Everyone Into the Pool!

[days_unfolding]

Hmm. I'm pricing out a trip to Puerto Vallarta because I really wanted to see it. I already know that I'll be going back to Costa Rica. There are largely all-inclusive resorts, which I don't want. I'd want things within walking distance. Or maybe there’s a short Mexico cruise? I’ll have to check. There’s an eight-day cruise from San Diego that goes to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan. Hmm, there's a New Year's Cruise. That would be nice, and I wouldn't have to take time off of work.

Beautiful day. We’ve been having great weather for the cruise.

I went to the Panama Canal talk. It wasn’t what I expected; it was people asking questions of the captain. Interesting questions, though. There are a bunch of ship geeks on board (not surprisingly). I wishlisted a book about cruising the Panama Canal. I’d like to learn more about what was going on.

It's nap time. I had problems falling asleep last night because I was overtired and overstimulated and couldn't shut my mind off. Slept for an hour. I’m feeling a little shaky. Food helped.

Took a dip in the pool. I seriously love that pool. It was a lot deeper than I realized--over my head--but no big deal. I don't panic in deep water. The water felt a little cold when I first got in, but then it was perfect. Crystal clear. I swam. There was a shallow lip where most of the women were hanging out because they didn't want to get their hair wet or whatever. (It gave me a cheap way to feel superior :)) And whatever chemicals they used didn't bother my eyes at all. Can I bring it back with me?

When I was a kid, I was a water baby. I loved to swim. I'd be turning blue, and I'd ask my parents for "five more minutes". But now, I swam a little, hung out at the side for a while, and then got bored and got out. The warm sun felt good after the pool.

I’m hoping that I can go through Customs at O’Hare, not Miami. I have Global Entry (best money that I ever spent), so I should sail through the line, though.

I'm largely packed. Oops, I need to take down the magnets on my door. And order a room service breakfast for tomorrow because I can get it at 6 AM. I'm going to splurge and get Lobster Benedict. Wait, no, I can't because there will be an extra charge, and I will have paid off my account already. Now the passport inspection is at 6:45 AM, instead of 7:45. Ugh.

I just had a major dizzy spell. Yikes. Food helped.

Must remember to go to Guest Services to settle my account.

It’s still early, but I’m going to post soon and get to bed early. I need to get up before dawn to wash and put my last-minute stuff away. Oh, and I had to wash some socks today for tomorrow and the next day, so I’m going to use the blow dryer to dry them (partially done--it started burning my hands, so I need to let it cool).

It's too bad that I'm going to miss the more interesting part of the trip, but it is what it is. At least, I can sightsee while the driver is driving me to San Jose, Costa Rica.

Comments

[shadowkat]

If you get off the plane and have to change planes in Miami - then you have to go through customs in Miami. It's the first entry point in the US. I had to do it when I was traveling from Europe to New York, and shifted planes to go to Kansas City, also had to do it when I traveled from Kansas City to Australia, with a switch in Hawaii (we had to go through customs in Hawaii) and the same thing happened when I went from Costa Rica to Fort Lauderdale (change planes) to New York. (Do not go through Fort Lauderdale - the worst airport in the US).

If changing planes from Costa Rica to Belize to Miami, you only have to go through costumes in Miama. It's based on the entry point in a country, as you enter it, and if you are traveling domestically within it.