Gracias senior, pero tengo un pollo!

Saturday’s travel can certainly be marked down as our biggest challenge to date on this trip.

It started in Villa La Angostura. We enjoyed another afternoon on the beautiful Nahuel Huapi and inside the lovely Bosque Arrayanes. When we got back to the hotel, I did a quick check on our flight departure. I was warned on a few travel blogs that domestic Aerolineas Argentinas flights do not have a dependable schedule. Sure enough our 9:50 flight was now and 8:30 flight and we were more than 70km away. We had to pack quickly and call a remise in order to make it to the terminal in time for the 4:00PM bus back to Bariloche.

The bus was a little tardy but we still had time. However, along the way the driver picked up an older lady who was on her way to work at one of the large estates in town. Then we stopped again to pick up two other older ladies on their way Bariloche. But the best pick up was yet to come. We were a good distance from town when we came upon an older gentleman and a young boy. The bus driver stopped and opened the door so they could get in. The man was very greatful and said, “Thank you, sir, but I also have my chicken.” Sure enough, he held up a white sack with a hole and the chicken popped its head out to say hello. Bob and I almost busted a gut. But we held it back. The chicken was no problem for the driver. He found a safe place for it below with the luggage and we were off again once more.

The bus ride gave us one more time to relax and enjoy the breath taking scenery that awaits anyone visiting the Rio Negro or Nuquen provinces. Now, on to more travel mayhem.

We arrived in the bus terminal on time. We got our luggage and took our place in the taxi queue. While we were waiting, a remise pulled up to pick up the next passengers in line, but no one was budging. Maybe they thought the remise was going to be far more expensive than a taxi. Bob and I learned from the hostess at Carlos V that the rates are set by the tourist board and are virtually the same. So both Bob and I kept our eyes on the driver. Within a minute he found our glance. We gave him the thumbs up and he pulled up to the curb. Sorry folks, I know we got rude glances because it seems like we jumped ahead of everyone, but no one made an offer for a ride. We knew what to do and were off to the airport in minutes.

I think we arrived around 6PM which is a bit early for an 8:30 flight. But it proved to be a brilliant move. There were no other travelers in line and we were the first to discover the 2927 flight into AEP was cancelled and the earliest flight we could get was a midnight flight into EZE. So what could we do but take it. The only other option she gave us was an 8AM flight the next morning. Luckliy we had enough cash for the now more expensive transport back into town from EZE. Thank you very much, Areolineas. You will be hearing from me on that one.

We got our tickets and headed to the cafe to start our long afternoon/evening wait. As we dined on the finest food the airport could offer, we saw the crowds form and the lines grow. Some people just gave up and went back to town. Bob and I spent as much time as we could at our table. The crowds grew so large in the cafe, it was just time to move on. I found the internet booth and Bob went to enjoy some cigarettes. For five pesos ($1.50USD) I got a full hour online. I had been unable to check emails for almost 2 days. It was a nice treat and a great time gobbler.

The rest of the evening was spent walking around the very small corridor of the airport back and forth, listening to Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld on the iPod and waiting for the gate number on our flight to show up. I learned that Demorado meant delayed. So our flight was now ‘demorado’ed’ by 30 minutes. The second the gate number popped up, Bob and I were in line at security.

The flight took off around midnight and arrived around 2:30. Luggage around 3:00. We took a taxi ride from 3:26 to 3:46 into town. Checked in to the hotel before 4AM. Finally, we were in bed and asleep by 4:30 AM. We literally were traveling for 12 hours. For four more hours and $150 USD less, we could have taken a bus with quasi beds and have been sleeping the whole time. I will have to remember that for next time.

This evening we had tea and crumpets at Las Violetas and then went to see El Caballero de la Noche (The Dark Knight) with Isabel and Maxi.

Here are some photos.