Just another day in the Peace Corps: sure, let’s shave our heads
One major change for me since I’ve been in South Africa is how I bathe. Many villages do not have running water (only a pump or faucet outside), so people bathe in small plastic buckets.
The winter is cold and dry and now that spring has approached, the weather is getting warmer (in the 80s), so I can only imagine what summer will be like.
With that said, a group of brave, young PCTs in my Volunteer group decided to shave their heads (four females included!) I told myself before coming here that I would never shave my head, but I tend to act very spontaneously. As soon as I saw everyone cutting their hair after training one day, I had the urge to jump in. My hair was already really short and I didn’t want to grow it out (really, how would I have cut it without it looking completely horrible?) So, I did what any sane 23-year-old would do: I shaved my head.
You only live in Africa once and you’re only in your early 20s once. How many girls can say that they’ve shaved their head before? Now five of us can!
Brooke taking the first chunk of my hair as my heart was pounding
Katrina picking up all the extra hair
After-product #1 (the length I want my hair to grow to soon)
Shawn had the honors of actually shaving my head the next day (although he looks creepily happy to do so, he’s just always smiling!)
The group from left to right: Ted, Michael, Shawn, Will, Brandon, Diana, Katrina, Katie, Liz and Briana (switching gender roles!)
Two weeks later — me. I’m rocking some headbands and believe it or not bought hair clippers on my move-in shopping day in Pretoria. I never in my life would have thought I would be buying hair clippers…here’s to easy bucket baths!
This surprised the shit out of me but AWESOME! Looks like youre really taking well to SA! Hope the experience is incredible. Miss you
Hahaha thanks DJB, #YOLO. SA has been amazing, definitely try to come study here. It’s such a complicated country; there’s a lot more to learn. Miss you — good luck with the start of college! You will do great!!
I like your hair or lack there of. What a brave thing to do, not sure if I would have done it. But maybe if I were in Africa… I have really enjoyed reading your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Love, Lorraine
You all look great…. and how easy to care for your hair now! So many volunteers did it.
what a kick!
We miss you guys here at Watervaal B.Hope KwaZulu-Natal is treating you well up to so far.