Flying Home!

It was great to get to the airport at about six o’clock in the evening instead of at one like the ship transfer.  And I am sure those people did not have the wonderful day we ended our trip with.

There was a very long, very long line waiting to check in but luckily that was for Delta.  We on the Argentinian line walked right up to the several kiosks available for check in – no waiting.  I used the rest room to change into my jeans and long sleeve shirt for the flight because I am always cold on planes. I cut through the Delta line by Linda and Fred.  We did have to wait about 15 minutes before we could check bags.  So when I went to fill my water bottle I asked the people behind me to watch my bags.  Funny thing is for the Argentine Airline you can take water through security but not onto the plane both for domestic and international flights.  Of course I cut through by Linda and Fred again and back again.  We were laughing, or at least I was, as I teased them about me having the no sweat check in.  

Once the check in line for this, my seventh flight since I left home, started moving for us it went quickly.  Security was easy, no pat down!  At our gate I was sitting next to the couple who watched by luggage while I teased the chases and discovered that they were from San Angelo, Texas.  So I took their picture and sent it to Gary and Sue Ann who are also from San Angelo!  What a coincidence.  I gave each of them the other’s email and hopefully they will connect up.  

The wait went pretty fast with talking to my new people, and also with another couple who had been on our cruise but not in our tour group.  They let me plug my phone into their multi-adapter which was lucky since I didn’t have one that worked properly.  Pretty soon airline employees started rolling tables to our gate.  I recognized from previous flights that this meant another security check.  As people got into the line I went up to ask which of the three lines to get into based on my seating.  The gentleman looked at it, looked at the long line and pulled me into a separate section with a lady with a stroller and three kids.  Not sure what this meant but it was great.  When they opened up I was suddenly the first in line.  It took much longer to go through the stroller, diaper bag, backpack etc. than through my one little personal bag. 

I had an aisle seat and it turned out to be a good thing.  Most everyone on the plane went to sleep right after the dinner was served at midnight.  I skipped the iffy pasta and had very good chicken instead.  Then I was able to get up and walk around and also stretch into the aisle if no one was using it.  At one time when getting hot tea around three in the morning I had a long chat with the male flight attendant. He was very interesting as he is flying in order to travel.  He plans carefully and does those wonderful young people trips of staying in hostels, motor biking through the Alps, and just “winging it!”

A couple movies later and it was time to have a lite breakfast and land in Miami.  I was hoping that I figured out my connections correctly and the timing would work out.  I had originally booked an 11 a.m. flight but changed it to 12:50 to allow for a late arrival from Buenos Aires, delays at baggage or immigration, missing the train on the schedule, delay for the shuttle in Ft. Lauderdale – whatever.  Turns out I wish I had kept that flight.

We arrived early by fifteen minutes at five to six.  I used the ladies room and when I got to the baggage carousel my bags were the first ones coming out!  There was no customs and with Global Entry I just went to the kiosk and there was no Passport Control beyond that!  Crazy!  Especially after the ordeal I experienced coming in from England three weeks earlier!  I guess coming from Argentina is not a threat or something.  I just walked out and took the train to the main terminal. Followed the signs to the Tri-rail and bought my ticket at the kiosk.  The train was waiting.  I took my seat at 6:45 a.m.!  At seven on the dot we left Miami Terminal.  My luck continued and the shuttle bus was waiting in Ft. Lauderdale. So I was in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport and the only one in the baggage check at Southwest by eight o’clock!  

There my luck ended.  I asked if there was space on the earlier flight and there was one at 9:30 but it would be a stopover and an extra $200!  The original eleven o’clock already had a long standby list.  So even though Christine said she could have picked me up earlier it wasn’t worth $200 to me.  That was the same as I had paid for the whole round trip ticket!  

Since I had plenty of time I wandered in some of the shops and walked up and down a lot.  Sitting on the plane all night makes me realize I need to walk it out.  I just had my little personal bag so it was easy.  At eleven I got a notice from TripCase, my go to app for flight and travel updates, that the 12:50 flight would be delayed.  I got several updates from them before there was a gate announcement.  First five minutes, then ten, then half an hour.  The plane wasn’t delayed because of the major storms in the Midwest and northeast but was stuck in Orlando!  At about one-thirty, after we should have already been well on our way, our gate was moved.  It was a long walk to the new concourse where we continued to sit and wait.

My new reading list!

A plane arrived to the announcement that if passengers were going on to Montego Bay their plane was waiting for them at the next gate!  Lucky them.  Yea for us though, this plane was being turned over for us!  When we boarded we were glad to be finally on our way at 2:30ish.  But no.  Mechanical delay held the plane in Orlando and now there was a computer system error.  The new flight route could not be loaded properly.  

