Barcelona/ Madrid/ San José
 
We take our time. Take off  is at 1:30pm.
 
The breakfast is served as a buffet, (wearing gloves  and masks is mandatory ).
 
We arrive in an empty airport,  just a few destinations  connected  . It reminds us of our departure from San José last June.
 
At the check-in counter, the airline checks whether we are in possession of all the documents requested by Costa Rica.
 
At our transit in Madrid we are  controlled again before boarding ...No joke in times of pandemic.
 
After a very pleasant 11 hours flight we arrive in San José a little late.
 
We get a 58-day visa for the duration of our insurance, no more.
 
We collect our luggage and go to the hotel
The Preparations
 
Every country in the world has its own rules to allow access to its territory in this time of "pandemic".
 
To leave France            * fill up an authorization form
 
Entering Costa Rica    * No PCR test
                                      * Requirement to purchase  a special Covid insurance covering fees up to $50,000
                                         plus accommodation costs up to $2,000
                                      *  Return ticket
                                      * Questionnaire to be completed 48 hours before departure online
 
Entering Spain             * PCR test of less than 72 hours if arriving by air or sea
                                      * No PCR test if arriving by land or rail (what is the logic?)
                                      * Each region has complementary measures
                                         For Catalonia : no stop over allowed (things get complicated)
                                         and fill up an entry permit into Catalan territory
 
To go to Spain we will take the train .... But do we have the right to spend a night in Barcelona?
 
Of course internet does not help us .... We contact the Catalan Tourist Office which confirms the possibility of sleeping near the airport for a flight booked the next day.
 
To avoid possible refusals we prepare two files
 
* French file: authorization to leave the country for the following  reason "  vacation in Madrid "
Whatsapp from our friend Myriam showing us the booking  reference of our train between Barcelona and Madrid
Authorisation to enter Catalan territory on the grounds of "transit to Madrid"
 
* Spanish file: authorization of enter the country for the following  reason " Barcelona airport transit "
air ticket
hotel booking
 
We only have a week to prepare all these documents, put the house in order and organize our transfers
 
For more security we do a PCR test on Sunday morning at  Montpellier hospital.
Barcelona
 
Our friend Pascale gives us a lift  to Nîmes station.
 
Departure at 2:30 pm .... everything is ready.Go by car with masks!!!
 
While waiting for our train, Christophe buys two drinks for the trip and on his return he does not find his mobile phone .... Panic !.
 
We dial his number. No ring tone.
 
First thought: it’s been stolen while bying the drinks  ... Then we call Pascale to tell her the problem.... No panic.The phone fell in her car ... phew .... She brings it back to us at full speed just 10 minutes before the departure of the train
 

THANK YOU PASCALE .... That’s a good start…
 
It is important to know that when travelling the mobile phone is essential ... application of online banks, confirmation of purchase on the internet, contact of airlines or other organizations .... our daily life is regulated via this smartphone .... to meditate!!!
 
We are a little anxious when we arrive in Perpignan ... control or not .... Nothing ..... the same in Figueras .... Nothing
 
We arrive on time at Barcelona train station, and there, no control at all.  We take a taxi to reach our hotel, 5 minutes away from the airport. There is a lot of people on the streets and some shops are open.
 
Here, all security measures are taken as in France, access to our room is sealed like a crime scene!!
 
We dine at the restaurant and our meal is accompanied by a bottle of " Rioja " .... Excellent
 
What a pleasure to eat in the restaurant after 10 months ....
 
Impression of the day: we felt like escapees from a prison .... Funny feeling
Back to Costa Rica
 
For several months we’ve been  looking forward to going back to our camper.
 
The situation in France is not improving and the goverment is planning a targeted or total lock down.
 
So we wait until March 1st, Madeleine’s 93-year birthday, to leave.
 
Ok , but how?
 
Since January 31st,2021, one needs a compelling reason to leave  the country, out of the European space.
 
Is « getting your camper back before Costa Rica seizes it » a compelling reason?
 
The informations on the different sites are not very clear or contradictory. Christophe goes to Montpellier airport to inquire at  the border Police and Air France.
 
Results: Border Police ...... no answer
               Air France......... very clear: this is not a compelling reason. Noway you can board,  (the airline is responsible!!)
 
What to do? Since 1st February, on several travel websites the debate is launched and the solution tested by several travellers is to take a ticket to Madrid or Frankfurt (Schengen area) and then a second ticket from the elected Capital to San José.
 
It’s all very complicated, but it’s the only solution.
 
After several searches we opt for a Barcelona/ Madrid/ San José. (Cheaper option than from Marseille).with a return  ticket two months later (return ticket cheaper than a one way ticket), return  that we wont use.
 
Departure on March 10th ..... The adventure goes on!!!!!
ROAD BOOK 093
MAVROS ODYSSEE