At the northern end of the Malecón is the charming neighborhood of Las Peñas, an artists' colony of narrow winding streets and colorful houses. This is where Guayaquil was founded by the Spanish in 1538, on the site of an indigenous village. It is an area that has survived centuries of yellow fever outbreaks, pirate attacks, wildfires, labor unrest, and grinding poverty. I walked through the winding streets of Las Peñas, a neighborhood that is a popular tourist attraction today. The streets are lined with cafés and restuarants, artists' galleries, and crafts shops.