Buenos Aires - Days 6 and 7

Yesterday was a good day. We worked a normal day since my flight wasn't until pretty late at night. It was cold and rainy so we didn't want to wander too far for lunch.  We did find this cool little hole-in-the-wall pub place that literally sat maybe 30 people. It was packed, but we managed to find a table.  The place had a limited menu and did a "plato del dia" - their daily special.  The special came with a drink of your choice and postre - dessert! So we ordered the special - carne con arroz. It was sort of like a beef stew over rice and it was so fantastic.  It was a perfect winter meal, and since it's winter right now in Buenos Aires, it fit that rainy day perfectly!  Dessert was a choice of several things - and I chose the flan.  It came with some sort of vanilla crema and dulce de leche.  It was really good!

We finally finished out our day and had a final glass of wine in the hotel bar while we waited for my driver to pick me up and take me to catch my flight home.  My driver was right on time at 7:30 and I bid my colleague goodbye and headed to the airport to start the long journey home. As we drove down Avenida 9 de Julio I felt a twinge of sadness as I watched the buildings and shops slip by. I love Buenos Aires and it's a little hard to leave it. As we drove out of the city, I turned around and looked behind me as the city grew smaller.  I was glad to be going home - I sure did miss my kiddo - but I am so thankful that I had the chance to go back to Argentina. I hope God sends me again for work one day. Or even if I get to go on vacation and take Isaiah!! Until then, I have pictures and memories (and an audit report to write).

Ezeiza airport is always a bit of a madhouse. I hung out in the Admiral's club til time to get my flight. I was barely able to stay away long enough to eat the dinner and watch a move. I finally drifted off into a light sleep while watching lightning flashing in the clouds as the plane flew by them. I wish I could say I slept well, but I'm just not sure if that is even possible on a plane. We landed in Miami at 6:30 this morning.

And then began the long trip to US Customs. To say it's a hike would be an understatement. It was a 30 minute hike, carrying my carry-on bags and my Duty Free bag that also involved a tram. I honestly think if we did the mileage it was probably 1.5 miles from the gate we landed at.  And of course, I'm dressed for winter because I had just left winter! I finally reached Customs and was drenched in sweat and even more exhausted.  And the lines were crazy long and they only had a very small number of agents working. Really?! Another 45 minutes later and I was through. Then I had to get my luggage and go through the next checkpoint (another .25 miles away), then put my luggage back through TSA, then I had to be rescreened. And the agents on duty this morning were beyond unamused to be there and were rude. Yuck. In the middle of all this I managed to get on my flipflops and ditch my sweatshirt. I consider that victory. After all the Customs stuff I had to hike BACK to the terminal.

Finally, at 8:30 I was at the Admirals Club. I must have looked like quite a sight. Sweaty, disheveled, generally gross, and so tired. Thankfully, they have showers. I think that might have been one of the top 10 showers I've ever taken. I felt so much better once I was washed and in clean summer clothes!! Then I hung out for the rest of my layover and hiked the last 15 minutes to the gate (it was in another area of the terminal all together).  Finally, I was on my final flight home. At about 12:30 I finally landed in Raleigh.

As I write this I'm finally back home, dressed in my jammies and completely exhausted.  I'm so happy to be home and so happy to be with my kiddo!! It was a great trip, a great adventure, and I'm glad I got to do it! Thanks for taking this journey with me!