Although most people here are Christians (which in Rwanda means no drinking), I had noticed that the city has an inordinate number of saloons. Signs are painted directly on the building, and with the abundance of saloon signs, I began to question the no-drinking rule.
Fast forward to this afternoon. I was about to take a well-deserved nap (aren’t they all well-deserved?), when Etienne arrived at the house to ask me to accompany him to get haircuts for the kids. Reluctantly, I got out of bed and went with him. He had some of the kids, and more joined us as we walked. As we climbed the dirt “road” (I’m not sure if it’s a road if you can’t navigate a car on it) up to the main drag I looked back and saw about 20 of our kids walking behind me and in front of Etienne. I knew the afternoon would be long with 20 heads to shave (girls too!)
When we arrived, I looked into the small room with four chairs and three guys cutting hair. The place was totally simple—just chairs, mirrors, scissors, hair clippers and not much else. The name of the place? BM Saloon. So see, folks, spelling is important because a saloon and a salon just aren’t the same thing. And guess how much the haircuts cost? 20 cents apiece.
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3 comments:
Funny story, E. (You know how much I enjoy editorial humor.) But what, then, explains the large number of hair-related "saloons"?
This story made me very tense. I mean, waking you up from your NAP?! What about the Geneva Convention? Or even the Democratic Convention.
Geeesh!
Leslie
I knew someone would ask why so many hair-related "saloons." I'm not sure, but maybe it's because so many adult women wear their hair braided, and the braiding process takes hours. But then, I don't know if they get that done in a salon or not. Sometimes a friend braids your hair or a "braid lady" comes to your house.
By the way, after we were at the "saloon" yesterday, the owner informed John that the price is going up to 30 cents, a 50% increase! We are unconcerned because Arlene came home with hair clippers, and we found out that one of our guards is a professional barber. So now we'll pay him instead of the guys at the "saloon."
Leslie, I'm sorry this story raised your blood pressure. The good news (for Etienne) was that I had just stretched out on my bed. If he had awakened me, the story wouldn't have had such a happy ending.
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