Costa Rica - Dia Uno

Hola from Costa Rica!

Travel days are the worst, really they are. The airport car service picked us up at 3:30am. I wasn't
tired when I woke up because I felt like I never went to sleep. We were at JFK by 4:15. There's hardly anyone at JFK that early in the morning so we were checked in and through security by 4:45. We tootled around the airport for a bit, bought some magazine and light breakfast to eat on the plane. We were disappointed that Hudson News didn't have any sudoku or puzzle books, strange. We boarded the plane, settled into our seats, and pushed back from the gate right on time at 6:15.

The five hour plane ride to San Jose was pretty uneventful. I slept in fits because I was so tired but so uncomfortable, airplane seats are like mini torture devices. The lady behind me complained to the flight attendant of being claustrophobic and was upset that I had pushed my seat back. The flight attendant told her he was sorry but everyone has the option to put their seat back. I listened to it all through my earplugs while I was trying to sleep. The most exciting part of the airplane ride was when a cart came around with food. Yes, FOOD on an airplane! And hot food at that. Scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese and potatoes, yogurt, and a roll with jam and butter. Only USA based airlines deny you the right to eat...

We landed in San Jose ahead of schedule. The customs line was short as our flight was the only one arriving. Our one checked bag (we packed light!) came quickly at baggage claim. We exchanged about $50 into Colones and met a taxi driver who escorted us to his lovely bright orange taxi to to the Nature Air mini airport about 20 minutes away. So far, so good.

We arrive at Nature Air at 9:40am. I know there is a 10:25am flight to our destination of Nosara. I tried to book that flight instead of the 2:15 but the Nature Air representative I spoke to told me that would be impossible, that since my flight from JFK landed at 9;25 we would not be able to get on the 10:25 flight to Nosara because they require two hours advance arrival. I knew that we would be able to make it as I've done this trip six years ago, traveling from San Jose International to the Nature Air mini airport to get a flight to Nosara.

So here we are, waiting in the Nature Air mini airport waiting for our 2:15 flight and we've been here since 9;40. The check in representative told me that if I had booked the 10:25 flight I would have been allowed on it, despite the two hour before departure claim. Hearing that was frustrating as I could be sitting on the beach RIGHT NOW instead of in this tiny airport with nowhere to purchase food (and a very hungry husband). However, it is good in the sense that if our flight from JFK had been delayed and we missed the 10:25 we would not necessarily get a seat on the 2:15 nor have our money refunded.

What irked me the most about check in with Nature Air though, was the aerosols policy. My husband is fair and I like to take good care of my skin. I spend a lot of time in the sun in the summer months teaching swimming lessons and I like to wear lots of sunscreen to keep my skin looking young and fresh for as long as possible. I packed about 7 bottles of aerosol sunscreen because it goes on easy with complete coverage and it's not greasy. I know it's not the best for my skin OR the environment, but sometimes easiness wins for me. The check in attendant informed us that aerosols are not allowed on Nature Air flights because they are highly flammable, which is a danger for the teeny tiny twelve seater planes they fly. Le sigh. I had to surrender ALL of my sunblock except the 4 bottles of lotion I brought (I packed A LOT of sunblock) and my very wonderful DEET bug spray. I was so unbelievably tired and frustrated that we couldn't get on the full 10:25 flight that I just started crying in the middle of the airport. Oh boy, what a great way to start a vacation.

I know for certain that the vacation will only get better from here. I mean, I won't have to wait around in airports anymore and I can purchase more sunscreen and bug spray in Nosara.

Until then...