trip report, December 30th to April 29th

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:02 am

I had a great time once again this year. I was there almost 8 weeks in the autumn, home for a good part of December, then back again for 4 months starting New Years Eve. Most of the time was just day to day living and not really anything to write about. I already detailed our road trip to Guadalajara and Talpa, so I'll spare you all that again. This year I got to meet more people from the board such as army88 and Zeewot and met up again with Sandy and Fred, Tom and Lorrie, Smitty and his Laurie, and of course, Joyce and Freddie P. Rather than tell you more about the 4 months I was there I would like to tell you about my trip home. Maybe some of you will get a little chuckle out of it.
I'm not really the scatterbrain type (right, Joyce?) but I did a very scatterbrain thing this time. I guess because we left Canada on December 30 and Dave left for home on March 30 I had it in my mind that I was also leaving on the 30th (of April). Earlier in that week I started packing my suitcase and separating things I meant to leave at the condo for next time. I had already packed up what Dave left behind and got our handyman to shove the box in the overhead cupboards, then started on my own things. I left my jewellry, toiletries, and other sundry odds and ends out and planned to spend the day of the 29th cleaning out the fridge, finalizing packing, locking up stuff in the cupboards, etc., etc., as well as going to the bank for pesos for the maid and handyman, meeting a friend for brunch at 11 and playing dominoes at 1:30. I got up about 8:30, made coffee, frittered around and sat down at the computer only to read Dave's email saying he would see me that evening at the airport. "No", I thought to myself, "he's confused. Today is only the 29th and I don't leave until the 30th at 11:50 AM. Hmmmm, maybe I had better doublecheck". Well, you guessed it. It was now after 9 and I was leaving that day! You have never seen anyone move so fast and with the help of the handyman and leaving many things for my wonderful maid Sara to take care of, I made it to the airport just about 10:30, a little short of the proscribed 2 hours for international flights but not too bad. I was very flustered, a little winded feeling and completely out of pesos. Luck was with me in that there was no lineup at the Continental desk so I went through checkup and then upstairs, through security and into Departures. I hadn't eaten anything so I went to Starbucks and sat down for a breather at about 11:15, after which I walked to my gate and, just as I was about to sit down again, I remembered that I didn't have a pen to fill out the customs forms, or if I did it was at the bottom of a hastily packed and completely chaotic and disorganized carry-on bag. Seeing that I still had about 10 minutes until boarding time I decided to go and buy a pen. I went through 2 stores in the immediate area, neither of which sold pens but someone directed me back to the Mini-Mart, which was quite a long walk away and now I'm pushing my luck. I got there and there wasn't a soul around. I stood at the cash register looking and saying "hola, hola" but no one was there and now I'm getting more flustered and worried that boarding was starting. Spying a used Bic pen on the desk, I grabbed for it and ran, then started having a conversation with a little angel on my shoulder who was calling me a thief, followed by a little devil on the other shoulder saying, don't be silly, it's a used 39 cent pen, for crying out loud. They went back and forth while I hightailed it back to my gate, got in the line and turned to the lady who got in line right behind me and said, "wow, it's hot in here!" By this time, after having such a morning, feeling like a klutz, a scatterbrain and a thief, I had a fine sheen of perspiration on my face and was probably flushed. But anyway, I went through the boarding line and walked out to get on the plane. While waiting for that line to move a Continental clerk came up to me and asked me to step out of line. My immediate thought was "BUSTED. I'm going to jail over a stupid pen!" I asked her what this was about and she told me I had to see the doctor. The doctor? Then the penny dropped. I said is this because I'm flushed and sweaty and she said yes and I realized the lady behind me turned me in as a possible swine flu carrier. What a relief! I'm not going to jail for being a thief and having to fight the Mexican legal system over a pen. I was escorted into the terminal by a nice, apologetic young man, who turned me over to a doctor who took one look at me and said "there's nothing wrong with you". I said, hello, I know. I've just had a terrible morning. So, breathing a sigh of relief, I was allowed back on the plane to furtive glances from my travel companions and one lady in particular who wouldn't make eye contact, and I made it home at last.......

Plus4 · Post by **Plus4** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:43 am

Seems like a lot of drama and a lots of hassle ..

Not for me..decided next hot trip Country we are to going to try Cuba

btw

I am sure the flight attendants or a fellow travellers would have found a pen for you..
A pen is just too small a thing to sweat over... Ya think?

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:52 am

Plus4 wrote:Seems like a lot of drama and a lots of hassle ..
Not for me..decided next hot trip Country we are to going to try Cuba

btw I am sure the flight attendants or a fellow travellers would have found a pen for you..
A pen is just too small a thing to sweat over... Ya think?

