Quito Ecuador-meeting a special guest at the Guayasamín Exhibition.

Meeting a special guest at the Guayasamín Exhibition

AS part of the presentation, the Spanish Ambassador made some remarks along with comments by some other people involved in the art community.  The television cameras were rolling.  I was pretty much distracted by the lady in the fish net blouse that was standing in front of me. 

After the presentation, Manolo introduced me to several famous artists that he knew.  Here in the first photo is one of his friends from the art world.  Manolo is on the left.

In the second photo his friend is autographing the back of a guest’s shirt.

Manolo also introduced me to the well known artist, Miguel Bettancourt, who told me his daughter was doing PhD work at M.I.T.  Miguel invited me to visit his art gallery, but I told him I was running out of time in Quito.  I would catch him the next time.  Manolo then introduced me to Guayasamín’s daughter, Berenice Guayasamín.

We stepped outside where there was a very large wine tasting event on the grass.

 It was during this time, I noticed a man in a wheelchair  to whom many people were speaking.  Manolo told me the gentleman was the Secretary of Anti-Corruption for all of Ecuador, Sr. Alfredo Vera Arrata.  Manolo knew him and asked me if I wanted to meet him.  Of course, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity!

 Manolo went over and spoke to him and then motioned me over.   As we approached, I noticed four big, burly, steely-eyed bodyguards standing around the Secretary.  They were all staring at me with suspicion.  I finally realized I wasn’t doing myself any favors by being the only gringo in the crowd approaching the Secretary of Anti-Corruption with my hands in my raincoat pockets.  The large bulges under the bodyguards suit coats told me those weren’t cell phones they were packing!  When I stepped forward, one of them unbuttoned his coat.  I was hoping he was just getting a phone out to call his mom. 

I quickly leaned over and in Spanish told the Secretary what a pleasure it was to meet him.  He asked me what I was doing in Ecuador and I told him I was studying Spanish and living in Manolo and Zaida’s house.  He wished me luck and told me to study hard.  I felt like I had just met the Pope!

Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net

To read about my other travels click here

Next-visiting the great statue of El Panecillo

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