folks, i'm in a bit of bind now and i'm looking to FTers for some help and advice.

the short story is, i came to buenos aires with my friend and her "buddy/travelmate". i was told that the travelmate has a difficult personality but i thought it'd be ok as i'm easy going. unfortunately things have been spiralling downwards and i was told this morning that i might have to get my own hotel in rio because they might be staying with a friend who insists on accomodating the 2 of them.

given this, one of my options is: skip rio and goto el calafate. there are other options (eg. going home), but i thought i'd explore this option first. if this were to happen, i'll leave BA for el calafate next tue. my EZE-MIA flight is on fri 9pm, and a travel agent said she can get me to the domestic airport at 549pm the same day. this is a bit tight ...

what do you guys think?

Sorry for the situation. Traveling companions are always problematical.

Others with more experience will give you good advice, but for what it's worth, I've gone from AEP to EZE and think it's about a 45 minute taxi ride. Also, EZE is very busy at that time, but as a Plat be sure to use the Biz-First check-in lines. We used First (technically wrong I think, but they were cool with it. Even found some packing tape to lock up our styro wine carrier that we insanely thought was going to be carryon) get your boarding pass, then pay your departure tax, and move right on the the AA lounge.

I think you have plenty of time, but understand your nervousness. Don't know anything about el calefate, but have you been to Iguazu Falls? Stay in Argentina, enjoy your visit, don't go home early because someone else has messed up your plans.

YMMV

I personally think you would be crazy to go for it saimike.Even if your plane from the south is on time three hours would be tight enough - dooable but not very relaxing way to start a long flight home. You would be very unlikely to make it even with a short delay I would imagine.

Save El Calafate for another day and go somewhere else, Montevideo is a short hop and very nice along with Colonia.

Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)

I have to agree with Hiddy... what worries me most is the dismal not-on-time performance of Aerolineas. Of course you could get lucky but if you dont...

thanks for the info guys! i've asked around and was able to reserve an airtic that returns a day before.

sure, i'd like to keep my vacation, but i'm not so inclined to spend 2300peso just to spend 2 days watching glaciers alone. i'm not much of a solo traveller. perhaps paraguay could be a gd alternative, not sure about montevideo but colonia is supposedly a ferry away and quite a quick day trip.

Santiago is a quick flight and there are frequent specials.

OK... but apart from the good seafood, what is there to do in Santiago. If one is into wine then I would go visit a few bodegas... but what else is going on in Santiago?

I was just in Calafate, and it actually is worth it to see the glaciers and the town, even alone. The town has a great, backpacker, friendly kind of vibe and you're very likely to meet other travellers who you will enjoy spending time with! Iguazu is another great option, and only an hour flight. Mendoza is also a fairly easy flight and lots to see and do. One other thought, that would solve your connection issue, is going all the way down to Ushuai. There are flights that return from Ushuaui directly to EZE, so you would not have to transfer. All that being said, I could easily see spending the rest of your time staying put in Buenos Aires! It's an amazing city, I easily could have spent a month (or the rest of my life) there and been happy.

DITTO!!!!! The whole quote.

El Calafate is a very special place... not to be missed. Alas, please note that prices down there are very much at International Levels... please do not expect costs to be similar to what you will find in Buenos Aires.

Definitely stay in BA, IMHO. www.hostelbookers.com for reasonable single rooms. Plus at those sorts of places there is more mingling with other guests and you will get ideas things to do. And directions. Might even find some nice friends? You clearly have a couple that need replaced.

Housing solved, just wander. Classiest shopping ever, if that interests you. Elegance on a par with Paris. Buses/subways work well to move your body about.

If you possibly can, find a local tango performance. Not the touristy ones. Incredibly moving.

Buy cds or tapes of local music to bring back.

Well, yes, museums and history. Maybe even buy an english guide book?

Expand your Spanish vocabulary.

Food - even the local McDonald's is different that the US versions, but any of the beef places are grand. The menus are a hoot, starting with picures of actual beef cows on the outside and progressing on inside to where parts come from on the cows, to pictures of the raw meat on platters, before finally showing actual cooked stuff. (Oh - hope you aren't a vegetarian - apologies if you are.)

I travel by myself often. It works quite well. I spent 3 weeks in BA many years ago for a work project. Fell in love with the place, the people, the music, etc. Give it a chance.

And the ultimate revenge on the former friends of yours - have a great time!!

Romelle

But count your change. Smoothest short changers I ever encountered were at the train ticket office in BA. Got me twice, and I was a math major.