More on Buenos Aires

I had a fabulous time in Buenos Aires. Predictably, both B. and I were - I sheepishly admit - always especially happy when we had a reason to hang out in Palermo Viejo. I'm sure everyone who has read or heard anything about BsAs knows about the delights of this leafy neighbourhood. And yes, it is unabashedly middle-class, full of nice restaurants and cafes and even fuller of trendy clothes shops. It's like being back in my native country, plus great weather. I did almost all my shopping there - one can get both designer wear (see here for anything new and interesting) and cheaper items, such as the latest poopy pants (needless to say I didn't buy any).
Also predictably: there is a lot of good dulce-de-leche-icecream around...
And there are lots of doggies.

Buenos Aires

At the beginning of January we finally went on our long postponed trip to Buenos Aires. We had booked with Iberia because it was a cheap flight and it promised us a 2h transfer to Madrid followed by a 12 hour non-stop stretch rather than a 16 hour non-stop stretch from Heathrow. We ended up with what looked for a good while like no non-stop stretch at all because Iberia was struck by strike action. After missing the connecting flight (even though they had reassured us we wouldn't) we had to queue amongst aggravated Spaniards at Madrid airport to beg for transfer. We, and some 5 Brits, queued patiently for 6 hours whilst the overwhelmed and decidedly unfriendly Iberia staff served the people who pushed past us. In the end I had to summon all my half-forgotten Germanic powers to jump the queue myself before all was too late. We were sent back to Heathrow that afternoon and got put on the 16h flight we had refused before. Of course Iberia lost our luggage on the way...
I don't think I want to fly with them again.
When we finally stumbled into the heat and sunlight of Ezeiza Airport it was just like heaven. We had booked our airport-transfer in advance and so we were met by the great Dante who took us to our destination in no time: