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Published: September 23rd 2012
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We traveled from Puyo to Guayaquil on a nine-hour bus ride, spent a night in Guayaquil and then ventured onward via another 4-hour bus to Puerto López, Ecuador. Since we will be travelling through Guayaquil soon to get back to Houston and will spend another night there – I will blog those two days together at the end of the trip.
About Puerto López - the guidebooks deem this town as a sleepy fishing village. After spending a morning with the fishermen, we realized there is nothing sleepy about this village at all. The scene at first seemed like utter chaos; but after analyzing the situation further, we recognized they have a very organized system in place.
Early each day, hundreds of fishermen maneuver their boats through the bay in Puerto López to bring their prized catch to shore where countless, fish are weighed, filleted and cleaned, everything from Amberjack, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, and tuna of many different species. Never in our lives had we seen so many fish, all so fresh. The fisherman race to have the fish swept away by either vendors who will sell the catch to restaurants nearby or their network for delivering the fish
throughout Ecuador.
The fishing scene also made for great bird watching as the birds flock above to see if they can snatch some food. We came across several vultures, which made me a little apprehensive. Apparently, vultures only like to eat things that are already dead? - at least I hoped!
The fish, the birds, oh and then there is the food- dozens of tents are set up with picnic tables and make shift kitchens right on the beach, where women cook elaborate Ecuadorian foods for the fishermen.
The town itself is quaint. It has a dirt road going through the middle of it, a few hostals and several little bars resembling grass huts line the beach.
We enjoyed a night on the town and another tasty local plate - Ecuadorian churrasco - thin cuts of steak, topped with a crispy fried egg served with rice, french fries, ripe plantains, a small salad, avocado slices and hot sauce.
Putting fried eggs on top of food seems to be a tradition here. They do it with another staple dish called Llaphingacho. Basically potato pattie with cheese, baked or fried pork, avocado, sausage and fried egg.
Yesterday, we walked around town and through their local market. Rows upon rows, of vendors selling slabs of meat hanging upside down, rice, corn, potatoes and aisles of barber shops – vendors selling toys – you name it, they’re selling it.
Last night, we spotted a quaint Italian restaurant, perched on the second floor of a building in the center of town with glass windows to the view below, somewhat trendy décor, playing hotel chill music. The restaurant did not seem to fit the backdrop of this rustic fishing village. Curiosity and my love of Italian cuisine was all it took for us to try it, Ecuador’s fishing village’s, take on Italian. It was surprisingly, quite enjoyable.
Today, we are off to Montanita – Ecuador’s hippy party town. Stay tuned…
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jane pefanis
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The fish is pretty to see--did it smell??