South American Backpacking Adventure: A Buenos Aires Journey Begins

In-Flight Comfort and Amenities

Let's be honest, the 'comfort' aspect of a 14-hour flight is always relative. Air Europa provided the standard amenities: individual screens, blankets, and those ever-so-helpful little pillows. However, the seating felt a bit cramped, especially for such a long journey. My six-foot boyfriend, Ruud, found it particularly snug. I, being shorter, managed okay, but it wasn't exactly spacious first-class seating.

And the extra charge for headphones? Seriously? In this day and age, I expected that to be included on a flight of that duration. It felt like a sneaky way to boost profits, but hey, it's not the end of the world. I found myself thankful for my own headphones. It's a detail you definitely want to keep in mind if you're budgeting for your trip.

The meal service was equally basic. One meal, one drink—it was a far cry from the lavish spreads I’ve sometimes seen on other airlines. Breakfast was just coffee or tea. I'd pre-ordered a vegetarian meal, which turned out to be edible, if not exactly inspiring. I'd call it adequate sustenance for the journey, a fuel-up rather than a gourmet experience. It was a decent amount of food, though.

Despite the minor disappointments, I have to admit that I actually slept remarkably well on the flight. Considering my pre-trip anxiety and resultant sleep deprivation, the five or so hours of uninterrupted sleep were a genuine surprise. The combination of exhaustion and the airplane’s surprisingly peaceful atmosphere must have done the trick. So, while Air Europa may not be a luxury airline, it gets the job done for the right price.

Arrival at the Hostel and Initial Observations

Finally, after the airport ordeal, we stumbled into our hostel. Relief washed over us; a private room, a small sanctuary after the chaotic arrival. The exhaustion was intense, a pleasant kind of exhaustion, mind you, but exhaustion nonetheless. We'd initially planned to stay awake until 8 pm to adjust to the time difference, a valiant but ultimately futile attempt.

We crashed around 6 pm, waking up at 4 am, which, ironically, gave us ten glorious hours of sleep—a much-needed reset. The hostel itself was perfectly adequate. Nothing fancy, but clean and quiet, exactly what we needed after a long journey. Buenos Aires was still a mystery, a vibrant blur glimpsed through the taxi window, but our little private haven felt like a victory.

The next morning, feeling refreshed, we set out to tackle the city and its curious monetary system. The 'blue dollar' exchange rate proved to be a more interesting experience than I had anticipated, a lesson in local economics and navigating the sometimes-confusing realities of a city coping with high inflation.

Navigating Transportation and Currency Exchange

Getting from Ezeiza International Airport to our hostel was, shall we say, an adventure. Our initial attempts to use ride-sharing apps were thwarted by technical glitches and card rejection issues. Trying to navigate the public transport system with our limited Spanish proved equally frustrating; we even managed to acquire a metro card but couldn't figure out how to load it without cash. It was a comical, albeit stressful, start.

Finally, a taxi became our salvation, albeit an expensive one paid for in euros. The €35 fare felt steep, but after an hour of wrestling with technology and language barriers, we simply surrendered to the inevitable. The driver, however, was a friendly chap who ensured we reached our destination safely, ultimately turning a stressful experience into a mildly amusing anecdote.

Then there was the matter of the Argentine Peso and its perplexing relationship with the ‘blue dollar.’ Argentina’s high inflation means the official exchange rate isn't the rate you'll actually get. The 'blue dollar' is an informal exchange rate, significantly more favorable than what ATMs offer. We were advised to use Western Union to send money to ourselves, then pick it up in cash—a system designed to navigate this unusual monetary landscape.

What was the flight experience like with Air Europa?

The 14-hour flight with Air Europa had cramped seating and charged extra for headphones, making it feel less luxurious than expected. The meal service was basic, although the vegetarian option was adequate. Despite these drawbacks, the author was able to sleep surprisingly well.

How challenging was it to get from Ezeiza International Airport to the hostel?

Getting to the hostel proved difficult due to technical issues with ride-sharing apps, language barriers navigating public transport, and ultimately requiring an expensive taxi ride (€35) paid in Euros.

What is the 'blue dollar' and why is it relevant to travelers in Buenos Aires?

Due to high inflation, the official exchange rate in Argentina is less favorable than the informal 'blue dollar' rate. The author recommends using Western Union to send money and then pick it up in cash to get a better exchange rate.