Voces del Prado

My three occupations

Luis Lapausa Arango, General Operations Service Technician (Carpenter), 1960-2008

My name is Luis Lapausa Arango. I use both my surnames because I wish to acknowledge my mother too. I started out at the Prado Museum on November 15, 1960. Nearly everyone in my day was recommended by relations who were already in. At the time my aunt worked there cleaning and she suggested that I come by: "There are vacant posts if you want to work at the Museum." And I said, "Me? If it were another museum such as the Army Museum, of course I would go, because it would be entertaining for me, but what am I supposed to do in a museum filled with paintings?" Anyway, I was interviewed together with a colleague whose aunt also worked as a cleaner and we both got in. Sánchez Cantón, the concierge who introduced us, came by and we went out to the portal. There he told us, "Both of you are staying." I started out as an elevator operator and after finishing my military service I returned as a watchman. I cannot remember how many years I spent there as a watchman. Later I went to work with the carpenters and said, "I'm staying on as a carpenter--that's my occupation," and there I remained as a carpenter until retirement.