Chile's Atacama Desert Day 7

Day 07 - Tuesday, March 17, 2015 - Flight to Buenos Aires; Check Into Hotel; Trip Meeting; Explore Buenos Aires; Welcome Dinner

Our alarm went off at 5:45 am. We needed to have our luggage out at 6:30. The hotel had fruit, juice, cookies, and coffee as an early breakfast. All of our bags were loaded on to a big bus and we were off to the airport by 7:20.

Christian took us to the International area where we checked our bags, received our boarding passes, and verified our entrance fee into Argentina. Next we went though immigration where our passports were stamped leaving Chile.

Although we were going on an international fight, security was minimal. We did not have to remove shoes, belts, nor the computers from our bags.

This flight was another full one. It was a connecting flight to Buenos Aires from Miami via Santiago. As the line formed to get on the plane we noticed many large suitcases, backpacking bags, and appliance boxes.

We talked to a family (mother and two adult daughters) who had been in Miami for a week just to shop. One of the young women was getting married and they bought her wedding dress. Of course, it was in a large carry-on for safekeeping.

Several people had kitchen appliances including a huge Kitchen Aide mixer, a coffee maker, and a few televisions that were brought on as carry-ons. LAN flight attendants had to struggle to get everyone and their belongings stowed away. They actually helped to carry hand luggage and arrange the carry-ons.

The flight was a little over two hours, arriving at 11:10, ahead of schedule. Argentina is in the same time zone. We went through immigration, showed our $160 reciprocity receipts, had our photos taken, and had to have our thumbprint recorded.

What we gained in the flight time, we lost waiting for the luggage. It was almost 12:30 before we put all of our bags through the x-ray machine. A driver met us for the hour ride into town and to our hotel.

On the way to the hotel, Christian pointed out a few landmarks and gave us the background of the Argentinians and the religion of soccer (football) in the country.

The temperature was almost 93 degrees! The sun was bright and the humidity was 65%. Traffic was heavy but moving along and by the time we got to the hotel it was 1:35.

We hustled to find our rooms, turn on the AC, and then organize our laundry. Just three doors down from our hotel was a large laundry service. For only $10 US we had all of our clothes washed – we can pick them up tomorrow morning after 10:00 am.

At 2:20 we met the others in the lobby and went on an orientation tour of the neighborhood. We are in a very nice neighborhood with many churches, government buildings, exclusive shops, and even a police station but we still have to be very aware of pickpockets.

Like all big cities, Buenos Aires is very prone to street crime, so Christian warned us about the concerns. The capital of Argentina hosts travelers from all over the world. On our walk we saw a group from Brazil, many Asians, and of course the Germans love to come to Argentina.

Christian pointed out the European architecture of the city. Closer in style to Italy, the Porteños, (people of the port) are very stylish. We walked to San Martín Square and to the adjoining park. La Calle Florida is a famous pedestrian street that is home to 13 blocks of elegant shopping, bookstores, and galleries.

We stopped at the Inca Rose Shoppe, a firm that specializes in precious stones and jewelry, especially the Rhodochrosite, Argentina’s national gemstone. Ranging from light pink to deep red, the Incas thought it to be the blood of former kings and cherished it, therefore the name "Rosa del Inca".

Back at the hotel we had a few minutes and then at 4:30 we met the four people who did not go on the pre-trip at our Welcome Meeting. Christian gave us an overview of the next 16 days and a review of the OAT travel philosophy.

At 6:00 José came to take us for the first dinner together. We had many delays while driving as there were at least four protests in the city and traffic was stopped or being rerouted.

We went to the oldest section of the city, San Telmos and to the oldest home in Buenos Aires built in 1729. Now a family run business, Restaurante Parrilla serves the best of local cuisine.

Maria and Miguel welcomed us with Italian/Argentinian specialties. Our server Marta brought plate after plate of appetizers, large bowls of salad, and then our main course was Argentinian beef served with baked onions, sweet red peppers, and fried potatoes. We had ice cream with a cherry sauce for dessert.

We had a tour of the old home built on the tunnels of the original city. Maria told us the tragic love story of Margarita and Juan Cruz Cuello. Not unlike Romero and Juliet, the story ends sadly. Even though Maria has probably told the story thousands of times, she brought the historical tale to life for all of us.

After thanking our hosts, José picked us up for the much quicker ride back to the hotel. We arrived at 9:00 and finalized the photos from the day as well as the journal.

Our room is very spacious and the AC works! We will sleep well in Argentina tonight!

Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel - - - Meal: B & D

St. Paddy's Day in BA...any trouble finding green beer? Or green pisco sours?

Sounds like interesting , wonderful days, and warm. It is warmer here, but tell Vic still have some piles of snow off to the side of the roads and yards.

Santiago and Buenos Aires are both wonderful cities to explore!

Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

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Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.

The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.

Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...

Continue Reading Day 13