Today was my final day in Costa Rica, and I woke up at 6:00 not wanting to leave. I washed up and said good morning to Megan and then got a cup of coffee and watched the hummingbirds outside. Also staying in my room were two pretty girls from Texas named Kristen and Trisha. I talked with them for a few minutes and then called a taxi to take me to the airport. I got Megan’s email before leaving. The drive to the airport was only about 10 minutes and cost only about $6. The airport is really small and had the perfect view of Volcán Arenal. The runway is unpaved, the terminal is outdoors, and there is no security checkpoint! I got a photo of Arenal as it let out some smoke. It was very clear; much better than yesterday. I asked the girl what this town would do in terms of tourism if Arenal stopped erupting, and she told me that many people fear a big eruption very soon. I got a photo of the rice farmer working in the field adjacent to the runway. At about 7:45, the plane flew in. It is very small; only about 12 seats. There was only one another passenger, which was a lady from Venezuela. We then took off high into the clouds! All I could see was green, green, and more green. There is nothing brown. The landscape is incredible! The flight was only abut a half hour long, and we landed at Juan Santamaria Airport at about 8:15. I got my bag and then walked to the main part of the airport; only about a block away. I checked in for my flight and paid the $26 tax to leave the country. $26 could last me two days here! The line for the security checkpoint was very long, but I got through and I didn’t get another passport stamp, which sucks! Oh well. Anyways, I got a Red Bull and then did some souvenir shopping. I got two bags of coffee, a painted feather in a frame, a magnet, and a pen. Gifts are expensive at the airport, so I wish I had done my big shopping before I got to the airport. I then got lunch at Burger King, getting a chicken sandwich and fries. It’s such a surprise that I hardly ever eat fast food anymore because I used to eat it all the time! I sat for a bit and then sampled some chocolate-coated coffee beans, pineapple jelly, and passion fruit. They were very good! Before I leave Costa Rica, I’d like to tell you that one of their mottos is pura vida, meaning “pure life.” That’s true: it is so pure! I also sampled some rum and then got a few postcards. At 11:20, I went to the gate to get ready for my flight. One thing I’m curious about is that if the plane will either fly over Cuba or around the island. I’d love to get a good photo of Cuba from the airplane. Well, my aircraft is ready and I’ll see you on the plane.
