Mmmm, intestine.

Trip Start Sep 15, 2008
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Trip End Jan 01, 2009


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Flag of Ecuador  ,
Tuesday, October 21, 2008

After a short bus ride from Alausi we spent the day sightseeing in Guayanquil.   The city doesn't have the best reputation from travelers or guidebooks.  It's a big modern, busy, bustling city.  Contrary to popular opinion we both really like it.   Most people say the city lacks the old world charm or colonial buildings of Quito.   While it doesn't have those sights, it does have a park full of Iguanas!  In addition it has a really nice walk way along the river, a hot climate, fewer travelers, thousands of ice cream stands, and feels very safe (side note: a friends father was briefly kidnapped at gunpoint here 2 weeks earlier, but we did feel safe).
During the day we walked around the centre of the city, checking out a few plazas and the main market.   The highlight was Guayaquil's Parque Simon Bolivar, which has a turtle pond and hundreds of tame iguanas lounging around.   Some American guys working in Guayanquil were baiting the Iguanas to climb on them with Ritz crackers, and then trying to kiss the Iguana Dinner in Guayaquil
Dinner in Guayaquil
 .   Being so far away from home and not knowing the local language I think the American guys were lonely - poor Iguanas!
After the park we stopped by the main market, where we were harassed to buy whatever they were selling.  Arik ended up buying some board shorts to replace the stolen ones from Canoa. Next we walked along the 2.5km riverfront at sunset just soaking up the atmosphere.

That night we went to highly recommended Paradilla del Nato, a grill house legend.  After a cheap taxi ride into a suburb north of Quayanquil we were there.  We perused the menu and decided on the "Doble Grill".  We sure were surprised when a portable grill came out with 2 steaks, 2 huge pork chops, 6 sausages, and a foot of intestine...not exactly what we were expecting from the double grill...  
After Charis helped out a local family with a picture they bought us both desert!  Great day.

Tomorrow, the Galapagos!
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