Buenos Aires was all we thought it would be and more. Getting there proved a bit of an adventure as do most things in Venezuela. Ten minutes before we left, our travel agent called to say our Brazilian flight on Varig Airlines had been cancelled, but the good news--he had re-booked us on Lan Airlines for the following day. Since we were scheduled to spend the night in Caracas for an early flight the next day, we decided to go on to Caracas thinking we'd see a little of the city since our new flight left 12 hours later. What we forgot was that it was Sunday and most things are closed on Sunday. In addition, our hotel was near the airport, and it was quite costly to taxi into downtown for a few hours, so we hung out near our hotel. We ventured into a casino, one of the few open places but discovered they were very cautious when allowing people in or out. For example, we were not allowed to take our water bottles in with us. Mike was frisked at the door to boot. The parking attendant called the front desk before we entered to tell him that the coast was clear. Translation: No one was lurking about to rush into the casino. Since it was beastly hot and humid outside, the cool air in the casino felt great and caused us to spend a little more time there. When we left about an hour later, the guards went through the same drill, checking to be sure no bad guys were lurking about.
Although the city was not particularly clean or pretty, we did find a pretty good restaurant. We were amazed however when our waitress dropped a lime as she was removing our dishes, she simply kicked it all the way out to the curb and into the gutter.
At the airport, while standing in line to check in, we learned that travelers in Venezuela pay (about $5) to have their bags wrapped in saran-like plastic to prevent rummaging by airport workers. So, we did so, feeling foolish, but again--it's Venezuela.
Our trip on LAN Airlines turned out to be wonderful. We were served a full hot meal with real utensils and wine.
We arrived in Buenos Aires the next morning after a brief layover in Santiago, Chile, at about 9 a.m. where we were met by Roberto, a taxi driver who is the nephew of a business friend of Lou's and Ray's, Mike's sister-in-law and brother. As our guidebook suggested, we changed some money at the bank as we left the airport rather than at one of the numerous change kiosks as the rates are much better--generally, three pesos for one dollar.
Lou and Ray had arrived Saturday and were already ensconced in our rented apartment --the entryway is pictured at left--in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. They had had a taste of the charming neighborhood and its plentiful cafes and bars and were ready to introduce us.
Although the city was not particularly clean or pretty, we did find a pretty good restaurant. We were amazed however when our waitress dropped a lime as she was removing our dishes, she simply kicked it all the way out to the curb and into the gutter.
At the airport, while standing in line to check in, we learned that travelers in Venezuela pay (about $5) to have their bags wrapped in saran-like plastic to prevent rummaging by airport workers. So, we did so, feeling foolish, but again--it's Venezuela.
Our trip on LAN Airlines turned out to be wonderful. We were served a full hot meal with real utensils and wine.
We arrived in Buenos Aires the next morning after a brief layover in Santiago, Chile, at about 9 a.m. where we were met by Roberto, a taxi driver who is the nephew of a business friend of Lou's and Ray's, Mike's sister-in-law and brother. As our guidebook suggested, we changed some money at the bank as we left the airport rather than at one of the numerous change kiosks as the rates are much better--generally, three pesos for one dollar.
Lou and Ray had arrived Saturday and were already ensconced in our rented apartment --the entryway is pictured at left--in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. They had had a taste of the charming neighborhood and its plentiful cafes and bars and were ready to introduce us.
One of the favorites' is the historic El Federal Cafe pictured below.
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