It is 2pm and I have had quite a day. Began at 5:30 am with a walk along the malecon by the university. People were gathered along the bridge and along the canal bank staring in the water. I thought, oh a dolphin or something! Raised my binocs and saw a corpse floating face up!  A policia looked at me and I grunted and walked on to find birds (11 more today). Antonio says in 50 years he has never seen a body in the canal so I guess it was my lucky day!
I was told I could walk along 9 de Octubre (street) down the the river and it would take 40 minutes. I went the wrong direction for 3 miles. I turned around and walked to where I was supposed to go and ended up downtown. Had lunch at Hotel Oro Verde. Strolled along the river Guayas and tried my bank card in a ATM. It works fine. Beautiful downtown. Only saw one homeless person and 3 hippies in the park. The people are very clean here. Trash is prevalent but so are city workers picking it up. Traffic police ( vigilantes) are everywhere and help you cross the street. Everyone toots the horn and drives like a madman. Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. Stupid people are thinned out of the population this way. I love it! The people all wear some type of cologne or perfume. It is hot here but they don't sweat like I do. Everywhere you look a young couple sits and kisses and cuddles. They kiss with such passion and are so sensual. Machismo at work. The girls love it.
 I hired a bird guide for tomorrow and we are taking a bus to Cerro Blanco preserve. The guide and bus should cost about $20. Friday I am moving to the coast and to Jardin de Playas.
http://www.eljardindeplayas.com.ec
They will pick me up here and drive me to Playas for $25. I saw gas is $1.67 a gallon today. I don't want to take buses yet for long journeys. The room will be $30 and included breakfast.  I'll be there for a few days...I think. Antonio's cousin owns it and he called and set my reservation. They are treating me very well. Buenas tardes.

Arrived at Miami at 1:30 am. No one there until 2:30. Breezed right through! It was dark but I could see the city lights  as we passed over the middle of Cuba.  My friends Kathy Kelley and Steve Lamb were down there in Havana, sleeping I assume. As the sun rose we were over the Caribbean. Then I could see Cartegena and we started to descend into Bogota. Beautiful Andes and a snow-capped volcano. Had to walk the tarmac to my next gate. Ran out of breath with my heavy bags at 8,400 FT. Cool at 56 degrees also. Bogota is a huge city in a Central Valley.  Boarded the plane for Guayaquil and it was cloudy most the way. Rain when I landed.
 Customs had several questions as to why I was staying 84 days . The he said 'welcome to Ecuador' and I smiled and moved on. Jhony Martinez met me at the exit and put me in a taxi. Yes, his name is Jhony. Handsome. My spanish is getting better but I am so tired that I can't think.  Strolled the Malecon along the river and birded a bit. Hard to distinguish birds in cloudy weather.  Saw 5 new species that I COULD identify. (564). The University is right next to me and  I feel safe among students. Security is everywhere.
They have dollar coins here that are different then in USA. People don't like to break a $20 so I carry coinage. Had a steak (bistek) dinner and sangria for $8. A small girl cam to my table and held out candy. I just said 'no gracias' and now I feel bad. Maybe I will see her again and give her a coin. $1 is a lot of money here.  Can't give it away all the time and I know they select me. Hell, I'm the tallest person I have seen all day!
This room is a little less than expected. I am here until Friday.  I have to make arrangements tomorrow.  Buenas noches.