, but ON TIME as well. Honestly, it's almost like I don't know who I am anymore :)

So yeah, I really love that side of the society, but on the other hand their willingness to just accept and resign themselves to situations kind of takes away an element of efficiency I think, or at least the ability to look for the opportunities for it becuase they're so used to having to just take the long route that they don't often look for ways or methods of doing things faster.

But I spose that's the story of life huh, there's always a good and bad side to everything and you just have to make the most of everyday and live your life as best you can for you.

Speaking of that, got my first paycheck today and already thinking of more travel plans. Kyoto of course, and Korea and China to visit friends (it's very cheap)....and THEN...maybe...
NEW YORK!!!!

iiiiiii know! New York? - when I'm in Japan?! But honestly, it's only about $600 return from here compared to $2000 back home so why not i reckon, after all I've always wanted to go and I know people who've got friends there too, so I might be able to get some accommodation for free if I'm lucky!

Anyway, we will see what the rest of the year brings, for now it's down to the business of saving and budgeting, but you know that's not so bad either coz sometimes I think the anticipation of something is more exciting!

Right, I'd best be off to do the groceries, it's 9.00pm, but that' s normal here - the super will be packed!

Oyasumi nasai - goodnight :)

Fernleaf