Instructions for Arriving in Argentina
Before you leave:
Pack light. By light I mean one carry-on that you can maneuver in airport/bus terminal settings. We will have washing machines in each place so just bring a few things. If you are curious about what to bring you can see the list of things I brought. Although it is summer, have a light water proof jacket as it can rain. The best is to bring generic clothing so that we don't stand out as much. The other day I saw a guy wearing a "Party till you Puke" t-shirt. Probably avoid stuff like that. People will know we are foreign, but they shouldn't be able to tell if we are from the United States or Europe. There is some anti-American sentiment, not much, but some. It's best to keep a low profile. Argentinians call Americans Yankees (pron. Jahn Keys), in case you happen to hear it. Bring a small towel as you will never be amazed by it's versatility. Don't bring things that are expensive/flashy. No computers, I already have one so we can share it, there's no use having two.
On the Plane:
Make sure you play the on-flight trivia game with the other passengers. It is essential that your profile name is something offensive, but you have to be clever because the system recognizes bad words and it'll block your account. But be aware it will identify you by your seat number.
Arriving in Ezeiza Int'l Airport, Argentina:
Follow the flow of passengers but try to walk fast so as to accelerate the visa process, go through the visa thing like normal to get your passport stamped. Should be no problem and the people speak some English I think. Save the tear off they give you! You'll walk through a store and when you exit you'll see an exchange booth. DON'T GO TO IT. They will screw you on the exchange rate. Keep walking and after you go through the luggage x-ray you will see another exchange place that has a counter on the right. Go there. The current exchange rate is 1 dollar to 3.43 pesos. Roughly $30 USD is $100 pesos. Exchange about $100 USD here. You should get around $340 pesos. After you leave the exchange place you walk through a set of doors and come out into this little area lined with business counters. On your left hand side at the 9 o'clock direction you should see Manuel Tienda León. Go over there and buy tickets to Buenos Aires Downtown (Ida al centro). If there is any confusion the name of the terminal is Terminal Madero. These will cost $45 pesos each. Ask the person where the bus stop is as it could be in a different place than when I did it. "Dónde queda la parada?", even if you don't understand them they should give you a general sense of where to go with there body language. Put away your money and walk confidently outside so that people don't hassel you and if they do just say "no". For me, the bus stop was to the left of the main doors by about 100 meters. You should have to cross the street to a little sidewalk island as well. If you get confused show someone who looks friendly your ticket. The bus ride is about 45 minutes. When you get to Terminal Madero they will ask you if you where you are going from there and you will tell them (or show the on a piece of paper) Cabildo 1478 which is in the neighborhood Belgrano. They will charge you a little extra (but not much, less than 10 pesos more) to take you to my apartment (15 minute drive). I'll send you my apartment number and cell phone in case things go badly. Breakfast will be waiting. Good luck.
Pack light. By light I mean one carry-on that you can maneuver in airport/bus terminal settings. We will have washing machines in each place so just bring a few things. If you are curious about what to bring you can see the list of things I brought. Although it is summer, have a light water proof jacket as it can rain. The best is to bring generic clothing so that we don't stand out as much. The other day I saw a guy wearing a "Party till you Puke" t-shirt. Probably avoid stuff like that. People will know we are foreign, but they shouldn't be able to tell if we are from the United States or Europe. There is some anti-American sentiment, not much, but some. It's best to keep a low profile. Argentinians call Americans Yankees (pron. Jahn Keys), in case you happen to hear it. Bring a small towel as you will never be amazed by it's versatility. Don't bring things that are expensive/flashy. No computers, I already have one so we can share it, there's no use having two.
On the Plane:
Make sure you play the on-flight trivia game with the other passengers. It is essential that your profile name is something offensive, but you have to be clever because the system recognizes bad words and it'll block your account. But be aware it will identify you by your seat number.
Arriving in Ezeiza Int'l Airport, Argentina:
Follow the flow of passengers but try to walk fast so as to accelerate the visa process, go through the visa thing like normal to get your passport stamped. Should be no problem and the people speak some English I think. Save the tear off they give you! You'll walk through a store and when you exit you'll see an exchange booth. DON'T GO TO IT. They will screw you on the exchange rate. Keep walking and after you go through the luggage x-ray you will see another exchange place that has a counter on the right. Go there. The current exchange rate is 1 dollar to 3.43 pesos. Roughly $30 USD is $100 pesos. Exchange about $100 USD here. You should get around $340 pesos. After you leave the exchange place you walk through a set of doors and come out into this little area lined with business counters. On your left hand side at the 9 o'clock direction you should see Manuel Tienda León. Go over there and buy tickets to Buenos Aires Downtown (Ida al centro). If there is any confusion the name of the terminal is Terminal Madero. These will cost $45 pesos each. Ask the person where the bus stop is as it could be in a different place than when I did it. "Dónde queda la parada?", even if you don't understand them they should give you a general sense of where to go with there body language. Put away your money and walk confidently outside so that people don't hassel you and if they do just say "no". For me, the bus stop was to the left of the main doors by about 100 meters. You should have to cross the street to a little sidewalk island as well. If you get confused show someone who looks friendly your ticket. The bus ride is about 45 minutes. When you get to Terminal Madero they will ask you if you where you are going from there and you will tell them (or show the on a piece of paper) Cabildo 1478 which is in the neighborhood Belgrano. They will charge you a little extra (but not much, less than 10 pesos more) to take you to my apartment (15 minute drive). I'll send you my apartment number and cell phone in case things go badly. Breakfast will be waiting. Good luck.
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