Costa Rica > The trip to San José

After a flight of over ten hours, the Continental Airlines plane begins its descent at Houston Airport. I’m already quite tired of traveling and sigh, realizing that I’m only about halfway there. At Houston, I have to wait five hours for the connecting flight to Costa Rica’s capital, San José. With a strong coffee from Starbucks, I join other travelers at a table. Soon, travel stories are being shared across the table.

Costa Rica - This frog species is the most famous in Costa Rica

Five hours later, I’m back on board for the second flight. I notice a man approaching with a full backpack and three bags. I’m surprised he hasn’t checked any of his main luggage. And of course, he has the seat right next to me. With some effort, he manages to stow his bags. Soon we start talking in a mix of Spanish and English. He’s from the Limón region of Costa Rica and has just spent six months working on a cruise ship in Europe. Laughing, he tells me he still has two very large suitcases in the cargo hold. Then he points out the storm outside. In the dark, lightning bolts flash one after another across the horizon—a spectacular sight! I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’m glad it’s happening at a safe distance. Just before landing, I adjust my watch back by one hour. Costa Rica is eight hours behind the Netherlands. It’s strange that Houston is seven hours behind, while Costa Rica, further east, is eight. You’d expect it to be the other way around—I suspect it has something to do with daylight saving time in the U.S. Just before ten o’clock in the evening, the plane’s wheels touch the ground. Outside the arrivals hall, we meet Willem. He has lived in Costa Rica for four years and is the tour leader for this trip. For the first time, the entire group of 23 travelers is together. Willem guides us to the bus, which takes us to a hotel in downtown San José. On the streets of San José, it’s quiet around eleven o’clock at night. I barely notice it myself. At the Grand Hotel Costa Rica, we receive our room keys. I share a room with Roelof. When I open the door, it is exactly 11 p.m.—23 hours later than when I closed my front door at home. After a quick shower, I crawl under the sheets. Despite the humid warmth in the room, I fall asleep quickly.