The shave. I didn't get the entire lathering and face massage in the video, but it lasted at least a minute or two. At the beginning you can see it is quite aggressive -- this is how I use the brush every morning now. I had no idea. It has made a huge difference in the quality of my shaves. He uses Perma-Sharp DE blades, snapped in half and changed out before each shave. Fire in the ears at the very end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wS_saLMak
this is another awesome thread! I would love to visit Turkey someday and experience an authentic shave and hair cut.
Jeff, the barber who cut my hair and shaved me was so warm and nice a man--he was gentle and kind. He was ecstatic that not only I spoke French, but also that I am Jewish, and that I spoke Hebrew. He served me a glass of raki after the haircut and shave, and we chatted for almost 2 hours about the world politics, about the Jewish community of Turkey, and about Israel. I had tears in my eyes when I went to the synagogue with him, because his brother was the rabbi, and I was called up to the Torah to recite some prayers. That is one of the biggest honors to be given to somebody. I became emotional when I was asked to carry a Torah scroll around the synagogue. That is another HUGE honor in our faith. This barber is somebody special.
Fellas, there are so many great memories of this shave and haircut experience. At one point in the middle of the haircut... it was time for hot tea. And when it's time for tea, you drink tea. There wasn't really a specific reason for it... I mean, we're in the middle of the haircut. But you take a break and sip on some tea and talk and hang out and relax. The guys in the chairs all talk, the barber serves the tea. Always little clear glasses, sugar cubes on the sides of the glass on the saucer. I watched him make it, and it is so methodical how he does the tea... just like how he cuts the hair. He served me, my wife and the other guys who were hanging around in there getting shaves, talking politics and whatnot. Some guys weren't even there for a shave. They all made us feel so welcome. One of the guys who was ahead of me made me go ahead of him when it was his turn for a cut and shave. I insisted no a couple of times... and he absolutely refused! During conversation I found out that he worked at the nearby hotel where we were staying in Istanbul on the back end of our trip. We saw him a couple of weeks later... and he cooked at the hotel and handled bags. He got a fat tip.
Jeff, that is an amazing story! I am completely blown away by your experience. What a special thing to happen to you in your life. I want to hear more... did you ever see the barber again?
Yes, as a matter of fact, we are still in contact. He is retired now, and he and his wonderful wife are living in Israel. He has 2 sons, who live there as well. They are both doctors, and doing very well. Yitzhak (the barber) is one of a kind, and his wife Shulamit is so much like my own mother in character. I feel so comfortable when I talk to them.
Nice to see that you are really like our traditional turkish shave..Great Story and perfect thread thank you so much for all your pictures and videos. Greetings from Turkey.
