Random Reason to Love Turkey: Hair Services

I was going to write about my first couple weeks here, but as I've settled in what is the beautiful country of Turkey, I have to rave about Turkish services in part is what could be a multi-part series as I experience the country from this little bubble that is Incirlik Air Base.  From the good to the horrible, I'll come about to write about it.

The focal point of this post is on getting a haircut off base that isn't done by the base barber.  But what the area outside of the Main Gate, called the "Alley" by everyone.  It's a bunch of Turkish shops and eateries that cater to the base population and usually one of the first places to visit on one's first couple week in country.

The Alley (Not my photo; none uploaded yet, sorry)

       There are clubs, barber shops, restaurants, massage parlor, carpet stores, coin shops, jewelry shops, places to get custom made suits and dresses, and even custom made furniture.  Everybody is friendly and saying they were somewhere from the States calling you "My brother" while actively showing you merchandise.  While I just wanted to get a haircut from a particular place, it took me about 20 minutes to get there.  Simply put, disarmed with an offer of apple tea while listening on an offer on three custom made suits.

Anyways more on that later; however, on to a  haircut.

So I'm use to the typical low fade military haircut that base barbers are alright at for about $10... but the off-base barbers take it to a whole new level for roughly the same price.  I doubt I'll find the same value for the service ever, but I had to take a jab for the same service in the US, it would be about $30.

You're thinking, "Why are you raving about haircuts, Roger?"  They simply just don't do a haircut.  It started with the typical start of getting a low fade for my hair, it was done pretty well by an older gentlemen.  Then I got my ear hairs burned off with I though looked like an incense stick, followed by a hair wash by one of the girl workers there.  Midway through the haircut, I was offered chai tea, which I accepted.

I was like, "Damn, this is probably going to cost me... and it's so nice."  What followed was beyond expectations, seriously, if there is one thing I seemingly missed out in life so far, is a Turkish haircut/head service.

I was directed to a nearby chair afterwards where the girl spread aloe over my forehead and neck, and I soon felt like, "Well, this is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fantastic! *melt*"  She followed to massage the shoulders as the aloe spread out and then across the upper back.  Any tension I did have in that region was totally eliminated, I was awestruck and definitely feeling spoiled.

She finished with putting hair gel in on my head and it turned into a head massage, I obviously will rave about Turkish haircuts forevermore.  She finished up massaging and went back to finishing my chai tea, fantastic.

The cost: $10 USD.  I was largely taken aback.  As the change for the $20 I gave came back, I insisted on a $5 tip, eventually accepted.

So, that's getting a haircut in Turkey, I'll definitely will enjoy it while it lasts.

So more later about the time getting here, other Turkish hospitality customs noted, why tea is a huge deal, and Turkish driving (have to video tape that...).