We made our 4 hour journey up river from the sea at about 0400, did the customs and security dance as is standard procedure. We had our liberty restricted from the usual midnight restriction to 2000. Despite this severe cut back in time, we without hesitation set off into Guayaquil on the wheels of one of the countless crazy taxis that fly around Latin America. We were lucky enough to be in Ecuador on the day of the big soccer game versus Argentina. So my gangbunch and I sat back and watched. The interesting thing to see was how much of city shut down at the opening of the game. Luckily Ecuador won and the riot that the police were ready for, never came. That was basically all that we could do with our limited time that day. When I arrived back at the ship I hardly knew what to do with myself and all my extra time.
The next day was our educational day. We went and met with the U.S. Consulate in the heart of Guayaquil. This involved people more intelligent than I speaking about things that I am only lucky to have understood. After this we climbed back on the bus and headed over to the Banana Port (we were originally supposed to have gone to a banana plantation, but consulate security deemed it too dangerous). Now this port is run by Dole, and the amount of fruit that went out of that port each day was staggering. They had container upon container, each which held approximately 40,000 bananas. That is alot of bananas. After this and probably the second best pizza I've ever had, we went on a less than glamorous sight seeing tour. Do to some navigational areas we got to see a far less talked about part of Ecuador, we saw the slums of Guayaquil which was an unforgettable site to see. After this we finally found our way to our destination, a local Woman's Co-op. Via our guide's translation, we heard their story of how the co-op rose out of local depression and need. This day as a whole was truly indescribable, one that I will never forget.
The last day was definitely interesting. The morning was filled with Churches, statues and iguanas. But unfortunately it was not a great day for all cadets. One of the cadets I was with had too much to drink, and I decided that it would be best for to take him back to the ship. Unfortunately this took the rest of my day as I spent the rest of my liberty taking care of him, and helping him return to a state in which he could return to the ship.
This port more than others has taught me a great deal.
I will have a tale of the adventures which took place during the Sinbad Games today up tomorrow...
later days,
Steven Robert Schiesser
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