![\"Guayaquil\"](\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/biology\/files\/2017\/05\/featured-photo.png\")
<\/a>Guayaquil<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
Ok, enough of my cliche rambling! Now onto today\u2019s activities! Walking the streets and markets of Sambor\u00f3ndon was one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever witnessed. From the imported food in the grocery store, to my plate, and to my mouth is all I\u2019ve ever known about my food, but seeing how the locals get their food here is incredible. There was not a single fresh fruit, vegetable, or type of meat (and when I say meat, I mean every single part of the animal, even the tongue!) missing from any of the vendors. The amount of work and time put into growing and selling this food is unimaginable, yet it was all there and as fresh as ever. Getting food onto your table for dinner is such a process, and to be able to see this process firsthand at a rice farm and factory today gave me a newfound appreciation for all that these local Ecuadorians go through, let alone where my food comes from at home!
<\/a>Vendor in Sambor\u00f3ndon<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n
My absolute favorite part of today, and most likely most of my classmates, was going to Parque Hist\u00f3rico de Guayaquil, a historical park and zoo that contains many animals native to Ecuador. To get up close and personal with many of these animals was something that I could never have dreamed of, but thanks to Greg\u2019s brother-in-law and their family, it was made possible! Once we explored the wildlife, we were taken through a tour of historical homes and the way people would have lived in Ecuador about one hundred years ago, giving us just that much more of a perspective on the wonderful country that we have been exploring.
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