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Day one, Melbourne to Sydney to Buenos Aires.
Up early and off to Tulla and only got there with minutes to spare and was booked in by annoyed Qantas worker claiming I should have been there 2 hours ago and she only had 9 minutes to book me through, slap on wrist! Sydney was fine but realised while waiting to clear immigration I had not filled out my card so hurridly did it in the que and wrote so badly I could hardly read it, also ticked wrong boxes regarding status but it wasnt checked and I was wished a happy trip and waved through. Got on the plane and sttled into my seat and realised that I was finally on my way.
Two movies, a couple of documenturies, several failed sleep attemts, 12 hours 40 minutes travet time and 13,800 kilometers later and we landed in Argentina. Waited in the customs line for around ten minutes then had passport stamped and was out to the lounge, picked up bag just coming through the carousell and was on my way, this took all of a further 3 minutes (try that in Melbourne) Next was to find my lift, simple just find someone with my name on a ca5rd and its done however just about every one in this crowded place had name cards but finally as I was running out of options there was my lift in the last group of cardboard and black markers, problem was he spoke no English and my Spanish was zero, welcome to Argentina!
Outside it was a warm and humid day and as we were travelling through the carpark someone tried to grab my bag from the driver so guess he was just trying to make a buck and redirect me to a taxi of his choice.
Now I thought Melbourne drivers were bad but this bloke leaves them all behind with constant tailgating and fast lane changes I was a bitt rattled by his driving style but then i realised that they were all att it and driving exactly the same way and I could not help but think that this place must be a panel beaters oasis! Also I concluded that most cars indicators are either broken or by some strange local law just are not fitted in the first place as hey, does anyone here use them?
Arrived at hotel, booked in and went to my room for a shower now this hotel was built in 1948 so I knew it was old but I did not expect my room to have all the original fittins from this period with still a bit of art decor in the bathroom but it was clean and comfortable.
Phone rings and it is Ryan and Hayley down in the lobby (friends from Melbourne) so I rush down and we take off on a walking trip. They have been here 10 days now and completed week one of thier crash language course in Spanish which is essential as very few people here speak English.and I well and truly felt like a stranger in a strange land.
My english speaking personal tour guides took me a interesting walk that ended up at the ex presidential pallace and I remember well a old photo of Eva Duate and Colonel Peron standind on this very balcony I am standing in front of (and later get closer to from the inside) The place was impressive and gold paint, marble, statues, frescoes and fine furniture all around and I took stacks of photo;s. Had a late lunch at a local cafe consisting of a huge steak and chips, beer and ice cream all for around $10.00 and the steak was fantastic! With Argentinans having the highest meat consumption on earth they certainly know how to cook a steak. Soon after the rain belted down for a couple of hours but then stopped again. Ryan and Hayley left around 6.30 and I Wandered back to my room to collapse.
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