meat street

The shawarma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawarma) defines Guayacanes, the street where I live.

With this photo, I wanted to convey the proximity of the food to the street, and the quintessential Ecuadorian qualities exhibited by this statement in food. The meat is basically on the street. The chicken on a rotisserie all day long outside of the buildings, less than two meters from the busy street and the polluting traffic. In a city that was riveted by a swine flu scare less than two weeks ago, the sanitation here is occasionally appalling. Sanitation is not a priority for most Guayaquilanos. Using the same hand to count change as to throw cheese on your burger is not uncommon. Hence, I generally try to stay away from street food.The longer I live in this neighborhood though, the more I have grown attached to this street. It is always vibrant. Whether it's the beggars asking for food or money, the peddlers of cheap dvds, or the bell of a passing tricycle cart selling something is always happening.