Welsh Hairbit.

FACT: You need a mortgage to visit Hairdressers in Australia.
FICTION: You often, but mistakenly, believe that the money is well spent.

FACT: You go expecting to look better on exiting, albeit poorer.
FICTION: They don't really care how you look - but often, it is not better.

FACT: Most hairdressing salons are a sanctuary for young people on Work/Study visas in OZ.
FICTION: Some hairdressing salons would like you to believe they are a "cut above the rest", hence the prices they charge. Pun intended.

FACT: In four years of living here I have tried a fair few hairdressers.
FICTION: They each profess to be the ONE. Mainly they are just rubbish.

FACT: I havent found one yet ...until yesterday when I met Nathan.

We started chatting, because that is what you do, but in this case I was intrigued to hear about this Young Welshman and his beautiful tattooed arm. What was more intriguing is the reason why young people do it - the adrenalin rush he suggests, and also his need to be creative, but not in a pen and paper way, so his body art is a way to express that creative spirit. The most shocking revelation is how much it costs -a few hairdressing visits for sure- and finally the spiritual significance of some of the tattoos. It wasn't until he came to Australia that he discovered the band on his arm was Maori and further up his arm was a  tattoo special to Islanders. He was warned they might take offence - something akin perhaps to cultural appropriation- but in fact all the islanders he met were very friendly and OK with his "tats" as they are commonly referred to here.

That was the chat - measured and just what you want - interesting and informative.

I told him what I wanted done to my hair and he LISTENED and did exactly what I wanted.

His shampoo and head massage was so relaxing I could have fallen asleep.

He took care and time in getting it right and it was a pleasure to walk out with bobbing hair.

Trouble is he has missed home and will be gone by the time I return, if I do, for the next appointment. It was a lovely morning Nathan, thanks for looking after me so well - all the best for your future- keep being restless and curious.