Confession

the haj barbershops in iraq are pretty much full service. they do far more than just haircuts. when i first heard about this i immediately thought about getting an old fashioned shave. the idea seemed kinda cool, and let me tell you, it's the closest shave i've ever had.

while the guys working there usually speak pretty good english, that doesn't apply to all of them. during the first couple of weeks i was in iraq i went to get a haircut and was sitting next to a soldier who seemed to have shaving cream all over his face. my barber asked me if i wanted the same thing and i agreed. except it wasn't shaving cream and i didn't get an old fashioned shave. instead i got a facial. not the manliest of things, but when your living conditions leave you so dirty you sweat mud, feeling that clean is oh so good.