Transfer in Lima

(September 20)

The plane from which we had just disembarked in Lima

Immigration in Lima was a breeze: there were several empty counters for us to choose from.  At baggage claim the priority tags seemed to be honored and our bags were within the first few dozen bags off the belt.  We had a bit of a scare when C couldn’t locate the baggage claim checks when asked by an agent, but the agent was able to match the name on our bags with the name on our passports and let us pass.

While waiting for our bags we got cash from an ATM.  The ATM appeared to dispense both US dollars and Peruvian Nuevo Soles.  I’ve always wondered how it works to withdraw US dollars from a foreign ATM.  (Is the transaction processed in dollars throughout, or is there a double-conversion going on?) As is common in inexpensive countries, the ATM would only give out a small amount of cash (400 soles or approx. $150) with a fairly steep fee of 12 soles ($4.50).  This would be the first test of the foreign ATM fee reimbursement of our Capital One checking accounts.

Fast forward through customs and domestic check-in, and it’s time for some breakfast, since we slept through all food on the plane.  There was a large food court before security, including several American favorites – Subway, Papa John’s, McDonald’s, and Dunkin’ Donuts.  We opted for Dunkin Donuts.  Our choice was two English Muffins with Huevos, Jamon, y Queso and a Grande Dunkin Original (coffee).  All was yummy.  Fortunately Dunkin Donuts accepted credit cards, allowing us to conserve the small helping of cash dispensed by the ATM.  It was while paying for breakfast the C noticed that his wallet was suspiciously empty.  What was missing?  The ATM card.  Hm… maybe it got put inside the wallet instead of in the outside credit card spot.  (We did have a brand new wallet after all, purchased especially to fit bills taller than US bills.)  Nope—not in the inside pocket either.  The ATM card had been left in the ATM.  ATMs in the US, including both Capital One and Bank of America, have switched from retaining the card for the entire transaction to ejecting the card as soon as the PIN is entered. Presumably this behavior is an attempt to reduce instance of cards left in the ATM.  Unfortunately, the new ATM behavior at home had trained us to just take the cash and run at the end of the transaction.  We would have to try to call Capital One to cancel the card once we were through security and could find wifi or a payphone.

Security was easy and liquids were allowed through as it is a Peru domestic flight.

Domestic departures board in Lima

Once through security, there was no wifi, and Capital One didn’t provide a non-toll-free number to call collect from a Payphone.  Our choices for calling the bank were to pay exorbitant AT&T roaming rates (probably $2.50/minute) or to use Skype over 3G using international data.  Earlier research indicated that Skype’s data usage was manageable, so we opted for Skype over 3G.  The phone call to Capital One took 3 minutes and used 1.3 MB of data.  The pro-rated cost of that data was $0.32. (32 cents). Not bad.  We would have to later arrange for Capital One to mail a replacement ATM card to meet us on our trip. Perhaps to the Grand Hyatt Santiago – the first western hotel we would be staying at in just over a week.

A writing a blog post with a view of the tarmac

With the ATM card saga behind us for now, we found a seat with a tarmac view and settled in to write the blog.  Overall, the Lima airport was surprisingly nice, with good food options, ample seating, and generally a good atmosphere.  Our flight to Cusco left from the downstairs gates, which involved taking a bus to a remote stand.  There were 4 flights from adjacent gates all leaving within 30 min of each other heading to Cusco.

Only later, once we got to Cusco, we realized C had left his empty glasses case and Bose earbud headphones on the aircraft when we got off the plane in Lima.  Perhaps sleeping until the last possible moment on a flight isn't always the best idea as it seems we were a little groggy when packing up and at the ATM.

Downstairs area where our flight to Cusco left from