Arrival in Buenos Aires

The travel from my hotel on Frei Caneca to Guarulhos International Airport was amazingly quick, and the taxi driver was one of the safest I've experienced so far. Getting through the airport was also efficient. Compared to the U.S., security is far less strict at Guarulhos and takes only a matter of minutes.

Security was the same as my prior experience two years ago: I had to remove my belt (set off the metal detector) but kept my shoes on and simply put my bags – with nothing taken out of them – on the conveyor belt for scanning. Considering the lax requirements, I now understand why you have to go through additional security upon arrival to the U.S.

My arrival at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was a shocking experience. Immediately I was approached by countless sales people for taxis, money exchanges, and other services. Because I had done my research, I knew not to hire a taxi from anyone walking around inside or outside the airport terminal. So I walked up to the Yellow Taxi kiosk to hire a taxi, as I had read that this was one of the cheapest and more reliable means of securing transportation into Buenos Aires. Unfortunately once I was in the car, it became obvious that the kiosk representative had secured a remise for me rather than a taxi, and the rate was about 50 pesos higher than I had anticipated paying. My bags were already in the trunk, however, so I decided to pay the extra money and save myself the hassle of unloading everything and getting a taxi. Lesson I learned from observing others: hail a Yellow cab curbside yourself without any mediators helping you, or get a taxi from the blue kiosk inside the terminal outside the arrivals.

The taxi driver fit the description of an aspiring Indy 500 race car driver. He drove nearly double the posted speed limit and swerved erratically from lane to lane. The ride from the airport to the hotel, which normally takes 45 minutes, only took 30 minutes! The driver spoke English quite well, having lived in Los Angeles for several years before returning to BsAs. However, he talked incessantly about his divorce and how his wife's demands for child support and alimony drove him back to his native Argentina in order to secure a better job and lower his expenses.

I checked into Loi Suites Esmeralda on M. T. de Alvear near Plaza San Martín, located close to some of the major tourist attractions and all the conveniences that a typical American might need - restaurants, bars, laundries, shops, and convenience stores open 24 hours a day. After a quick nap and unpacking, I headed over to Calle Florida around 9:30 pm to find a restaurant for dinner. I stumbled upon Il Grann Café (Florida 700), which offered outdoor seating on the beautiful late summer night. The restaurant had a talented saxophonist performing, which paired nicely with the "lomo de cerdo" and cold cerveza I ordered. All of the wait staff speak English, so don't hesitate to eat here if you are concerned about a language barrier.