“One Night at El Refugio de Salinas – A Day in the Andes Wrapped in Chocolate and Starlight”

🌄 05:00–07:00 | From Hotel Victoria in Cuenca to the Terminal — Early Morning Departure (Part 1)

At 5 a.m., the air outside the window was cool and crisp, carrying a hint of mint. The darkness of night still lingered, and everything was utterly quiet, as if the city itself had just stirred from slumber. I quickly packed my light travel bag and asked the front desk clerk, Maldalco, to call a taxi from El Ángel.

🌄 05:00–07:00 | Taxi Ride Through the Sleeping City (Part 2)

About ten minutes later, a gray taxi pulled up in front of the hotel. The city hadn’t fully awakened yet, and the soft glow of the streetlights brushed past the cobblestone streets like blades of light. Through the windshield, the vast and serene silence of the Andes slowly unfolded — it felt as though the quiet majesty of the mountains made this moment even more special.

🌄 05:00–07:00 | Arrival at Terminal Terrestre de Cuenca (Part 3)

We glided through the dark streets and made our way toward Terminal Terrestre de Cuenca. The ride cost just $3 — a reasonable fare even at this early hour. As the taxi driver, Paolo, greeted me with a warm smile, the sky began to brighten little by little, welcoming the start of a new day.

🚌 07:00–09:00 | Morning Bus Journey from Cuenca to Riobamba — Buying the Ticket (Part 1)

Upon arriving at Cuenca’s terrestrial terminal, I headed to the Cooperativa Andina Express ticket booth, located on the inner left side of the station. I purchased a ticket to Riobamba for $8. The bus was scheduled to depart exactly at 7:30 a.m., and since I had arrived at 7:05, I had about 25 minutes to wait.

🚌 07:00–09:00 | Inside the Bus — Andes Awakening in the Morning Light (Part 2)

Although the exterior of the bus looked modern, the interior was cozy and modest. I chose a window seat and settled in, gazing out at the Andean mountain ranges slowly coming to life under the morning sun. The light cast the mountains in a layered, almost three-dimensional relief. Perhaps because of a light rain that had fallen the night before, the fresh scent of March spring filled the air.

🚌 07:00–09:00 | Sipping Herbal Tea on the Road (Part 3)

From my mini thermos, I carefully poured some warm Matico herbal tea into the lid, gently blowing on it before taking slow sips. The tea’s earthy, slightly bitter taste paired beautifully with the crisp mountain air, making the quiet morning feel even more refreshing and vivid.

🌱 Part 1 | The Taste of Spring Sprouts and Herbal Warmth

It felt as if the Andes, once frozen, were now waking up to spring—tiny sprouts pushing through the thawed earth, harvested and dried just in time to release their fresh, earthy fragrance. The tea was rich, slightly bitter, and had a subtle astringency that made it taste even more alive. I unwrapped two mint cherry candies with my fingers and let them melt slowly in my mouth as I sipped my herbal tea. With each sip, my body began to soften, and the fatigue from the early morning departure seemed to gently dissolve.

🍬 Part 2 | Mint, Cherry, and the Scent of the Mountains

The sweetness of the warm tea, its gentle bitterness, and the fresh notes of mint and cherry from the candy blended harmoniously in my mouth. The morning air, still damp from last night’s rain, carried a sense of renewal. Out the bus window, a faint rainbow stretched quietly over the Andes like a soft brushstroke. It was one of those moments that made you breathe deeper, as if the mountain itself was exhaling peace.

🌸 Part 3 | As the Bus Rolled On, Spring Danced Alongside

Finally, the bus began to move, slowly gaining speed as it passed the outskirts of the city. The road turned bumpy and winding, causing little jolts that made me laugh softly to myself. Between the stone fences along the roadside, yellow, white, and violet wildflowers peeked out, their tiny petals fluttering like cheerful flags in the breeze. Everything felt alive—each flower, each turn of the road, each gust of wind.

