more trip details ----
RIO was very interesting. It was my first time there ; I had some free time and had an enjoyable time. I love to walk and Rio is a city that gives you penty of opportunity for that. I confined my walking to the Copacabana and Ipanema areas and felt no danger at all - even walking late at night. There's a lot of "friendly ladies" in the center of Copacabana; but they don't "overly" bother you.
I stayed at the Hotel Sofitel which is at the end of Copacabana; about a 10 minute walk from Ipanema. The hotel is fairly old and is "ok". The first room I stayed in had no water coming out of the hot spigots. The following day they upgraded me to a room (with a balcony overlooking sugarloaf and copacabana) as a result.
It was almost winter in Brazil, though the temperature averaged 80 F and it was perfect beach weather; the beaches were fairly empty of swimmers. The sidewalks are very wide (about 50 feet) and there is a jogging/bike path along the beach. From one end of Copacabana to the other is about 2.7 miles. There are many soccer and volleyball courts along the beach. It's really interesting to see folks playing volleyball, but using only what is allowed in soccer..head, body, feet).
Football (i.e. American "soccer") is king down here - I saw a premier team "Vasco" practice on a beach area. I took a Greyline tour to see the 2 big attractions. Sugarloaf and Cordova (the statue). It was an exhausting all day event that was greatly mitigated by the people I met. I'd recommend taking a cab to each of these 2 areas. The cost would be the same or cheaper, and you'd save 4 hours over the 8+ hours of the tour.
Had an interesting dinner one night with 4 associates - each of us from a different country; USA, Chile, Argentina, Pakistan, Columbia..very interesting.
I was really struck by the way the drivers really respect traffic lights and crosswalks. However when the light changes you better be out of the way. Also some streets have no crosslights; and drivers take turns VERY fast..so take warning. Car lights are also very weak, nobody uses blinkers and "everyone" is constantly using their horn. Nobody seems to take it personally though ; and I saw no "road rage".
A warning for you sports fans - ESPN in not "USA's ESPN" ; it's ESPN international..where "football" (soccer) is always on. The only familiar show was sportcenter at 7 a.m. only..otherwise it's "all soccer ; all the time".
Of the 30 or so tv stations about 4 are in english all or part of the day. You haven't seen tv until you've seen the 3 stooges dubbed in portugese.
After 6 days in Rio I headed to the airport for a flight to Buenos Aires on Aerolines Argentina. Checkin at the airport was simple - I paid my $36 exit fee for Brazil and had my boarding pass with 15 minutes of arriving. Since I was in business class (2 class service) I received a laminated map directing me to the lounge. They had a nice lounge with 10 or so couches, 1 TV, and no phones. They had extensive beverages (including name brand alchol). The snacks were pre-packaged only.
About 25 minutes before our scheduled departure time we were escorted to our aircraft (MD-88). The coach passangers had already boarded. There were 3 of us in the 8 seat "Executive" class section. The 3 hour flight departed on time and arrival was 15 minutes early. The food was awesome..with a salad and light chicken, followed by a delicious steak. Spanish and Engligh are the "official" language of the airline. All announcements were made in both languages; the in-flight magazine was also printed in both languages. The seat's "pitch" appeared just a little less that Continental's domestic Business class configuration.
Buenos Aires was cool and I was ready to get home. We did have 1 outstanding meal at a priemer "beef house" (next to the Hilton). The lounge was once again very nice and after less than 48 hours in Buneos Aires I boarded an Aeronlines Argentina 737-200 for the return flight to Rio. This was a much older aricraft than the MD-88; with only 8 BC seats. There was only a curtain separating us from coach; and I kept getting accidently kicked by the person in the first row of coach. The overhead storage was VERY minimal and was virtually already filled by the FA's bags. Being the first on, I fit my suitcase and PC bag above, there was virtually no other room. The FA said no problem - and placed all the additional carryons from BC into the first row of BC, which was empty.
On both "Aero A" flights the attendents put carryons in the empty BC seats and left them there for the entire flight. The attendents were generally very nice and I was pleased by the service.
The Aerolineas Argentina (according to the in-flight book) jet fleet is comprised of 747-200 (7) ; A340-200 (4) ; MD-88 (6) ; 737-200 (29). The MD-88's and 737's handle local traffic "South American" traffic ; while the 747 and A340's are used on long haul routes. Aero A serves Miami, NYC, Mexico City, Kuala Lumpur, Rome and Paris, in addition to South America. They are a partner of American Airlines.
Upon arriving back in Rio I made it to the international "in transit" area...BE PROACTIVE - I had 3 people direct me to the customs line..which I knew was wrong.
I was able to get my CO boarding pass at the Alatalia/CO lounge..and finally boarded CO for the long overnight flight home...thankfully in BF !