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A young Ecuadorian, sells medicinal herbs in the market and paints watercolors in his spare time.
A young Ecuadorian, sells medicinal herbs in the market and paints watercolors in his spare time.
Manuel, a young Ecuadorian, sells medicinal herbs in the market and paints watercolors in his spare time. In search of a better life, he emigrates to Port Chester (New York). Elvira, his wife, intends to join him by sea, but she is shipwrecked. Her plans change after her rescue, and she ends up in Madrid, where she is employed as a nanny. Antonio, the father of the children in her care, discovers her secretly reading a novel from his antique books collection. He slyly labels a passage with a strip of paper, intending for her to read it. Intrigued, Elvira responds by indicating her own phrases in the book. That’s the beginning of an innocent exchange of literary quotes through which love quietly slips in. While Manuel takes refuge in his paintings and herbal remedies on the other side of the world, Elvira finds herself falling for Antonio. When her hopes are dashed through a casual blunder, she seeks to regain her marital home and travels to Port Chester to be with her husband. Confronted by an unexpected tragedy, she discovers the watercolors that Manuel has painted in his solitude. His brushstrokes cut deep into her heart.
Spain, Ecuador and New York
Such an array of locations and watercolours in this picture of a novel!
Three very different places that each play a key role in the story. Location is everything and home is where the heart is.
ECUADOR
Carmen de la Asuncion Monastery – Cuenca, Ecuador.
Sister Felisa invited Elvira, a high school senior at the time, to visit her convent.
City Hall Plaza, Paute, Ecuador
Elvira came to this picturesque town in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes with his grandfather in search of a medicinal plant for his ailments.
USA: Port Chester, N. Y – Corner of Westchester Avenue and Soundview St.
Manuel rents a room in a spacious house full of immigrants trying to get ahead in the land of opportunity.
SPAIN@ Spain’s National Library, Madrid
One Saturday morning she walked with Maria to the National Library to continue her search.
Watercress Park (Parque de los Berros)
Natalia, a Russian girl in her building, has befriended Elvira and seems intent on spending most of her free time with her. One day Natalia suggested that they meet at the park for an important talk.
Destination/location : Ecuador, New York, Madrid Author/guide: José Orlando Castañeda Departure Time: 2000s
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