Back in BA - The Best Laid Plans

Old Jan 11th, 2012, 12:04 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,035
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Back in BA - The Best Laid Plans

OK, I admit it…I organize like the Capricorn that I am. But, really, sometimes things still get screwed up beyond my fault. And our arrival 2012 was one of those times.
Our departure, flight, customs, Banco de la Nacion and VIP remis service went off smoothly and comfortably. Then it started……..
We were driven up to our rental apartment complex –with more luggage than we usually allow ourselves as we are here for ~ 10 weeks - and that stupid neck pillow …well never mind that now.
Blithely (naively ?) I said in my less than excellent Castillano, ‘Buen Dia we are Sr/a ‘Marnie’. May we have the keys for Apt. # xxx, which should be waiting with you ?’ He searched, and searched – DH and I stood there looking at each other surrounded by the luggage. Then the gent looked again, we began to sweat (it was near to 100 degrees f). DH asked the man to telephone Sra J., the woman who serves as liaison for the owners; he does so and ushers us into the cool and comfortable lobby…where we sat for about one hour. At that point, I went back out to the gate at which time he informed me that her cell was off; the phone in the apartment was off – and by now DH and I are getting just a bit off.
[Here you might wonder why he had not come into the lobby to give us this important info – your guess is as good….]
In the meantime, DH tried to use his cell on AT&T to call our daughter in NJ so as to have her contact the owners BUT NO – the International codes would not work…and we did not have WiFi connection in the lobby @@##$%%^^%% I asked the guard for anyone in the complex who might have a master key – no luck, no one.
So, here I am, the queen of plan B (for travel, not birthcontrol) and I was so confident, that I did not have a list of hotels - and may I remind any of you who are still with me here….lots of luggage ! And Not Big Lifters we.
Finally, one of the younger guards, probably feeling sorry for us, offered to walk with us to a hotel he said was nearby…and it was only 4-5 very hot, tired blocks away.
A wee shout-out for the Alpine Hotel: They found us a room – pleasant, clean, air-conditioned etc. comfortable beds with nice personnel.
Five minutes after getting into the room – I kid you not, it was literally 5 minutes – the concierge telephones to let us know that the guard now had our keys and he was downstairs to re-conduct us to the Apartment complex. Of course, the hotel was not able to refund our charge !!! but I charmed him into letting me talk to the manager, and we were un-charged for the 5 minutes (we hadn’t even see the bathroom yet).
FINALLY, we make it, luggage and all, into the apartment. We collapsed onto the sofa and billows of dust burst around us. We just laughed.
And that is one of the real positives of this boring tale…DH and I remained calm and avoided that old Blame Game through every minute of this travel weary frustration. More positives: the apartment is nice, the location ideal for us and we have a pool and a gym. We have heard from friends and are already making wonderful social plans.
After cleaning up, DH and I headed to ANNETTA’s (this won’t surprise my friends and fellow travelers). Well, the pasta and drinks and carrot salad were wonderful – the atmosphere and service delightful; and, as an added effort of the gods to make up for our inauspicious arrival, they had a BELLY DANCER with good, live accompaniment! It turns out that they have begun Monday Middle-Eastern Nights – it is an option, but at 80 pesos fixed menu with the dancer, how could you pass it up ?
Tuesday – Day 2 we had the delightful good fortune to meet brk01 and his DS for a drink in the café by the fountain in our complex. DH and I agreed that they are among the most interesting and charming men…
Today, the Jumbo run. Took the collectivo there and a full-of-bags taxi back – and we do feel as if we are home (thanks for sharing, Dr_D !)
Scarlett’s weather report was accurate – sultry today, but less than the near 100 degrees of the last 2 days – and I like sultry  when I am not draggin’ luggage.
So, stay tuned, if you can tolerate more…and we will post the highlights of this, our 5th visit to BsAs.
MarnieWDC is online now  
Old Jan 11th, 2012, 01:27 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marnie, it's so good to read your report. I'm so sorry you got off to a bad start, but so pleased that you and Mr. Marnie kept your cool. And I'm so glad that you finally arrived in your apartment and I'm glad you like it.

Ten weeks !!! How wonderful. I would love to be there. Since I can't be, I will have to see it through your eyes. I'll be eager to read more.

Have a good time. Enjoy everything.
kodi is offline  
Old Jan 11th, 2012, 01:57 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm sort of mad at Marnie because she posted this first on TA.

But who can be mad at Marnie for long? LOL!!!!
avrooster is offline  
Old Jan 11th, 2012, 02:03 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,921
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Quite an arrival! But glad it worked out and look forward to meeting you next month!
Elizabeth_S is offline  
Old Jan 11th, 2012, 04:41 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,035
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all. AV - Fodors made me change my password and by that time....

~M
MarnieWDC is online now  
Old Jan 11th, 2012, 05:24 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
Greetings from SEAsia...Oh my goodness, Marnie, quite the arrival to BA after that long overnight flight no less.! Glad it all got sorted out, not sure I could have remained as cool as u all did Esp in that heat.

Looking forward to following your trip. Say hi to anyone I may know and have a fabulous time. I am sitting here wishing for some nice cold dulce de leche ice cream...yum...
yestravel is offline  
Old Jan 12th, 2012, 04:59 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,035
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yestravel and DH: I hope you are both having a great time in SEAsia. I look forward to the rich detail and flow of another Mr. Yestravel T.R. Miss U.

Elizabeth_S, we are eager for our meeting, as well.

Kodi, my friend - really miss you - next year let's coordinate better....

~M
MarnieWDC is online now  
Old Jan 12th, 2012, 09:33 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marnie, I look forward to your reports for more info to add to my list. I will be there starting Jan 25 for six weeks.

avrooster: Hopefully, we will get together sometime during our stay.

Hope to see you both soon in BA!
condu is offline  
Old Jan 12th, 2012, 10:08 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Condu: I'm not much for planning ahead, so I'm not sure yet, but I may be away on holiday during most of your stay.

Have a great time in my town and country!
avrooster is offline  
Old Jan 14th, 2012, 03:53 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marnie, we're here until Monday night, staying in Recoleta. Is your apt close by? Looking for good shopping suggestions.
FromDC is offline  
Old Jan 14th, 2012, 05:54 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,035
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hola, FromDC, welcome to BsAs.

You are in Recoleta on a gorgeous weekend day - so you can certainly take advantage of the Feria in Plaza Francia - in front of the Church.

Here is a link with excellent guidance for more shopping opportunities in BsAs.
http://www.gringoinbuenosaires.com/

I hope your time in Chile was fine, and that you enjoy your stay in Argentina, as well.

My best,
~MarnieWDC
MarnieWDC is online now  
Old Jan 15th, 2012, 02:38 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Marnie and Mr. Marnie... really miss you too and agree about next year. I really do want to get down there.
kodi is offline  
Old Jan 15th, 2012, 03:10 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It may be very hot in BA but you are very cool! That is to say, you have a better sense of humor than I would have had!!

Keep it coming, please.
taconictraveler is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gracejoan3
Europe
19
Jan 13th, 2015 12:59 PM
LBloom
United States
5
Apr 2nd, 2012 02:50 PM
Amy_D
Canada
5
Mar 23rd, 2011 03:51 PM
MarnieWDC
South America
4
Mar 8th, 2011 08:46 AM
Toucan2
Australia & the Pacific
29
Jun 26th, 2009 06:05 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -