Guayaquil

Crab night was phenomenal, hands down the best thing I've eaten since I've been here. There is a place in Guayaquil where all the locals go and work for their food. Lined up inside are live crabs just waiting to be cooked. They are all tied together and piled up so they can't get away but alive, it's a bit creepy but fascinating! You are given a slab of wood and a mallet to crack open the crab then some rice and salsa to eat with it. I learned shortly after ordering that if you pay a bit more you can get the dish already prepared, after being splattered with crab water and working fifteen minutes to get a few bites I ordered the ready made dish and wow what a treat! I love me some crab, mmmmm that's another thing I'll need more of when I get home.








The guys played at a place called Diva Nicotina that was situated steps away from an enormous river (Guayas), brown and very fast. These stairs were intimidating but I couldn't help but wonder what was at the top so Jimmy and I took the challenge. 444 steps later we reached the top and found a small chapel and a breathtaking view of the city. Nothing like a little Rocky work out to get your blood pumping.













Later that evening we made some new friends at the club and enjoyed some good music and food. It's amazing how friendly and accepting people are here, each performance has been met by a welcoming audience (if only more would dance).



The next morning we headed for Parque Seminario (otherwise knows as iguana park) to see what it was all about. In one corner of the park several large iguanas fraternize with turtles and pigeons. Food is brought in by locals which I'm assuming keeps them there, quite strange really to just see them roaming around and coming within a few feet (I guess this will have to tide me over until I'm able to afford a Galapagos tour). One thing we learned during our visit is to never walk under a tree full of iguanas. Unfortunately Garrett was the victim of a full bladder. I was too busy dodging the bullet to notice how big this particular iguana was but I think it may have had the bladder of a horse!! Lesson learned :)


Below is a group of homes and buildings situated at the top of the city, unfortunately I didn't take the picture at the right time of day but the colors and lack of privacy are quite the view. The last picture is one of my favorites, I love the old people here! The age span of workers here is crazy, the tiniest children are out selling and shining shoes as well as the oldest of old are trying to make a buck.


All in all Guayaquil was not our favorite but an experience non the less, we are happy to be out of the city even though we have only be transported back to another city (Quito). Tomorrow is our last day here before boarding a plan around midnight. The volcanic eruption has not affected us at all and hopefully it will stay that way. We have been so busy and on the go that we haven't been able to do any shopping so tomorrow is dedicated to looking for some fun souvenirs, wish us luck!!