Weekend in Guayaquil

We spent the third weekend in Guayaquil. We had a 4 hour training session with the newly called Stake PEF Specialists in the Guayaquil North Area. We were so very happy that 13 people were in our class. A few are high councilmen assigned to PEF or Employment Specialists but we are thrilled that the stake and specifically these individuals will take a special interest in PEF and be available to help the participants in their stakes.

We went on Saturday to attend the temple and get things set up for the meeting early Sunday morning. Brother Toala who is the executive secretary for Elder Montoya found us in the temple and went with us to the church building to set everything up. On Sunday we met for an hour before Sacrament Meeting, went to Sacrament Meeting and then returned to our class. We were all (our class and the Coordination Council of Stake Presidents) served a catered lunch at the conclusion of the training. The food was delicious (chicken, rice, banana chips, fruit and cake) and we loved spending time with our class members. And our new Temple President was at our table as well.



This lovely church was visible from our hotel window:
We were just a couple of blocks from the river and the Malecon which is a beautiful stretch of walkways, monuments, playgrounds, scenic areas and gardens with an Imax theater at the end. There is a very busy street on one side and muddy river banks on the other but it feels like a world away from the city. It is a lovely place. I wish we could walk there every day.

This is a railroad car that is now permanently on display and apparently is open for tours sometimes.
There is lots of fun places for children to explore and play.

We had walked here on our last trip but didn't go far enough - the second half has gardens with an incredible variety of plants and styles and elevations.



Some of the trees have obviously been here for a very long time. One area has a forest canopy that is very impressive.


Even in November so many things are in bloom. The colors were sunny even on a very gray day.

There is a lagoon with ducks. They were very large except for this fellow:

There was quite a variety of colors but I thought two duck pictures would be sufficient.

This is what is currently playing at the Imax theater.

We enjoyed our weekend. How many of you got to spend your wedding anniversary in an exotic location this year? For sure, Dan and Jenny. We are very blessed, but we sure miss seeing you all.