May 5th

I helped teach handwashing at an event put on by the hospital. Some of the local nursing students came to visit. It should be fairly easy to pick out the Americans. We are the ones that stand a full head taller than everyone else.

Bird's eye view of Guayaquil and the Malecon. The Malecon is a 5-mile path along the river with lots of things to do for families and good security, so it is safe. It is on the Rio Guayas, which is the main river here. It flows different directions depending on the tide because we are so close to the ocean.

Katelin and I in front of the gorgeous cathedral across the street from the iguana park. I have seen a number of beautiful cathedrals here in Guayaquil. There were lots of little children begging in this area. It made me very grateful for what I have and sad that I couldn't do something to help all of them.

After church today, we went to the iguana park located a few blocks from our hotel. There are iguanas everywhere. I'm not going to lie. They are just a little bit creepy. They don't seem aggressive though.

Katelin and I at Parque Historico. That is the River Daule and the city of Guayaquil in the background.

For one of our activities today, we went to el Parque Historica Guayaquil. It was an absolutely beautiful tropical park full of Ecuadorian plants, wildlife, and displays of typical Ecuadorian life.

Happy Birthday to Me! We celebrated my birthday with delicious muffins at the Salt Lake Airport while we were waiting for our airplane. My wonderful friends also made me a beautiful birthday crown.