See that concourse way across there?  

We were at the far end of that before we hurried over here, just to wait some more!

Confusion was added in when the gate agent came on to say if anyone was connecting to a Raleigh Durham flight they would be able to make it.  People clapped.  A few minutes later she returned to say that now you would not make it but could go with her to a different flight that would be non-stop to Carolina.  People were getting up to go with her when she did remind them that their bags were already loaded and would not be shifted to the new flight.  Some still wanted to change and were gathering up their things including the lady next to me.  She just wanted to get to her meeting.  Another agent came on and said, oh sorry, the Raleigh flight was now full.  What a mess.

At 3:10 my eighth flight finally took off.  I called Christine who was heading to the airport to pick me up. I called when I got my first bag and told her which door I would be at and she was waiting in the Cell Lot.  Bags stopped coming up and when I checked was told that when the last bag was on the carousel an empty blue crate would come up.  So called my daughter again and told her to keep waiting.  Well, you guessed it, up came the blue crate.  Ten of us were missing our luggage.  I wasn’t panicked since this was home!  I have clothes at home so it isn’t as bad as if you were at your vacation destination.

We all went to the claims area.  I was at the end of the line to go into the booth to find out the next steps and leave delivery information for when the bags were found.  Just then another person came to help out.  Before going to the desk she came out to talk to us. She looked around and started by saying that she had found a three more bags and to give her the claim tickets.  The next thing she said was to me, “I have your bag!”  Gotta love my red and white polka dots!  That moved me to the head of the line and out the door.

In just a few minutes Christine picked me up.  She always brings tea or a Coke for me and I took advantage of both.  We had lots of time to chat about my trip and what the kids were doing.  We were now in rush hour traffic. At her house I switched to my car and finally was heading home.  Wonton Noodle and Daisy Doodle were waiting for me!  The house looked great.  Got laundry started and did a quick sort of the mail.  Karen had turned on the hot water so a bath was in order and by nine I was unpacked, laundry done, bath enjoyed!  Ahh!  Everyone loves to be in their own bed, don’t they!

There are 34 posts for this Antarctic Exploration.  The first is titled And So We Begin Again.  Please enjoy and share.

I am home for eight whole weeks!  After that I hope you will join me on my trip to the Balkan States, Romania and Hungary.   That will be a land tour with my friend Elva using OAT and connecting with a Viking River Cruise.  Time to start planning!

Slow Ending of My Winter Trip 2018 - 2019! - Part One

Thanks to having a new disembarkation time of 7:55 we were up early.  Anna couldn’t resist one last visit to the gym for an early morning workout.  I showered and went out for breakfast and a last walk around the ship.  Sort of saying goodbye to special places but luckily I was also able to say goodbye to some special people.  Marko, our evening drinks waiter, was also the early morning al Baccio guy.  He and Wendy and Yanni were working.  I got one last Amaretto chai Latte and had breakfast.  I made sure to have not only fruit but also protein since it would be a very long day.  Up before five and my flight isn’t until 11:00 p.m.!

We met up with Linda and Fred by 7:30 in the Concierge waiting area in the Eclipse Theater.  Coffee and rolls were waiting for us to help kill time.  We did not have to wait long though as by 7:40 they told us it was time to leave.  Great, they were running ahead of schedule.  

As we exited Alejandro was at the top of the steps when we beeped out for the last time.  He was holding an Antarctica flag but there was no time to get a photo as the line was crushing forward.  Part way down the long zig-zagging ramp becoming stairs a lady a few people ahead of me fell.  No one of the staff rushed to her aid but those passengers by her helped her up and helped her down the stairs. 

When I boarded the shuttle there was one seat left and surprise!  It was opposite Gary and Sue Ann so we had one more chance to share an experience and to say good-bye.  The shuttle for ships in Buenos Aires winds outside of the terminal area and back into it.  About a ten minute ride.  Once inside the building we looked for bags lined up behind a sign with the number ten.  We didn’t see it at first. 

There were still a lot of bags waiting with the #1 on them.  There were just a lot of bags – but no tens.  12 came out and 13 and on up to the 28 we had turned in.  We took turns trying to find out what was going on but the poor girls who worked for the port just knew that the ship kept saying they were on the way. We sent Dan and some others out through exit security to wait outside to find a place to sit.  Then Linda went out to help keep track of everyone.  She and I are able to text when out of the country because of our T-Mobile service so we could keep each other aware of what was going on. Linda met the tour bus and told Mercedes, from EJ who was going to be our guide today, that we were stuck waiting for our “luggages,” as Alejandro likes to call them.  The bus arrived early and Linda brought them up to speed.  

