Guayaquil

I arrived in Guayaquil late on Friday after a looong day of travel, and had a few days to settle in before going to the Galapagos.  It is hot, humid, and uncomfortable here ... and I am loving it.  Goodbye, Sacramento winter.

I thought about taking a tour to orient myself to Guayaquil, but although it is a large city, it was not hard to walk around by myself.  On Saturday, I headed for the malecon (river walk) and joined the weekend throngs in strolling.



Then I headed back into the city where I discovered that the traffic is terrible - complete gridlock.  Walking looked better and better.

Like most Latin cities, there is a cathedral with a park in front.  But this park is a bit unique as it is inhabited by land iguanas.

It was a busy Saturday in the cathedral.  First I attended a wedding and then a christening.  No food served, unfortunately, so I wasn't much of a wedding crasher.

Then it was back to the malecon where Pepsi is sponsoring Christmas.  Besides the giant tree, there are food booths, rides for the kids, and several nativity scenes.  Papa Noel (Santa) sits on a stage wearing a blue suit.  Children sit on his lap and their parents take pictures.  No need to pay Santa's elves for the privilege of a picture.  Of course, Pepsi sponsors Santa as well.  The sign says:  De: Pepsi, Para: Ti.  From Pepsi for you.

At night there was a parade with floats and dancers.  I'm not sure that I have seen a nighttime parade before.  All of the floats were decorated with lights, as were the dancers and musicians.  The streets and buildings here are not decorated with Christmas lights, but the parade was a moving Christmas light show.  The first float, of course, was a manger scene, but then they got pretty creative:  white Christmas with Frosty, the Polar Express, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Peter Pan.  They must have some different traditions here.  I do hear all the "traditional" Christmas songs such as I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Frosty the Snowman.  It never ceases to amaze me how the concept of snow at Christmas time has taken over, even in warm climates.

On Sunday I headed in the other direction on the Malecon.  First I visited the Guayaquil Miniature Museum where I learned the history of Guayaquil.  More interesting than I would have thought, and a good Spanish lesson as I read all of the explanations in Spanish.  Sometimes I cheated, however, and listened to the English narration.  The most disturbing thing that I learned:  The Spanish headed for Quito and the mountains because they wanted gold and silver.  Guayaquil on the coast was a backwater - poor and subject to constant raids from pirates.  The worst raid was carried out by a pirate named ... wait for it ... Picard.  Say it ain't so, Jean Luc.  What was Gene Roddenbury thinking?

Then I headed for Cerro Santa Ana (Santa Ana Hill) with its colorful buildings and lighthouse on top with 360 degree views of the city.  There are 444 steps to the top, helpfully numbered so you know how far you have to go.  The numbers are for everyone, but the Pepsi Light (South American DP) is all mine, although at only 400 ml, it is barely a sip.  And the 444 does not count the 50 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  I had to count them myself.  Apparently Cerro Santa Ana used to be a pretty sketchy neighborhood, so now there are security guards all along the route.  There are also benches conveniently placed at frequent intervals.  All in all, a very pleasant walk and view.

And that was Guayaquil.  Today I waded into the crowded local markets to pick up a few last minute things, and tomorrow morning I am off to the Galapagos.