While we were in Sorrento and making day trips to Capri I needed to get a haircut. We stopped by the local barber shop (candy stripe spinning pole and all). The friendly barber greeted us in Italian and had me step right up. Some neighborhood friends of his were hanging out reading the newspaper and talking. I just opted for the straight shave of the head. The Italian peanut gallery were all interested in the American guy that was about to get his head shaved down. Instead of the barber breaking out the electric shaver he started sharpening his straight razor on the leather belt hanging from the chair. I looked into the mirror and gulped! The barber laughed with the blade up and pointed to it and said something in Italian. I just motioned that it was no problem and he should go for it.
He lathered me up with the old-fashioned mortal and pestle lather and got down to business. His hand was as steady as a surgeon as he drew the sharp blade across my scalp. My new bride, Demetria, was hanging out with the Italian peanut gallery drinking coffee while my new shaving cream ‘fro was being removed by the skilled hands of the barber. The barber completed with some finishing touches and placed a warm towel, scented with lemon no less, on my head. The pièce de résistance was the manly smelling aftershave that the barber applied which made my scalp tingle with pleasure. This was one of the most enjoyable head shavings that I have ever had. The only thing that would have made it even more perfect would be a neck and head message from my gorgeous new bride at the same time! I guess there are some things that don’t get better with technological and process “improvements”….
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