So, a few have Suggested a blog for my trip. Which I laughed at, and then realized (after typing my first email home) that blogging would be much easier. So here you have it.
First, let me tell you that logging into this computer has been a treat. Googling "how to google in English" was fun. Finding out that the keyboard is just slightly different enough to be annoying (where the H*** is the "@" key?!?!) I had to copy/paste it from google, because it sits just below the Q and no key I can find will let me use it. And, while I began typing (even though the page is now in English) every word is underlined as misspelled.
Ok, I fixed that problem. This is a treat.
So my first night I stayed in a Hostel in Vancouver, B.C. Hostels are fun, if you have never been to one, I suggest it to everyone. At least once. This was my 2nd hostel experience and it was bit more interesting than the first. Of my 3 roommates, one was a bit...different. She wasn (AH! cant find the apostrophe...dammit) Ok she wasn't dangerous, but she was one some sort of drug. She stood by my bed and looked at the wall, scratching her head for about 30 minutes, laughing and carrying on with herself...or the wall.. no telling. She also entered and exited the room about 14 times while the rest of us tried to fall asleep. Needless to say, I woke up at 3:45 am to catch my train with very little sleep.
The train to the airport was actually very simple and clean, and I met some nice folks while waiting for the station to open at 4:30 in the morning. Actually, surprisingly, I have met a number of nice chatty folk on this trip so far. A guy my age on the shuttle from Bellingham to B.C., a nurse at the bar in Houston, a Linguist for the DOD in the galley of the plane (where we stood stretching and drinking tiny cups of water to avoid sitting in our seats any longer). It is delightful to meet people from all over (and to realize just how small the world is). Two of the folks I met my first 24 hours are from New Brunswick, so they actually KNEW where I was from. Anyway...
I opted to leave my tiny laptop at home, which I am happy for. Most hotels and hostels provide computers. And the flights all had movies. Which really helps the time fly by.
So I got here to Buenos Aires with little trouble. However, the Kiosk at the airport for the Holiday Inn told me, rudely, that they had no vacancies. Which, of course, I doubted as I had just been on their website when we landed. So being the stubborn American that I am I booked a room online and came back and asked her for the shuttle. She, predictably, gave me lip about already explaining to me they had no rooms. I showed her my confirmation, and she huffed, smiled, and led me to the shuttle. I wonder if they are instructed to tell foreigners that there are no rooms... not sure. But, I splurged on a room as it will likely be my only "me" time for awhile, and I had a 20 hour layover that I really only wanted to spend in bed. The city is a 2 hour shuttle from the airport, where I could have easily got a hostel room for the cost of lunch back home, but I wanted speed and comfort.
I napped the day way and literally dragged myself out of bed to eat dinner. It was...an educational experience.
Here is what I learned so far.
1. That is, indeed a bidet, not a urinal in the bathroom. And when pushed, it will soak the ceiling. How fun!
2. It is rude to give a thumbs up, or the OK sign. Not to be used in place of language difficulties.
3. Asking for a to-go box is rude and undesirable...unless you tell them it is for your pet...which makes it slightly better. In fact, eating all of your food is rude as well. Best to leave some.
4. Internet does not work in my restaurant, otherwise I would have known all this, but I was unable to look it up. Excellent.
5. Tipping here is different. For instance, tipping cab drivers is not accepted.
6. My basic Spanish isn't so bad, however Argentina has its own version. So I am still a bit screwed.
7. We are the only country I have traveled in my life that can screw up coffee. It is far better everywhere else. South America has not disappointed!
I will try to load some pics on here later. We shall see how this blog idea works out.
Also, as I type this, I am breaking out in hives. Something at the spa disagreed with me, and my shower only made it itchier. And so it begins! Benadryl...why didn't I bring Benadryl...
First, let me tell you that logging into this computer has been a treat. Googling "how to google in English" was fun. Finding out that the keyboard is just slightly different enough to be annoying (where the H*** is the "@" key?!?!) I had to copy/paste it from google, because it sits just below the Q and no key I can find will let me use it. And, while I began typing (even though the page is now in English) every word is underlined as misspelled.
Ok, I fixed that problem. This is a treat.
So my first night I stayed in a Hostel in Vancouver, B.C. Hostels are fun, if you have never been to one, I suggest it to everyone. At least once. This was my 2nd hostel experience and it was bit more interesting than the first. Of my 3 roommates, one was a bit...different. She wasn (AH! cant find the apostrophe...dammit) Ok she wasn't dangerous, but she was one some sort of drug. She stood by my bed and looked at the wall, scratching her head for about 30 minutes, laughing and carrying on with herself...or the wall.. no telling. She also entered and exited the room about 14 times while the rest of us tried to fall asleep. Needless to say, I woke up at 3:45 am to catch my train with very little sleep.
The train to the airport was actually very simple and clean, and I met some nice folks while waiting for the station to open at 4:30 in the morning. Actually, surprisingly, I have met a number of nice chatty folk on this trip so far. A guy my age on the shuttle from Bellingham to B.C., a nurse at the bar in Houston, a Linguist for the DOD in the galley of the plane (where we stood stretching and drinking tiny cups of water to avoid sitting in our seats any longer). It is delightful to meet people from all over (and to realize just how small the world is). Two of the folks I met my first 24 hours are from New Brunswick, so they actually KNEW where I was from. Anyway...
I opted to leave my tiny laptop at home, which I am happy for. Most hotels and hostels provide computers. And the flights all had movies. Which really helps the time fly by.
So I got here to Buenos Aires with little trouble. However, the Kiosk at the airport for the Holiday Inn told me, rudely, that they had no vacancies. Which, of course, I doubted as I had just been on their website when we landed. So being the stubborn American that I am I booked a room online and came back and asked her for the shuttle. She, predictably, gave me lip about already explaining to me they had no rooms. I showed her my confirmation, and she huffed, smiled, and led me to the shuttle. I wonder if they are instructed to tell foreigners that there are no rooms... not sure. But, I splurged on a room as it will likely be my only "me" time for awhile, and I had a 20 hour layover that I really only wanted to spend in bed. The city is a 2 hour shuttle from the airport, where I could have easily got a hostel room for the cost of lunch back home, but I wanted speed and comfort.
I napped the day way and literally dragged myself out of bed to eat dinner. It was...an educational experience.
Here is what I learned so far.
1. That is, indeed a bidet, not a urinal in the bathroom. And when pushed, it will soak the ceiling. How fun!
2. It is rude to give a thumbs up, or the OK sign. Not to be used in place of language difficulties.
3. Asking for a to-go box is rude and undesirable...unless you tell them it is for your pet...which makes it slightly better. In fact, eating all of your food is rude as well. Best to leave some.
4. Internet does not work in my restaurant, otherwise I would have known all this, but I was unable to look it up. Excellent.
5. Tipping here is different. For instance, tipping cab drivers is not accepted.
6. My basic Spanish isn't so bad, however Argentina has its own version. So I am still a bit screwed.
7. We are the only country I have traveled in my life that can screw up coffee. It is far better everywhere else. South America has not disappointed!
I will try to load some pics on here later. We shall see how this blog idea works out.
Also, as I type this, I am breaking out in hives. Something at the spa disagreed with me, and my shower only made it itchier. And so it begins! Benadryl...why didn't I bring Benadryl...
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| We flew right over Mount Baker. Amazing view. |
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| Caprese, Cafe, Fiambres y quesos |
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| Stone Wall in the Spa. I wanted to climb it so bad |
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| Spa View from Sauna |
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