First flight was LA to Orlando to Miami. My love of flying is wearing thing and upgrades have spoiled me.

But then, things did get better. Miami to Buenos Aires was overbooked, and I was offered $750.00 in flight credits, an upgraded seat and a mere 5 hour delay (due to layovers in Rio and Montevideo). So, to Rio in the upper cabin consisted of me, Art -- an employee of ARCO working in Rio, and Kim Valencia, a tour director. In other words, much leg room and attention. (Rio was overcast when we landed and it was hard to tell the terrain; Montevideo was rather flat). The second leg was a bit more crowded, while the plane from Uruguay to Buenos Aires was nearly empty.

Upon arrival, Kim and I tracked down our luggage and took a cab into town. Dropper her off at her hotel, with plans to connect up on my return and maybe go to Iguazu together.

Upon arrival at the Plaza Hotel, I showered and changed. Eventually my roommate Carole returned from the afternoon tour -- which I had missed due to my late arrival. Carole is pretty much what I expected. 40-50, bright, talkative and with a very similar "game plan" as I (up early, journal writing at night, etc.). She advised me that I was one of the youngest on the trip (something Kim had expected).

At 7 it was cocktails and dinner. Truly an interesting group but not what I expected. Except for a few "young 'uns" everyone must be over 60. It looks like an 'SC alumni function (and indeed, there is a large group from Miami University in Ohio).

At dinner, I sat with David, our tour leader, a couple from Pasadena (he of the JPL, she of hospital volunteer work), a lunguist from Pleasanton (Marsha, fortunately heavy like me [I'm not alone> and maybe 15 years older but she doesn't look it), a woman named Dolly who never spoke, and a former minister and travel agency owner. We talked about our travels, the Rose Parade, fuzzy logic, new math, physics, everything. So many educated people in one place!

I walked off dinner down the Calle Florida, a pedestrian street lined with shops, from Christian Dior to discount electronics. While everything was closed, strollers abounded. Some of hte buildings had magnificent edifices -- to be photographed on my return. Before bed, a theology discussion with Carole. It's going to be a mentally challenging trip!

written by  shoshtrvls on March 1, 1992 from Buenos Aires, Argentina
from the travel blog: Antarctica and South America (1992)
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I loved visiting Buenos Aires and I was surprised how huge this city is, not just beautiful but very modern too, the Panamericano Buenos Aires hotel location on the 9th July avenue was perfect to get around the city. http://www.club.royal-holiday.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.resort&id=231

written by  Graham on May 19, 2009

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