Hilton hotels are a five star international chain, so surely the hairdressing salons that they contain should be indistinguishable right?

I wonder if anything in the salon reveals its Ethiopian location.

Maybe the missing handle on the drawer in front of me, or the two light bulbs that need replacing around the mirror gave it away.

The hairdresser glanced at my hair. “Same colour!” he announced as he departed. He reappeared a couple of minutes later, vigorously stirring a generous amount of dark grey gloop in a plastic container.

I wonder if they have skin tests here, maybe not.

A woman sporting a large afro began by applying the gloop all over my hair.

I wonder if I need to be worried about that afro, or that my scalp is now experiencing a tingling sensation.

I reiterated that my appointment was for highlights. The now black gloop that covered my head was left on for a while. As the tingling intensified, it was a relief to have it washed off and blow-dried in all directions.

I knew I had concerns about that afro! I wonder if the carefully flattened pieces of reused foil are for me?

Apparently so and it takes two people to put them randomly in place; blue gloop this time.

I wonder if you can catch anything from brushes and combs passed person to person – must ask Phil. (Note from Phil - yes)

I met a new individual for this wash. That brings the people tally to six so far. I was shown to a chair where I waited for “Michael - he cuts”.

I wonder if they have magazines here, and would I be able to read them?

Michael arrived “How much cut?” he inquired. “Tinish” (small/little) I replied.

I wonder if the removal of two to three centimetres on the first three snips meant he didn’t understand me.

After two hours in the salon I’m sporting Hilton highlights, not a trace of grey hair remains.

Is the result up to UK standards?  No.

Is the cost less than in the UK? Yes considerably.

Was it a relaxing, pampering experience?  ……………maybe next time.