Ladies in Attendance

The big day arrived all too soon, and I was still in recovery mode from Hong Kong. Our flight landed a little late, so we didnt get back to the Ohmeikan until 10ish, though I didnt get to sleep until at least 3am. Getting up at 5am for my hair appointment was certainly unpleasant, especially on only 2 hours of sleep and intense sleep deprivation cummilated from the previous nights. Bless George for coming with me, and acting as my translator should something hideous happen to my hair.

My hair was brushed, curled, tugged, tied, and backcombed while I sat yawning away. George and I had gone to see the hairdresser a couple of weeks before to discuss the style we were going to do, so there shouldnt have been any surprises. That proved to be wrong. I wasnt paying much attention until I realised the chic chignon I had envisioned looked strangely like a pineapple balanced on the back of my head. George and I were quite alarmed, but we thought we should wait until the lady had finished before we make our comments. Several minutes passed by, while we umm-ed and ahh-ed about saying something, then the hairdresser weaved some hair extensions into place and bob's your uncle. The pineapple was no more, and my bed-hair was miraculously transformed into a stylish updo. We were mucho relieved.

Onto the kimono fitting. Twenty years old and I need two ladies to dress me, oh the shame! Putting on a kimono is a complicated process and so it took 30 minutes to complete. There were three layers to put on: the undergarment, the plain kimono, and then the top kimono with the intricate designs, as well as tying the obi. I didnt realise wearing a kimono would involve being so vigorously tied up, with every new layers, more ribbons were produced to tie my waist in for the classic kimono-shape. I could barely breathe! The obi, which was stiffened with a lining of thin plastic sheets had to sit snugly on my waist, thus restricting my movement. I spent the whole day with back straight, shoulders back, but the obi seemed to get heavier with every hour and I was dying to lie down.

Wearing a kimono is completely different to anything I've ever worn. The stiff obi do not allow for a bad posture so I was immediately walking taller, and taking smaller lady-like steps. I was carrying off the feminine grace look, until I had to get into the taxi to take me to the hall. Then, I almost fell backwards into the car while trying to carry my long sleeves, mind the hair, swing hips first into the car, and not trip over on my shoes all at the same time. You can take the girl out of South London...