Buenos Aires Monday 18 December

Pre-travel research on taxis in BA warned about dodgy drivers at airport pickups and the confusing QR code and queuing system. Most taxis only take cash and Argentinian Pesos prices are of course in the thousands. Driving time to my hotel was estimated 30 - 45 minutes and I decided I didn't want to spend that amount of time wondering if I was being being driven in the right direction or rather being taken for a ride.  So I pre-booked a driver from the slightly oddly-named Secrets of Buenos Aires. I was told he would be waiting outside McDonalds, have a sign with my name on it, and would wait for 60 minutes after the plane landed.

I emerged from the final customs clearance about 65 mins after landing, hot and flustered and desperately needing to pee. Thankfully Maccas was straight ahead and surrounded by dozens of drivers holding names.  Pushing the loaded trolley through the packed area I checked all the signs and couldn't find mine.  Tried and failed to connect to WiFi or Telstra Global Roaming, so I was unable to call Secrets.  Minutes ticking by I went past them all again and then thought I might as well check the smaller group of besuited chaps nearby who I had assumed were personal chauffeurs.  And behold, there was my guy.  I could have hugged him.  He seemed non-plussed when I almost immediately said I need a bathroom, and thankfully there was one nearby. 

He took charge of the luggage and we set off.  When we emerged from the terminal, I could have cried in relief I did not have to be part of the frantic circus greeting us.  Crowds and crowds of people, multiple lines of cabs, cars and buses; much shouting, honking and whistles! So many whistles. And it was pouring rain. 

We set off, gliding along in pouring rain at 100kms when we heard a thunk. Driver pulled over *just* off the 3 lane motorway (inside wheels still on bitumen), got out and proceeded to put his head down near the front wheel roadside to check.  I was sure he would be decapitated by passing traffic and wondered what use I would be in this situation with no mobile connection. Thankfully he survived and thunk was declared a non-issue.

We hit peak hour traffic so a lot of the journey was at 20-40km.  Lovely Driver had earlier apologised for his absence of English skills, however he did try to point out some tourist sights as we hit the city centre.  My attempts to interpret what he was saying were comically bad - wondered why he was saying vamoose - finally dawned on me it was 'famous'. (An ear for languages I do not have. I later had trouble understanding the hotel wifi password 'Argentina'.  Shame, Linda, shame)

Driver was not to be defeated in trying to assist me, pulling up Google images (while driving) to show me things such as the presidential palace Casa Rosada - literally the pink house.

After an hour's drive, we made it to Broadway Hotel and Suites right in the city centre, near Obelisco. 

I braved the rain to go out for lunch.  Being so tired rendered me incapable of making a decision so I walked the same 50ms several times in 4 directions before settling on a hamburger place almost directly opposite the hotel.  The waiter attempted to tell me the types of beer on offer and I recognised nothing until I realised 'ippa' was I.P.A.  Huzzah!  

 

Pulled pork and beef burger, and ippa.

Stopped at a small market for a large bottle of water and was not permitted to use credit card as payment as I did not have my passport with me. That's a first. Luckily I had US one dollar bill and received 270 ARS change.

Dinner was a delicious pasta and I mistakenly ordered a bottle of wine instead of a large glass.  Not the worst mistake to make of course, the bottle cost less than a glass of Chardy in Miami and I was given a carry-home bag for the left over.

Carry home wine bag

Fresh Tagliatelle Bolognesa

 

Back home for a 10 hour sleep.  Extreme tiredness beats insomnia and traffic noise on this occasion.  😀