Al Sabah Hair Dresser

Being near the Taxi Stand in Chaupatiyan means we see a lot of different faces every day. Al Sabah Hair Dresser is right there where the drivers park their cars and wait for passengers. It’s a loud spot in Lucknow, 226003, with horns honking and people shouting all day long. The shop is a bit of a refuge from all that. It’s small and the walls are covered with a few old pictures and a calendar that’s usually a month behind. We get the drivers who need a quick trim before they head out on a long trip, and we get the local shopkeepers from around Chaupatiyan who come in when things are slow. There is always a smell of shaving cream and cheap aftershave in the air. The water is kept in a big plastic bucket in the corner, and the towels are always hanging out to dry on the line out back. It’s a very simple setup. We don't have a receptionist or a fancy booking system. You just walk in, find a spot on the wooden bench, and wait your turn. Sometimes you’re out in ten minutes, and sometimes you’re there for an hour if the talk is good. The light in the shop isn't the best, but we know where everything is by touch now. It’s just a regular place for regular people who live and work around the taxi stand.