I Shaved my Head...

I have no hair! Before I describe what I’m feeling, let me explain to you why:

Why not?

Okay – well there’s a little more than that. First of all, I have mentioned before this trip that I would shave my head if I ever lived in a hot country, like Ethiopia… as so I would feel cool, and not have large insects living in my hair. Plus, I was curious as to what I would look like and if I would like my hair short. Then I discovered that on this ship there is a day called Neptune Day.

Neptune Day is the day you first cross the Equator and you pay homage to God Neptune of the Sea. We had a day off from classes and were christened in honour of God Neptune. Captain Jeremy Kingston dressed up as God Neptune. This used to be celebrated by European sailors for luck as well as health reasons. They would finally reach warm waters and would bathe for the first time in weeks. And what they would do is shave their head (to rid themselves of lice.) So, on the ship, it’s tradition to shave your head.

Now – let’s think about this: when am I ever going to be sailing around the world again and have the opportunity to shave my head with 100 others students, and 40 of them girls?

If your answer is probably never again – you are correct.

So there you have it. A few days before, a lot of girls had their hair cut for Locks of Love and rocked a mohawk for a day then shaved the rest off on Neptune Day, which was Saturday. I donated 10 inches to Locks of Love. Jayme cut my hair and my head felt so light. The mohawk was fun for the day then the rest was buzzed Saturday morning. The level was between 2 &3. It’s about a centimeter long (or short). I didn’t cry – I was really excited. And it helped that Leigh Anne was right next to me getting her hair cut at the same time. It was also Kat’s 21st birthday and she was getting her head shaved so support was always there. Plus Jayme tells me every two minutes that I’m beautiful. She’s a good roommate haha.

It is so refreshing. I don’t have to worry about washing it, or styling it. When I get hot, I don’t have to pull it back. Being in the shower and running my fingers over my hair, and not through it, is the oddest part. But it is so liberating. I feel like GI Jane and that I could kick any army guy’s ass! Seriously. I have no hair – I can do what I want. I have gotten some rude comments of disgust however the praise outweighs it all. But it doesn’t matter, because I feel the same, just as beautiful, only stronger. This is only going to help my personal development on this voyage. Everything is what I want it to be.

Infinite xo Amanda Panda