For John and Jill*

*Names have been changed.

So my friends John and Jill, shall we call them, are coming to visit in two weeks and I thought I should do a post in their honor and to help prepare them for a few things they may encounter. So things to know if you`re coming to BA:

Public Transportation: BA has great public transportation. The subway called the Subte is very fast and relatively clean. Each ride is 70 centavos (less then 30 cents US) and you buy your tickets at any of the booths in the station. However, it can get really crowded especially during rush hour so watch your bags. Also compared the size of BA, service is somehwhat limited. But no fears. If the subway can`t get you there a bus will. There are over three hundred different bus routes servicing the area of Gran BA and the only way to possibly understand it is to get a GUIA´T. This is a little book that has divided the city into grids and tells you what bus goes to which grid. So you find the grid you are in and the one you want to go to and find a bus that is in each. Then you look up the bus route in the back to find out what street to catch it on. You'll be sure to see many a foreigner flipping pages franically trying to figure it all out. Fares start at 75 centavos and can only be paid in monedas (coins). Tell the driver where you are going when you get on and then pay in the machine behind him.

Taxis: There are tons of taxis here and usually it is fine to flag them off the street. Late at night it´s better to call a radio taxi but you don´t have to. Just make sure before getting in that the taxi is in relatively good condition and doesn´t look like the driver regulary hits things. You don`t need to tip and most drivers are good about giving change. However, don`t trust them and don`t give them any opportunity to drive off with your stuff. A fifteen minute ride will cost about US $5.

Toilets: Unlike many other parts of the developing world, you can flush the toilet paper here. Well at least in most places. If the toilet looks really old and there is a big trash can full of paper and it smells funny, chances are you can´t flush the paper so just throw it in the trash can. It´s a wierd feeling but you get used to it.

Water: Luckily the tap water here is drinkable. Or well at least I haven´t had any problems. It´s doesn´t taste that great but it´s free. However, you can also buy bottled water just about any where.

Schedules: Argentina runs on a totally different time frame. Most places don´t open til 10 or later in teh morning. Some will close for an hour or so around 1. Many stores are also closed on weekends, especially Sundays. Also if you are meeting anyone, expect them to be oh between 30 minutes and an hour late.

Things to watch out for while walking down the street: dog poop, cracked sidewalks, freon showers from leaky air conditiong units, pickpockets, and insane drivers who may seem intent on knocking out everything in their path.

Things to carry with you at all times: a good map, purell, coins in your pocket, sunglasses.

Ok that's it for the the basics. Another installment on food and shopping coming soon.