From sweating to freezing, from telenovelas to CNN, from a dorm to a room with two king beds… yep, life is always an adventure.
I woke up early in Alajuela to take advantage of the free breakfast offered by the hostel.
It was a strange place. Due to its proximity to the airport, it was full of people arriving in Costa Rica or leaving. The owner was a sullen old lady obsessed with safety—she would buzz people in and out but didn’t give us the key to the front door. I didn’t talk to anyone but an old American guy who was at first very friendly. He said he had been there for a month—a month! What the hell was he doing here? Alajuela isn’t exactly an exciting place to stay.
Later in the night, everyone had gone to sleep and the TV in the living room was on very loud. I met the old American guy in the kitchen. “Do you think it would be okay to turn it down a bit?” I asked. “I think everyone is sleeping.”
He looked at me. “Who the fuck do you think you are? It’s not a fucking library here,” he yelled. “The TV isn’t loud!”
Okaaayyy… I didn’t bother getting into an argument with him and dropped it. People like him scare me—you never know why they go from nice to rude.
My flight was at 2:35 p.m. and I had plenty of time but the old lady wanted all the guests out of the room as early as possible, even though the checkout time was 11 a.m.
It was only 8 a.m. and I didn’t have anything to do. I decided to see if I could walk to the airport, only 3 kilometres away. I went there and back to the hotel, grabbed my bags and checked out for good. It only took me 30 minutes to get to the airport with my bags but I was sweaty by the time I arrived that I had to change my t-shirt in the bathroom.
I paid the airport tax (a whopping $29), went through immigration and security and explored the airport. Overpriced souvenirs, overpriced food… the usual.
The passengers were a weird bunch. A lot of people flew wearing flip-flops and a swimsuit top. I mean, come on! I know you are coming from the beach but you are heading to Toronto. Who the hell think flying in a swimsuit is a good idea?
The flight was late and we only took off at 3:30 p.m. We landed at 9:30 p.m. and I knew I may miss my connection to Ottawa, at 10:35 p.m. I rushed through immigration but checked luggage only started to show up on the carousel at 10:30 p.m. I had officially missed my flight.
I showed up at the Air Canada counter, where I was told I could be on standby for the 1 a.m. flight. “Can I just volunteer to be bumped to another flight tomorrow?” I asked. “Sure!”
A few phone calls later, the agent had arranged for me to stay at the Delta Hotel and I was given a few vouchers for food. I couldn’t believe it. First time I actually manage to get something from an airline!
And so here I am, in a nice hotel room, a cold pizza by my side (the only food I could get this late!). For once, I appreciate the free toiletry—shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.—since I ran out of everything. And believe it or not, there was hot water! I haven’t had a hot shower in… well, three weeks.
Alone in a hotel room. That’s a cool way ease the North American culture again.
Geez, I guess the reason why that American guy spent so much time in Alajuela is because a big weirdo!
Glad you were able to get a nice hotel to rest!
That could very well be! 😆
Well… a little extension to your time off 😀
😆 It is!
Nice!!! The perfect way to acclimatize yourself to life back with us 🙂
Yes! I wish it was spring already, though 🙁
Welcome back… You are a brave woman for traveling alone there… 🙂 Hope it puts you in a better place now.
Nah, not brave… just… you know, curious to see the world 🙂
Hola, you just made my day!! I realized it’s over a month I don’t read your blog, and just today I come to know you were in my country, wow, that’s awesome. Especially with this cold weather up here, it makes me wish to be there. It’s great to see Ticolandia, at least through somebody else’s eyes, great pics indeed. Hope you enjoyed. Pura vida!.
Hola Gaston! Tico, eh? Well, Costa Rica was a great place to travel and I enjoyed your country 🙂 I enjoyed it! Where about are you from in Ticolandia?
Hi, I’m from Cartago, you must lnow the place, not far from San Jose. It’s even quitter than Alajuela, that tells you all, LOL!!
I know i am soooo late, but welcome back !
It’s never too late 🙂