Goodbye to Colombia

Pasto, 7:30 AM: breakfast at the Koala Inn (pancakes and fruit).  This has turned out to be one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed at, thanks in large measure to the host Luis, who arranged for a taxi ride to the distant airport.  I chatted with an Aussie couple, who just learned that Australia had slammed shut its border.  Ecuador is closed, too.  They have no idea what to do or where to go next.  I hope my exit plans are more successful.

My flight from Pasto to Bogota was uneventful, with a wide body jet about 10% full.  Bogota airport was mostly empty, but there were some long lines of people trying to get somewhere.  I had a 5 1/2 hour layover here.  Lots of masks, hand washing, disinfecting going on.  I was able to rest in a corner at least 20 feet from others.

I just checked in to my two remaining flights (Bogota > Panama City > Mexico City).  I was nervous for four reasons: (1) My Copa flight to Panama City was not listed on the Departure board; (2) There was a big line at the Copa ticket desk; (3) There was practically no line at the Copa check in line; and (4)  I have no ongoing flight reservation out of Mexico (sometimes Mexican immigration insists on one).

Bought a bottle of antiseptic gel, small enough to carry on airplanes.  Spent last Colombian pesos on a meal.  Bye bye Colombia!  Almost three months!

Well, despite it not being listed, my flight turned out to exist - and even be on time.  Everybody was so polite boarding; nobody tried to board before their number was called.  Maybe because of the coronavirus?  Or more probably because Colombians aren’t as mean and pushy as Americans!  My seat mate disinfected her serving tray, and provided me with a wipe as well, without my asking.  And unlike the last flight, this one to Panama looks pretty full.

Big wait in Panama City, and pretty full plane to Mexico City, but a pretty good meal on board, and no entry problems: I got a 6 months visa.  A lot fewer masks at this airport: Mexico has not locked down borders or canceled group events, as have some countries in Central and South America : Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

They weighed my carryon backpack - I’m assuming that if I had been over the weight limit I would have to pay extra.  But I was way under the limit.  For the past several months I’ve been hauling around my camping equipment in the hopes to use it in the Peruvian Andes, but never got to use it.  Sigh...

My VivaAerobus flight to Puerto Vallarta was only about a third full.  Business must be way down.  I see very few foreign tourists aboard.  I took the local bus from the airport to Punta Mita.  “Home” at last!  

So nice that I was met by a local band: