Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a barber in Handa is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I roll into the shop on Kamezaki Street, right? The sun’s blazin’, and I’m already feelin’ the heat. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First client walks in. This dude’s got hair like a bird’s nest. I mean, seriously, bro? You live in Handa, not a jungle! I’m tryin’ to be nice, but inside I’m like, “What’s goin’ on here?” So, I grab my scissors and start snippin’. Halfway through, he starts talkin’ about his cat. I’m like, “Cool, man, but I’m not a vet.” But he keeps goin’ on about Mr. Whiskers and his “adventures” around the neighborhood. I’m nodding, but my brain’s like, “Dude, focus on the hair!”
Then, outta nowhere, the power goes out. Just my luck, right? I’m in the middle of a fade, and suddenly it’s pitch black. I’m fumblin’ around for my phone, and I’m like, “Great, now I’m a barber in the dark.” I can hear the guy’s cat stories echoing in my head. I’m thinkin’, “Is this how horror movies start?”
Finally, the lights flicker back on. I finish the cut, and he looks in the mirror. He’s like, “Wow, I look fresh!” I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, buddy, but your cat’s still a mess.” He leaves, and I’m just relieved.
Next up, this lady walks in. She’s got a million questions. “Can you do layers? What about bangs? How about a pixie cut?” I’m like, “Lady, I’m a barber, not a magician!” But I smile and nod. Handa’s got this vibe, ya know? Everyone’s friendly, but sometimes it’s too much.
While I’m workin’ on her hair, I glance out the window. There’s this street performer on Handa’s main drag, Takahama Street. He’s playin’ the shamisen, and it’s actually pretty dope. I’m thinkin’, “Man, I should’ve learned that instead of cuttin’ hair.” But then I remember my love for scissors.
So, I finish up with the lady, and she’s thrilled. She leaves, and I’m feelin’ good. But then, BAM! A kid runs in, all wild-eyed. “My mom’s outside! She needs you!” I’m like, “What?!” Turns out, she’s locked her keys in the car. Classic Handa moment, right? I grab my stuff and rush outside.
The mom’s freakin’ out, and I’m like, “Chill, we’ll figure it out.” I’m tryin’ to help, but I’m also thinkin’, “Why am I the one doin’ this?” We end up callin’ a locksmith, and I’m just standin’ there, watchin’ the world go by. Handa’s got this charm, man. The cherry blossoms are bloom’n, and the smell of takoyaki is in the air.
Finally, the locksmith shows up, and I’m like, “Thank goodness!” He gets the door open, and the kid’s all smiles. The mom’s grateful, and I’m just relieved to be back in my shop.
But wait, there’s more! A couple of my buddies swing by. They’re like, “Let’s hit up the izakaya later!” I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, I need a drink after today.” So, we close up shop and head to this little place on Handa’s backstreets.
We’re laughin’, drinkin’, and I’m tellin’ them about my day. They can’t stop crackin’ up about the cat guy and the locked car. I’m like, “You guys have no idea!”
As the night rolls on, I’m sittin’ there, thinkin’ about Handa. It’s wild, it’s crazy, but it’s home. I love this place, even on the craziest days.
So yeah, that was my day. Just another day in Handa, where the hair’s wild, the people are wilder, and every moment’s an adventure. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!