Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic is a luxury hotel located in the beautiful city of Hurghada, Egypt. This exquisite resort offers a magical experience to its guests, with state-of-the-art facilities, unparalleled service, and breathtaking views of the Red Sea. The hotel boasts a variety of room options, ranging from comfortable standard rooms to spacious suites. Each room is elegantly furnished and equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable stay for every guest. Guests can indulge in a wide range of culinary delights at the hotel's numerous restaurants and bars. From international buffets to a la carte menus, there is something to suit every taste and preference.

Every goddamn day: 01/16/24

"Let me tell you a story," said Leonel Hincapie, the proprietor and staff of the Magic Scissors Barber Shop in Northbrook. He stopped cutting, and settled himself in a chair across from me.
This was unusual. Not just unusual, unprecedented.
Typically, our conversation begins with my entering the shop, several blocks from my home.
"Hello Leo," I'll say.
Sometimes there will be a customer, usually a man far older than myself. Sometimes not. Sometimes the barber will be in his chair, almost dozing.
"Do you feel like a bit of business, Leo?" I'll say. Or something like that. Then I take my place in the seat, and tell him how I want my hair cut: same as always. That's about it. I'll close my eyes. WFMT plays soft classical music. Occasionally, I will ruminatively pick up a clump of cut hair and blankly examine it. He will say something about the gray. I will chuckle and cast the clump away. The haircut takes a long time, a half hour at least. The warm lather on the back of my neck signals we're reaching the end. Afterward, I thank him.
"Thank you for your art," I'll say.
But this was something different. Leo was sitting across from me, in the customers' chairs. I paid close attention.
"I am from Colombia. " he began—I knew that. What I didn't know is that he grew up on a farm. A coffee farm. He left the farm, he said, and came to America, many years ago.
"Ten years ago, I went back," he continued. To his father's old farm.
"Did you meet anyone you knew?" I asked.
No. But the coffee trees were still there. And he carefully collected 20 beans from the trees located on his father's old farm.
Back in Northbrook, he planted the beans.
"Nineteen of those 20 beans died," he recalled.
But one lived.
He showed off a tree in the corner of the shop, lush and dark green, maybe five feet high.
That was it. I got up, still wearing the barber's drape, admired the tree, and congratulated him on it. Then I sat back down. He continued with my haircut.
Not much of a story, I suppose, as far as stories go. Not heavy on plot. But I have thought about it since then, maybe because it is so simple, so enigmatic.
And it does have a point, and the point is this:
The tree lived. The 19 others didn't. But this one did. Not only that, but it was a coffee tree in the corner of a sleepy barber shop in Northbrook. How many times over the years have I sat next to that tree, thumbing through Chicago magazine, waiting my turn? Never realizing that the plant next to me was a precious memento of a South American boyhood, long ago.
Now I know. And so do you.

7 comments:

As a young man, many years ago, i loved to listen to the older steel workers tell their stories, after a few shots and beers.
The old black guys from the south. The Polish immigrants who would scold me for not taking advantage of the education offered in "bootiful America". The stories and lessons they shared with the the married too young teenager, were always fascinating to me. As if they were sharing their own success and failures as life lessons. 40 years later i can still remember thsir names and faces - and the stories they told. And sometimes wish i had followed their advice. Reply Delete

Real barber chairs, unlike the less substantial seats at the chains, the cracked leather from years of use, in sync with the skin of the owners head. Reply Delete

My wife's hair stylist began cutting her hair in 1978, and I began seeing him 14 years later. That was long enough for him to become a friend. He served us coffee laced with booze, or sometimes just the booze. We traded so many stories over the years, about growing up in Cleveland and Chicago. He and I both came from dysfunctional families with abusive fathers, so we got a good deal of mileage from that subject, and even managed to have more than a few laughs about our histories, as well. He did us favors. installed a ceiling fan, solved computer problems, sold us a clothes dryer, and more.

The guy always led a busy and active life, as a community activist and a rock musician and a member of a band, in addition to his hair salon. But two years ago, he began looking more haggard than usual. In August, he could barely cut our hair, and did not look well. By October, he was too ill to work. Four agonizing months later, he was dead of colon cancer. There was a tremendous outpouring of grief in his community. He was, and is, missed by too many.

