I just returned from a life changing volunteer trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador. I worked in the operating room on an orthopedic surgery team, and helped with 31 knee replacements for people who would never have been able to afford it otherwise. There was also a neurosurgeon, an OBGYN surgeon and a dentist. The people were so thankful and everyone I worked with was amazing. There are so many photos to share that I am going to break it up into at least two posts. In this post I will first establish the place we were in. When we were not working at the hospital, we were able to explore the colorful city.

The following photos are along the River Walk- a place where families and friends gather on Sundays and enjoy street food, playgrounds, face paint and shopping.

After the River Walk, we began a journey up the oldest part of the city to the lighthouse. There are no cars because it is too steep, and we had to climb 444 stairs to reach the top.

After reaching the lighthouse, we headed back down the 444 steps, and found alleyways that provided a small peek into the old neighborhoods.

Below are photos from the newer part of the city. The architecture was pretty impressive.

Across from our hotel was an iguana park. Alexis, one of lovely volunteers I had the pleasure of working with, held a baby iguana. I also got to hold him and really wanted to take him home with me.

The food was delicious, especially the seafood because it is so fresh. This is a shrimp ceviche.

The colorful city was full of colorful merchandise of every kind in the local market. This girl sold me a couple beautiful hammocks that her family hand wove. One of which Ev and I gave to our friends Eric and Alicia for the wedding, which I flew to and photographed right after Ecuador.

Stay tuned for photos from the hospital in my next post.