Digraced hairstylist, No more!

I went a few days without washing my hair. Which is pretty normal for me as a hairstylist... washing your hair everyday can strip it of it's natural oils and health. (expecially when your hair is constantly bleached, colored, and tormented with hot tools like myself.) However, I ran out of shampoo.

I tried to resort to using just conditioner but that made it worse. WIth no shampoo to get rid of all the dirt and overly oily hair... I was a hot greasy mess. This gave me the excuse to go and get my hair done at one of the local hair salons.

Cambodia-style.

I also decided to try out a mani and a pedi too. I usually don't get those since I'd prefer to do them myself (or at all) but why the hell not.

I walked down the street from my hotel a couple blocks and I passed, say i don't know at least 3-4 salons. My mom is with me and we literally just walk into a random salon. This place had all the prices displayed on the door. A shampoo and style was 5 bucks and a manicure was 2 dollars. My mom told them to have their way with me so they did.

I sat down in the chair and they shampooed my hair while I was sitting down using a squirt-stream bottle and Panteen Pro-V (no big names, I am in a small city after all). I was impressed that hey didn't need the shampoo bowl till' they brought me back to rinse me and condition me. Along with the most amazing facial and head massage ever. (They massaged my head during the shampoo too) I got another massage while they point some oils in my hair and a good blow out.

While all this was going on I had one girl working on my fingers and another lady working on my feet. The only thing that worried me (but I was understanding about) was the lack of sanitation. They relied on limes and water to clean my feet and hands. When the lady accidently nipped my fingers, my god did it burn then she felt bad and put alcohol on me. It didn't bother me like I said I'm an extremely understanding person, but SHIT it burned. The paint job was magnificent and has lasted on my nails way longer than I expected. It also helps that I'm not constantly doing hair and sewing myself, since I use my hands a lot.

The hair lady straigtned my hair for me and did a great job. I normally don't style my hair like this but it was super cute. My mom told all the ladies I was a cosmetologist (from the U.S.) too so I can tell they were trying their absolute best. I think they did excellent. I normally don't pamper myself so it was a treat.

Grand Total : $7.00 (not including my generous tip for each of the ladies)

Pinchy. Pinch. Happy St. Pats!

I just woke up! but during my sleepy times, I hope all you had a wonderful St. Patty's day and were safe!

Be careful if you go out to the bars tonight too! I'll be celebrating in spirit for Bobby's Irish side

love and miss all of you immensely!

Love, Linda

Every Last Drop.

I'm leaving the city of Siem Reap today. Here is a list of things I noticed and took a liking to that I just half to mention, this doesn't really correlate with any of my entries.. it's almost like

left over blog spew.

Hoards of Sellers: Note to self and those of you who visit Ankgor Wat and the temples anywhere in Siem Reap. Never whip out your wallet (I'm looking at you Sunny!) flashing your money. Once you buy something from one independent seller, they will all mob you asking you to buy their stuff. It's hell to get out of of.

Typical Asian Tourist: Okay, think of all those (you think they'd be racist) cartoons and movies that have the big groups of asian tourist with the ball caps, sun hats, black sunglasses, floral shirts, scarves, and those huge canon cameras strapped around the neck. Korean and Japanese Tour guide to add to the mix. You think these movies exaggerate that. No. NO. I saw it. It was glorious. Which made me think of the ultimate theme party. (Don't you dare steal this idea... Actually.. if you do take pictures and credit me, I'll love you for it [invite me too!]).

Dead skin-eating fish: There are these big aquariums sitting variously throughout the city. They have a kagillion sucker fish ( called Garra Rufa) in them with big booths for people to sit on and dip their feet in. The fish will swarm your feet and eat all the dead skin. This takes approximately 25 minutes for $1 (sometimes with a free tasty beverage). I enjoyed all the signs that said "NO PIRANAS!"

Sugar cane blocks: My little cousin offered me these small soaked yellow pieces of sugar cane. You bite, suck, and spit, suckering up every piece of sweet cane juice there is. It was really tasty, better (but reminded me of) those wax bottles with juice in them.

My dad's haggling abilities: While visiting the old and new market the variety of stuff they sell is so neat: Statues, hookahs, spices, bags, clothes, even small vile' of alcohol with scorpion, alligators, and other weird animals floating in them. As things weren't cheap ($1-$10) enough anyway, watching my dad talk the price down is insane. He's able to talk down a price in half or get a lot more out of it.

Seller: "$15 bucks for this"

Dad: "how about $7"

Seller: "10 is the lowest I'll go

Dad: "What if I buy 2 for $15?"

Seller: "Sold."

Damn Dad! How'd you do that? Apparently he had years of haggling selling veggies as a kid. He looked at me and told me he was a pro. When Sunny and I went later to try the bargaining ourselves... it was a complete failure. They take you more seriously when you can speak fluently. I was only able to get a few dollars off.