CHRONICLES OF THE HAIRGYPSY
2
3
“My name is Jerome Wiersma better known as the hairgypsy365, a freelance hairdresser from Christchurch, New Zealand. I’m setting off to travel the world for 365 days cutting and styling hair while creating awareness and raising funds for the 21 houses Habitat for Humanity is building in Christchurch this year as part of the city rebuild. Im starting of my adventure on May 14th in Buenos Aires, where I will go on to spend 3 months exploring South America before heading up to New York City, onward to Europe for the Winter via Reykjavik, Iceland, then finishing up with a leg on the Trans— Siberian through to Beijing! Throughout my journey I’ll be teaming up with different Habitat for Humanity branches, getting involved with volunteering in there local projects. I’ll be meeting and staying with local people all through the use of Couchsurfing, cutting and styling hair where ever it
may be (seaside, on a boat, ski field, at your house or on the roadside) learning about the diverse culture and customs of hair across the globe. It should all make for some pretty intriguing stuff to keep in touch with! I’ll be doing haircuts in return for donations to Habitat for Humanity’s 'Hand—up for Christchurch' project as well as the odd heads up on local must see’s, do’s and eats. But as well as this i’ll be relying on donations from all of you following my great pilgrimage! All of these funds will also go directly to Habitat for Humanity.”
4
5
87/365
“Paracas beach what a beautiful place no problems with cutting and styling hair at all! After going on a boat tour and the word getting out there was a hairdresser on board it was haircut time! Well supported by the locals and also some backpackers Haircuts galore!�
6
91/365 Mancora, Dominique
87/365 Paracus, Peru
7
Eyes full of water and a Heart full of passion “This is art. not everyone can understand that. Along time ago someone said 'From today on the Bulgarian descendants have history and we become a nation'. But what kind of people did we become? Do we respect each other or not? Why is that? Should someone from outside contribute? No! What we do here and now is all theirs going to be. Its like waiting for something to fall from the sky. We are capable of many things, but lets choose the good things and leave the bad aside. When someone notices something wrong with our actions and decides to help us, lets not be upset about it. Because we should learn from them and move forward, not backwards. The car has reverse for us to turn around when we need to. But we don't need that and don't need to do that. For us reverse is not necessary. It was written — Forward Towards the Freedom! So what are we now that we are free? What are we doing? What do we contribute to that freedom today? Who are we useful for? to ourselves only or to many others as well? Anyone that doesn't want to listen can leave. I have only basic education, I don't have the vocabulary to speak a lot but I know this: Humans are the most valuable beings on this planet and should be respected not because they deserve to, but because they have to be respected. Without humans is there going to be anything? What will be there? Air. There`ll be no buildings, no roads and so on. I wish that all people are healthy and live a long life. To strive forward to look forward to be mindful, careful with their own actions. Because amongst Bulgarians there's this small weakness — to insult. Afterwards some of us apologize, but that's not really necessary. What really is important is that we should be careful not to insult and instead to appreciate. What else can I say to you?... Young and old. All the best to you young guys.”
8
192/365 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
“Today I had the opportunity of cutting this mans hair. You wouldn't believe what happened after I finished. Long scruffy hair I'd say 4 or 5 months since his last tidy up. He doesn't speak english, so it was a pretty quiet job, it was translated for me at the beginning that he has a daughter who is a hairdresser, and she has told him he has to pay $10 for a haircut if he wants it done with her, and he has no money so this wasn't an option. Of course I told him to take a
seat and it would be my pleasure to restyle him. After finishing his haircut, there was a crowd of around 30 that had gathered, I finished removed the cape and presented them with my finished haircut, they all clapped and I thought it was over. But no, He stood up and gave a speech. What blows me away, is the power of a simple haircut. First a group of 30 people walking in the street had stopped to see the most basic of things that we all do every 4—8 weeks. Second of all how this man was able to feel strong
9
enough to address the crowd. He was Honest, Open and showed complete Humility. A man seen walking in the street and looked like he had nothing. He walked away with a new haircut and a group of people willing to listen and at the end gave him a standing ovation. Eyes full of water and a heart full of passion. This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my trip so far and something I could have never imagined witnessing or happening whilst 'just cutting hair'.”
