Touchdown, Buenos Aires

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  Buenos Aires, Argentina
Monday, January 2, 2006

Thank heavens, I made it! It's a balmy 80 degrees here in B.A., and only 9am. But the skies are blue, nice breeze and its humid! (Note - the bathing suits the women wear here are something else...or kinda like nothing at all!! :ī}

So, the flight was okay, we had a bit of a scare as they stopped boarding at Toronto to inform us that they couldn't get the cargo bay doors closed and that the flight may not go. But I guess they found some duct-tape, because 15 minutes later we were off. I sat next to a really nice older lady who had been living in Toronto, but was on her way to Santiago for her sister's funeral (bummer), but she nearly had me talked into stopping over to see Santiago (which is not on my itinerary). In any case, I got a bit of sleep during the 9 hour flight to Santiago, and they made us disembark so they could clean the plane before we were off again on the 90 minute flight to B.A. I go a couple of pictures of the Andes mountains from the Chilean side (dry, arid - like southern California). And I suppose I can say I was in Chile for all of 30 minutes.

The landing in BA was pretty horrible - we coasted (I think the pilots cut engines - seriously), but with my ear infection, the pressure change was so severe I had to continuously chew 4 pieces of gum just so my eardrum wouldnt explode (which is what my Doctor indicated could happen before I left Toronto). For a brief time, I though I just might lose my breakfast (also a nasty side-effect of the medication for the ear infection), but no unplanned expulsions there!!

I got through customs OK - met a few fellow Canadians heading out on different tours, treks, etc.

01 View along the Puerto Madieros from my hotel

and it was off to the Hotel.

All along the highway, there are 200' open spaces with grass, trees, etc - much like you see in Canada along the 401, etc. But here, people were pulled off the road all over, had set up tents, volleyball nets, laid out blankets and BBQs, and they were lying by the side of the freeway having siesta! Itīs quite a sight. Judging by the driving skills of the other drivers though, I don't think I'd be hanging around waiting for someone to veer off the highway and mow me down!

Once checked in, I had time for a walkabout in downtown Buenos Aires. I did the main streets and tourist points, like Plaza de Mayo, the obelisk at plaza 9 de Julio, walked the length of the Av. Florida mall (stepped in dog poop - nice!). I reached as far north as the Plaza San Martin (a really nice park) so I could wipe the doggy doo off my shoe on the grass. Nice!

Of note - there are police everywhere here...likely protecting tourists from pickpockets and the like. The city is very beautiful, and there are some really modern sections, but the beautiful old buildings (mostly in a state of disrepair) make the city look like a cross between Paris and Detroit. But its a great city all the same for walking around in and soaking up the atmosphere. Of course, it would be better if I knew some Spanish (all I can pull of is Ola {hello} and gracis {thank you{ so far!)

I took lots of pictures (Ill upload later, this PC wont let me use the USB port), including one of a restaurant where they cook splayed animals over an open pit fire...right in the front window. Very cool - Im going to try it out on my return trip through on the way home. I had an Argentine steak last night (tasted great, but Harbour 60 is the reigning king)

I have to run now, hopefully I'll get those pictures uploaded tonight.

Take care - Im off to Ushuaia this afternoon 85 hour flight) and we board the Explorer tomorrow). Off to Antarctica after that!!

Shawn

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02 Ministry of Communication	03 Plaza 25 de Mayo	04 Talk about a stiffy	05 Litlle Times Square
06 Tropical Buenos Aires	07 Now this is a BBQ!	08 Creature Comforts

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