zzzxxx
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 2-22-2011
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My Flight into SJD today
So with quite a bit of trepidation, I headed down to LA to attempt to fly to the airport at Cabo San Lucas. The airport has been closed to
international flights since the hurricane hit, and my flight was to be the first international flight into SJD. I booked this flight on Alaska
Airlines 5 months ago - pure happenstance that this turned out to be the first flight into SJD.
Driving down the 405 through LA was all flocked up, and took me over 3 hours from Santa Barbara. I did not arrive at LAX until almost 9 AM for my
scheduled 10:10 departure. And, I had 5 boxes/bags and a damn dog to check! Alaska folks got it done, and I was at the gate with 10 minutes to
spare.
The flight down was as normal - beautiful views of the peninsula, with lots of stormy clouds mid way from the latest tropical depression.
As we approached SJD, the scenery was quite beautiful, with the desert and mountains vivid green. The arroyos are still flowing, lots lot water!
The mood on the plane was festive, conversations loud and boysterous. As we touched down, a spontaneous hooping and clapping erupted , obvious that
all on board were aware of the specialness of this first flight into SJD. Very cool, but the best was yet to come……
I was sitting on a left side window seat, and as we approached the jetway, I could see lots of ground personnel taking photos and clapping, with lots
of “thumbs up” directed to us. Very cool, still the best was yet to come…..
As we walked up the jetway, I could hear hoots and clapping… Upon reaching the terminal building, there was a long tunnel of airport employees
clapping and yelling, high-fiveing all the passengers as we departed. We were offered ice-cold coronas and water, all were handed a bag with a
t-shirt and other goodies, and a mariachi band was playing off to the side!!! It was truly a touching experience - I have never felt so welcomed.
The trip through customs was uneventful, with the red/green button functioning as usual. I will say that today was the fastest I have ever made it
though that process, but your results will vary I am sure…
I had arranged transport to Los Barriles 5 months ago on the eco-baja shuttle, but had not been able to contact them, and assumed a $100 cab ride was
on the agenda. Nope - the shuttle was there, waiting for me. Simple and easy.
Everything at Verdugos is good. My palapa is fine, needs a good cleaning (tomorrow, smokey’s tonight). Sat down with Martin for half an hour at the
bar, all good there.
Looking forward to fresh fish for dinner in the near future…..
Jack Whaley
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
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Good to hear Jack, thanks for the first day, first hand report!
Very important to have tourism return, nice welcome for sure.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Great to hear. What a nice trip! Viva Baja
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CaboSur
Nomad
Posts: 108
Registered: 9-10-2014
Location: San Jose del Cabo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Irrelevant
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Welcome back Jack,, Gringos have been few and far between.
From a Odile survivor
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Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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Jack, i copied your story to talkbaja.com.
Great story.
Barb
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CaboMagic
Super Nomad
Posts: 1109
Registered: 4-30-2005
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Jack I posted your note on our Facebook pages .. its wonderful to see. Thank you from all of us, and, I'll be so bold as to thank you on behalf of
everyone that loves CSL, SJD, LB, LP, PP, TS, EC and all of BSur .. please give Chris at Smokeys saludos ..
Thanks Doug for your ayuda to your tech challenged amiga me :-)
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13047
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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welcome to Baja Nomad Jack and your first hand account gave me "happy" goosebumps hearing how cool the whole scene was...I am sooooo very proud of the
Mexican government for the speedy response and rebuild down south....simply amazing.
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Maron
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 4-14-2014
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Great news and report.
thks
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
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Thank you for posting.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13195
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Welcome to the new folks!
That was an amazing story ... touching .... so inspirational.
Please entertain us with more of the same as you live your dream.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Great news. There are so many locals who are dependent on tourism. Without the flights, they are fundamentally unemployed.
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