 Bye again Sue Ann and Gary!  Thanks for saving me a seat.

Well maybe speed is not the right word.  We were still waiting.  We started chanting, “Ten, Ten, Ten.”  It began as a little joke but really deteriorated into total frustration!  The cargo bay doors were being closed and still we waited.  New signs were being put in place.  Another ship’s bags were being brought in.  The signs were being changed to a color coding method.  Grey, Green, Blue.  Numbers were gone and still no #10.   We all had risen very early to meet the ship requirements but waited more than an hour and a half for our bags to come out.  Not the way to end a trip.  Not a good last memory or last impression of Celebrity Cruise Line. 

 

We'll know for sure when the 10's come out.  

My bags are easy to spot as Fred is pointing out to someone.

Sylvia just isn't sure what is going on and how long we will wait.  

Luckily our airport transfer was scheduled with Enrichment Journeys so there was no worry they would leave us.  Young men placed our finally delivered bags on the security belt to go through x-ray.  Once we finally had the luggage our exit was prompt and easy.  We were relieved to be on the bus and starting our final day in Buenos Aires.  Several weeks prior to the start of the trip I contacted both enrichment Journeys and Online Vacation Center who booked it for us.  There was nothing in the paperwork for the last day.   

I had known that we are expected to vacate our cabins on the ship and leave it altogether early.  It makes sense for the cruise lines because they have to turn those cabins around and all the public areas in a matter of just a few hours.  Generally boarding of new passengers begins by eleven a.m.  Knowing that EJ had booked my flight for 11 at night I knew we had to plan something to do to fill the time.  Anna and I had been trying to decide what to book to fill the time but that would let us not be dragging our bags with us all day long.  I asked what they were planning.  Before we scheduled anything we luckily heard from our agent, Sabrina, that there would be a last tour and transfer for the final day.  I probably had nothing to do with it but will take the credit for reminding them that it was supposed to be an inclusive trip.   As it turned out they came through big time and the day was perfect once our tour started!

Buenos Aires greeted us with sunny skies and warm breezes on this last Sunday of the South American Marathon Journey.  Both Mercedes and the city smiled us into relaxing and enjoying this wonderful day. Our first stop was in the Recoleta district near the old cemetery.  Here we stopped into an old café where Don quickly made new friends.  

We spent about 45 minutes in the square where many of us browsed the Sunday Handicrafts Market.  Anna and I skipped the market place and explored the nearby buildings.  Funny we both went into the church before we realized we had visited on our day here before.  It is our Lady of Pilar.  Looked different since last time we approached it from the next door not from across the square.

 The Arts center and theater next to it we didn’t even see.  Love how the outside lets you know right away what is inside!

Never saw a pink Panera Bread before.  So tempting but no time to have an iced tea and a snack.

Of course there were dancers tangoing for their supper.

For a little while Anna and I just enjoyed the feeling of solid land under our feet and sunshine on our shoulders.  

 Anna taking a selfie in the sun.

Back on the bus we continued our whirlwind tour of all things making us feel like natives was the Sunday Flea Market in San Telmo.  We had driven through this district on our first visit.  That was a gloomy, overcast, and then rainy day.  This was the kind of perfect SUNday for a relaxing day of Buenos Aires immersion.  San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood, barrio, of the city.  The streets are still cobblestone and the shops are filled with antiques.  The main street is closed off on Sunday and the square it leads to is filled with every kind of treasure hunt.  The market has been held here every Sunday for almost 50 years! 

 I checked this Starbucks to see if they had a Buenos Aires cup for Linda and Fred but they did not.

 Street kiosk almost blends into the hotel.

 The man in the hat wass singing along.  Not sure if he was a manager or just enjoying the music.

 I stumbled onto El Solar de French.  check it out in the San Telmo link above.

 Doors and door handles are always of interest to me.

 Although they use a $ they mean Argentine Pesos.  In this case about 51 cents U.S. each.

Then it was time to board the bus and head over to the Ateneo Bookstore.  What a fabulous repurposing of an old building.  Hard to believe that this theater was no longer being used for its original purpose. But books are important in Argentina.  Electronics are expensive.  You won’t see people reading on their Kindles or listening to books on tape.  No tablets in the hands of every kid. The VAT taxes and high base costs is a reminder of why the airport in Miami is packed with Latin American shoppers.  Here in Buenos Aires a book is a perfect gift.  The morning we are visiting there are lots of locals of all ages browsing and more importantly buying hard cover books.  The café is set on the old stage and while people enjoy coffee and conversation they are also just reading and enjoying the feeling of turning real paper pages.  If I lived here I would be a regular!  It would work because all the books on the mezzanine level are in English!

 

 Yes.  That is Fred way up there trying to get  my attention.

