Saturday, September 11, 2010

9/11 prayer, great congee, better shopping... and very thorough hairdressers

Today is 9/11. I am saying a short prayer for the world since that dreadful day. I still vividly recall how I found out. I was living in Vancouver with a strange roommate who woke me up screaming. At first, I thought nothing of it since she was wierder than most.  Then quickly I realized the world would never be peaceful for a long time. Today in 2010, there are travel warnings all around, a koran burning threat and memorials starting in a few hours on TV.   Be safe, everybody, and don't forget to remember and pray for those who still suffer.

My living room air conditioner is still broken.  They tried to fix it today with no luck.  At least the cool air from the bedroom can flow through.

After a bit of administrative mix-up between Causeway Bay and Central's fitness locations... I finally got my gym membership last night. They 'insisted' that I come back for a proper 'orientation' (aka sales pitch) later on.  Anyway, the gym is a 3 level gym steps away from Lan Kwai Fong, with workout machines extremely near one another. Had a decent two mile treadmill run (the treadmills with TVs were all taken, sadly), then did some weights and circuit, then showered on the FIFTH FLOOR women's changeroom (no elevators). The rest of my evening was filled with business conference calls and nothing so eventful. I'm starting to wear down, so had to crash!

This Saturday morning, the rain continued. After buying myself an umbrella, I headed down the street to a tiny, hole-in-wall congee joint that I found on my iphone app. AMAZING CONGEE, only $3 USD, tasted fabulous. The place was packed and is two mins from my home. I will go again soon. Then I headed to Causeway Bay for a bit of wandering, buying household things like 220V hair iron and shampoo... and of course, a few GREAT deals on fun & business clothing. 

After wandering into almost five hair salons, I finally caved and selected one near SOGO (note: I didn't look in advance!) Anxious, of course. Anyway, the hair washer, a young fellow approx 18 years old dressed in a black t-shirt, began to shampoo my hair. Then massage with more shampoo and conditioner. It was the LONGEST shampoo experience I've ever had, and VERY THOROUGH. He didn't talk to me, except asked if it was still raining. Then the OWNER of the salon partially blew dry my hair.  He did one set of cutting (another 45 mins) and I got another wet rinse. Then he dried it and wasn't satisfied, so kept tweaking it (overall i think he REALLY CARED!).  Anyway, I recommend this place!!  I MUST BE HONEST - I HAD LOW EXPECTATIONS OF A WALK-IN, AVERAGE PRICED HAIR SALON APPOINTMENT... maybe I'm unfairly comparing it to our Chinatown haircut experiences in Toronto...ask Stephen or my sisters... anyway Hong Kong hairdressers can be very thorough and caring!  Be brave.

On way home, I bought some fresh bread and buns, and now relaxing before dinner.  I want to take a nap, but resisting...I was trying NOT to fall asleep during my hair cut... although woke up at 7:45am on a weekend, which is unlike me :(

Be safe everybody!

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