Beauty Therapy in Tanzania & End of year appointments

"Our trip was an odyssey, which delivered all I could have hoped for and more" - Margie

It's hard to believe that it's only been a few weeks since we were experiencing the contrasts of chaos and beauty of Tanzania, and I'm excited to share with you a little of our trip to East Africa.

I have been meaning to be in touch for a while, however it's been really busy here catching up after being away.

Our trip was all it could have been: it went according to plan, we had no disasters, didn't get robbed, sick or lost; well, not for long!

We have named our trip an Odyssey, as it was a rediscovery of, and a journey to, a country I grew up in and knew as my home. I hadn't been back to for 35 years. Curiosity got the better of me and I needed to return to see for myself what it was like in 2019. Africa isn't an easy country to travel or negotiate, however it rewards those with a little patience, perserverance and tolerance. It's so worth it!

In a nut shell, the cities have grown out of all recogition along with the traffic. The population is about 58 million, so it seems like there are people everywhere, and organised chaos is the order of the day on city roads

Like New Zealand, most people have cell phones so they are well connected.

Tanzanians are better off now compared with 35 years ago with Universities and higher education which follows through to better jobs, and an emerging middle class, and sadly more western lifestyle diseases.

For me there were three high lights. The first was returning to my home village where we presented the community with a plaque remembering the work my parents contributed in the 1960's and 70's.

They were involved in many things including a farming project providing food for the Leprosy Hospital in Hombolo and surrounding area. (42ks from the capital Dodoma). The plaque was "blessed" at a service in the chapel which my Dad built and then attached to a wall.

The second was catching up with friends I hadn't seen in years. People that my parents worked with, and other's of my generation, both local Tanzanians and European expats.

And last but not least, I was so excited to be able to find a beautiful beach and "holiday" house/batch near a little town called Pangani on the Indian Ocean coast. We showed local people photos that I had taken in 1977 when we had a family holiday there and they were able to direct us to the very same place! It was still unspoilt, plastic free, and just idylic.

The trip was a mix of emotions swinging from frustration, sadness and to happiness. I came home with a renewed sense of gratitude for my past life in Tanzania, my present life here, and one of the gifts my parents gave me which is my New Zealand citizenship.

I'm looking forward to catching up with you soon, and in the meantime take care.

Thank you to you, my valued clients and friends.

Presenting the plaque to remember my parents

We found my favourite beach house

At my Primary School in Arusha Tanzania-Reunited with a 130 year old giant tortoise after 48 years- he hasn't changed at all!

I Didn't know

I was curious to find out what was happening in Tanzania regarding Beauty Therapy. Well, I am happy to report that it's booming! There are beauty salons in every suburb offering similar services to New Zealand. Gel and acrylic nails are very popular.

The ladies love having their hair braided into traditional styles and now with hair extentions. Wigs are very popular, with the straightened and long styes all in fashion.

The women are very proud and love looking their best, particularly on a Sunday for church services.

In a market we visited, a group of ladies were sitting out in the open were busy braiding their clients hair and indicated that I should also line up for a go, I'm afraid I wasn't brave enough! They are so clever, making beautiful patterns so perfectly.

The photo below shows exactly how they sit and have their hair done. (not my photo)

A friendly reminder to make your Christmas appointments

Getting back to beauty therapy in Christchurch... I don't need to remind you that Christmas is just around the corner whether we are ready or not!

Please get in touch soon so you don't miss out. I am closed from 3pm on Saturday 21st December and re open Tues 7th Jan 2020 at 9am.

In the meantime, take care and I hope your end of year goes well.

Cheers Margie