In his final days, he taught us this urgent life lesson: When your physician says you're as healthy as a horse and that your vegan lifestyle makes routine colonoscopies unnecessary--it's time to find another doctor. Our dear friend was only 62. Reply Delete

Magic Scissors Beauty Salon in Myrtle Beach , SC

If you're obsessed with your hair, then Magic Scissors Beauty Salon in Myrtle Beach is the place for you. The talented team of stylists and colorists at Magic Scissors Beauty Salon are true hair devotees who live and breathe hair care. Whether you need a trim, a new style, or a change in color, the skilled professionals at Magic Scissors Beauty Salon can help you transform your look.

With years of experience in the hair care industry and a long-standing presence in the local community, Magic Scissors Beauty Salon has a strong track record of helping their clients look their best. The salon is known for its excellent customer service and commitment to innovation, which is why it has earned a reputation as one of the top-rated salons in the area.

In addition to their dedication to providing high-quality services, Magic Scissors Beauty Salon is also committed to customer satisfaction. The staff go out of their way to make every client feel welcome and comfortable, and are always happy to answer questions and offer advice on how to best care for your hair.

Magic Scissors Beauty Salon takes strict hygiene measures to ensure the safety of both its clients and team, including thorough sanitization of tools and equipment between use and adherence to all local COVID-19 guidelines. Additional safety measures, such as providing hand sanitizer for use upon arrival, have also been implemented.

To see a full list of services offered by Magic Scissors Beauty Salon , including haircuts, coloring, and conditioning treatments, visit 4729A US Highway 17 Bypass South, in Myrtle Beach . Appointments can be made by calling the salon directly or booking online through the website. The salon's friendly and helpful staff are happy to assist with scheduling and can help you choose the best services for your needs. They offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy clients and accept a variety of payment methods for your convenience.

If you have any queries, remarks or feedbacks, feel free to contact the salon directly by giving them a call at +1 (843) 691-0028.

From international buffets to a la carte menus, there is something to suit every taste and preference. The talented chefs at Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic are renowned for their exquisite creations, using the finest ingredients to ensure a gastronomic experience like no other. When it comes to leisure activities, this hotel truly has it all.

Magic Scissors Beauty Salon Services

• Hair salon

Magic Scissors Beauty Studio in Racine, WI

From Business: Check out our website for our salon specials. Black friday is our Open House! 9am to 7:00 pm. 20% off all aveda products that day only.

There are various swimming pools, including a heated pool for the colder months, where guests can relax and soak up the sun. For those who prefer the beach, the hotel provides direct access to a private sandy beach, complete with sun loungers and umbrellas. To keep guests entertained, Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic offers a wide range of water sports activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing. There are also plenty of land-based activities, including tennis, beach volleyball, and a fully-equipped fitness center. For families traveling with children, the hotel has a kids' club that offers a multitude of activities to keep the little ones entertained. From arts and crafts to games and sports, there is never a dull moment for children at Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic. Overall, Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic offers a magical experience for its guests. With its luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, and abundance of activities, this hotel is the perfect choice for those seeking a truly memorable vacation in Hurghada..

Reviews for "Experience the Ultimate Beachfront Luxury at Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my stay at the Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic. The hotel was extremely overcrowded and it felt like there were just too many people for the facilities to handle. The pool was always packed and it was impossible to find a sunbed. The food was also a letdown, with limited options and poor quality. On top of that, the staff seemed overwhelmed and were not very helpful. Overall, I would not recommend staying at this hotel if you are looking for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

2. John - 1 star - My experience at the Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic was terrible. The hotel was outdated and in desperate need of renovations. The room we were given had a moldy smell and the furniture was worn out. The air conditioning barely worked and the room was constantly too hot. We also had issues with the cleanliness of the bathroom, with dirty towels and hair on the floor upon arrival. The staff was unprofessional and unresponsive to our complaints. I would advise avoiding this hotel and finding a better option in Hurghada.

3. Amy - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The overall cleanliness of the hotel was not up to standard, with dirty hallways and stained carpets. The food at the buffet was lackluster and often cold. The Wi-Fi was also extremely slow and unreliable. The only positive aspect was the beach, which was beautiful and well-maintained. However, this alone does not make up for the other shortcomings. I would suggest looking elsewhere for accommodations in Hurghada.

Experience the Aquatic Wonders of Steigenberger Hurghada Aqua Magic