Guayaquil, Ecuador

Tomorrow I´m off to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The driver picked me up early, and it was a good thing. My flight had been canceled, but I was able to get on an earlier one to Santiago - unfortunately in coach. At least I was in premium economy for the second flight from Santiago to Guayaquil. Premium economy is really coach with no one in the middle seat, but they had better food and drinks.

The Santiago airport was 90% closed, due to the earthquake. When we arrived we had to wait on the plane until all the luggage was placed on the tarmac. Once retrieved, we waited on a long line in a tent to clear customs and immigration.

Then you had to walk outside for miles to find the international checkin - another tent. At least the agent laughed when I asked if the lounge was open.

I was surprised on arrival that my hotel had a sign with my name on it. At the 5 star hotel, I got into bed, watched an hour of the Academy Awards and fell asleep.

The next day I spent the morning trying to change my return to BA for a day earlier. LAN's operations in and out of Santiago were still sporatic. Of course the local American Airlines office was useless. I don't think they knew what an around the world ticket was. So for the second time I called my sister's house for help. This time I got Lisa, who got the change made like a pro. Of course, this only gave me one day in Guayaquil, which turned out to be more than enough.

I had a local guide, Galo, show me the city. We started in the oldest part of the city, which has been recently renovated. There are over 400 steps to the top, but we only went half way - see the numbers on the steps above. The view was impressive.

Next we walked down a remodled street with many art galleries. And finally ended up at a renovated brewery - turned into expensive apartments.

We then continued walking down the malecon, which is like a riverwalk, with parks, stores and restaurants. It ended with a building designed by Eiffel, of Paris fame. It used to be a fish market.

n the city center we visited Parque Bolivar, better known as iguana park. There were literally hundreds of huge iguanas. They must be used to humans, since the weren't phased when little kids chased them or stepped on their tails.

Next stop was the main cathderal. After lunch we headed back to the hotel, which was across the street from the US embassy.

Well that ended my brief stay in Guayaquil. That evening, at 11:30pm I started my trek back to BA, via Santiago. This time I was stuck in real coach for a 5 hour red eye flight, with little sleep.

Same routine at the airport, but at least they were able to transfer luggage this time. My flight to BA was in business - which has the best business seats I've traveled on.