Hello Africa, Goodbye Hair
I shaved my head — all 10 inches of my thick, brown hair — four days after I moved to Africa. Why?
1) It’s gettin’ hot in here!
I was already dying of heat stroke in the Kombos, the coolest part of The Gambia, and I hadn’t even been up country where it is 15 degrees hotter and more humid. My hair was heavy and sticking to my back in all sorts of gross the moment I stepped out from the Peace Corps Office air conditioning, and I knew the air-con was a commodity I was about to lose.
2) Two words: Bucket bath
While I had a shower at the Peace Corps Transit House in the capital for a few days, I knew that was another commodity that was about to disappear. Sites where volunteers live are rural, and that means it’s bucket baths for the next two years for me! My hair is as thick as a rope and I couldn’t imagine trying to rinse the suds by pouring a cup of water over my head.
3) What is beauty?
My image is important to me and sometimes I think I might worry too much about what others think of me. I wanted to challenge myself to be less wrapped up in appearances while also changing my perception of beauty.
All the volunteers cheered me on for the go ahead the night before we moved up country to our training villages. Everyone came outside to watch the transformation and their support calmed me down since I couldn’t look in a mirror during the big cut. Everyone oohed and ahhed and even said I look like an exotic model (isn’t that nice?!).
First cut — done!
Ahh!
Apparently this entire process was hilarious.
Whoah!
I actually love the new do and have no regrets, especially since I am sweating in parts I didn’t know I had in this 37-degree heat (98 degrees Farenheit) with 85 percent humidity. My look is so is easy to manage in this heat and new lifestyle. It’s also easier to wrap my head in a head tie which the locals love.
All done!
My two friends Meg and Mich also jumped all in. Meg is Baldy #1 after sneaking off and shaving her already short hair that night before. Mich helped convince me to cut mine, since she had done it before for Bald is Beautiful. I am Baldy #2 and she is Baldy #3, so we are now a little harem of baldies with another trainee, Cody.
Meg, Mich and Me.
Club Baldies!
–JDF
Hi Jessica, Thank you for your post. Megan is our granddaughter and not very good about keeping up-to-date on her site so when her mom sent your web site were were thrilled. You girls look adorable and as you put it “quite exotic”. We are excited for all of you and pray that your experiences are all that you hope for. Say hi to Megan!
Thanks for reading! I’ll tell Megan hi for you. I think she is even biking to my village later today. 🙂
Hi Jessica, I’m enjoying your blog and certainly applaud your courage for doing what’s right to blend in and live a practical healthier life while in your village. And, by the way, everything about you is beautiful (especially your ingenious mind)! It sounds like you’re surrounded by a lovely bunch of people of truly care about humanity. Good luck in your ventures together. They are so fortunate to have you as a team member.
I’ll be heading out on our European vacation this Thursday, 12 days in the Alps riding two up with my husband through Bavaria, Germany, Tyrol Italy& Austria, Switzerland, and Leichtenstein. We’re so excited! I rode bikes with you mom yesterday and she couldn’t wait to talk to you on Sunday morning. Your contacts will keep her spirits lifted as she misses you. We can’t wait to learn about all your adventures, projects, and new people that you meet. Have fun, work hard, and keep that positive attitude.
Thanks so much for the lovely note, Cheryl! I hope you are having an amazing adventure in Europe! Can’t wait to hear about it when you get back. I saw pictures of the school I’ll be working at and they have a HUGE garden, so our partnership is going to work out well. I have a few more ideas too but I won’t see the school and move to that village until September. We’ll talk soon. xo
I think you look great, Jess. What did you do with your shorn locks? It would be great if the Peace Corps. could get them to Locks of Love or some such organization.
I’m looking forward to keeping up with all your adventures. Best of luck!
I unfortunately had to throw my hair down my pit latrine because some Gambians like to make black magic out of “toubab” or white person hair. I have donated my hair twice before though, and I don’t think it was quite long enough this time! Thanks for reading.
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