🦙 Part 1 | Llamas on the Meadow and the Unexpected Inspection

A herd of llamas was grazing slowly across the open field, so close it felt as though I could reach out and touch them—yet the view stretched endlessly into the distance, vivid and clear like a living painting. The bus rattled and bounced along the winding road, and I found myself lost in the vastness of nature. Somewhere near the midpoint of our journey, local police officers boarded the bus to perform an ID check. Alongside me were foreign travelers—students from Sweden and what appeared to be a couple from Turkey. The officers moved seat by seat, inspecting documents from both locals and foreigners alike. The driver quietly explained that this was a common routine to reinforce safety in the region.

🌄 Part 2 | Mountain Ridges Like Layers of Light

As the inspection ended, the bus resumed its journey. Outside the window, the mountains began to unfold in overlapping waves—soft, flowing ridges that shimmered in the morning sun. They looked almost alive, their shapes shifting subtly with every curve in the road. The further we went, the more the Andes revealed themselves, layer upon majestic layer, glowing with depth and clarity. It was a view you couldn’t look away from—pure, powerful, and utterly peaceful.

🧀 Part 3 | Spring Air, Goat Cheese, and the Approach to Riobamba

About two hours had passed when we began nearing Riobamba. A gasp of admiration escaped me before I could even think—“This is the Andes of Ecuador.” Ahead, the snow-capped mountains stood tall and commanding, inching closer with every turn. It was March, and the landscape was bursting with the scent of spring—fresh grass, wildflowers, and herbs mingled in the air. Most of the passengers had opened their windows to take it all in. As we approached the city, a faint smell of freshly baked bread reached my nose. It was joined by a rich, nutty aroma—deep and creamy—of goat cheese wafting in from a nearby village. It wrapped the final moments of the ride in comfort and anticipation.

🚏 Part 1 | Finding the Bus to Guaranda
09:00–11:00

Upon arriving at the Riobamba terminal, I walked toward the left-hand exit and soon spotted the Cooperativa Bolívar ticket window, located right next to a small convenience stand. This is where you can purchase a minibus ticket to Guaranda for just $3. The stand beside it instantly drew my attention—not just for tickets, but for the delightful smell of freshly baked snacks.

🧀 Part 2 | Local Snacks Before the Ride

Displayed beside the ticket counter were golden, steaming pan de queso (cheese bread) that had just come out of the oven, along with tamales wrapped in banana leaves and local treats like caña (sugarcane juice) and Mariñita, a traditional Andean snack. I couldn’t resist—grabbing a warm cheese bun and a bottle of sweet caña before heading toward the boarding area.

🚐 Part 3 | A Smooth Departure Toward the Mountains

The minibus, which could seat around 20 passengers, was conveniently ready just as I approached. These buses run every 10 to 15 minutes, making the journey flexible and easy to plan. I was lucky—there was no wait at all. Within moments, I had boarded, snack in hand, ready to continue this winding mountain adventure toward Guaranda.

🚌 Part 1 | As the Bus Pulled Away – A Spanish Melody and Spring Vibes

As soon as I stepped onto the bus, a lively Spanish pop song began to play softly from the speakers. Despite its worn exterior, the inside felt surprisingly cozy—sunlight and breeze streamed in through faded curtains that fluttered gently in rhythm. I spotted a young male student pulling out a tamale he had bought earlier at the terminal kiosk, while others busily unpacked their own travel snacks: fruit, water, herbal tea, candies.

🍬 Part 2 | Mint, Cherry, and the Feeling of Spring

The scene reminded me of a school field trip. It wasn’t just a bus ride—it was a small celebration of motion, nature, and shared simplicity. I, too, opened a small bag of mint cherry candies and popped two into my mouth. The refreshing flavor blended perfectly with the crisp Andean air, as if I were breathing in spring itself. A local child walked through the aisle selling bottles of water and bread—a familiar sight that added a tender charm to the moment.

