Fireworks. Parades. Pancakes.

Today is the 25th of July, el veinticinco de julio. The city of Guayaquil's independence day. Since the first of this month, exploding fireworks have lulled me to sleep (if that's possible) at night. There have been parades. Art expos. Dance expos. Movie expos.

Today, on the big day, there was a big parade down 9 de Octubre downtown.

I missed it because I made pancakes and didn't check the time.

In lieu of the parade, I post here a picture of Guayaquil's flag:

Note the colors are the same as the girls' skirts from my post earlier in the month. As for the stars, I have not been able to find their significance. Guayaquil is known as the "Pearl of the Pacific," yet the city coat of arms and the flag bear stars. Hmmm.

The city's official name: "M.I. [Muy Ilustrio] Municipalidad de Guayaquil." The Very Illustrious Municipality of Guayaquil. Because plain ole illustrious is not illustrious enough for this city.

Even down to the lampposts here, it is clear: We're not in Kansas any more. It's not Narnia...

...it's Guayaquil.