Hair Braiding in the Caribbean
Paul Seaby
My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rosa
Bert Hyman
Well, you didn't say just where in "the Caribbean" you were going, so it's
going to be a little hard to answer the question.
My experience with Jamaica (Ocho Rios and Negril) was that if you were
on the beach and stopped moving, someone would try to braid your hair; no
trouble finding someone to do it.
Neither my wife nor I had it done so I can't say what it cost.
--
The opinions expressed in this message are my own and are not the opinions of
anyone who does not hold those opinions.
Bert Hyman | Unisys - Roseville MN
be...@rsvl.unisys.com | (612) 635-7791 | net2: 524-7791
Cheryl Fuller
Paul Seaby wrote:
>
> My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Rosa
Hi Rosa, We have been on several cruises to both the eastern and western
Caribbean, and I can honestly tell you that you will not have to go
looking for someone to braid your hair...they will find you. I know
we were probably asked at least 50 times in every port if we wanted it
done. My son had long hair this past summer and when we were in Ocho
Rios he had it done. He negotiated her done to $10 but she was asking
$20. He only had $10, and she was not really happy about not getting
a tip, but oh well. My other son is real athletic and involoved in
a lot of sports, so he always gets a buzz cut in the summer so his
head doesn't get all sweaty, and they were even asking him if he
wanted braids...would actually have liked to have seen them try.
Hope you have a great trip. Cheryl
Mitch & Judi Barrett
Bert Hyman wrote:
>
> In article <01bc25ba$9fd4cf00$f85e39cc@pseaby>, "Paul Seaby" <pse...@txdirect.net> wrote:
>
> >My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> >have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> >you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> >ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> >my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
> >
> going to be a little hard to answer the question.
>
> My experience with Jamaica (Ocho Rios and Negril) was that if you were
> on the beach and stopped moving, someone would try to braid your hair; no
> trouble finding someone to do it.
>
> Neither my wife nor I had it done so I can't say what it cost.
My friend had her daughter's hair braided on the beaches of Bermuda (via
Bed Red Boat cruise) two years ago. She reiterated the above comment -
no problems at all finding someone to braid your hair. It was much more
of a pain telling would-be braiders, "No thank you" than finding someone
to do it. It ran about $1 a braid including the beads - my friend's
daughter had about fifty braids, I think.
Pros - my friend didn't have to mess with her kid's hair for the
remainder of the cruise and for a good month or so after that. It was
considerably "cooler" feeling than tying her hair up off her neck in
some fashion every day. And it looked really great - she got a lot of
compliments on it.
Cons - you can probably get it done at a local beauty shop for less
money before you leave. If you want the "experience" of having it done
in the Caribbean, you can have that, but my friend wishes they all
hadn't wasted two hours on shore sitting on the beach waiting for the
braiding to get finished. The women are really FAST, but it still
takes about two minutes a braid to complete.
There's nothing you really have to tell the person braiding your hair
unless you have a preference for bead color(s) or whether you want as
many braids as possible (I swear these women can braid three strands of
hair together all over your head if that's what you want!) or have a
couple of layers of "thicker" braids.
Be careful washing your braids - only shampoo in between the cornrows,
use a leave-on conditioner on the braids every time you shampoo (so the
braids don't dry out), and gently pat dry the braids - never scrunch
them or wring them to get the water out.
Hope that helps a bit.
longspeer
Cheryl Fuller <Cheryl...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>Paul Seaby wrote:
>>
>> My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
>> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
>> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
>> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
>> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>>
>> Rosa
My wife had her long red hair done with 110 braids, and it cost around 75 bucks. It did take about 3 hours to do, which she regrett=
ed(beach time is valuable). It looked great, but took about 3 hours to unbraid as well. On our next trip, my daughter had 10 braid=
s done; enough for "the look", but not enough to waste half a day.
Ikhathi
> My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will
be
> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
There are no real secrets about getting your hair braided in the
Caribbean, lots of ladies braid hair, and they will ask you if they can
braid it as it's a good source of income for them. You might get
acclimated first, then let a woman who you like do it for you, or ask
women who have braiding you like who did theirs. There is much
competition about braiding because in most places there aren't a lot of
other jobs particularly if the women haven't much education. Decide how
you would like it braided ahead of time if possible, then pay extra to
have it the way you want. Since their goal is to make money, they will
give you a standard style otherwise that doesn't take a lot of time.
