The day started with an early rise and no concrete plans as the soft glow of the morning slipped through the hotel curtains. I made my way down to the lobby restaurant, greeted by the comforting aroma of fresh pastries and syrup. Breakfast was a feast — three buttery croissants, a bowl of Frosted Flakes with a splash of milk, and a towering stack of eight bite-sized pancakes drenched in maple syrup. To wash it all down, I sipped on a glass of sweet pineapple juice, a bright reminder of the tropical surroundings from only a few days earlier. It was a slow, satisfying start to the day, a quiet moment before the scramble of day planning began.
By 9:00 AM, I was back in my room, phone propped up for a FaceTime call with mom and dad. Their familiar faces, a world away, made the hotel room feel a little less distant. We chatted about my adventures so far — the unforgettable experiences of Ecuador and the stunning sights in the Galapagos! And as parents do, they reminded me not to forget little things like staying hydrated and doing my laundry. It was a brief but grounding conversation, a slice of home in the middle of my journey.
Taking their advice to heart, I gathered my laundry and set off in search of a laundromat. After lugging 10lbs of worn clothes for a mile, I happened upon a small laundromat. A few mere quarters was the price, way cheaper than the hotel’s laundry service. The hours passed slowly, the rhythmic hum of washing machines keeping me company as I waited. In the lull, I was able to do some research about Cuenca, the city I chose as my intermediate stay before hopping back into the high energy travel I am accustomed. With the final click of the dryer, I pulled out my warm clothes and dropped them back at the hotel. My next stop: to go buy a hat!
A 2 mile walk through Cuenca’s historic center led me to the Panama Hat Museum, a small but fascinating spot brimming with history and craftsmanship. Ironically, the not-so-aptly named Panama hats are made in Ecuador. I picked out a sleek, light-colored hat for myself and second slightly smaller darker-hued hat as a gift for my little sister — a perfect souvenir. I tried chatting with a few of the workers there about the hat making process as I observed their work firsthand but unfortunately my lack of Spanish knowledge cut the conversation short. Though one of the workers offered to add a strap to my hat free of charge! I retraced my steps another 3.5 kilometers back to the hotel with hat in hand, feeling extremely content about my purchase!
Dinnertime came quickly and hunger led me back out in search of something to eat. I found a small, cozy restaurant where I ordered two juicy hamburgers, simple but satisfying. A quick stop at a convenience store for some snacks completed the meal. Back in my hotel room, I spent the rest of the night sorting through photos and videos, crafting a highlight reel from my Ecuador and Galapagos trip. The colors, the wildlife, the breathtaking scenery — it all stuck vividly in my mind as I posted the moments online. By the time midnight rolled around, I finally crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep with the quiet satisfaction of another full day abroad.
No Regrets: The Only Way To Live 