ECUADOR
GUAYAQUIL
It's been 27 years since I've been in this Country, Ecuador. Much has changed. The city, Guayaquil is much more modern in so many ways. Cleaner, more efficient, better organized. There are still areas that seem like they have not changed much, older buildings and such, but there is self-respect by the city people. There is NO graffiti (as in Santiago) and the streets are very clean. I remember my first time here, when I was 17, I saw a dead dog in the gutter as we drove to the Center, and it stayed there for about 2 weeks. Today that would NOT happen.
Here are some shots of the city:
Monument to Sucre and Bolivar, the Liberators
A street view of Las Peñas. A hillside of home that used to be for the poor of the poor, but now has become renovated and a tourist attraction. At the very top is a "faro" or lighthouse. It's 444 steps up to the lighthouse, then a climb to the very top. But from there you can see all around the city. Amazing views.
Here are some shots going UP las Peñas and some of the hundreds of steps. After a couple weeks with a virus, I was pretty winded going up. Told Carlos (our driver) that I had to stop to take pictures - but it was really an excuse to catch my breath. The air seemed heavy, too .. humid and smoggy. That probably didn't help.
Below are photos of the Palma home. It's still beautiful and well-kept. There are a lot more antiques, artworks, and other items than before. When I walked in, I was flooded with memories. Every little corner seemed to tell me a story. It seems so clean compared to where we stayed in Chulucanas, Perú, the last couple weeks. Dirt dust is not everywhere here.
Entryway Livingroom
"my" bedroom - sunny and breezy!
Mom & my artwork "Bebe" - one of Patti's Schnauzers
To SALINAS:
We spent last weekend in Salinas at the "beach house".
The highway there is modern and cuts the travel time in half.
Yet, again, some other things don't change (riding in the back of trucks!)
SHOTS of SALINAS now:
SHOTS of SALINAS now:
Fishermen on the beach early in the morning. We purchased FRESH (couldn't be fresher) Lisa. The fish were still jumping in the boat! We purchased 8 for about 3 dollars!
Lisa asada for lunch! (Fried "lisa" fish - in English: mullet)
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*Traveling Artist Website: TravelingArtista.com