Beading is nice because it keeps the braids together longer, and you can
swim and then just shake your head when you come out of the water and go
on about your day. (And then you don't have all those ugly rubber bands
all over your head, like the thousands of tourists who swarm the islands
do :) So if you want beads in it you might find some here you like and
take them with you, you can find them at stores for people who make
jewelry, or at beauty supply stores, depending on whether you want
ceramic, metal, or plastic beads, plain or fancy... The bead selection
once you're there will be limited because they have to buy the beads. If
your hair is very long, you can make arrangements for the lady to take it
out (which will be and should be another fee) before you leave. Taking it
out yourself can turn into a nightmare if you have a lot of braids and a
lot of hair, unless someone helps with the ones in the back. There are
products which make the unbraiding easier that you can put on the hair
when you're ready to take out the braids. If you're going to a big
tourist spot you probably can buy it there. If you're going to a more
remote area you might find some here before going; look in beauty supply
stores in the products for African-American women's hair. I think in
fairness to the women who rely on this for income, one should pay what one
would pay in the U.S. for such a service. Lots of people don't, of
course. And a woman who has hungry children at home will braid anyone's
hair for any price. But she may not have another head to do that day or
the next if her competitors beat her to the next tourist, and the season
of course is limited. The most important thing to remember is that it is
her livelihood. You know that the service is valuable, requires skill,
and that here it costs a decent sum of money, even if she doesn't. So
it's a matter of your own conscience what you pay, I think, and what you
want them to think of you the next time you go there, if you go back. As
for getting it braided on the beach, would you have your hair done on the
beach if you were at home? People will offer you massages on the beach
also -- would you have a massage on the beach at home? One of the things
foreign tourists don't understand is that people living in the Caribbean
are actually pretty conservative, and the tourist tendency to go down
there and abandon concerns for propriety they would have if at home is one
of the things which makes indigenous people there think that foreign
tourists are loose, thoughtless people who don't care what anyone thinks
of them. Many Caribbean women for instance would hesitate even to be seen
in public in a bathing suit, yet many tourist women go there walk into a
restaurant in a bathing suit, or even walk around the beach topless. So
just keep in mind that you're a guest in a community, not just a resort.
Anyway, have a good trip...
Vida Barker
Paul Seaby wrote:
>
> My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Rosa
When we were in Dominican Republic about 3 years ago, my daughter had
her entire head done beautifully (about 75 braids) for about $25 US
(they charged per braid)
In Cuba 2 years ago, it cost $15 US
Last year in Mexico it cost $12 Cdn
Don't worry about finding them, they'll find you! My daughter likes to
get it done the day before we come back so it looks really good back
home, and even strangers stop us and ask where she had it done. But alot
of people like it while on vacation as you don't have to worry about
your hair--it's maintenance free.
DebMS
IKhathi wrote:
>One of the things
>foreign tourists don't understand is that people living in the >Caribbean
>are actually pretty conservative, and the tourist tendency to go >down
>there and abandon concerns for propriety they would have if at >home
Well, I agree. When we travel we try not to disregard "the customs of the
country," and we always, still, have a great time and meet wonderful
people! Respect goes far....
Yes, we often do see people anxious to sell their services (braiding) or
crafts or those t-shirts, and sometmes we buy; but the best is when we
make a "connection" with a local person by a handshake or a smile or a
simple conversation. And if we see these people another time/another year,
it's a wonderful thing to be a little less of a "stranger in a strange
land."
All the best to you!
De...@aol.com>> Mardelli Communications <<msd...@worldnet.att.net
~Fortune favors the bold~
Lee Schwartzberg
In article <01bc25ba$9fd4cf00$f85e39cc@pseaby>, "Paul Seaby"
> My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Rosa
Had mine done at Sandals Ocho Rios Jamaica for $20. I think I had about 75
braids. I payed a little more for because I wanted the silver-looking
beads rather than the colored ones. Next time, I'll bring my own beads (I
still have them all) and maybe have it done cheaper. Remember, the smaller
the braid, the harder it will be to take out later. And, it is a real
chore to take them all out. I, too, had it done the day before we went
home - the negative is that your scalp (if you're caucasian) is pale,
while the rest of you is nice and tan. But, if you have it done earlier in
your vacation, you take the risk of burning the h___ out of your scalp!
Lee
Diane Hutchison
In article <01bc25ba$9fd4cf00$f85e39cc@pseaby> "Paul Seaby" <pse...@txdirect.net> writes:
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>From: "Paul Seaby" <pse...@txdirect.net>
>Newsgroups: rec.travel.caribbean,rec.travel.cruises,soc.culture.caribbean
>Subject: Hair Braiding in the Caribbean
>Date: 28 Feb 1997 21:08:52 GMT
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>My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
>have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
>you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
>ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
>my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>Thanks,
> Rosa
My three daughters have their hair braided every year in Barbados and they
all have hair to their shoulders or longer. We get it done on the beach for
$25 US, and it takes about two hours. I would recommend taking your own comb,
protecting your scalp once the braids are in, and take plenty of conditioner.
Have fun on your holiday.
Diane
A. Phelan
In article <leeschw-0303...@206.181.14.102>, lee...@campmor.com
says...
>> have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
>> you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
>> ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
>> my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Rosa
>
>braids. I payed a little more for because I wanted the silver-looking
>beads rather than the colored ones. Next time, I'll bring my own beads (I
>still have them all) and maybe have it done cheaper. Remember, the smaller
>the braid, the harder it will be to take out later. And, it is a real
>chore to take them all out. I, too, had it done the day before we went
>home - the negative is that your scalp (if you're caucasian) is pale,
>while the rest of you is nice and tan. But, if you have it done earlier in
>your vacation, you take the risk of burning the h___ out of your scalp!