105/365 Machu Piccu, Peru
230/365 Barcelona, Spain
10
230 /365
“After finding our feet in Barcelona we managed to stumble across this top spot with a view over the city not long before sunset. I pulled out my pouch and threw on my cape and thought not bad.�
11
“So I got asked by a friend back home today How come you are only up to 253 days, there isn't that much time left untill your come home in may. Well here is my answer: After visiting 20 countries in just over 10 months, in 60 different cities, and staying in 65+ different beds Not to mention, 7 different timezones, 4 continents, and 18 different Languages, and believe it or not I am travelling by myself on a budget. Maybe if I had access to hotels, a steady stream of Wifi and a shit load more cash it would have made updates easier, it has been winter all year for me if you haven't noticed I have been following winter, not intentionally but thats the way it has worked out. As now I am heading to India, my objective is to be outside in the sunshine and to cut as much hair as I can. I will not be coming home untill I have achieved my goal of 365 haircuts in 365 days and I am hoping with your help and your family and friends we can also raise some money for Habitat for Humanity. It Hasn't been easy chasing my tail around the world, I have had some incredible times that have truely shaped me as a person and have challenged the way I think and has made life all the more interesting, I have sat down at peoples dinner table and shared a meal, I have stood on the side of the road with 5 euros to my name and hitch Hiked as far as they could take me, I've stayed with Drug dealers, as you would call them, but for me they are all just people. I had to put my Judges hat away and had to be open to people and believe in Humanity. And well I feel I have been well looked after thats for sure, and wow Humans are amazing People! If you have the chance to get outside your comfort zone sometime, I urge you to try it, you never know you might have some fun, don't be afraid to pop that precious bubble you are in!! When I look back I was probably crazy to think I could raise $365,000 for this incredible cause, But hey atleast I got out of my bubble, my comfort zone and had a crack at it, and I tell you what I am not giving up. So please get on board share some positive vibes share the word and she'll all be lovely duvely.�
12
117/365 Amsterdam, Netherlands
229/365 London, United Kingdom
13
272/365 Nepal, Pokhara
306/365, Rishikesh, India
14
266/365 Kathmandu, Nepal
291/365 Taj Mahal, India
15
“Dust yourself off and keep on rolling. A piece from my Diary. 29th April 2015 After arriving here in India, my initial 10 days I was lucky to see one other Westerner. The sights sounds and smells and the dust completely shocked me. The dogs, cows, the shit and burning rubbish, guys pissing and spitting in the street. The constant eyeballing, at one point being stared at for 40 minutes while I was waiting to catch a train. In small town india visiting my friends family amid all the chaos I walked around being stared at like an Alien. It's like id fallen from the sky and landed myself on Mars. The spitting not to mention the photos, selfies continued badgering, where are you from? Are you married? 'Come look in my shop' buy this buy that can I have some money beggers for food just everything! Men's complete and utter disregard of women, where were the women, it was like they where ghosts, it was like going back in time to a place I never new existed, or was possible for humans to survive. The educated tossing there curry rubbish straight out the window of the train, it was like they enjoyed living in this dump. Is this really our Earth? On the streets surrounded by people everywhere there was just no breaks no time to rest, well for some there was no where else for them but to take refuge but on the street. Homeless deformed and starving, kids with no clothes. The constant noise pollution, scooters horns and shouting. Eleven and a half months traveling being away from home I'd never felt further away from home and I have never been like this, walking around confused and angry I have seen some shit, but this well India you are your own world my darling. I had never once wanted to leave go home or get out I hated it and there were tears. Not only of confusion but also of happiness, to be treated like a king in a family, to have never ever felt so much of a part of a family than my own. They gave me everything, a place to stay, the most amazing food. Bus tickets, train tickets gifts for my son and hugs like a real family does. It was beautiful but hard to receive, for all I hoped was to be accepted. They didn't want me to leave. Then finally there was that moment where I really appreciated my home the place I was fortunate to be born in, for we have no choice it is only a matter of luck. To have that fresh air clean water and space to walk free. I had the chance to move on to Rishikesh and meet that only other westerner I had met that day in Agra. She also was from New Zealand. A sense of home in the middle of no where. With a bottle of 'Tea' and 4 days of reflection I had arrived in shock and left in peace. In the mercy of the wonder of this old world, In-
16
dia. To understand that life is something to be treasured to take it as it comes and to just enjoy the opportunity I have just to be here and observe. After all I have a ticket out but them there fate isn't so lucky. India you have challenged me emotionally and personally on a level I could never have expected, you have sucked me in and all I wanted was to get out. But honestly there is so much more to you I want to learn and there is so much more to learn your culture is deep and rich your people are confusing but kind and I need to dig deeper in me to get more out of you. I will one day return to continue on another level with a crash course covered and an open heart! I can see the peace light and love it's just taking some scratching to find. Untill next time......�
343/365 Surfers Paradise, Australia
17
365/365 “All good things come to an end..... Thank you all so much to old friends new friends and everyone who has supported me this year! I feel I'm still the same old hairy stinky gypsy but with a few epic stories to tell. It would be great to see you all at my coming home charity auction party on the Monday the 25th may at mama Hooch look out for the invite and I'll post it below, it's an open invitation to anybody who would like to come enjoy a good night of stories laughs and an auction to finish this thing off!! Peace love and light always. Jerome Wiersma� To donate, please visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/haircuttingworldtourforhabitat
18
350/365 Gold Coast, Australia
355/365 Christchurch, New Zealand
19