Trip Report: SAN-IAD-GRU-EZE
My RTW trip will probably be somewhat rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches as far as my accommodation and activities. On the one hand, I'll be flying business class around the world (except my last leg, Sydney-LAX)...this is a free, frequent flyer mile award ticket for the record! On the other, I'll be staying in hostels in many places.
So I've arrived in Buenos Aires safely. San Diego (SAN) to Washington (IAD) was pretty uneventful, as was Washington (IAD) to Sao Paolo (GRU). The IAD-GRU flight had a pretty excellent crew, constantly refilling glasses, etc. They ran out of my first choice of meal, the bacon-wrapped steak, so the flight attendant offered me the rack of lamb from First. I said yes. It was pretty tender and juicy actually, but the endive that came with it was quite bitter. I think it might have been one of the "Charlie Trotter" designed entrees.
I had a 5 hour layover in GRU before my flight to Buenos Aires (EZE), and I spent most of it at the United Red Carpet Club, where I had some pretty filling and delicious snacks and took a very nice shower (overseas Red Carpet Clubs tend to be a lot nicer than the domestic ones). I did go downstairs to the TAM counter several times to check in for my connecting flight, and they told me twice to come back in an hour or so... Not sure what they were waiting for...
And then I found out.
A security staff checks our documents before we're allowed to check in. He checked mine, and told me that I would not be able to enter Argentina because I didn't have an onward ticket! I was so surprised - I was planning on taking the bus to Iguazu Falls, and then entering Brazil that way, but of course I didn't have any booking records of that. As I was waiting for him to consult someone else, I took a peek at my Lonely Planet printouts and lo and behold he was right! After a lot of waiting and the security staff consulting with someone on his walkie-talkie, he allowed me to check in, while making sure I knew that I might have to purchase a one-way ticket out of Argentina once I got there. So I was a bit nervous throughout this flight... deportation? forced buying a useless ticket??
On this three hour flight, I wasn't expecting a meal, but we did get a hot lunch. I had the beef (the other choice was chicken rice), and it came with a hot roll, bean salad, and a really delicious mousse cake. I have no idea what flavor it was, but it might have been oat-flavor, judging by the oats sprinkled on top. Subtle and earthy.
Oh yes, and the immigration official at EZE didn't blink an eye and I went through.