>
>Lee
Karla A. Fraser
I will be going to Pureto Rico in three weeks. Is anyone aware of the
cost of getting your hair braid there and could anyone recommend
places. I will be staying in San Juan.
KAF
Eduardo J. Salom
In Article<331C5F...@mail.wsu.edu>, <kfr...@mail.wsu.edu> writes:
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> From: "Karla A. Fraser" <kfr...@mail.wsu.edu>
> Subject: Re: Hair Braiding in the Caribbean
> Sender: ne...@serval.net.wsu.edu (News)
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> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 17:44:55 GMT
> To: Bert Hyman <be...@rsvl.unisys.com>
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soc.culture.caribbean:6795
I returned form San Juan 3 weeks ago :-( but I didn't see there braided hairs.
I saw lots of it in Dominican Republic.
Eduardo.
brownin'
On 1 Mar 1997, Vida Barker wrote:
> Date: 1 MAR 1997 19:41:17 GMT
> From: Vida Barker <vba...@cencol.on.ca>
> Newgroups: rec.travel.caribbean, rec.travel.cruises, soc.culture.caribbean
> Subject: Re: Hair Braiding in the Caribbean
>
> Paul Seaby wrote:
> >
> > My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> > have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> > you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> > ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> > my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Rosa
>
> When we were in Dominican Republic about 3 years ago, my daughter had
> her entire head done beautifully (about 75 braids) for about $25 US
> (they charged per braid)
>
> In Cuba 2 years ago, it cost $15 US
>
> Last year in Mexico it cost $12 Cdn
>
> Don't worry about finding them, they'll find you! My daughter likes to
> get it done the day before we come back so it looks really good back
> home, and even strangers stop us and ask where she had it done. But alot
> of people like it while on vacation as you don't have to worry about
> your hair--it's maintenance free.
>
>
In Nassau, there are many women who braid hair who work along the
beaches. This past Xmas I saw at least 4 or 5 along Cabbage Beach on
Paradise Island and they carry around a photo album to show you pictures
of what you can have done. There is also a braiding section downtown
just off of Bay St. close to where the cruise ships come in. The prices
vary, but for hair done well it could cost you $5/braid, but you can
always bargain with the ladies.
Lisa M Dibert
> In article <01bc25ba$9fd4cf00$f85e39cc@pseaby>, "Paul Seaby" <pse...@txdirect.net> wrote:
>
> >My husband and I will be going to the Caribbean in April. Does any one
> >have any recommendations on where to get my hair braided? I heard that
> >you can get it done on the beach. Is there anything special you need to
> >ask before getting it braided? How much does it cost? Since this will be
> >my first time getting this done, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Last week, while in Nassau, the women walking around were charging $1 -
$2 per braid. They will find you for sure. They will bargain with
you. I finally started to pull my hair up so they would not ask me.
The only reason why I did not do it was because they use the same comb
and supplies on everyone. No cleaning them. Plus, I don't think I
would look good in braids. The kids looked wonderful! There were two
young girls (around 10) that were walking around with their hair braided
and wore those brightly colored hats...they looked wonderful.
Lisa
--
***************************************************************************
Lisa M. Dibert (dib...@math.psu.edu)
http://www.math.psu.edu/dibert/
Staff Assistant, Department of Mathematics
Undergraduate Mathematics http://www.math.psu.edu/UG/
The Pennsylvania State University
107 Whitmore Laboratory
University Park PA 16802
***************************************************************************
Kimberly Ziev
If you can, watch the woman do someone else's hair first. I've seen people
get rather screwed and end up with a sum total of 8 braids on their entire
head.
KFDavis
Unless you live in a very small and very lily-white town in the USA, you
can get your hair braided right here in the good old USA. I assume you
don't know this because you are white rather than Black. Hwere in Detroit,
for example, there are probably about 100-200 large and small businesses
that braid hair, not to mention that another 1-3,000 women do a great job
but usually only for family and friends. I am white and have had my hair
braided with extensions several times by students who go to my college.
The cost is anywhere from "free/.cheap for a friend" up to $200-300 for
styles that take 6-10 hours to do, and that will last (on a kinky
head--mine don't last as liong) up to 3 months.If there are ANY Black
women in your town at all, just stop and ask a few where they got their
hair done, and call there & ask if the braider will do white hair--most
will, since many many African American women have very straight and fine
hair, basically white hair, so Black stylists get used to doing all kinds
of hair, unlike white stylists, who usually can only dio white hair.
Have fun!
Don Carpenter
>I will be going to Pureto Rico in three weeks. Is anyone aware of the
>cost of getting your hair braid there and could anyone recommend
>places. I will be staying in San Juan.
Be careful when getting your hair braided....if you don't wear a hat,
you will get sunburn!
Don Carpenter
j...@netrax.net
http://www.netrax.net/~jo
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