🏞️ Part 3 | Into the Heart of the Andes – A Living Fairytale

This wasn’t merely transportation—it was a journey into the breath of nature. The old bus swayed along the narrow roads, slowly drawing us into the deep valleys of the Andes. Outside the window, bushes swayed under the sunlight and wind, as if the earth itself were alive and breathing. Flocks of goats passed by, and children laughed and played nearby, their giggles mingling with the soft jingling of bells tied around goat necks. The colorful rooftops of countryside homes appeared like scattered puzzle pieces. It truly felt as if we had entered a page from a storybook about rural life.

🎟️ Ticket to the Mountains – From Riobamba to Guaranda

After arriving at the Riobamba terminal, I easily spotted the Cooperativa Bolívar ticket booth. There, I purchased a ticket to Guaranda for just $3. The minibus, a compact vehicle that seats around 20 passengers, runs frequently—every 10 to 15 minutes. Luckily, there was no wait. As I stepped aboard, Carlos, the driver, greeted me warmly with a friendly smile.

🌬️ Part 2 | Into the Andean Air – A Breath of High Altitude

As the minibus rolled forward, I found myself slowly enveloped by the breathtaking silence of the Andean highlands. The landscape outside the window opened up into vast, undulating hills that seemed to whisper of ancient times. The air grew noticeably cooler as we descended slightly in altitude, becoming crisp and refreshingly clear—like breathing in a piece of sky.

🐑 Part 3 | Bells, Breeze, and the Scent of Earth

Faint bell sounds from distant grazing sheep reached my ears, blending with the soft wind rustling through grass and herbs. The subtle scent of earth and mountain herbs floated in through the open window, carried on a chilled breeze. It was a moment of stillness, of pure Andean soul—a sensory reminder that I was not just passing through, but momentarily living within the mountain's quiet rhythm.

🌫️ Part 1 | Along the Edge – The Cliffs and Curves of the Andes

The minibus wound its way along narrow mountain roads, clinging tightly to the edge of sharp cliffs. The path twisted and turned, feeling perilously close to the drop below. Being at such high elevation, it seemed as if the clouds had descended onto the road itself—we were driving through the sky, riding along a parallel line with the mist. The view? Breathtaking. It was the kind of landscape that made you forget to breathe for a moment.

🚐 Part 2 | The Rough and Winding Beauty

This stretch of road was both beautiful and challenging—bumpy, winding, and dizzying at times. The constant shaking felt like little jolts to the back, almost like sitting down hard on uneven steps. It's a section that could definitely trigger motion sickness in some travelers. And yet, the discomfort faded into the background thanks to our driver, Carlos. His calm, steady driving style, paired with the soft murmur of a Spanish-language radio station, created a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere.

☁️ Part 3 | Floating Between Earth and Sky

Locals chatted quietly, laughing and sharing stories. Outside the windows, the landscape unfolded like a dream—clouds hung so low they seemed to brush the top of the vehicle. At times, it felt like we were walking through clouds, not driving. Surrounded by this ethereal, highland beauty, we continued our journey toward the Guaranda Interprovincial Terminal, hearts full of the kind of silence only the Andes' embrace can offer.

🚖 Part 1 | 11:00–13:00 The Final Ride – From Guaranda to the Heart of the Andes

As soon as I arrived at the Guaranda Interprovincial Bus Terminal, a local taxi driver named Don Luis warmly greeted me at the rotary in front of the main gate. He has been driving this route for over 20 years, a seasoned local from Salinas, making the ride feel safe and familiar. The fare was a reasonable $5 flat rate, no negotiation needed—a relief for any traveler.

🏔️ Part 2 | Rising Toward the Sky – The Road Narrows, the Beauty Expands

As we ascended, the road became narrower and more winding, curving deeper into the Andes. The higher we climbed, the more vivid the landscape grew: women in traditional Andean clothing, flocks of goats calmly crossing the road, and humble adobe houses typical of this high-altitude region. It felt like we were driving into a living painting of mountain life.

