This trip began like most of my others. I thought I had more time before my departure but an unplanned reminder helped me realise I was wrong. I had one hour less which meant I had to cut out some errands I planned to do on the way to the airport. Thankfully, I received a call from Mexico to see if I was still coming due to the expected hurricane which prompted me to check my itinerary.Being so used to carrying-on my luggage, I declined to check my bag. I worried that a 55-minute transfer in Dallas would not be enough time to make my connection. Having made it to the security scanner, after a cool 40 minute wait for Immigration, I remembered the bottled water, wine and toiletries I did not want to throw out. I had to be buzzed out of American territory to go back to the ticketing desk to get a tag to check my bag. I had to go through Immigration again (with a new form) but I was lucky enough to talk my way into the priority lane.
The flights on AA were basic but efficient. There was no entertainment service and although I had my computer, there were no AC outlets. I am proud to state that I did two more lessons of my German language studies before time ran out - something I haven't done since returning from Germany.
The flight to Cabo had about 17 people occupying the 140-odd seats. Many tourists backed out due to the hurricane. Just before landing we were given two forms - one was only written in Spanish. I guessed my way through it, and cleared Customs, so I must have done OK.
I exited the terminal and was soon approached by a man offering shuttle service to the hotels. Reluctantly, but knowing my only other choice was an $80 cab ride, I gave my hotel name. He was wearing a uniform but that only lessened my suspicion by one or two per cent. He quoted me $15 so I gave him a twenty, half thinking that I'd never see him again as he walked away to get my change. I felt bad for being so untrusting, especially when I saw him walk back to me after only a few minutes with my change, a receipt and a great big smile. He took my bag to another man who loaded it into a mini-van. Again in doubt, I couldn't rest until I checked to see if my bag was in fact on my shuttle or left behind to be looted later on. Fortunately, it was there.
Unfortunately, I arrived at my hotel some 75 minutes later to learn that the whole property had been evacuated due to the hurricane and everyone was moved to the hotel's sister property in town. I arrived at the sister property with mixed feelings. I walked through a pleasant outdoor concierge with cockroaches bigger than mice on route to a friendly reservation team that couldn't find me my room (I was sharing with others and there was trouble finding the correct surname on the booking). After some time, I learned that my friends hadn't checked in yet. I waited for them in the lobby and one hour later, they showed up, completely shocked that I had arrived. They were told the airport closed several hours before I landed and that there was no possible way I'd be coming.
Our new hotel has little to write home about. The microwave, air conditioning, one sink, wi-fi and safe didn't work. It was clean, but it reflected good times from about 20 years ago. I heard our real hotel - Hacienda Encantada - is absolutely amazing. I am hopeful I will get a chance to get back there by Thursday morning.
