Guayaquil

                Guayaquil is my new favorite city in Ecuador.  This city really resonates with me for a few reasons.  I think it is incredibly beautiful.  The second time I was there, as part of my return from the Galápagos Islands, we had a tour of the city with a great guide.  He filled our sponge-like brains with great information.  For example, because of the climate, certain buildings were made out of wood (instead of cement) and elevated to help create a cooling convection current.  Taking advantage of the water table that is only 5 feet deep in many areas, pillars separated by water "cushions" underground help buildings stand impervious to earthquakes of even a 7.0 magnitude.  With all the precipitation in the rainy season, and up to 15 feet of water in 4 months during the El Niño phenomenon, the economy would have drastically slowed down, if not for the overhanging design of many buildings, sheltering the passers-by and keeping the economy flowing.  There are many cool things that I love about this city, and my favorite is the massive boardwalk along the waterfront.  The government has (and is still currently) investing millions of dollars in this area of the city.  What all does it have, you ask?  First of all, it's like a gigantic botanical garden.  Trees, flowers, it has them all.  The lighting is great from the sun because of its location, and at night, it is well-lit and has an elegant look to it.  The boardwalk had great architecture that mimics a large ship, and there are numerous playgrounds for children.  With security guards abound, this area was designed for families to spend time together in a safe public space.  To me this is a huge success.  Plus, it has some really good restaurants, and everyone loves food.  These are perfect reasons for me to retire in Guayaquil!  I can envision myself there right now with my grandkids.  What a pleasant snapshot of the future.