🌄 Part 3 | Humbled by the Heights – A Journey Among Giants

With every turn, the mountains grew more massive, surrounding us like ancient guardians. In that midday light, I felt like a speck of dust among giants— a fleeting presence in the face of timeless peaks stretching endlessly into the horizon. The journey wasn’t just a ride. It was a reminder of how vast, how majestic, and how humbling the world can be.

🚖 Part 1 | A Guide with a Story – Don Luis and the Soul of Salinas

As we made our way through the winding mountain road, Don Luis, the taxi driver, began to share the history and stories of Salinas interwoven with the landscape. “This is more than just a tourist destination,” he said with a gentle smile. “It’s a community filled with life, pride, and shared history.” His voice carried the warmth of someone who had lived every corner of the road.

🏔️ Part 2 | Arrival at Altitude – The Heart of the Andes

By around 12:50 PM, after breaking through majestic ranges of the Andes, we finally arrived at the long-awaited village of Salinas. Perched high in the mountains, this village seemed carved from the very bones of the earth— with steep hills, cobbled paths, and an air full of tradition and stillness. It felt like a place both hidden and deeply rooted.

🏨 Part 3 | Where Comfort Meets Culture – Hotel El Refugio de Salinas

Nestled in the heart of the village stands Hotel El Refugio de Salinas, a boutique-style hotel that blends traditional Andean architecture with modern comfort. Priced at $35 per night including breakfast, it offers more than just a place to sleep. The soft scent of herbs, the faint aroma of chocolate drifting in from afar, and the charm of stone walls and warm wooden interiors make this stay feel like a quiet embrace from the mountains themselves.

🍽️ Part 1 | 13:00–15:00 A Warm Welcome – The Road to Comedor de Anita

A simple wooden sign and an earthen-brick exterior mark the entrance of Comedor de Anita, a cozy and well-loved eatery about a 15-minute walk from the boutique hotel. Despite its modest appearance, the place is popular with both locals and travelers, thanks to its authentic atmosphere and heartfelt meals. As I approached, the scent of firewood and herbs hung in the air like an invitation.

🥣 Part 2 | A Farm-to-Table Andean Feast

The dishes served here are made entirely from organically grown ingredients, cultivated right in the village. The Salinas cheese soup, rich and creamy, warmed the stomach with every spoonful. Steamed chicken, tender and subtly seasoned, melted gently into the plate, and the wood-fired potatoes, roasted over open flame, carried a deep, smoky aroma. It felt like nature itself had seasoned the meal.

🪵 Part 3 | The Scent of Home Cooking

This wasn’t just food—it was a taste of the land, the village, and a slower rhythm of life. The dishes carried the kind of warmth and fragrance that only home cooking can offer. Every bite was earthy, soulful, and infused with care, as if each ingredient had a story to tell.

🍫 Part 1 | A Meal You Could Taste Through Aroma

The warmth and depth of the flavors lingered in the air— so strong and comforting that it felt like you were eating with your nose as much as your mouth. Everything was cooked as if it came straight from a loving home kitchen, and the scent alone was enough to feel completely nourished.

🍋 Part 2 | A Dessert That Sings – Lemon Verbena and Local Chocolate

After the meal, dessert arrived: a piece of locally made dark chocolate paired with a steaming cup of Mate de Luisa (lemon verbena tea). The tea released a bright, citrusy aroma so crisp and lively, it felt like Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude—a sparkling melody of freshness and joy. The lemon scent was so vivid and strong that, when combined with the rich bitterness of the chocolate, it didn’t just accompany the flavor—it filled the mouth, danced around it, and lingered like a final chord.

🍬 Part 3 | A Sweet Ending, A New Beginning

With the final sips of tea, we left the table with hearts warm and light. The contrast of bitter and sweet, herbal and floral made it more than just dessert—it was an experience. From there, I headed straight to the village’s most beloved spot: La Fábrica de Chocolate Salinas, a place that felt like the soul of the town, calling out with the same rich aroma I had just tasted.

