My landlady Donña Guadalupe, or Lupe as her friends call her, turned 69 yesterday. She had a bbq in the garden with friends all afternoon and I joined in the evening when I came back from a long walk around town. It was a really artistic and joyful party of old friends, her children’s friends still living in the neighbourhood and family. People were reciting poems in Quechua, Spanish, English, German and Russian. To my shame I could not remember any poems myself, but I was able to translate a German one into Spanish. I met artists who will have exhibitions soon and I can’t wait to go and learn more about the contemporary art scene in Quito.
It has become more important to do things independently of Luz and Mikey as well, as we see each other so much for work that our friendship has become strained. So a weekend of walking around town, connecting with friends online and Lupe’s party were a perfect occasion for me to gain a little independence in Quito and establish my own circles too.
In a week my childhood friend Anna is coming to Ecuador for three weeks. Her boyfriend is from Ecuador and she comes here once a year now, it is an amazing coincidence that brings us together in this country so far from Austria, where we went to school together. She will create a short movie and I will be starring in it. I have warned her that my acting experience is very limited, but she has confidence in me, which is very nice. She has already won prizes with her work internationally, so I am also really looking forward to seeing how short movies are made.
Here are a couple of pictures with a view of my garden, where the bbq took place. It is a very peaceful little place full of light (more light than on these pictures : ). I am very lucky to live in La Floresta, as it is quite close to the centre of Quito, while being clean, quiet and safer than many other parts.
Hope you are having a great start to the new decade!
Love
Chiara