General Info

[BA_Robert]

Nuevo espanol:

good spanish will enhance your experience but you can get by without knowing as much as a word and still have a good time.

Most mongers usually stay around Recoleta. One popular hotel with mongers is the hotel Etoile. In fact mongers usually gather in the lobby of this hotel for nightly assults on the clubs.

The notorious AMA (Argentine Mongers Association) meet once a week (I think. see previous messages) in the lobby of the Etoile. This should be your safest bet.

Also the hotel Etoile provides free cellphones without any additional costs (of course you have to pay for the calls you make).

I have stayed in the Etoile during my past visits and can recommend it. I will also be in BA during April and I will stay at the Etoile. Feel free to PM me if you like.


BA_Robert

[OttoGraham]

Nuevo Espanol,

I think you're a perfect candidate for a Buenos Aires trip.

Personally, as a first-time visitor, I would recommend you stay in a decent hotel, rather than go the apartment route. I've been there something like 8 or 10 times (lost count) but still prefer to have a hotel. It is a bit safer, as well. (Read back to see what happened to my friend Capt Dave on New Year's Eve - and what happened to him is all the more disappointing because he is an experienced visitor and monger! But even so, it is an isolated example and I would not let that keep you from visiting.)

As for a couple of 25-year olds, my advice is to find them when you come down. Don't arrange anything before you come, except of course the accomodation and touristy things. The lifestyle will sweep you up once you get there, and before long you will be an old hand.

Do continue to practice Spanish before you come. It's not a hard language to learn, and you will be amazed at how much more you will learn once you spend a couple of weeks there. On one of my longer trips, I even commenced to dreaming in Spanish, even though my formal education in this language is about the same as yours.

You already know there's a wealth of information on the board, but feel free to ask questions if there's something you don't find the answer to, or want an update on.

-Uncle Otto

[Chopper]

Nuevo Espanol,

I was in Buenos Aires for the second time in late September 2003. I definitely recommend that you visit Buenos Aires as it is great value at the moment. The Peso was pegged 1 for 1 with the American Dollar when I was there in '99, and my currency got me three times the value in 2003 compared with '99 (and it’s even better now).

I travelled on my own, but then I'm an experienced traveller and comfortable travelling that way. As with travelling to anywhere, if you can’t travel with someone you already know don’t travel unless you are comfortable with travelling on your own. You will generally find that you meet people along way and you can better assess their intentions that way.

Although I'm sure most of our fellow contributors are fine upstanding people I'm a bit concerned that by advertising your situation, the way you have, that you may be setting yourself up for trouble if you arrange to meet any of these people, but do your research and don’t let what I write stop you exploring that line of thinking. By or means read what has been written by all contributors and make use of the information wisely.

My Spanish isn't great but I did a term of spanish lessons that at least helped me know how to pronounce the language, and I could always then refer to a pocket phrase book. My Spanish was not good enough to carry on a conversation, but enough of the girls speak English for this not to be a problem and it proved no barrier to picking up girls in Buenos Aires.

Neuvo, don't take a cell phone you don't need it.

I am pleased to report that I didn't find Buenos Aires any more dangerous than when I was there in '99. That said as a traveller you can always expect some type of scam or problem.

My only problem in BA on this occasion was being sprayed with mustard (the second time this has occurred in BA). If you know how to handle this situation it is no problem, but simply a nuisance. The idea is that they spray you with mustard and they expect you to put down what ever bag you are carrying (to wipe it off) and then the thieves run off with it. Simply do not put down any bag that you have but go straight back to your hotel and get changed.

I am pretty sure the culprits on this occasion were a male and female, but like the first time, they got nothing.

I didn’t visit all the clubs but I particularly enjoyed ‘Hook’ in Centro and ‘Shampoo’ near
Recoletta on this trip and recommend these establishments. Girls were generally about
150 - 200 pesos for a couple of hours although you may need to bargain down. I’m sure you can get cheaper. I had a real Dominican Republic sweetie ‘Maria’ from Hook
(twice). She told me she had lived in BA for about 5 years. From Shampoo, I took
Karolina a pretty and voluptious Brazilian with jeans that looked like they had been
sprayed on, and a killer cleavage.

