Quito Explorations

This photo was taken at El Cafe de la Vaca (Cow Cafe) just outside of Cotopaxi National Park. It is important only in that this particular restaurant offers amazing food and celebrates the bovine form to a greater extent than any other establishment I've visited before.

On Hoshall's last day in Ecuador, we explored some pockets of Quito that I had so far neglected.  Here, Hoshall has completely embraced the Ecuadorian technique for cooling an overheated midsection. 
 

We visited the museum collections and exhibitions of Oswaldo Guayasamin.  This was one of my favorite days in Quito thus far.  Guyasamin was born and educated in Ecuador.  He enjoyed wealth and fame during his lifetime (a luxury most artists aren't afforded) but dedicated his existence to the celebration of human life and the condemnation of social injustice.  His work boldly presents the issues of persecution and violence in art that is aggressive and blunt.  His messages are not clouded by veils or complexities, but rather accessible to all viewers in a way that relates his work directly to his cause.  He was a champion of indigenous rights, not just in Ecuador but in all parts of the world. I highly recommend further investigation of his art and life.  To start, try this: Guayasamin. 

Guayasamin was an avid collector of pre-Colombian artifacts.  This bird and the figure below are part of his collection. 

From the entrance to the Capilla del Hombre (Chapel of Man), Guyasamin's final masterwork. 

A photo sneakily stolen from inside the exhibit. 
Mantengan encendiada una luz que siempre voy a volver.  ("Leave a light burning for I will always return.")

The Capilla del Hombre is brilliant.  See this for more: http://www.capilladelhombre.com/