William comes from a line of barbers. His father is a barber. Two uncles on his father's side were barbers. His uncle on his mother's side is a barber and his paternal grandfather was a barber. The number of times he has gotten a haircut from someone other than a relative can be counted on one hand. But here we are in Cuenca, Ecuador without a relative in sight and William in dire need of a haircut.
A week or two ago we were sitting in Parque Calderon and two Expat's sitting nearby were discussing haircuts. One proudly stated that there's more expensive places in town, but he goes to a small shop in the alleyway that leads to the rotary plaza and is charged only $2. William also asked our friend Burt where he gets his hair cut. Burt's preferred place is in El Centro and is also charged $2.
When walking along Calle Larga we have often passed by a barbershop called "The Original." It's a traditional barbershop complete with the old-fashioned barber chairs and back bars. Early in the day one of the barbers would often be standing outside catching a little fresh air between customers. William decides this is the place to get his haircut!
A week or two ago we were sitting in Parque Calderon and two Expat's sitting nearby were discussing haircuts. One proudly stated that there's more expensive places in town, but he goes to a small shop in the alleyway that leads to the rotary plaza and is charged only $2. William also asked our friend Burt where he gets his hair cut. Burt's preferred place is in El Centro and is also charged $2.
When walking along Calle Larga we have often passed by a barbershop called "The Original." It's a traditional barbershop complete with the old-fashioned barber chairs and back bars. Early in the day one of the barbers would often be standing outside catching a little fresh air between customers. William decides this is the place to get his haircut!
We walk up to Calle Larga and William pokes his head in the door. There's no one in the chairs and the woman barber welcomes him in. He points to his head and says "pocito", which maybe could have been "solo un poco". She smiles and begins cutting his hair. After a few minutes he wonders if she interpreted his comment as just cut a little off or cut it short, either way it's too late. She takes out a straight raozr to trim around the ears and neck - she's much more wicked with the blade than his father.
Twenty minutes later a smiling William emerges from the shop with a nice haircut and $4 less in his pocket.
Twenty minutes later a smiling William emerges from the shop with a nice haircut and $4 less in his pocket.
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