I have shown footage of Karolina to some friends and without exception every
guy who has seen my video footage of the clothed Karolina has had there eyes try to pop out of their sockets. Sorry guys I will not put this on the net.

I stayed at the ‘Goya’ (same street as Hook ) which were reasonable digs for only 50 pesos a night (I had no problems bringing the girls back (must leave their ID at reception).

You never know I may return to South America (and BA in particular) in the coming months.

By the way any news, or photos of the Maria or Karolina mentioned in my report would be welcome.

Chopper

[Dickhead]

You are nuts if you do not go. Screw what your brothers think. Although a knowledge of Spanish definitely enhances the experience, you can have fun without it. I'll be there in semi-late March (until the 26th) and could point you in the right direction. Also, while cell phones are certainly convenient, I never use them and seem to do okay. There are locutorios, or places to make phone calls, every six feet. I think your hotel/apartment/hotel plan is good but I don't see why you would go back to a hotel once you had the apartment. Feel free to PM me if you like.

[Nuevo Espanol]

Gentlemen,

I have been reading this forum for about one year now. In the current vernacular, I have been lurking. First I am amazed by this creation by senõr Jackson. How he has the time to juggle the hundreds of tasks in maintaining this huge website as well as police, edit and start a charity!

I have enjoyed the great writing and wit that so many of you have posted. Uncle Otto’s apparent love of dinning, women and wine is inspirational. Saint, Jamie, Dickhead, Dances, Andres, Bandy, MeGusta, Moon, Exon, Hobby et al. Your fine personalities come through in your posts. Thanks a lot! The time is right, the plan has started. I've got tickets for Buenos Aires.

Since I turn the big 50 this year, I thought that I would spend a couple of weeks in Argentina partying with two sexy 25-year-olds. Any one know I could find them? My plans are to come at the end of March and stay through mid April. Easter occurs during this time and may pose a problem but since I can't move my birthday, the dates are set.

I took Spanish in high school nearly 40 years ago and if I recall correctly I was not very good at it then. I've acquired Pimsleur’s I, II and III lessons and I am immersing myself in Spanish television and radio. I don't understand much or “en Espanõl” … “no entiendo mucho” . To make matters worse, I have only left the US twice and my experience in pay for play is zero(if you ignore alimony and “helping” various girlfriends). So, in essence, my brothers think that I am nuts! I am asking for your input. Do you think that I am nuts?

I'm considering staying in a hotel the first couple of day's and the last couple of day's and perhaps renting an apartment for two weeks in the middle. As of this date I have not found a wingman to travel with me. I'm hoping that some of you fine gentlemen will be in town at the same time and be gracious enough to help a new traveler out with the in’s and out’s of the current scene there.

Of course I'm going to e-mail Myra for accommodations and Roxanne for the obligatory tour of the city. I look forward to enjoying the fine restaurants, drinking the great wine and of course seeing all the beautiful women. It sounds like cell phones are a must and I have not seen much in the forum on the best way to use a cell phone. I don't currently own a cell phone in the US but I would acquire one if necessary before leaving.

I welcome all your suggestions and look forward to meeting any of you who are in town the first half of April.

Nuevo Espanõl

[Jaimito Cartero]

One weird thing I encountered when flying from GRU to EZE on Varig is that they would not allow you to use any electronics other than a laptap. No music, MP3, CDs, etc. I've never run into this before and it was rather annoying. They claimed it was a Brazilian regulation. I would hope that on a long trip from LA you'd be able to have some entertainment.

JGB - How far are you from LAX? You can often find under $100 fares round trip if you're in an adjoining state. United also has run some sales to EZE in the $500 range in the last 6 months. Remember if you're going to Brazil you'll need a visa.

