Travel Tales Enroute to Tierra Del Fuego....

Check In at Aerolineas Argentina....."May I carry this bag on board? I have some liquids." "Do you have a lot of liquids?" "No" "What are they?" "Oh shampoo, other hair products, medicine, that's all." "No problem." I am traveling light so I hoist my carry on over my shoulder along with my computer bag and wonder what will happen when I go through security.

The line is long but seems to be moving fairly quickly. I see that there are two agents, one male and one female, whom I think are prepared to check anyone who sets off the scanner. I put my bag with the liquids and my bag with the laptop on the conveyor belt. I do not remove my computer from the bag. I do not take off my shoes. I do not remove my belt or any of the metal jewelry. I do not strip to the bare minimum like I would stateside. I walk through the screening machine, set off the alarm, and the agent with the gun on his hip smiles while telling me to pass. Go figure!

Several months ago I flew from Zagreb and changed planes in Frankfort. Usually once cleared through security from the departing city there is no further security check while in transit. Not so in Frankfort where there were two. One which had a single conveyor belt for a herd of people and two agents "wanding" everyone since there was no body scanner. The contrast was striking.


The Plane to Ushuaia.....Once on board I notice that the other travelers are mostly European. Yes, there are a few Argentines but I hear the language of the Brits, Germans, and French much more than Spanish. While in line for the bathroom I smile at the woman behind me. She smiles and asks in French if there is paper in the bathroom. I continue smiling but establish that if we are going to converse it will have to be in English or Spanish. She then says "is paper?" in English and "wash hands?" I continue to smile as I respond "yes" to both questions. The truth be known I am thinking "You've got to be kidding. You think the Argentines don't use toilet paper or wash their hands? This is an airplane!"

Both instances made me chuckle.....