South America!

Greetings friends and family!

It was a lesson in patience as I tapped my toe at the EZE Buenos Aires Int´l airport. Four hours to Atlanta, then 10.5 to BA, all the inherent risks of checking your luggage, and mine was nowhere to be seen. But then, I guess *someone´s* bags have to be the last offloaded, and today I was the lucky winner. Weak with relief, I retrieved my pack and suitcase and was officially arrived!

I made my way speedily by taxi into the city and was deposited without ceremony at my humble digs, a budget hotel in the quirky San Telmo area. Late morning, it was still too early to check in, so I stumbled, rumpled, onto the streets, still smelling like airplane-travel and Cheezits (Nikole's snack pack for my flight).

I had an ambitious first day planned, with a 3ish mile walk to a famous part of La Boca, but only made it halfway before my energy flagged, then abruptly gave out, dropping me squarely before a charming Argentine cafe halfway to my destination. I ordered steak and fries (it was the house specialty) and though the steak was only so-so, the fries brought tears to my eyes. I asked for ketchup on the side and received barbeque sauce. This place is unreal! The waiter brought me a glass of red wine with my lunch, and my midday repast was complete.

Sated, I despaired the exhausted trek back to my hotel till I spied a chocolate shop and within found the energy for the last few blocks-- a pair of small butter cookies enrobed in chocolate, sandwiched with caramel cream. I'll be eating lettuce for a week, to work off all the calories. Totally worth it.

Now I'm all checked in and ready for a nap and am sending my love. I can't believe Murray's just 2 day behind me and soon we'll be hiking the Andes! Murray, the arrivals area of EZE is crazy, crazy, but the Taxi EZE stand was easy to find right in the middle of the arrivals hall, and you can pay for the taxi there and they'll take you outside to the driver. Fare to my hotel was outrageous but fast, US43, approx 25 minutes. There´s an HSBC ATM on the left as you exit the arrivals hall, but I'll have plenty of ARS so you don't realy need it. You can pay for the cab at the Taxi EZE stand in USD. Pay the Reciprocity Fee by cc; everyone did it and there was no extra fee.

Love T