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Ecuador Rice Fields – Beauty, Predators and Allies
Planting rice is not a joke Just bending all day long You can’t even stand still You can’t even sit down. — Traditional Filipino Folk Song Ecuador rice Rice is a staple in Ecuadorian meals. It is generally served with your main meal regardless of what the entree is. A typical meal might include soup, chicken, rice, green salad, potato salad, and juice. The other side dishes vary but rice is always included. On separate occasions, I have served chili and spaghetti to guests and been asked if there was any rice (I had not made any). When eating out, I have been served a side of rice with my…
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Painting A Tall Building, Ecuador Style
“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.” — Pericles Painting tall buildings is not a job for which I will ever submit an application. Heights and I no longer get along. Perhaps Pericles would say I am not brave enough. These four painters in Guayaquil, however, are. I hope they had a clear vision of what was before them when they accepted the work. These guys are each hanging from a single rope, sitting on a short piece of wood, painting the side of the building, bucket of paint hanging…
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A Drive Up the Andes – Guayaquil to Cuenca, Ecuador
“I can speak to my soul only when the two of us are off exploring deserts or cities or mountains or roads.” — Paulo Coelho Driving through dense fog is a stressful challenge. Breaking through that fog and getting above it can make for a relaxing drive, especially in the Andes mountains. These mountains are gorgeous. Taking the Andes road less traveled The route Scott and I take from the coastal city of Guayaquil to the Andes mountain city of Cuenca is generally less foggy with fewer cars than the shorter and more popular route through El Cajas National Park. Our drive goes from sea level to 3400 meters before…
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Guayaquil’s Parque Historico Wildlife
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” — Gary Snyder Free attractions abound in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. One of my favorites is Guayaquil’s Parque Historico, full of plants and animals. Parque Historico (Historic Park) is a relaxing retreat in the big city. The park has three distinct areas – wildlife, historic architecture, and traditional lifestyle. Today I focus only on wildlife. The park’s plants and animals are all native to Ecuador. Some animals injured in the wild find homes here. Meandering through the park, pausing frequently to listen to the birds is a relaxing way to spend a morning or afternoon. Raised walkways provide incredible proximity…
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Guayaquil – Iguana Park and other free attractions #AtoZChallenge
Guayaquil is Ecuador´s largest city with over 2 million residents. It is known as the gateway to the Galapagos – anyone flying to the Galapagos connects in Guayaquil. There are many free attractions for visitors to enjoy. Three of my favorite are Iguana Park, Malecon 2000 and the Las Peñas neighborhood. Seminario Park (Iguana Park) Iguana Park is a great destination for iguana and people watching. The park has lovely trees, walking paths and a fish pond, all enjoyed by iguanas. Be sure to look up periodically because there are iguanas in the trees, too. Iguana Park Simon Bolivar Pier (Malecon 2000) Popular with morning joggers and afternoon families, Malecon…