Coming to Guayaquil was one of the most exciting days of my life. As soon as I stepped off the plane, my host family and two onsite directors were there to greet me. They were all delighted to receive a souvenir tee shirt from my hometown, Jacksonville, Florida. I figured this would be a nice way to show my appreciation for offering their home, care and attention to me this semester. My host family is truly courteous and hospitable. They also enjoy showing me different places in the city. One night, we went to the park nearby for an event called La Feria del Parque (the Park Fair). The entire city came out to enjoy live music and products such as food, clothing and jewelry from different vendors. This was how I learned about the popular music and dances of Latin America, which includes a variety of salsa, reggaetón, and bachata. On this night, I ordered alitas y papas fritas, (wings and French fries). Although I have enjoyed trying many Latin American dishes, I could not resist one of my favorite American dishes: Buffalo Chicken Wings.
My onsite directors also took me on a nice trip to Malecón 2000, which is a famous park in Guayaquil. They have several shops, activities, and a huge Ferris wheel. It was so relaxing to take a ride on the Ferris to observe an amazing view of the city.
