Returning to Chile's capital after 8 years feels like stepping into a time capsule

Revisiting Santiago brings a sense of déjà vu. Having rushed through all its attractions eight years ago, I found no urge to explore them again. So I transformed this trip into a "hotel retreat" - truly confining time within four walls. Santiago's summer feels like a season enchanted by sunlight: while thermometers show 20°C, stepping into the sunshine gives an intense burning sensation from the extreme UV radiation. Yet retreating into shaded areas brings sudden chills, with dramatic temperature differences. As sunset approaches, the evening chill even makes one shiver. I stayed at the Sheraton Santiago, a historic hotel built in 1970 that maintains its charm without feeling dilapidated. But opening the balcony door to view the city revealed little change - everything seemed frozen in time, exactly as eight years prior. The same buildings with their weathered facades, even the rhythm floating in the air remained untouched by time's passage. Some places reached their peak decades ago and simply stopped evolving. Being here feels like entering a temporal capsule where everything is preserved indefinitely. This experience made me understand why I cherish my ever-changing homeland so deeply - where time truly flows dynamically, with every inch of land pulsating with unstoppable growth energy.