People & Statues Around the Alameda Park

Aloha Everyone,

Business men attired in dark suits, carrying their briefcases, walked briskly pass vendors who were setting up their small semi-permanent kiosk or push carts. The latter opened up large, bright colored umbrellas, lit propane fires beneath grills, pulled out stools from inside their carts and were now open for business.

They sell wonderful aroma of freshly brewed drinks mixed with the sweet smell of sizzling pancake-like breakfast food. These stands are constantly surrounded by customers who stop long enough to exchange greetings are endearing slice-of-life.

COVID-19 preventive masks are mandatory in Ecuador. In supermarkets and pharmacies, they are available in packages of 5 or boxes of 25, 50 and 100. These products are labeled as Product of Ecuador. On the other hand, decorative & colorful single cellophane packaged masks are being sold by vendors. Street hawkers are also approaching passerby's calling out “un dólar” ($1) each.

Previously on my walks with Jeff, the two of us saw as an odd shaped playground tree stump. Today on a closer look, it turned out to be a carving of a dragon’s head. 

Statues and busts are placed all around the park including that of Jorge Carrera Andrade, an Ecuadorian poet, Cesar Dávila Andrade, also an Ecuadorian poet and Fedora Dostoevsky, Russian novelist. The walk around the park is both entertaining and educational.

Aloha -- Cathi