Istanbul (not Constantinpole)

Just got back from Istanbul, City of simit street vendors, barbers and bazaars, hamaams and halloumi. If you visit, I've got one piece of advice for you. Don't pack a razor! Turkey has many wonderful barbers and a wet shave only costs two or three pounds.

You'll always see wet towels drying outside a Turkish barber's.

I got the cut throat treatment from this wonderful gent, who spoke no English but rather generously compared me to a young Alain Delon.

  

Aside from visiting a barber or two there are many great make-shift tea/coffee shops. These are usually just a few small stools and tables in the street and a friendly man with a chai urn and a coffee machine.

Turkish coffee is a fine, fine thing! Best enjoyed with one sugar and maybe a piece of baklawa.

 

  

Amla Hair Oil

Continuing with the theme of exotic perfumes and hair greases I'd like to talk a bit about Amla Hair Oil. The Amla Tree or 'Indian Gooseberry' is considered sacred by Hindus and plays an important role in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Some people claim it makes the hair grow faster and prevents premature greyness. Certainly it helps nourish the hair. If you suffer from dryness or split ends then comb some through your locks after washing and wrap in a towel while the hair is still wet. Leave the towel on for 20 mins and Balvindra's your uncle.

You can pick up all sorts of Amla oil-based products (including shampoos) from your high street chemist, but I was attracted to Kohinoor's hair oil from Pakistan. The bottle is particularly beautiful I think. The scent is rich and reminiscent of the East, like one of the perfumes you might find outside a Mosque. Obviously it doesn't offer any hold, but like a brillantine gives the hair a lovely sheen. Really though this is all about the scent, and the lovely bottle!