We have all heard of the Barber of Seville … and we have all seen the Barber of Ajijic on Colon just before coming to the old church. His name is Francisco and at age 55, he is already the grandfather of 10. Francisco is a devoted husband to Genoveva Reyes of Chapala and loving father of their four children, Juan, Javier, José and Monica. Francisco is proud of his family, but there is still another side to our Barber, he is a professional musician. Let’s start at the beginning.
Francisco Aguayo Rodrigues was born on May 11, 1944 in the village of Nochistlan, Zacatacas. He started out there as an apprentice barber under the tutelage of Alfredo Melchor.
A friend convinced Francisco to come to Chapala, where he worked for one month as a gardener for Gonzales Gallo, who then was the Governor of Jalisco. Cutting grass was good for making money, but Francisco wanted to cut hair. So, he got in touch with Francisco Gutierrez, the owner of a barbershop in Chapala, where he worked for two years.
In 1965 Francisco became employed at the barber shop in Ajijic, where we find him to this day, He purchased the shop 20 years ago and has never looked back. Imagine the stories Fransico has heard in his 35 years in this one location. Here is one for the books.
José Ramos was the Mayor of Ajijic in the sixties. He was disturbed by a particularly scruffy population that was moving into his community, “hippies”. They were ordered by Ramos to have their hair and beards cut by guess who, Francisco. This must have been a real boon to his business. Although some of those “hippies” may have turned out to be famous people, Francisco is honored to say he used to cut the hair of Neil James, a well-known businesswoman, who donated land that became the home of the Lake Chapala Society. Another of his famous customers was Salvador Padilla, the owner of Pepsi in those days.
Business was not always good. In the beginning, times were slow, which often discouraged the Barber. One day, while cutting the hair of Ramon Barba, then acting as the village priest. Barba’s response was, “Be patient, this town will be a gold mine in 10 years.”
“Los Bohemios” is a local quartet hired to play at the gazebo in the plaza, at parties, weddings and other locations. There are two guitars, one base and a requinto (a romantic sounding 5-stringed instrument). Francisco plays the guitar and sings. The group met and was formed at the barbershop 35 years ago. The original four men are still together and still adore making music. One has to wonder about the group’s name, “Los Bohemios”. Could it have anything to do with Francisco’s “hippy” friends?
Business is good now. Francisco cuts men’s hair for 30 pesos. For women, rates vary, while a child’s haircut goes for 25 pesos. House-calls are double across the board. The Barber told us of a client he has been serving at home for the past 25 years. Today our Barber is happy and at peace. He loves his job, family, friends and his music. Eyes twinkling with joy, he left us with these parting words, “I want to cut hair until I drop dead!”
