Got back into BA last night. I met a guy - Thomas in my hostel in Ushuaia who offered to share a cab with me to th airport as he was on the same flight. I was so lucky to meet him! Thomas is Brazillian and speaks fluent English and Spanish (as well as Portuguese, German and one or two others!) He told me about the Ushuaia departure tax (28 pesos) I didnt know about when I couldnt understand the guy at the check in desk. It also turns out I had forgotten to move my swiss army knife from my carry on to my checked luggage and I didnt realise until secuiryt stopped me at the gate :(. Thomas was my saviour and translated for me. They let me go back down to check in and although my main bag had already gone I was able to check my daypack with the knife in it for no penalty. Without Thomas' help I would have lost the knife for sure (and its the one I bought in Switzerland that I i had engraved). I will be SO much more careful in the future!

It turns out Sophie (from the cruise) was also on my flight so I hung out with both of them until boarding. Unfortunatly we werent seated near each other so I just slept most of the flight. I didnt sea Thomas again in the chao of Buenos Aires airport so didnt say goodbye, but I will be forever grateful for his kindness in helping out a stupid gringo!

It was great to have Sophie to keep me companie whilst we waited for our luggage. It seemed to take forever for the conveyer to start moving and I was so worried my daypack (with all my cameras in it!) wouldnt arrive. Luckily for me both bags arrived safely. Sophie too got hers without a drama unlike one guy who was pacing up and down yelling to staff presumably about his lost luggage. Sophie and I had a few laughs about the locals who prefer to climb over trolleys etc to walk in front of you rather than walk through the 2m gap behind you!. I felt sorry for Sophie who had to wait 9 hours in the airport until her next flight and still has several connections to make before she gets back to Canada.

Too tired to deal with taxis I took the easy option and went to the manuel tienda leon desk and booked a private transfer to the hostel. At less than $20 its a bargain.

I was overjoyed to find the airconditionin in the hostel dorm works! and had a great nights sleep. This morning I woke at the crack of 9.30 and missed breakfast. I did however manage to get to the post office, and after a few minor dramas (who knew you arent allowed to post used clothes from Argentina without a certificate of disinfection!?!?!?!?), a lot of help from the very patient girl at the desk and a hefty bill, I was finally able to post my snow gear and Ushuaia souveniers home. Fingers crossed they get there!

Feeling much lightened and rather pleased with myself I then wandered the streets of BA which really is a friendly if crowded city. I came across the Cathedral and am quite glad I decided to check it out. The coffin of a famous general is in there (I believe he freed Chile Peru and Ecuador?) and is by far the most elaborate shrine of its kind I have seen. It was even guarded by 2 armed and uniformed guards.

Going to try and get some of the cruise blogs an photos finished this afternoon so will leave Recoletta unil tomorrow. Besdes, Im enjoying the aircon :)