Linda and I settled to wait before boarding the bus on the neatest bench.  I had noticed them as we had been driving around and wondered why quilted furniture was on the street.  The answer was simple.  They are really metal and totally meant for the out of doors, not next to your living room sofa!  So cool!  But a bit startling when you first sit down and don’t sink into a comfy, soft, padded seat. 

 

 Here they are scattered for purchase but mostly just one along the curb in front of a store.

On the move again we ready for some down time and our next stop was perfect for that. Puerto Cristal in the ritzy Puerto Madero district.  We first we toured here with Cintia, was it really only a couple of weeks ago? Cintia commented that this very expensive old port area is super trendy.  I remember that she mention Puerto Cristal as the best and most expensive place to say you had eaten.  That people will ask if you had dinner in Puerto Madero.  You could say yes but eat at a food truck and save money and they would think you ate at this super fancy place.  I think now she was setting us up to be impressed, and we were.  It was a lovely place.  The only drawback is that it was one very long table.  We did have a choice of steak, salmon, or a vegetarian dish.  Also a starter choice and dessert option.  Red wine, white, soda, or iced tea.  Teas and coffee at the end of the meal.  Very, very nice menu.  Great service, good food, I chose a very delicious and perfectly cooked last steak of Argentina!  Linda, Don, Linda, Fred, Sylvia and Manny were my closest dinner companions and, as always, were delightful.  The conversation was lively and covered a lot of topics from recapping our favorite parts of the trip, chanting ‘ten’ again just for fun, and who was going where next!

 Of course we started with a sparkling wine toast!

 Flan for dessert, of course.

Lunch was about two hours, yes, it didn’t seem that long, but what a great way to kill an afternoon instead of waiting in an airport!  The restaurant is right on the Rio de la Plata in the old docks area.  The resurrection of this once derelict neighborhood has the makings of a real ‘rags to riches’ story.  The bridge was built in honor of women and is supposed to remind one of a tango dancer.   I was excited that we were going to stroll along the river and then cross the famous pedestrian bridge.  Another perfect experience as we mingled with families also enjoying a beautiful day in this city with which I was falling in love. 

 Empty warehouse saluting the Year of the Woman.

Boys on bikes and couples walking their dogs indicate a simple Sunday afternoon.

“Lulu’, you might remember that this is the nickname of our favorite bus drive, Sergio, met us after a short wait and we continued on in our search for the real BA.  By real BA keep in mind that I really mean the best tourist places that even locals enjoy.  Our last stop of the day was to be back in La Boca.  I was very happy that my friends would be able to experience this on a sunny day.  I had enjoyed it years ago on my first visit but a couple weeks ago when we visited it was a gloomy, rainy day so not nearly as much fun.  

It took quite some time to make our way to the neighboring district.  The stadium for Boca Junior is here.  Big futbol, soccer, match today.  A semi-final in the Superclasico and the streets were packed with yellow and blue!  The rivalry with the team known as River Plate is intense.  So much so that only fans of either team is allowed to attend a game in the home stadium.  So today was all blue and yellow.  No sign of red and white on the street.  The rivalry is so intense that in Buenos Aires Coco Cola is not sold in red cans or with a red label on the bottle!  Yes, seriously.  The labels and cans and signs are black and white.  We have nothing here that compares to the ability to force Coke to change their labels, do we!  

 

I wish the video could be imported here.  The noise outside was raucous and we were joining right in.  The team songs were playing on the bus radio and we were rockin'.

 

The colorful exteriors of Caminito La Boca are corrugated metal or actual shiplap left over from shipping containers. Cargo ships used to dock here.  Well actually, because of the shallowness of the river they would not actually dock but smaller boats would go out to meet them and transfer the cargo to the land.  The same process as in Puerto Madero where we were earlier.  The paint is also left over from the ships.  Now, of course, it may be more modern but the tradition has taken firm hold.  La Boca is now the artist district.  Dancers perform with their hats or guitar cases taking up the collections.  It is a very popular tourist stopover for short or long visits.

 

 Notice the black and white coca Cola logos on the chairs they provide for the restaurants.

 Even the newer buildings can not resist being part of the iconic colorfulness.

Time had come to begin the long drive to the Ezeiza International Airport.  I was so glad to not be on the ship transfer which would have delivered us at 1:00.  It was now after six and we all were in plenty of time to check in for our flights home.  Linda, Fred and I were dropped at Terminal A to fly on delta for them and Aerolineas Argentina for me.  I will end here for today as this is extremely long already.  But please know that my day still had a long way to go!  This was a perfect ending to a picture-perfect visit to Argentina, Uruguay, and The Falklands.  The feather in my cap was for sure Antarctica.