[OttoGraham]

Exon - a point of clarification - United is going to continue to fly to Buenos Aires from Washington, as far as I know. It is the Miami flight which is being relocated to Chicago.

The Washington flight is actually a terrific flight - it leaves late, about 10pm both ways, so it is late enough in the day for most people to already be tired and able to sleep. (A problem I have with early-departing overnight flights is that it is too early for my body to naturally fall alseep for the flight.)

Plus, since the DC-BsAs run is about 10 hours flight time, it lands in BsAs at about 9:30 and in D.C. at 7:00 a.m. - so you have a decent amount of sleep (several hours) and the whole day ahead of you when you arrive.

-Uncle Otto

[Dickhead]

The word you are searching for is oligopoly.

[Exon123]

Im detecting a troubleing pattern of collusion here --- I.E. price fixing by the major American carriers into Argentina and South America markets -- Both Otto & Moondog claim United is pulling in their horns from Washington and Miami and starting non-stop service from Chicago their major U.S. hub --- While American has just started non-stop service too Buenos Aires from their main hub at Dallas Ft. Worth, cutting back some service from Miami --- And now Delta who gave up that market over two years ago says it wants back in and will start non-stop service from their major hub in Atlanta --- Theres something going on here --- The best numbers Ive been able to find are from the consolidators mentioned below ---- Exon

[JustGotBack]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm on the west coast of the US which is the worst place to be for flights to BA in terms of cost. But based on a report in the other thread, I check out Varig. $700 or so to get to BA with a free stop over in Rio. I have to get to LA though which will add $200 or so. But $900 for both cities isn't bad at all.

[DownBA]

Re good promotional fares, I'm faithful to www.despegar.com, it's an Argentinian owned discount travel site and every day they have promotional fares on the home page in the lower right hand corner. Right now they're offering NY- BA for $499.00 which isn't bad at all. It doesn't cost anything to look fellas. DownBA

[OttoGraham]

United is dropping its Miami - Buenos Aires flight in favor of a nonstop from Chicago O'Hare. Chicago is one of United's hubs and Miami isn't, so this change makes sense from their perspective (though perhaps not yours!). UA also flies non-stop from another of its hubs at Washington Dulles.

Personally, I keep track of airline frequent flyer promotions and keep most of my travel on United. Because of this, between now and March 31 I am going to be getting 4x the actual number of miles for my trips down to Buenos Aires. Since my round-trip runs above 10K actual miles, this means each of my next couple of trips will be almost two trips for the price of one affairs, as a round trip to South America costs 50K miles.

In addition, because I do most of my flying on UA, I have elite status on them, which means most of my trips down and back are made in business class (but at a coach fare), which I am allowed to do because I fly them so much. There is just no comparison between coach and business on an overnight flight.

We've talked about these things previously on the board, but it's worth repeating these tips every once in a while.

-Uncle Otto

[Exon123]

Im having the same problem --- Since fuel prices are up as is the demand for Buenos Aires travel United & American are really sticking it too us --- Exon

[MoonDog]

United is pullling out of the MIA-Latn America market shortly.

Moondog

[OttoGraham]

Fares are up with the increase of tourism to Argentina and the departure of Delta from the market. Their promised reentry is a long way off, so there will not be any downward pressure on prices from them for a year or so.

United does occasionally still run $400-500 "efare" specials to Buenos Aires from many cities, however, with this being the Argentine summer, there are not as many weeks that you can take advantage of this as in the Argentine winter. The last promotion was two weeks ago. You can subscribe to efare notifications by visiting the United website.

Besides American and United, Southern Winds and Aerolineas Argentinas fly from Miami (both) and New York (just Aerolineas). So those are additional options for the budget-wise traveler. (As are Copa, Lan Chile, and Varig, but which require stops in Honduras, Chile, and Brazil, respectively.)

I endorse the good advice given by my brothers below, as well.

-Uncle Otto