- The train and bus to Miami International were very smooth, no issues or complaints.
- I was searching for terminal F, and I found it, but I could not find a "Boliviana de Aviacion" check in station. So I checked the flight schedule, and no flights to La Paz, Bolivia were listed. Given that I had no concrete confirmation of my flight and there were some "iffy" reviews of the flight booking engine that I used... first worry session - check. (Now I am not a full blown idiot, I had emailed the airline and they said I didn't need tangible confirmation of any kind, and I had confirmed online that my flight did in fact exist and was not cancelled.) So I asked a near by employee, who then informed me that they don't post flights until 2 or 3 hours before take off, this was 4 hours before. He then pointed me to a long line of people with luggage and said that's for "BoA" [shout out DJB], Boliviana de Aviacion (apparently no one actually calls it the full name).
- While I was standing in this long, stagnant line, I met and became friends with a Argentinian family who spoke little english, the Spanish immersion had already begun. They had traveled to the USA to celebrate one of the two son's 18th birthdays. Quite the birthday treatment. They helped me a lot and we remained acquaintances throughout the journey of flights.
- The airline did exist and I was correctly on the list as a passenger. All I showed was my passport and the guy asked me if I wanted a window seat, to which I immediately barked yes. I began to discover a theme of trustworthiness (at least that's what I'm calling it) employed by these South American entities/people. I had to trust that they had my flight situation all taken care of, all I needed to do was show up. Which was exactly the case as I checked my bag, took my 2 carry on items (which you're only supposed to have 1, but they guy shrugged and said it'll be fine - trust), and proceeded to security and then the gate. Got to the gate at 7:30 for a 10pm flight.
- The flight was delayed because something was wrong with the check in computer. All announcements and all side conversations were in Spanish. We ended up boarding at 10:40 ish and left at about 11pm.
- The Bolivian woman sitting next to me was very nice and we conversed in (mostly) espanol for a good majority of the flight. There were no air conditioning controls and they showed the movies Rio and The Book Thief on the below-average quality TVs.
- Landed in Bolivia at 6am ish and there wasn't much there, at least from what we could see from the plane and at the airport. Clearly a more developing country. We exited the plane, I stood in a line with other proceeding to BA, and then we went to sit down in a large commons area. We were going to be departing from the gate next to the gate at which we arrived, so we didn't go anywhere in the airport. After only sleeping an hour-ish on the plane, I slept horizontal on some chairs (as many others were also). The 5 hour layover went rather quickly, and after I ate my 28 peso ($4 USD) omelette, we boarded the next plane.
- Once again, trust. they just had a few ladies looking at boarding passes (not scanning them), and this is where they briefly checked for proof of my Argentina Reciprocity Fee payment ($160 - which I had in my bag). Next thing you know I was had the back row of the plane to myself and was sitting opposite from a new fr�end%"C Andrew, 23 years old from California, who was enjoying his 4th week traveling. We talked the entire time and he caught me up on a lot of things.
- Landed in BA before 3pm. We went through passport check, got our luggage, and went through luggage check all in about 40 minutes.
- Found Manuel Tienda Leon (it was a real thing) right outside luggage security. They pointed me in the right direction. We exchanged some cash, Andrew and I said Surf's up Dude and parted ways, and I checked into the MTL station, only to find out that the next bus didn't leave until 7pm. At this point it was 4:20. Time to waste more time.
- I did a lot of sitting and looking around, trying to figure out if there was any way I could fit in. And actually, people dress pretty similarly to Americans. It is summer so a lot of khaki shorts and polos and regular t-shirts. Some people I thought for sure were Hispanic and theq wdre speaking English, and some I thought surely were travelers but were speaking Spanish. Everyone seems physically fit, especially those of the feminine kind. This airport (as well as the one in Bolivia) had free Wifi, so I was able to check in and feel connected.
- Boarded the bus at 6:45 (they pronounced my name Cara... but we figured it out) and immediately started to fall asleep because 1) I was exhausted and 2) the Mercedes seats were extremely comfy.
- It got dark quickly, but from what I saw, things were very green and there was not much humanity on the side of the road from BA to Rosario. Bright-20st`rs once the night fell.
- Driving through the city of Rosario excited me a lot. People were sitting outside of-20shnps and lounging at 11:30pm, and it seemed very live. It is pretty run down, but still has a homey feel.
- The bus (small, 6-7 rows of 4 seats and 8 passengers), dropped off each passenger at their specific address of request and I was last to be dropped off - at 11:53pm, over 30 hours since leaving Grandma's. I stayed with Stephanie (complete rockstar ex-pat who runs the local language school) for the night, and she was more than hospitable.
SKIP TO HERE
It is super hot here, like 90-95 and very humid. But it's beautiful, clear skies. Today I go check out the language school with Stephanie, where I'll be taking classes, and later I meet my actual host!20famly. I also have to get my basic travel phone a sim card and run a couple other errands, but I am completely goin with the flow. Apparently it was one of the other student's 24th birthdays last night, so all of the students were celebrating and consequently the Language school today is fairly empty. I think I'll fit in fine.
What did I miss?