The Barber of Quito – Don Alfredo Salazar Bravo

His voice is low. His hair always slicked back. His white apron spotless. While he waits for another customer to take to his elegant barber’s chair, he peruses the day’s newspaper. Don Alfredo been a hairdresser for almost 70 years. A lifetime. His life.

He says that his scissors haven’t changed since he began all those years ago. He takes special care of the tools of his trade, his knives, scissors and combs, but particularly of his health and steady-hand, which have sustained his livelihood for some 85 years.

He opens his barber’s shop, Amazonas, every day at 9.45. It began life in a room in the basement of the Cathedral, but since 1962 has occupied one of the curious shops that are ensconced into the front the Presidential Carondelet Palace, one of those lovely lairs which invariably catches the eye of the passerby.

Don Alfredo inherited his trade from his grandfather. Most of his brothers are also barbers. He says it runs in the blood. However, of his eight children, seven men and one woman, one the daughter was interested in becoming a beautician, so Don Alfredo, with a certain dose of melancholy, says he has had to accept he will be the last male of his family to exercise his trade, while his daughter continues the tradition.

As well as being renowned for their skills with cut-throat razors and scissors, the four other barbers at the Amazonas are known for having served several famous people down the years, from politicians, clergymen, army offices. Former presidents – who afterall would not have to go far for a short-back-and-sides – have also been trusted clients, including Camilo Ponce Enríquez and José María Velasco Ibarra. For those in a hurry, the barbers of the Amazonas have picked up their tools and headed over to the palace itself to attend their needs.

The presidential cuts today are a thing of the past, but the shop’s clientele continues to be loyal, recognising the value of years of tradition, dedication and professionalism.