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Returning to the Airport…
Although leaving La Aurora is no picnic while the construction is going on, it is even more tricky now coming back through La Aurora. First and foremost, at least for right now, make sure you eat and get all your last minute shopping done before you head to the airport. Everything is closed in the airport because of the construction. Everything that is except for the duty free shopping on the other side of the gate. Things get even more fun now that we have to deal with the threat of terrorism.
Arriving at La Aurora - Again, for most of you, going to and from La Aurora will be handled by a shuttle/taxi/or host of some sort. If you have made the trip before, however, you will notice that you now will enter La Aurora through the former “Exit”. Above you there will be construction and signs promising a new and better airport in 2007. Be ready with your flight information and passport to enter the airport as security was tight (at least when we traveled in light of the UK liquid threat.)
Ticket Counters – Once inside, you will notice that the ticketing/check-in counters for the airlines have been moved downstairs where you used to walk through the empty area to the exit. It is now filled with activity as all of the airlines are crammed into a relatively small place. Make sure to fill out the exit paperwork they will hand you in line. The ticketing agent will need one of the papers and security will need the other. Pay attention to weight restrictions and packing requirements. This is not a fun place to have to repack your luggage. Before you leave ticketing, you will have to pay the airport security fee. When this was upstairs, it was fairly obscure where to pay this fee. One good thing about this move is that you can’t miss it. It is Q20 or $3.00. Now you head off to security.
Security – You used to leave the ticketing area and go downstairs to a restaurant/store area where you could shop and eat before you left. Now you are ushered back almost to where you entered. Then you proceed around and up some stairs to a vast empty space where all of the stores are closed. The only thing to do is go through security. Have your ticket, passport, and the other paper you filled out ready. It will only be a moment before they usher you on to the x-ray. As of right now, make sure you’ve packed all liquids and batteries. They took my 8 rechargeables away!
To The Gates – Once inside security, each gate is an individual room. Some are fairly open if they are traveling to other international destinations. Airlines traveling to the US have a second security checkpoint. Once inside the gate, you won’t be able to leave. Make sure if you have arrived with plenty of time that you get your legs stretched before going in. The gates are usually quite full of people and not enough seats by the time everyone arrives.
Hey it is a pain for right now but it will be a minimal memory of your overall trip. By the time you read this, things will probably have improved anyway 