Yes, they would but I don't like to borrow one. I like to be prepared and have my own, also for working the crossword puzzle in the flight magazine.

Plus4 · Post by **Plus4** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:55 am

Ahhhh

I see.....To each is own

sorry I find it rather silly..

pvgemini · Post by **pvgemini** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:34 pm

Ellen:

Your story is hilarious! I can only imagine how you must have felt when you realized your flight was that day---- heart racing, lump in the throat, wanting to figure out how you made the mistake but not having time to figure it out at that moment......

Now that everything worked out fine, it would be interesting to research what would have happened if you had altogether missed your flight. I bet the airline would have simply booked you on a flight within a few days, no charge or minimal charge. A standby passenger would have taken your original seat.

My husband travels (flies) for work alot, and he is constantly changing his flights, sometimes at the very last minute. The airlines don't seem to mind.

I want to hear about your daily routine when you are in Vallarta for 4 months!!! I am so jealous. We are going for 2 weeks soon! Have you been to the botanical gardens? Best new restaurant find? Where do you buy really yummy crusty bread?

Sally

northmb · Post by **northmb** » Sun May 24, 2009 3:33 pm

OMG Ellen! Glad to hear that you made it home okay in the end! I would have been frantic too - I'm one of those who needs to have all my ducks in a row hours ahead of time! And I'm with you on the pen thing - I always try and make sure I have at least two of them. This year Des was giving me a "lesson" on how to lighten the load in my purse and by mistake put only a pencil back in - instead of a pen. You can only imagine how frustrated I was when it came time to fill out those forms on the flight!

It was good to see you again this year - sorry that we missed Dave. We are already booked for next year - we'll have to plan a dinner at our condo!

Take care!

Sherry

sjl330 · Post by **sjl330** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:41 pm

Oh Ellen, I got quite a chuckle at your story. I would've have freaked out the very same way. How great that you actually read the email in time! If it were me with the red face and sheen, I probably would've just asked them "have you never seen a hot flash!!?" Lol. Once I get worked up and hot it takes forever to get cool, calm and collected again. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. And we can't wait to see you all again. Hopefully in February again, but things being how they are right now with the economy here we're holding off booking anything right now. Of course, I'm ready to go back right now!! I'm sure I'd get stopped by Drs. too though as hot as it is now. I'd just flash my hormone script at them.

travelbug_jp · Post by **travelbug_jp** » Mon May 25, 2009 1:28 am

Ellen!!! No wonder you were flustered, rushing around like that. Thank goodness you made your flight home but what a disappointment that you had to leave a day earlier than you thought.
And for the record ... no Ellen is not usually a scatterbrain.

Joyce

ellen · Post by **ellen** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:25 am

I'm glad some of you found it as amusing as I did in retrospect. If we can't laugh at our own foibles it would be pretty sad.

Sherry, I'm so sorry I forgot to mention meeting up with you and Des, too, especially since seeing you both is a highlight every year.

Thanks for the affirmation, Joyce.

Sally, I like the filone bread at Rizo's and Mega's bakery has our favourite crusty bread. As for the botanical gardens, I hadn't been for 2 years and originally found it sort of ho-hum as I'm not really into gardening. But this year a friend of mine opened up a new gift shop in the gardens and I went out to see it and have lunch and I must say I really enjoyed the whole experience this time. They have made several positive changes since I was there last. My daily routine is much like in Canada - get up, make coffee, check my email, etc., etc. When Joyce was there we often went for long walks in the morning before the real heat set in. We walked from Hotel Rosita south to the stairs (206 of them) past Blue Chairs, then back again. Sometimes we stop for coffee and once Joyce even finagled us an invitation in to see a condo at Vista del Sol. The people took the hint when Joyce asked if it was spacious in there. Of course, we had met them the night before at the meet-up at El Nido and really all liked each other so they hailed us as we were walking by. A couple of weeks later I introduced them to Sandy and Fred and we all went out to La Huerta together and friendships blossomed. Regarding your question about best new restaurant find, my friend from the Botanical Gardens introduced me to El Barracuda on the beach next to Hotel Buenaventura and I liked the food, the view and the atmosphere.

Sandy, I can't wait to see you and Fred next year and hopefully Steve and Dianne will be there at the same time.

Bye for now.......

islena · Post by **islena** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:49 pm

What a funny Flu / Flash story !

And, I put the Botanical Gardens on my 'try to do' list for
next visit to PV, (hoping for March 2010.)
A Gift Shop there ? Putting a star on that, make it a 'gotta try'.

islena

benito · Post by **benito** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:23 am

no matter how much planning we do, the last morning before the trip to the airport is much how you describe it, even if we have the day right...