Friday16thMarch07 Part2

I met a lovely lady this evening. I've spoken to her several times on the phone and we have been keeping in touch by email for the past few months, ever since my Uncle Charles introduced us, and today we finally met. She took my parents and I to a local night market along with her 3 year old son (who was fascinated by my skin,) and her parents. It was a much better night market than the last one I was at, and a lot less busy. We had a wonder round the stalls that never fail to shock or amaze with their wares, then wondered into a temple that marked the exit. It was so beautiful. It was lovely to have our friends with us as they regaled us with stories about the various Gods as we marvelled at the statues, lanterns, smells and carvings. On the way back we went down the other side of the market where we noticed there was a lady free at a stall that did traditional hair removing. They use strings (don't ask me how) to pluck the hairs out. I'd heard it to be great for sensitive skin, and a less painful than waxing (my preferred weapon of choice) so I had always wanted to try it. I told her I wanted my eyebrows done and she nodded (perhaps a little too fast) that she understood and ushered me into a seat. Unfortunately, everyone was too curious to leave me in peace so I had an audience to watch as I sat (which frequently grew with random passers by.) She wrapped me in a cover thing and commenced covering my face in this strange powder (I presumed, for some ceremonial reason perhaps.) Next thing I know, clouds of powder and hair are flying everywhere as she started to pluck the hairs out of my forehead, only to finish when there were no hairs left on my face, bar my eyebrows and eyelashes! I must admit to being a little shocked, and definitely anxious at various points. And for those of you that are wondering, yes it hurt! It was less painfully than waxing, but I still managed to end up with mascara down my face from water filled eyes (mostly it was just a reflex, like walking into the wind, but man some bits smarted.) Although I've never had skin so soft, like a babies bottom (I told her that but she didn’t understand and I didn't feel that this was one for the hand gesture style of communication I've recently adopted) I keep stroking my cheek, it's lovely, and incredibly bizarre! It's definitely one for the books.