Language milestones and new friends

These were my trusty barbers back in the hill town. Just 200 feet from my apartment. They spoke zero English and getting the right haircut or shave required some quick learning. As many barber shops across the world, it was good place to sit and hear guys talk. Hours of sitting and struggling to chat turned into some of my best learning time.

A major milestone of my time in the hill town was a late evening conversation during Ramazan. The barbers had broken their fast, there were no customers to interrupt, and it turns out my Hindi gets better late at night. We were able to listen to stories in Urdu, the Muslim variation of Hindi, and discuss what the most important parts were. It was a huge milestone to have a conversation and move towards a main point to be understood.
I miss seeing these guys every day, but they will be my first stop when I need a shave and can get back to the hill town.