Rosi CornwellTravelling to Nicaragua via three flights (to be money savvy).
We had a comfy trip from Tulum to Cancun airport on the Ado bus, and quickly figure out where to go, with the support of helful taxi drivers who must know that we don’t have a clue, as they offer support before we even need to ask.
At check in we show our passports and PCR results and send our bags off (we hope this isn’t the last time we see them due to the 3 change overs!!!) (However we have packed essentials in our hand luggage, so that if they do get lost, we have a clothes, first aid kit, technology and sleeping bags – not to tempt fate though…. ) We then go through security and it was all very straight forward and easy… even with time to spare to get food. We have been blessed in Tolum with vegan options and had to resort to onion rings and chips.. Although I never complain about chips!
We then go to TGI Fridays for a cocktail and make our way to gate A5 as noted on our boarding pass. The flight still isn’t showing so I ask some people who are sat at A5, but they are going to Bogota. Hollie then calls me over and the flight is at A7. We head over and sit down (I don’t know why we sat down) then they called our names out!! So we went in, and boarded the first flight to Costa Rica. The seats were kind of uncomfortable but it was only a short flight, so I put on the Harry and Megan documentary and fell asleep.
When we landed we had to get off the flight quickly as the boarding for the 2nd flight starts at the same time as landing!! It was surprisingly easy, although we weren’t expecting to go through security again, so we had to chuck a nearly full bottle of water… Which is no where near as bad as the couple behind who had bought 2 expencive bottles of duty free tequila and had to PUT THEM IN THE BIN. I hope at least the staff would take them out and make use of them. The bin is no place for tequila.
We had time to spare so went to get a bottle of water…and I saw kettle crisps salt and vinegar flavour.. Something that Mexico didn’t have…. $8 for crisps and $15 for vegan chocolate.. People weren’t kidding when they said Costa Rica is expensive!!!
We get on the 2nd flight to El Salvador and the seats looks much comfier than before…. But they have 0 leg room for anyone who is 90% leg like me. They asked us to put our hold bags under the seats… so there was even less space. Luckily there wasn’t a person in front to me so I could slide my feet under the chair for more room! Thank goodness it’s only an hour and a half.
I watch Netflix and then order a sprite. They gave me a small cup and ice and I placed it on the table and poured my drink… Just lovely. Theeenn the guy in front pulls on the empty seat to get back into chair and it sends the drink flying all over the poor guy next to me. We attempt some sort of clean up with tissues but it’s a lost cause. I apologise again, although this was in no way my doing.. And he says it is fine. They give me another drink and I’m almost scared to drink it now. I got chatting to the guy and he was very friendly and I’m glad it all worked out okay.
We have a stop over for a few hours in El Salvador and eat the only vegan thing we can find… Subway! We then sit down to wait for our flight, and because the departure lounge is so cold we take refuge around the corner in a warmer spot.
Although I’m not travelling alone, and I’m super grateful to be fulfilling this experience with one of my best friends, I’m so proud of myself for becoming so capable. I really do have my mum to thank for allowing me to be so independent… Although I did not thank her at the time, but when I was 17 and at college an hour away from home , I couldn’t even cope with a change over on the train to get back home for the weekend. I would make a fuss and complain about something that really is so very simple!
Then I had a boyfriend who went to Liverpool Uni, and I remember feeling like I had achieved so much by getting the train to Liverpool on my own. I figured ‘if I don’t know, ask’ and it’s not done me wrong so far. The Internet is great, but it can be unreliable and its not as social. Especially by asking locals in new places for directions.
I know that it would be pretty terrible if I hadn’t grown as a person in 12 years, but it just goes to show that when you feel like you can’t do something it’s all a matter of mind set and determination. Unless we’re talking about a sudoku.. Now that, I cannot do…..