🍫 Part 1 | A Tasting Room Full of Flavors

Visitors to La Fábrica de Chocolate Salinas are greeted with an array of tasting samples— from rich dark chocolate to smooth milk, coconut, and coffee-infused varieties. Each piece is available for purchase at just around $2, making them not only delicious but also affordable. What makes this place truly special is that it's not a typical factory— it’s run as a community cooperative, where local residents work together to harvest, ferment, roast, mold, and package their own cacao.

🎁 Part 2 | Souvenirs Wrapped in the Village’s Soul

After sampling, I chose three pieces each of the coconut and coffee chocolates to take home. Each bar came lovingly wrapped: the coconut in a soft beige package, and the coffee in a rich brown tone, both adorned with hand-drawn labels in vibrant colors and stamped with the local village logo. The packaging itself told a story—it carried the touch of the people who made it, and the pride of a village that crafts its identity into every bar.

🌱 Part 3 | The Essence of Salinas in Every Bite

The flavors were dense, deep, and pure, as if the entire soul of Salinas had been distilled into chocolate form. From bean to bar, every step was open to see, making the process as transparent and human as the taste itself. This wasn’t just a factory—it was a living portrait of tradition, community, and the richness of local life, shared one chocolate at a time.

🧀 15:00–17:00 Part 1 | A Warm Walk Scented with Goat Cheese

After finishing the chocolate factory tour, I began a slow walk out of the village center. About 15 minutes later, as the buildings gave way to open air and gentle hills, a familiar and warm scent of goat cheese began to fill the air. It wasn’t just any smell—it felt like something calling me closer, soft yet strong, like it had been waiting patiently to welcome visitors.

🏭 Part 2 | Quesera Salinerito — A Cheese Factory With Heart

Standing proudly at the edge of the path was Quesera Salinerito, the most iconic cheese factory in Salinas. Inside, there was a small yet inviting cheese-tasting station for tourists. The air was clean and still, with only the delicate but intense aroma of fresh dairy lingering. It wasn't overwhelming—it was the kind of scent that made you feel homey and hungry all at once.

🎁 Part 3 | A Cheese Lover’s Treasure

Cheese blocks wrapped in colorful packaging were lined up for sale, priced affordably between $2 to $4. Though there were many kinds—smoked, goat, cow's milk, and more— I picked up the three most iconic ones: creamy milk cheese, rich smoked cheese, and the ever-popular goat cheese. Each was carefully wrapped for takeaway, a perfect blend of flavor, tradition, and memory to carry home from the Andes.

🌿 Part 1 | A Walk Through Peaceful Pastures

As I slowly strolled along the village path, the peaceful sight of sheep grazing by the roadside welcomed me. Old wooden fences and moss-covered stone walls stood quietly, with wild grass and tiny spring flowers peeking through the cracks— each step felt like I was melting into nature itself, simply by walking, seeing, and breathing in the soft spring air.

🧶 Part 2 | Smiles in the Sunlight

On my way back, I noticed things I had missed before— colorful handwoven textiles and tiny crocheted dolls smiling brightly under the sun. They seemed to whisper with their cheerful colors, inviting me to pause. The shop owners, with crescent-shaped eyes and wide, toothy smiles, said warmly, “These are all made right here in our village.” Their pride and affection for their craft shone through every word.

🏡 Part 3 | A Traveler Turned Local

Though I was just a traveler, something about that walk— the wind, the handmade goods, the heartfelt smiles— made me feel like I had become a part of the community, even if just for a moment. The springtime Andes, the people, and the simplicity of life left a warmth in my heart that I knew would stay long after I left.

🍷 Part 1 | 17:00–19:00 A Gentle Sunset at Bodega Comunitaria

As the afternoon sun began to stretch gently across the Andes, I arrived at Bodega Comunitaria, a community-run winery where locals produce their own handcrafted wines. The grapes, grown in high-altitude vineyards, are fermented to create red, white, and herb-infused varieties, all offered at an affordable $1.5 per glass. The atmosphere felt intimate and welcoming—this wasn’t just a winery; it was a piece of the village's heart poured into a cup.

