Wednesday: 27-6-12
10:57 pm
Quote of the day: Dude, all I want to do is lay in a hammock and listen to 90`s music. (Quote inspired by listening to Real McCoy on Pandora) The problem is I won´t have an internet connection in the hammock.
The fastest way to earn entry into my journal-blog is to forget that tonight is the night you are supposed to take Jason and I to the airport. I arrived at my sister´s house in the early evening. She greeted me with a mojito and conversation on the deck. It was the perfect way to unwind and relax, to begin my mental preparations for the long night ahead. She prepared us a feast of fish tacos, chips, salsa, guacamole and...more mojitos. It was a nice, fun way to get us into the Costa Rican mood. Before we knew it, it was time to load up and head into teh city to catch our ride to the airport. Jason had arranged for one of his friends to take us to the airport around 9:30. We arrived a bit early to his house, around 8:30, to find no one was home. There was no sign of life, yet we rang the doorbell anyway. Nothing. I assured Jason it was okay because we were so early. I suggested we get some ice cream at this delicious place around the corner called Salt & Straw. Jason agreed to this proposition so we made our way towards the ice cream shop. As we neared the store, it was plain to see everyone else that lived in Portland also had decided that a Wednesday evening at 8:44 would be a great time to get ice cream. Clearly, we were not going to wait in that line. I mean we had time, but not that much time. We decided to park and walk to a promising sounding place called Tonelli´s Donuts and Cream. Afterall, if their selection of ice cream was substandard, they, at least, had donuts. The ice cream selection was just fine. After our sweet treat, we returned to the Jason´s friend´s house and Jason tried to call him. Again, nothing. Jason was quickly approaching panic mode. I made futile attempts at help since I didn´t know anyone´s phone number except for Nicki´s and I´m sure she was working. Oh well, she got a frantic message from me anyway. She never called back though. Rude. Jason quickly thought of a new plan and called another friend as we were quickly approaching 9:30 and had decided we must try to be to the airport at 10:00, for our midnight flight. The new friend was more than willing to oblige Jason and was on his way when Jason thought he saw a light on in the house and thought, I´m going to try the doorball one more time. Lo and behold, who answered the door but his friend that was supposed to take us! Here´s how THAT convo went:
Jake: Oh, hey man what´s up?
Jason: (Casually glances at watch) Oh, nothing much, I guess we´ve got some time before we head to the airport...
Jake: Oh...today´s Wednesday isnt it?
HAHA, Jason quickly called his other friend back to tell him we no longer needed his services.
-Sidenote: I am writing this via the airplane, as we are waiting to take off. They just dimmed the lights and I´m seriously considering how much longer I will be able to keep my peepers open. Not long is my guess. We are nearing midnight....
Okay, back to the story at hand. We finally arrive at the airport and step up to get our boarding passes. Of course, silly me, I booked my ticket under Judy and my passport, is, of course, under Judith. So, we have to have a United representative confirm my identity. I greatly look forward to getting hassled about that at every airport between here and there. Then, came security. What a special little treat that is, right? My security stop actually wasn´t so bad and yes, I got a trip through the full-body scanner! Woohoo. The real intriguing part of this miracle of flight is the people. Let me paint you a picture of the guy in front of me. Male. Young, probably early 20`s. Blond, tussled hair. Red plaid shirt, unbuttoned just enough to give us a sneak peek of his tribal chest tattoo. Overalls, tucked into his cowboy boots. His luggage consists of a green, military style backpack and a trumpet. A trumpet? I want to know his story, instantly. I´m so fascinated. As we are passing through security, however, he gets stopped, because in that green Army backpack he had, you´ll never guess it, too much organic peanut butter. Of course he did. It turns out, this is not an acceptable carry on item. The security officials sadly inform him that they have to take it, but they do offer for him to check it. He considers this momentarily then decides he can do without.
Jason and I know not what to do withourselves until we board, so we head to Laurelwood Brewery. Here, more interesting people. This was a people-watching paradise. In the span of about 15 minutes, we watched two strangers converse, laugh and make their newfound ¨friendship¨official by becoming Facebook friends. They made unofficial plans to meet up at Bonnaroo next year, and exchanged email addresses. Wow. Then, we watched a guy get cut-off as he apparently kept ordering more drinks and then denying that he did so when the bartender showed up with his drink. Then, came the time, we had been eagerly awaiting, boarding. Naturally, I´m still irrationally concerned about my carry on not being accepted even though Jason´s pack is clearly larger than mine and he´s not worried about it at all. We measured mine before we left my sister´s and it met requirements but still, I worry. As we are waiting to board, we get approached by a United official. Of course, I´m thinking that they are going to check my bag. But, no, instead they want to know if we´d be willing to sit in the emergency aisle. After about 10 seconds of deliberation and realizing we will have more leg room, we agree. As I sit here and write, yes, we´re still on the runway, I´m fairly certain we just heard drilling on the underside of the plane. The pilot just announced that one of the lavatories isn´t working except Jason, nor I, know what direction ¨fore¨or äft¨is so hopefully I fall asleep soon and can make it through the 3.5 hour flight to Houston.
I can´t believe it. We´re on our way to Costa Rica!!!
Things I learned today:
1. Peanut butter is considered a liquid, or must adhere to the same regulations as a liguid, when flying. Keep your peanut butter at home. It really is best.
2. Always call-text-email your friend who is responsible for your transportation to the airport on the day, or morning of needed transportation.
12 hours to San Jose! EEK!
Night yàll.
Judy
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