Some people you interview and your first question is the equivalent of lighting a fuse to an awesome fireworks display and you just sit back and enjoy the show. Interviewing Martin Gaffuri was definitely one of those experiences. A three-year-old Martin on a family vacation in the Alps. All photos courtesy of Martin Gaffuri unless otherwise noted.
Can you tell me a little about that? Perhaps the way riots and drug dealing were executed were the closest to beautiful this city could get. Not the best place to grow up. At all. Just like in the mountains, if well taught and guided, the experience can become outstanding. They have had the heavy task of giving me an education to send me through life as well geared up as possible.
To put perspective on the outcome of how good of a job they did at that, I do feel now like I can accomplish anything. So what are some of your earliest memories there? Gaffuri: One of my earliest memories was riding my brand new tricycle. Any other kid would probably have done a few laps outside and gotten bored. I was not like any other kid, which is why I purposely described giving me an education as a heavy task. One last detail, this could last for hours… Had I grown up in the U.
The virtues that you are known for now—boundless energy and enthusiasm—showed themselves from an early age? Gaffuri: Yeah. Outdoor activities were a great way to channel that energy and give my parents a break! It never lasted very long…. Living where I grew up, there were no beautiful mountains or cool beaches to exercise, yet I always seemed capable of finding a way to have my own little adventures.
Two stories deserve to be told to once again illustrate both the immense job my parents had in dealing with me and the limitless troubles I was getting into. I was three when I learned to bike on two wheels, and I loved it. What else could go wrong? I must have been around five, on my daily biking routine when my older neighbor, Elodie , offered to come and bike with me. Any other kid would have enjoyed the company of a friend to play with and ride a few rounds.
