But there they were Freddie, Laurene, and Evan the filmer. As we got more acquainted in the taxi back to the apartment we made small conversation as I just looked in aw as I new I already loved the city, because it looked like the after effects of Armageddon. I was shown the apartment and we went out to buy knives!

Being something I would have done anywhere I was pumped to get my blade. We walked in the store and within 15 seconds I found my baby. Black with a little silver button that flipped that blade open as if it were happy to see me. After I bought Jasmine we went back to the apartment to get ready ato go out. Freddie and Evan ran into some guys saying they were putting on an art show. So they threw that idea at us and I was in. So off to No Lugar (no place) we went. We caught a taxi which by the way drives 87 miles an hour through tiny narrow streets honking at everything. Another mile an hour and we would have ended up in 1955 playing Johnny Be Good at our parents’ Enchantment Under the Sea dance.

We were walked through a small set of stairs leading into a small alley way….I held onto Jasmine pretty tight. The alley way lead to an amazing view of the city light up like thousands of gold coins spilled and sparkling. To the left of the alley was an open door which had posters that had porn covers painted on in a different aspect….Although the art was pretty good I think that little Colombian artist was just perving as he drew it all. We went back out to the deck area and mingled with the locals. Well Freddie and Evan did; I just stood there pretending I knew why they were laughing. After about an hour we decided to take off and go get some food.

As we headed back to where we lived – Santa Clara – I started to get tired until I read a sign that read pizza and a coke $1.50. As we ate our pizza Evan began to give me a rundown about these party buses you can rent out basically to just show off and drive through the city. We finished our food and left walking aimlessly through the town. My mind was still on this damn party bus and wouldn’t you know it here one comes blasting awful music and people shouting. I could only stare because I was in shock. My dream for the night was about to come true, well I thought so at least. We crossed the street and before anyone said anything I ranced (ran danced) after the bus as it stopped on the side of the road. I stared at the “security” guard with confidence and a huge smile making gestures to let me on.

Then BOOM I was on and IT was also on. I looked back just to see if anyone else wanted to share my excitement when I see Evan with a big smile running after the bus. The bus stopped but I sure didn’t. Like I said it was on I just danced in the middle of everyone. As Evan climbed on so did Freddie and Laurene. Not thinking and not meaning to, I danced on some girl who turned out to be a fairly large man’s lady. Still filled with euphoria I was Johnny noodle legging that entire bus up and down until I felt a bear claw on my shoulder. Smiling I looked back – at the moment I thought it was Satan – but ended up just being the girl’s boyfriend. Yelling at me in Spanish I couldn’t help but laugh because of the situation. Satan didn’t like this and pushed me. As Evan began to reach for the camera, Bear’s girlfriend and a few others began to kick us all out. We turned around in defeat until Evan saw a girl he met the previous day and she was pumped and invited us all back on. But the damage was done and Satan bear was not having it.

Although that night was a lost battle the war of the party bus has just been declared by yours truly. And if Bear satan is on again he better be prepared for some Johnny noodle legs. -REMPTION-

Last week we had the chance to visit a place that has proved to be my favorite art museum in the world.  From scanning my  guide book for stuff to see in Quito I came across this place which was said to be an amazing collection of work by arguably Ecuador’s most famous painter, Osvaldo Guayasamin.  Admittedly, I don’t know too much when it comes to Latin American art but we took a cab to the picturesque neighborhood of Bellavista and delved into the work of the famed artist.  His work deals mainly with the pain and suffering that was imposed on the indigenous man by the conquistadors not just in Ecuador but in all of  Latin America.  His work is larger than life, full of somber scenes depicting the struggle of the working class throughout the centuries.  The chapel which was completed in 2002, is also a fantastic work of art in its own right as it was designed to convey the same sense of reverence that one would feel when they enter a church or other place of worship.  Here are some of the pieces I thought best captured Guayasamin and his spirit.

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