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Volunteering in Costa Rica

Friday, March 20, 2009 - Journey outwards
by Pokin Y. (in Newark on Mar 20, 09)
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3 hours before departure
I’m leaving for my red-eye flight and of course I’m running behind.  Realization sets in that I’m about to go without internet and phone access, so I decide to compensate by loading myself right up at least with the presence of techno-gadgets.  I think I’ll get an iPhone, I say and shortly after I’m at the one AT&T store that happens to be suffering from a non-functional network.  No network = no internet = no activation = no iPhone.  I wait a harrowing 40 minutes before it comes back up and I get the phone.   At this point it’s almost time to go so I rush to get some takeout food, race home to pack, stuff an iPhone, macbook, Kindle, camera,  iPod, other camera and way too many power chords into a bag and dash out the door.  Still high from the adrenaline rush and not thinking too much about my exciting flights from San Francisco to Newark and then back down to San Jose, Costa Rica.

2 hours before departure
Realize that I’m going to be in a malaria zone, and that I didn’t buy malaria pills.  Way to go self.  I did remember 2 boxes of chocolates biscuits and 3 chocolate bars so maybe I’ll just drown my sorrows with chocolate bar if I get bitten to pieces.

1 hour 15 before departure
Arrive at airport.  Pats self on the back for arriving to the airport with enough time to check in and not miss my flight.

15 minutes before departure
Discover that I somehow got a free upgrade to 1st class when I check my boarding pass and find myself assigned to seat 2A.  Wow nice!  Nervousness settles in – will they realize I’m a first class flight impostor and make me get back to some other seat?

On the plane
Relief sets in that I won’t get kicked out of my seat and i get settled in.  Am already given a hot towel and a glass of water.  Wow I can get used to this.

On the plane + 2 hours
Told that they were serving a Ruben Sandwich and Hot mushroom and Leek soup.  Say yes to the leek soup and then realize I don’t have cash on hand.  Don’t know this yet, but the constant feeling of lack of cash is going to plague me the rest of this trip.  Stress in seat until I realize that it’s included in first class service.  Wow I’m really not used to this.

On the plane – lights go out
Realize the real benefits of first class when I can curl in the chair in a fetal position and fall asleep.  First comfortable sleep on a plane ever.

Some time in the morning
Wake up to the smell of baked goods.  OMG they are passing us mini warmed muffins.  Bliss.
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