One Full Day in Alausí: Breakfast at San Pedro, Lunch at El Sabor de Andina, and Tea at Mirador”

🕓 A Full Day of Culinary Discovery in Alausí

From the moment I opened my eyes until I drifted off to sleep—
the entire day was filled with flavors, people, and the streets of Alausí.

🌅 06:00–07:00 | A Hint of Mint in the Air and the Silhouette of the Andes Beyond the Morning Sunlight

Hostal Estrella Andina, my second morning. Through the half-open window, a gentle scent of mint tingled my nose, and beyond the glass, the rising red sun gradually lit up the vast ridges of the Andes.

The rich, earthy scent of grass and soil made the Andes feel more three-dimensional— as if they were rising right before me, alive and breathing.

With each step, the vivid sense that “Yes, I’m truly here” grew stronger. A quiet hum escaped my lips, while the image of the Andes, carried in through my nose, spread gently into my chest like a painting unfurling from within.

That morning, I packed a small bag— a card, some local cash exchanged from Korean won, my camera, and a notebook. Then, with a light heart, I set off toward San Pedro Street, the day unfolding softly beneath my feet.

🥣 08:30–09:45 | Mote con Queso in the Heart of the Local Market

Deep inside one of the narrow alleys of San Pedro Market, Señora Elvia stood by her small food stall, selling mote (boiled corn kernels) topped with slices of freshly grilled cheese— a dish she prepared herself every morning.

“Just a pinch of salt,” she said with a warm smile. “Nutty and mild—let the cheese be generous.”

The steam rising from the bowl, the aroma of corn and cheese mingling with the earthy scent of the market, and her voice—soft and familiar— made the breakfast taste like something handed down through generations.

I held the warm snack in a simple paper bowl. The savory, slightly salty aroma of the cheese blended so perfectly with the scent of corn that it felt even richer—deeper.

I hadn’t even taken a bite yet. Just holding it, I was already full—

🧀 10:00–11:30 | El Horno de Mama – A Classic Local Brunch

Tucked away in a quiet alley—Calle Gonzalo Cordero, just behind the market— El Horno de Mama was a humble eatery. A charcoal stove and faded family photos hung on the walls, giving the place a warm, lived-in feeling.

I ordered humita (a steamed corn dough with cheese), crispy cassava fries, and a side of avocado slices (abichado). As I took the first bite, the melted cheese and fragrant onions wrapped gently around my tongue, nestled inside the soft corn.

It was only $3.50, but the taste—earthy, local, full of soul— felt like something slow-cooked by the countryside itself. Each bite warmed my chest in a way that only honest food can.

That sharp yet gentle fullness rushed into my chest through my nose, and for a fleeting second, I was quietly amazed: “So this is how scent alone can fill you up.”

🛍️ 12:00–13:00 | Artesanías Saraguro – Memories Woven by Hand

Near Iglesia La Matriz, Artesanías Saraguro was a cozy handicraft shop selling handwoven llama wool gloves, ceramic mate cups, and delicate woven scarves.

The shop owner, Señorita María, picked out a handkerchief for me and smiled, then quietly began demonstrating how she wove it herself.

“It’s woven with threads that carry the wind of the Andes,” she said. Her warm voice and soft smile filled the shop like sunlight through a window.

The threads shimmered as if the Andean wind were passing through them, rippling gently under the afternoon sun like silver waves caught in a loom.

🍖 13:30–15:00 | El Sabor de Andina – A View, and a Plate of Hornado

Just a 7-minute walk uphill from the train station, I found myself at El Sabor de Andina, a restaurant with a view that seemed to float above the rooftops.

For lunch, I ordered hornado—Ecuadorian-style roasted pork. The moment it arrived, the very air around me shifted.

On a floral-edged plate, a generous piece of roasted pork had been gently placed, its golden-brown skin glistening like it had soaked in the sun.

Even before I touched it, I could see the crispiness. The texture, the slight curve of the skin—it promised a perfect crunch.

And then, with the lightest press of my fork… Crackle.

A gentle wave of spice rose from the plate, wrapping my face with warmth as the scent softly touched my nose. I sliced into the pork with ease— the outer skin crackled and fractured like thin glass, while the inside was moist and tender, melting almost like cheese.

The moment I placed a small piece into my mouth— “Ah…”

The flavor was rich and deep, the contrast of textures stunning: crunchy, shattering skin, followed by soft, juicy meat that filled my mouth like a warm broth.

And yet—despite all this richness, there was no heaviness. The taste was clean, savory, and comforting, like something that had been cooked with care and time.

It cost just $4, but with the view, the silence, and the depth of flavor— the experience felt priceless.

