Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 - 9:30 pm - I can't believe that it hasn't even been 24 hours yet. We just got back to our hostel from dinner. It all started, of course, late last night in the Tijuana Airport, the first of three airports we would get to know all too well in an 18 hour span. As we arrived at the Tijuana terminal we ran into our first "issue". The drivers needed to be paid in pesos, of which we had none. So while I (Dr. Rey) took the boys into the terminal, Ms. Mekrut took a short ride with the driver to an ATM. We were reunited in short order, not realizing that that was going to be the easiest part of the day! Check in took forever... the line... then the tedious time going over (and over...) passports, rosters, tickets, luggage weigh in, tagging luggage... with a clerk who apparently spoke no English, while listening to the racket of construction just several feet away. BTW, Ms. Mekrut did a great job with her Spanish in my humble opinion. With a couple of assists from our student experts in the language, Jorge and Will S. While dealing with more "issues" at check in, once again Dr. Rey took most of the students on through security (a breeze compared to US Airports) and waited for Ms. Mekrut and the others to catch up. We were worried about the departure time approaching, only to find out that there was no plane waiting at our gate. So we stood, and stood, and stood!!! Finally getting off the ground almost an hour late.
Once on the plane we quickly realized that Americans have nothing to complain about regarding legroom on a plane! Sleeping on the flight was frequently interrupted by leg cramps and sore knees from being pressed against the hard plastic of the seats in front of us. Upon arriving in Guadalajara we were glad to get off the plane, but all wanted to be going to a comfy bed. Instead, there we were in another airport trying to get comfortable in the waiting area chairs. Although some of the guys were sound asleep in minutes, most of us weren't sure that this was any better than the seats on the plane.
Eventually we gave up trying to get some "rest" and we went various ways at the food court for some breakfast. Then more hours in the confines of the Guadalajara Airport. After trying to get some more shuteye sitting 30 feet away from a Krispy Kreme donut stand, Ms. Mekrut and I both gave in to temptation and had a wonderful sweet treat!
Finally, after nearly 6 hours, it was time to board the flight to Guatemala City. Now we began another encounter with red tape as we each filled out immigration forms and an affidavit that we weren't carrying more that $10,000 US currency! We made sure the boys all answered NO, and checked the box stating they were born in the USA. The two hour flight to Guatemala City was uneventful (at least the seat in front of me didn't have hard plastic bruising my knees.) And the terrain was beautiful as we circled in preparation for landing.
After deplaning and hitting the bathroom, more red tape. We filled our immigration forms in preparation to go through Customs. Everything went smoothly through Customs, and even the anxiety that someone's luggage would not arrive for several more days soon dissipated as all bags were safely accounted for at the baggage carrousel. Our short lived sense of security soon left us when we realized that the van from the hostel was not there awaiting us. The situation was looking bleak (to Dr. Rey and Ms. Mekrut, as the boys were blissfully unaware that this was a problem.) After a few frustrating moments, this "situation" turned into just another "issue" handled beautifully by Ms. Mekrut. With the aid of a couple of very helpful airport personnel we were able to contact the hostel and get the vans to shuttle us to our welcoming rooms with actual beds for sleeping.
After straightening out a few more "minor details" here at the hostel, we are finally all quieted down for a good night's rest. Tomorrow we take on the road to San Lucas Toliman and the adventure that still awaits us.
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