🌺 Part 2 | A Garden Terrace Full of Charm

I found a seat nestled among tiny tables on a lovely little terrace, where herbs and wildflowers bloomed in cheerful disarray. The place felt like a secret garden. As I sat there, the sunset bled like rose-colored veins across the ridges of the Andes, slowly painting the sky with layers of warmth and longing. It wasn’t just the view—it was the feeling of time slowing down, the way nature whispered against the glass in your hand.

🍇 Part 3 | A Wine Without Alcohol, but Not Without Soul

Though I didn’t order alcohol, I chose a locally crafted herbal grape tea—a specialty of the highlands. It arrived warm, aromatic, and slightly bitter in that way only high-altitude herbs can express. With every sip, the earthy depth and delicate sweetness lingered, echoing the complexity of the land itself. There, between the wine, the wind, and the mountains, I drank in the soul of Salinas, one rosy sunset at a time.

🍷 Part 1 | A Glass of Sunset, Held in My Hands

In a small glass filled with ruby-colored herbal grape tea, I saw the sunset ripple like liquid silk. Its surface shimmered gently as if the equatorial sun had melted into the drink, creating a reflection of fire and light. I lifted the glass slowly, letting the glow play against my fingers—like veins of a rose, blooming across the horizon.

🌅 Part 2 | Stirring the Colors of the Equator

As I gently swirled the cup, the liquid danced. The swirling wine-like tea merged with the fiery tones of the setting sun, creating a deep, complex shade—darker, richer, almost mystical. It was as though the drink and the sky had become one, each stirring the other into something more profound.

✨ Part 3 | Drinking with My Eyes and Soul

The tea sparkled not only in my glass but in my eyes. I drank it with my vision first—watching it shimmer—and then with my lips, tasting the warmth, the earth, and the vividness of the equator itself. It was not just a beverage, but a moment of union between light, liquid, and the quiet beating of my heart.

🌸 Part 1 | Fragrance So Deep, It Brought Tears to My Eyes

The fresh scent of locally grown grapes and herbs filled my mouth so fully that my eyes began to glisten. The fragrance—delicate yet overwhelming—was no longer entering just through my nose. It blurred the line between seeing and smelling, swirling with the fierce light of the equator until my senses trembled, dizzy and breathless.

🌅 Part 2 | The Horizon Becomes Part of Me

As the sunset spread like rose-colored veins across the sky, the drink, the landscape, and the light all became one. I was no longer just sipping a tea, but absorbing the entire moment—the air, the glow, the stillness—into my very being. It was a gentle, fragrant flood of everything beautiful, all taken in with reverent slowness.

🧀 Part 3 | Texture and Taste in Perfect Harmony

The soft cheese served alongside melted in my mouth with a rich, nutty aroma, blending effortlessly with the tea’s floral notes. Tiny bites of almonds and walnuts, roasted and sweet, crackled softly with each bite—asa-sak, bo-deuk, like a melody of textures. Together, the tastes amplified the living light in the tea, creating a flavor so vivid it felt like it had been painted by the sun itself.

🌙 Part 1 | 19:00–21:00 A Shimmering Sunset Clinging to My Back

On the way back to Hotel El Refugio de Salinas, the golden twilight clung to my back like a second soul— rippling and shimmering with every step, like the surface of a tea cup catching the last light of the sun. The echo of life within the wine from earlier, the afterglow, the warmth—it reverberated through my body, urging my footsteps forward in gentle tremors.

🍃 Part 2 | Lights Between the Veins of Grass

At the entrance of the hotel, soft garden lights began to flicker on one by one, casting a warm, golden glow between the leaves and blades of grass, as if illuminating the very veins of the earth. The night was settling in quietly, cradling everything in stillness.

🌼 Part 3 | A Cup of Chrysanthemum Blossoming in the Dark

Back in my room, I brewed a cup of chrysanthemum tea from the little tea station. Stepping onto the terrace, I held the cup gently, watching the steam rise into the cool air. Its soft, dewy scent wrapped around the back of my neck like a warm whisper, and in that moment, I could feel the flower itself blooming somewhere deep within the quiet of the night.

