Arliss' Travel Journals

Arliss

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  • 26 years old
  • From Jacksonville, United States
  • Currently in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Ecuador Spring Break 2k7

As a school group, we went to Guayaquil and volunteered at children facilties helping with sanding, painting, building etc..

Day 4

Ecuador Guayaquil, Ecuador  |  Mar 19, 2007
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I got to sleep a solid seven hours last night. Breakfast was decent and I am ready for work. I woke up with a really sore throat this morning. This time, we went to Padre Pio. This facility provided medical needs, support and a religious outlet for children. It was set in the worst part of Guayaquil and we were not even allowed outside the facility. The situation of the place was extremely sad. I wanted to stay there for the whole week because of how much work needed to be done. The priest that ran the place was telling us how bad off the children were that came there and they would come all day to hang out and be away from their home lives. The surrounding neighborhoods is filled with drugs, prostitues and crime. The parents send their small children out to sell drugs and themselves, and act as lookouts. They find unsuspecting foreigners, get them talking and their parents come and steal from them. The work we were doing was working with potent paint. It was special for the cement walls. Manual labor in Ecuador is one of the most expensive jobs to pay. We were told that a week's worth of work of what were doing would cost over $1000. I felt privileged to help them with that. I take pride in what I do and was working hard. Within five minutes of arriving, I was dripping sweat. We came back and showered up and went to the iguana park just close by. There were iguanas everywhere and I guess this park has been on teh Discovery Channel. The lizards never leave, even though the park is set in the middle of the city. They have everything they need from food, and water to perfect trees to chill in. I am not much of a fan of lizards, but it was pretty cool. Then we were off to a Spanish lesson. Then a bunch of us went out to dinner. All you can eat crab legs and drink beer. I know why stupid Americans are portrayed the way they are. Everyone had been there a few hours prior to my group of four arriving, and they were wasted. They were taking shots, yelling, cursing and causing a scene. This was by no means a bar, but a restuarant where people were on dates. Three different tables got up and left because of thema nd the waitors and patrons were complaining. The only reason they were not kicked out was because of how much money was being spent and I was ashamed. Ashamed to be part of the group, and ashamed as an American. Ashamed that they were too oblivious to realize the situation. They were breaking glasses. Pun, Scott and myself left becasue of the embarrassment. It was too much to handle. We went back to the hotel and just chilled.
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