🌤️ 15:00–16:30 | Mirador de Alausí – A Walk, a Nap, and Tea

[생략]

🍰 17:30–18:30 | Panadería Santa Rosa – Following the Scent of Bread

As I walked down the hill, I stumbled upon Panadería Santa Rosa— a small bakery with a lovely wooden door and white tiled walls that shone softly in the late afternoon light.

I chose a warm cheese bread and a cookie filled with sweet naranjilla jam. The woman behind the counter wrapped them in simple, rustic paper, its texture like memories from a country village.

With the small parcel in my hand, I walked slowly, gently tapping down the cobblestones. That’s when the sunset finally ignited.

The sky burst into flames—spreading wildly across the horizon in deep oranges and fierce reds. I lifted my camera again and again, trying to catch every breath of that burning light.

🌇 18:30–19:30 | Plaza Bench Reflections

As I sat on a plaza bench, I took out the black tea and fruit jam cookies I had packed from the hostel. With each slow bite, it felt as though I was tasting the sunset itself— chewing gently on the fiery sky, swirling its warmth around my mouth.

In my heart’s photo album, the sunset over the equator burned deeper than any photo ever could— its vivid reds and golds, blended with the sweetness of fruit jam, burst more brilliantly than a flash.

The sky seemed to dissolve into wind and color, scattering and fading like memories set on fire.

🍽️ 19:30–21:00 | Rincón de los Andes – Strange Meat, Familiar Warmth

Near my hostel, I stepped into Rincón de los Andes, a restaurant where traditional Andean flavors meet elegant modern plating. With a bit of courage, I ordered Encebollado and Ceviche de Camarón.

The Encebollado—a warm fish stew—came filled with tomatoes, cilantro, and rich spices. Its depth surprised me, but what lingered was the unexpected brightness— a splash of lime juice that danced through the spices and spread freshness across my tongue.

I paired it with the bread served on the side and some crunchy banana chips. Each bite was a delightful contrast—crispy and chewy textures wrapped in fragrant herbs and a citrus finish that felt both bold and comforting.

The Ceviche de Camarón that came alongside was a burst of brightness— shrimp gently marinated in lime juice, its citrus tang blending seamlessly with the fresh notes of tomato and cilantro.

As I gently sipped a warm cinnamon drink, I felt a strange but gentle happiness settle in. Around me, conversations murmured softly. The simple interior, the few scattered tables, the warm wooden decor— all framed by the faint glow of rural lights outside the window— came together like a quiet painting.

🌌 21:00–22:30 | Ending the Day Beneath an Infinite Sky Overflowing with Stars

Under a sky so vast, so endless, it felt as though the stars might come pouring down. The light blazed and spread more vividly than any photograph— shifting out of focus, shimmering, scattering with each change in angle.

It wasn’t just the camera that captured that light. My chest, too, reflected and absorbed it, and I kept pressing the shutter, again and again, as if to hold onto what couldn’t be held.

Later, I pulled those images from the camera— not just pictures, but hurried scribbles of feeling, raw and imperfect, as if all the emotions that had welled up inside me had spilled out at once and settled onto the screen.

I hadn’t finished my tea yet. I opened the thermal lid and poured what was left into the cup. Just a while ago, I had burst out in tears, as if releasing all the weight I had been holding— but now, in a fleeting moment, those last few drops came out slowly, deliberately— absorbed with intensity, as if clenched tightly in a fist.

I brought the cup to my lips again. I wasn’t sure— was it simply the final stream of warm tea, or something more? A dazzling thread of liquid light, a living gem in the shape of a waterdrop?

I lifted it carefully, as if drawing out the feeling itself.

I closed my eyes and took another slow sip— sip by sip, I drank. With each breath, I inhaled deeply, then let it out gently.

The warm tea flowed through my chest, spreading like a soft, radiant stream. That warmth reached my head and heart, moistening them with something tender, almost sacred.

And then, along with the rising wave of emotion, images began to form— not quite photos, not quite paintings, but something alive— feelings so vivid they painted themselves across the inside of me.

The scent of lemon mint, carrying hints of flowers and sunlight, drifted in with each small sip. It felt alive— as if it were breathing gently into the moment, filling the space within my chest, spreading softly, like light blooming into every quiet corner inside me.

🌌 23:00–24:00 | Just Before Sleep, Gently Planning Tomorrow

As I quietly wrote down tomorrow’s plans by hand, my gaze drifted now and then toward the window.

Outside, it felt as though the stars had closed their eyes— the world resting in deep, peaceful sleep. That very stillness made the stars shine even brighter, as if they were about to pour down like a silent rain of light.

I had captured them with my eyes, even saved them in photos, but somehow— it felt more vivid through breath, tasted more real through my lips, and was carved more deeply into the heart.