Adios San Miguel

We rose early to eat breakfast and finish last minute packing and tidying up the home we had rented in San Miguel de Allende. We were at the end of this stay and off for another adventure in Oaxaca southern Mexico.

To the Airport

Helen Calling Bajiogo Office 

Helen had previously arranged transportation for the 90 minute trip from SMA to the Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) airport near Leon. To confirm our transportation reservation made before we departed the States, we stopped by the local Bajiogo office in SMA the previous day to confirm our pick up time. It was confirmed that the driver would be at our house between 8:15 and 8:30. Well, given such assurances, you can only imagine what happened next?

When 8:40 rolled by and our transportation was nowhere in sight, Helen called the office. Yes, the driver is on the way, but there are many pick ups. When the shuttle van picked us up at 8:50, we realized that he was not yet driving to the airport. He was still scurrying about town picking up passengers. The last passenger boarded the van at 9:15. This last passenger shared that his pick up time was also 8:30 am.

Okay, 9:15 on we were our way to the airport. Everyone was checking their watches. A one and half hour drive. Arrival time should be 10:45. Close, but we will be okay for our 11:30 flight. Still time to check in, drop off bags, clear security and find the gate. Deep breath.

If we miss this local flight, we could miss our connecting flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca City. Deep breath.

As the van worked its way to the airport, the last passenger picked up provided real time "estimated time of arrival" by tracking the trip on Google Maps.

As it turned out, the driver put the pedal to the metal and completed the journey in just over an hour. We darted from van to airline counter and completed the check-in formalities without much fuss. Our discovery at check in was that the two free luggage check-ins afforded by our use of our Delta Amex card was not honored on this internal flight from Leon to Oaxaca. With a combination of pesos and credit card we paid the 500 pesos ($27) for each piece of luggage.

Okay, this time to pass through security and make it to the gate for our 11:30 flight. At the gate by 10:40.  We're good.

Gate at BJX

We then discovered our 11:30 flight has been re-scheduled for 11:15. One more deep breath and a startled look at each other for our good fortune and we were on our way.

The actual flights (Leon to Mexico City and then Mexico City to Oaxaca) were pleasant and rather short (45 minutes and 75 minutes). We deplaned at the Oaxaca City airport to discover that other than private planes, our small commercial puddle jumper was the only aircraft at the airport. Needless to say, gathering our luggage was pretty simple.

Luggage tags are checked by airport personnel before you depart so make sure to have your part of your luggage tags handy upon arrival.

To the AirBnB

We needed to catch a taxi to our AirBnB. The only information, other than the address, provided by the AirBnB owner was "it's a short ride" and "it should not cost much."

This airport, we learned, provided transportation via a shared shuttle van service vs. individual taxis. One pays for ride at a counter in the lobby based on the zone to which one is traveling. There is a per person charge for this service.

The clerk at the transportation counter determined that we were traveling to Zone 1.  We paid 80 pesos ($4.40) per person and took our receipts outside. We were then quickly directed to a white nine passengers van. Once full, off we went.

Addresses, Phone Numbers and Maps

As part of what we like to call our "savvy travel preparation",  we carry a printout with the address of our destination, a local phone number and a Google Maps printout showing the location of our destination.

Once in Thailand, the Roman lettering of our desired address was a complete mystery to our taxi driver. However, the local phone number had enabled the driver to get directions from a fellow native speaker. We thought, "What if there were no answer to that call?"  Ergo, carry a Google Map with the routine from our starting to ending location clearly marked.

Our driver at the Oaxaca City airport looked at both the printed address and our Google Maps printout and finally said, "Okay."

Arrival at the AirBnB

AirBnB Courtyard - Bedroom Top Floor in Background

Earlier as we collected our luggage, Helen had texted the AirBnB owner, Flilippe, to confirm our arrival.

He was at the AirBnB to greet us. After some instructions we were handed keys and wished a happy stay.

Let out deep breath. We arrived safely with our luggage and without incident.