Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a barber in Kokpekty is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I roll into the shop on Abay Street, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First client walks in. Dude’s got hair like a lion. I mean, seriously, bro, you live in Kokpekty, not the jungle! I’m like, “What’s up with the mane?” He laughs, says he’s been busy. Busy? Man, I get it. But c’mon, a little self-care never hurt nobody! So, I whip out my clippers, and we’re off to the races.
Halfway through, the power goes out. Just like that! I’m standing there, clippers in hand, hair flying everywhere. I’m like, “Great, just great.” The guy’s lookin’ at me like I’m about to give him a buzz cut with scissors. I’m sweating bullets. But then, the lights flicker back on. Phew! Crisis averted.
Next up, this sweet old lady comes in. She’s from the neighborhood, always brings me homemade baklava. I love that stuff! She starts telling me about the good ol’ days on Kairat Street. “Back then, we had real community,” she says. I’m nodding, but inside I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, but we also didn’t have Wi-Fi.”
Then, outta nowhere, my buddy Aslan bursts in. He’s all hyped up, says he just got a new car. I’m like, “Dude, you live in Kokpekty, not Almaty! What’s the rush?” He’s like, “It’s a Lada, man! It’s a classic!” Classic? More like a classic headache. But hey, to each their own, right?
So, I finish up with the lady, and she leaves me a big ol’ slice of baklava. I’m grinning ear to ear. But then, my next client walks in. This guy’s got a serious attitude. He’s from the city center, thinks he’s hot stuff. He sits down, looks in the mirror, and says, “Make me look like a movie star.” I’m like, “Bro, this ain’t Hollywood. It’s Kokpekty!”
I start cutting, and he keeps talking about his “big plans.” I’m just trying to focus, but he’s rambling on about some business deal. I’m thinking, “Dude, you’re in a barber chair, not a boardroom.” Finally, I finish, and he looks in the mirror. He’s like, “Not bad, but I wanted more volume.” I’m like, “You want volume? Go to a concert!”
By now, I’m exhausted. But the day’s not over. I step outside for a breather, and it’s like a scene from a movie. Kids are playing on the street, old folks are chatting, and the smell of shashlik is wafting through the air. I love this place. Kokpekty has its quirks, but it’s home.
Then, I see a couple of my buddies from the neighborhood. They’re hanging out by the fountain on Pushkin Street, laughing and joking. I join them, and we start talking about the latest football match. I’m all fired up, yelling about our local team. “They’re gonna crush it next game!”
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring. I mean, like, monsoon-level rain. We all scramble for cover, laughing like idiots. I’m soaked, but I don’t care. It’s moments like this that make life in Kokpekty worth it.
Finally, I head back to the shop, drenched but happy. I clean up, lock up, and head home. As I walk through the streets, I can’t help but smile. Kokpekty, with all its chaos and charm, is where I belong.
What a day, huh? Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!