Arrived safely in Buenos Aires yesterday morning after a long two flights, paid an unexpected and whopping $145 for an Argentina tourist visa at immigration, picked up my luggage and went through customs with no problems. Mauricio, an Argetnine I met through couchsurfing, had told me he would arrange a REMI or car to be waiting to take me into the city when I arrived. Running a bit late, I rushed outside only to find that none of the REMIS companies had a reservation for a Samantha, nor a Mauricio. I had forgotten my list of contacts with his number and address and had a sudden panic of what to do. After about 10 minutes of making sure there was no reservation, I found out where I could go to pay for internet (no free wireless is available at the Buenos Aires Ezeria airport), determined to shoot him a quick email and then head to a hostel in the Lonely Planet guidebook. On my way out however I found Hector, a balding driver holding a large sign with SAMANTHA. Yessss. He waited for me while I took out money at the airport (they have a citibank!) and then drove me to Mauricios Apartment in Palermo Viejo. Mauricio was waiting for me, let me drop off my stuff and said I was more than welcome to stay until Thursday, which I will now be doing.
He is BEYOND friendly - leaving me towels to use, giving up his bed for me while he sleeps on an inflatable mattress (I begged to switch but he refuses), leaving a copy of the keys, trying to pay for everything (I've fortunately gotten us to at least a 50/50 split.. he won't budge more than that) and just being a great host and representative of the city. He works as a web developer so I have the aparment to myself. I spent yesterday catching up on sleep before heading out to explore the Palermo area with its gorgeous boutique shops and walked down to the botanical gardens not too far from here. When he got off work, we took a bus to the city center and went to Cafe Tortoni, a historical institution of a coffee house for Cortados (coffee with just a pinch of milk), Dulce Leche (a caramel like dip that's eaten on it's own), and Media Lunas (crossaints) before walking around the federal center with the Casa Rosada (gorgeous/lit up during the evenings), picking up empanadas for dinner and coming back to the apartment to lounge, listen to some Brazilian acoustics, and sleep.
----- (All prices in $pesos unless otherwise noted)
$145 (US) - tourist visa, valid for 10 years
$1.25 - bus fare
$1.10 - subway fare, regardless of destination
$5 - empanada from Tomato restaurant in Palermo
$33 - cost of 2 Cortados, 1 Dulce Leche, and 3 media lunes at Cafe Tortoni
Free: Entry to Botanical Gardens
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