Hi, dear friends. Thought it was time we had a change. Will come back to Cyprus again later.
Unfortunately I do not have very many photo's from this time, the family photo albums are with my sister who now lives in Spain.
When I had finished school it was time to find a job. Living in Uganda at that time there was not much available, but I managed to get an apprenticeship at a local hairdressers at the side of a hotel. My first day there in a smart white overall, feeling rather nervous, which of course was normal when starting a new career. I had 2 years ahead of me with a lot of learning to do. This was just the start. Learning about hair, washing, cutting, styling, washing and cleaning of wigs, and restyling them, and we also learnt how to do facials and make-up, manicures, pedicures. Not forgetting all the sweeping up of the hair, cleaning around and the endless coffee's and teas or cold drinks before we even touched a head!
As time passed  we were soon learning how to finger wave on strands of hair tied to a mirror on a table. A lot of Indian men who came to the salon liked having their hair finger waved. Now days for a lot of men it's shaved heads or highlighting, times change.

'Just had a quick short back and sides.'

Then of course you also had the heads that were either treated or sometimes turned away. Yes, the ones that crawled. Writing about this reminds me of when I was the school nurse and every Monday was nit checking day. I can feel myself scratching my head now!!

'I'm a great nit picker!!

Perming in those days was the old fashioned smelly lotion. We also had a battery perming machine which had special clamps that you heated up and put on the hair to perm it. No, we did not use that, it was only for show, but kept in working order. At this rate I will start to sound as if I am 100 years old.

'I need a perm'

 Not to forget the straightening of hair which was really coming into fashion. Lotion on and then combing, pulling straight and you just keep doing this until the kinks and curls start to give in to you. This seemed to go forever, with the clients head being pulled back and forth. We both had to go through quite a few appointments to get the sleek styles wanted by some. It was here where I met my friend who enticed me into the world of animals and reptiles. I have mentioned her in some of the older blogs.
I also took on doing the ministers wives wigs and embassy wives, when they wanted something different. And even a few times the presidents wife's hair.
Weddings like everywhere were busy times, but very interesting in the different cultures and what was all involved. Looking back I was so very fortunate to have been brought up abroad and to have experienced all this. No living in the same house for most of my life and never moving out of the same town.
I always enjoyed the manicures, but hated doing pedicures. Having to wash the feet and trim long curled up toenails. Some I am sure had never been cut from birth! Really saw some grotty feet ! Why can't all people have dainty little feet, so much nicer. Funnily enough I used to try and be busy when pedicures were booked in.
Our boss used to like having a facial every week and we had to practise on her before being let loose on the paying public.'Massage properly dear, not too hard, not too soft, mind the heat in the towels, be careful plucking eyebrows.' 'Oh, that one hurt!!' You must be more careful.! Some of it became like a mantra.

Picture of the week has to be my painting.

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Now on the art side. Had a drive out to find the owner of the boat I did. We found the boat in Pomos harbour, but could not get onto it. There was nobody around, no fisherman, why when you want somebody there is never a person around. Did not fancy trying to pull it nearer to the side to try and climb on, just my luck for it to move away and leave me stranded hanging onto the ropes. 
Went up to the restaurant that overlooks the harbour and spoke to the manager there. He thought he knew the person, but also called the cook out who said she knew he lived in Polis. Both of them will keep a look out for me and pass on the picture. In the meantime the owner fell in love with the picture and thought it would look much nicer in the restaurant. Was told it might take a little time to get it to the right person!!, And in the meantime he would hang it up for all to see. When I left he was busy hanging it up. Oh, well, will see if it is there the next time I pass by.

Now back to this weeks art....
I have started the background and will later fill in with some leaves. Now I just have to work my way down, starting with the ears.

Come back and see what is new next week. Have a good week.