🌧 Part 1 | A Bitter-Sweet Cup and the Quenching of Silent Thirst

The slightly bitter, astringent flavor of the tea seemed to soothe a thirst I didn’t know had built up— refreshing and citrusy, like spring rain on a parched day. I carried my old notebook, laptop, and camera to a tiny, weathered table on the terrace, ready to spill today’s memories onto both screen and paper.

🎶 Part 2 | Melodies in the Lounge, Scribbles on a Page

While uploading the photos taken throughout the day, I let my hand move freely across the page, scrawling messy lines only I could understand. From the lounge in the distance came the soft murmurs of fellow travelers, their voices and laughter floating sweetly and brightly— like melodies tiptoeing across a piano’s ivory keys.

☔️ Part 3 | Rain on My Soul, Ink in the Wind

As I sat quietly at the table, a gentle spring rain began to fall— its whispers soaking into the heart like a lullaby. With each drop, the bittersweet scent of chrysanthemum wrapped itself deeper into my senses. The words flowed more easily now. That rain was writing with me, as if the memory of today was falling alongside it, gently, tenderly, into the lines of my old notebook.

🌧 Part 1 | Sipping with Eyes Closed, While Rain Writes My Heart

With my eyes gently closed, I took another slow sip— and the soft rain sounds had already soaked through every corner of my heart. It was as if the rain itself had picked up my pen, scribbling across the page in gentle, whispering strokes, its rhythm now my own, continuing to write what the day had left behind.

🖋 Part 2 | Becoming Rain, Writing the Day to Its End

And so, the day seemed to be drawing to a close. Yet I remained still, eyes closed, letting the rain write through me, as if I too had become part of the drizzle. Each drop, each hushed note of the falling rain, was a line written directly into my soul.

💧 Part 3 | Dewdrops That Reawaken the Andes

As the raindrops poured like ink across the page, images from the day returned—reborn within each dewdrop, breathing out the freshest, most transparent oxygen, so vivid it almost made me dizzy. The Andes Mountains began to rise again in my mind’s eye, drenched in life-giving dew, unfolding in mist and memory.

✨ Part 1 | 21:00–00:00 The Still Night of Salinas, Wrapped in Chocolate and Dreams

The quiet night of Salinas was softly draped in the scents of chocolate, cheese, and herbs. Beneath the crystal-clear sky, stars shimmered as if they might fall at any moment, illuminating the silence with their quiet brilliance.

🌫 Part 2 | Mist and Spring Rain Tapping on the Window

A faint mist, along with gentle spring rain, tapped against the glass, sliding slowly downward as if whispering lullabies. It felt like the world had paused, suspended between starlight and memory.

🍫 Part 3 | Invited Once More into the Scenery of the Day

The deep aroma of chocolate I had bought today, the nutty scent of local cheese, and the tender notes of herbs invited me once more into the breathtaking landscape of the day— not as a memory, but as a dream I was gently walking back into.

🍃 Part 1 | Evening Rituals with Local Flavors

I took out a few of the local herbal products I had bought today, letting their soft scents drift gently into the air like mist. I unwrapped a piece of chocolate and tasted it slowly. Then, once more, I brought a piece of nutty cheese to my lips— savoring its richness again, followed by the subtle blend of grape, mint, and herbal notes swirling gently around me.

📖 Part 2 | A Warm Bath and a Quiet Read

In the comfort of a warm, gently foaming bath, I opened a small book to read quietly. About twenty minutes passed, and drowsiness began to softly wrap around me. It felt as if every cell in my skin had awakened, but at the same time, my body longed to melt into softness.

😴 Part 3 | A Wish Before Sleep

I moved slowly to the bed, as if floating, and gently closed my eyes. Breathing deeply, I wished to return once more— into the dream I had already lived today. And just like that, I drifted off, carried into sleep by the very breath of hope.