Hola from Buenos Aires!

Well, I finally made it to Buenos Aires!

Aerolinas Argentinas sure lives up to its reputation! Cheap flights is the highlight, to say the least. They could do with some new aircraft, as the Airbus A320-200 I flew on from Sydney to Buenos Aires (via a 1 hour stop over in Auckland, New Zealand)...was looking a bit worse for wear. They sure do have a quick turnaround on their flights.

Oh, first time I have ever been paged at an airport...I was so excited (due in a large part to lack of sleep) that I missed the boarding call (I was not in the gate) ...I was on the phone to my friend my Beth. Hehehe...at least I did not miss the flight.

The flight was uneventful really. Not as bad as I thought. The food and service were both passable. I cannot really complain. Although, I was a little concerned when I saw the plane arrive from Auckland and then witnessed it overshooting the alotted gateway (only a metre or so) -- an aircraft tractor was called in to "push" the Airbus back (I guess jetliners do not have reverse still!!).

I had great company on the flight and sat next to nice young lady from Sydney who was travelling to Argentina with her parents. We had a great chat and she explained she was keen to travel to Peru to go to Machu Picchu. I told her to look up the various tour companies operating the tours. I mentioned I was doing the Interpid Travels "Homeland of Incas" tour, which included the Inca trail trek.

I listened to my iPod a lot for the flight. Mostly the Spanish lessons (the free ones) that I download from the iTunes Music Store. I also read my phrase book too.

Buenos Aires is truly an amazing place! Too bad that I will not be here for long. I spent my first afternoon. It was grey, wet and I was tired from the flight and just went to my hotel (I got picked up at the airport).

First impressions of Buenos Aires started with the airport. It was kind of dirty, run down and had seem some better days. That kind of sums up much (but not all of) Buenos Aires.

As all those travel guides say...it is very European -- it truly is like someone transplant Spain to South America. Lots of European cars everywhere, the vast majority of the population are European looking and it is crowded and noisy.

I must say that I have yet to speak much Spanish! I have not had much of a chance! Plus, I am too scared to show how really bad my Spanish is! Just as well I seem to have a big "tourist" sign on me...so they can see me coming, I guess.

Lots of Buenos Aires seems to be a bit run down. Or more correctly, it need of some maintenance or TLC. The streets are surprisingly clean - I was expecting it to be messier, so it is a nice surprise. Thankfully, there are not that many homeless people, as you would expect in such a large city. Mind you, that not really saying they are not around.

I am staying in the Hotel Splenid. So far, the only thing splenid is the cheap rates. Everything is is unexceptional, as much as I thought. It is handy to the main spots though. I have a terrible room. But it is clean. I usually sleep though anything. Just one more night to go. I think I will be go to McDonalds for breakfast tomorrow. South Americans do not do toast or ceral for breakfast...but I do not think the "Big M" does either!

The traffic here is amazing, one of the main streets has 14 lanes. Yes, that is a street -- not a freeway! The drivers here are pretty agressive (no surprise there).

I did a half-day bus tour, I have been a fan of bus tours. It was a multi-lingual one (luckily, in English too).

There are few tall buildings in Buenos Aires. The ones that are, are apartment buildings. There seems to be a building boom going on at the moment. Lots of high-rise apartments popping up everywhere.

I have taken a few photos already, but this internet cafe does not let you upload them (the PC is locked up under the table). I will upload them a little later, from another place.

I am off to El Cafate tomorrow. I have a midday flight, so will not have time to go anything tomorrow...which is a shame really.

Anyway, I think I need an afternoon nap...It is Friday 3pm here (or 5am Sydney time - Saturday). It will take me a few days to get back into sync! I had a big lunch for me. That was fun ordering that too...I will save that for another post!

Adios from Buenos Aires!
David