Big City, Bad Movie

In order to make it to a few Andean markets on the right day, on my way from the coast I only had time for one night in Guayaquil. I got into town around 4:00, and immediately after droppping my stuff off in my hotel room, set out to cover the few essential sights in this, Ecuador's biggest city. Less than a decade ago, Guayaquil was not somewhere you'd care to stop thanks to a bad crime problem, but they've made a lot of progress recently and now the riverfront Malecon provides 2km of safe strolling. I walked up to the far north end, to Cerro Santa Anna, a recently refurbished slum. Not sure where the old residents are living now, but it sure looks nice with a new coat of colorful paint. I got to the top just in time to watch the sun set over the city.

Las Penas

I'd wanted to take the big city opportunity to catch a film, and found a Ecuadorian musical from 1950 playing at the Casa de Cultura, but couldn't make it in time for the 7pm start after my other exploring. Disappointed, I settled instead for a megaplex screening of The Happening (M. Night Shyamalan's latest, on which I do not recommend you waste your time). $3 ticket, $5 for popcorn and soda, in English with Spanish subtitles. Not the worst way to spend an evening, but more authentic local experiences lied ahead in the central highlands...