Is it a coincidence that, the day after the American election, the first email in my inbox this morning was headed ‘Pre-Paid Funeral’?
Guayaquil is certainly the most ‘foreign’ place I’ve visited so far. Putting aside British Columbia for obvious reasons, with all the old colonial buildings plus a fair quantity of European tourists, Cuba didn’t feel alien nor did Honduras, largely because of the British colonial heritage, I suspect. Panama is clearly international and cosmopolitan but Ecuador is very Spanish/South American – not in a bad way; just different.
My project today was to explore Las Penas, the so called artists’ quarter that I mentioned yesterday. The start of my walk up one of only two hills in this part of Ecuador began gently enough
although I was glad I wasn’t wearing my high heels on these cobbled streets. Then the walk became a little steeper
and steeper.
The contractors who built the steps kindly reminded me of exactly how many I had climbed
and I wasn’t even at the top yet. I was hot. I was thirsty and so, before the final push, I bought some cold water at a vastly inflated price, of course. The young lass who sold it had no change so had to go home to get some.
I eventually made it and have to say that the view was spectacular.
On the way down, I stopped off to learn a little about the military history of this part of Ecuador.
and, in particular, the canyons!!
And not forgetting the the pillbox gangplank!
On the way back to base I stopped off at the handicraft market as it’s on Trip Advisor’s ‘Top 10 Attractions in Guayaquil’.
Lots of knick knacks and stuff and fine if you want a hat
but not really for me. And, as for the Artists’ quarter? Well I think I saw one shop selling paintings!
Hasta manana
Phileas.
thelasthurrahsite 