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January 21 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

As usual the flights were long and gruelling. Eleven hours from Toronto to Santiago and two hours from Santiago to
Buenos Aires. One hour stopover in Santiago. Nineteen hours hotel to hotel. I wondered if it was a bad omen for the trip when I went to leave the hotel to catch the shuttle to the airport and the elevator was broken down. That bit of bad luck was compensated by there only being one person in front of me in the Air Canada check in line. Amazing! That has never happened to me before with Air Canada. Since it wasn't very comfortable sitting outside to smoke I headed through Security earlier than normal. Also not many people in line there. I was starting to walk toward my gate
when I noticed a bar open that had the football game on. Since I had several hours to kill I went in for a drink and watched the game. I shared my table with a couple who, as it turned out, were on the same flight and are also going on a cruise (to the Falkland Islands and then around the Cape, we'll be in Valparaiso on the same day).

For quite a while it looked as if I would not have anyone sitting beside me but at the last minute a woman came and plunked herself down. So much for my hope and prayers. At least she wasn't a talker. Other than "Hi"
from her and "Excuse me" from me when I had to go to the washroom (only twice the whole trip)we didn't speak at all. I was really sleepy just before boarding and when I first got on the plane but before I could get to sleep they served a "meal". I put that in quotes because it was awful. Carrot salad that I couldn't even begin to chew. Something unknown
pureed and chicken in a sauce I wanted no part of after my one and only bite. The roll was good as was the free bottle (little one) of wine ( a Merlot). lol

After reading for a while I dozed off for a little while and that was the way it went all night. Sleep a little, wake for a while, sleep a little, etc. Anything but restful. Breakfast, served just before Santiago, was marginally better. At least I could eat the cheese omelet and the fresh fruit (even if the melon was nowhere near ripe).

The hour in Santiago wasn't too exciting. Much of it was taken up standing in line waiting to put our carry on luggage through an x-ray machine. Not sure why because I didn't see them open anyone's bag. I forgot to remove my watch but it didn't set off the machine. Not that it mattered since no one appeared to be monitoring that apparatus. I didn't
get a seat alone again and this time the guy wanted to talk more than I did so I just kept reading my book. They served a lunch but I declined the offer and just had some wine.

I wasn't looking forward to standing in line at Immigration here but as it turned out they have a special line for wheelchairs and I was whipped right through. While waiting for my bags I exchanged a little US money for Argentinian pesos. One dollar equals a little more than three pesos. No problem with the bags. Whew! then outside for a smoke (finally). What a pleasant surprise to notice that my taxi driver smoking in the cab. I love these countries where the government hasn't gone overboard and allow people their simple pleasures.

I wasn't too impressed with anything I saw on the drive from the airport (28 kilometers) but then that is the case almost everywhere. Once in the city we were on a small side street that was very busy, grubby and grafitti infested. I always find it frustrating not to be able to read the signs on the stores though I can understand much more here than I
could in Southeast Asia.

The Abasto Plaza hotel is quite nice though not in a very scenic or touristy area. My room is large and comfortable and obviously has internet service. Not free as it was in Toronto however but not exhorbitant in my opinion. I also have a balcony bigger than the back deck at home! I have a smoking room! I don't think I will be doing anything tonight (it's already 8:00)and will probably settle for something from room service if I get hungry. Cloudy and 26 C (eat your heart out lol).

I have booked a tour of at least part of the city for tomorrow morning. Hopefuly the weather will co-operate so I can get some photos. Not sure yet what I will do in the afternoon.