Haircut!

One of the first things I did when I got to china was get a haircut b/c I learned that I had to work on Saturday (more about this later) and my mom insisted (via skype) that I get a haircut and look presentable for my first day of work. If you don't know, the current conversion rate is 1 dollar = 6.85 yuan. (used to be 8…-_-)

My mom's translated discussion with my aunt (who I call jiu ma)

Mom: is that haircutting place near your home still there? Can you take anna there and get her hair cut? She just wants ot make sure that it's still long enough to put up (I didn't know how to explain this in Chinese so my mom was making sure somebody who'd be able to explain it to the haircutter would understand). How much was it again? Like 7 yuan?

Jiuma: Oh, we don't go there anymore. We go to a different place that's better.

Mom: How much does that place cost?

Jiuma: 48 yuan.

Mom: Oh no, it's ok, take her to the other one.

Jiuma: No, it's not a big deal. This place is better

Mom: No really, just take her to the cheaper place.

Jiuma: no really, it's not a big deal. You can mail me the money if you want tho haha.

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Jiuma took me to the nice place haha. When I walked in, I was thinking 1. whats the difference btwn this place and the other? It looks the same and 2. Uhg somebody was smoking in here just now

When I sat down in the chair and leaned back to get my hairwashed in the basin tho, I thought Ahhh where is that horrible toilet smell coming from!??! Omggg ITS RIGHT NEXT TO ME. I SEE THE HOLE IN THE GROUND. ommggg this place is gonna suck…to make it worse, as im laying in the chair getting my hair washed, this other worker goes into the bathroom, comes out and STICKS HER HAND IN MY BASIN AND RINSES OFF HER HAND. OMMMGG I WAS ABOUT TO FLIP. I just wanted to cut my head off for the minute before I realized that the lady hadn't finished washing my hair and was going to shampoo my hair and then washed it again because otherwise I don't know what I would have done…(other than take a shower IMMEDIATELY after I got back haha). Plus I was also disturbed by the fact that she stuck her hand in for like half a second and considered it washed. Ewwww

But in the end, many thanks to my jiuma! I think this is the first time im actually satisfied with my haircut after I get it cut. Usually I hate how it looks after I get it cut AND it took forever. This one took 20 min to cut and I liked it.

Thanks mom. Glad you didn't come to china with me. 真的吗？舍不得给你的女儿花$7剪头发。钱迷。

Although this reminds me. the haircutter told me that b/c I have too much hair, I need to tang it (I think straightened?) instead of getting it thinned…cept its bad for your hair and idk how long it'd last for…suggestions/Comments?

EDIT: my mom claims that she didn't say 7 yuan. probly true. my grandma said 5, but my mom said something close to 15 b/c i remember she was willing to spend about 2 bucks for my haircut (i converted from the good ole days of 8 yuan to a dollar).