A city orientation tour that dropped me off at the Buenos Aries Post Office to retrieve a pair of amazing hand painted SAS canvas shoes. What a nightmare. 3.5 hours!!!!! So many really nice people reached out to a foreigner and offered to guide me because I dont speak Spanish. Never the less, an experience of the most inefficient post office ever. Walked in to a room of about 50 people shoulder to shoulder, got a number 255!!!!! A nice person gave this grateful senior a seat that was torn plastic covering a mix of cotton and foam rubber. I watched as others stood and offered their seats to young mothers with tiny babies. A young woman who spoke no English responded she would tell me when my number was called. When it was 5 away she motioned I should stand up and get in line. I did. Another nice young man who also recognized a tourist motioned he would let me know when I was next. Got to the counter, was told I needed my passport. Did not have but had a copy, along with an Idaho drivers license, my ship ID and the ship reference sheet (green sheet). Not good enough, passed me on to a supervisor. He spoke a little English. Very accommodating. Agreed to approve me but only this once. (Like I would ever consider another 3.5 hours in this shoulder to shoulder package retrieval system!!!!) I paid the duty, was given a receipt and instructed to proceed to the next room where my package would be delivered. There were 75+ people sitting in chairs and standing. Numbers were called. I had no idea if my number was called. I just decided to go ahead into the sanctuary where the packages could be redeemed. A very nice young man who spoke a little English approached. He offered to help. We chatted. He is a university student studying engineering. I told him why I was there, Semester AT Sea. He explained to the desk clerk who understood I was at a disadvantage and set me aside while he searched for my package. Meanwhile, I was instructed to go back to the waiting room and wait to be called. The young man accommodated, found me a seat next to a young family with a darling toddler, maybe 18 months, walking. She pulled on my shoes, I picked her up, she spit up on my shirt. My number was called or so I thought. The young man and I headed back to the parcel pick up room. No not yet, step over to the side and well let you know. I managed to get a taxi and back to the ship, headed for the snack bar and a hamburger. Cancelled dinner tonight with friends. Contents of package: 2 pairs of hand painted canvas shoes for the auction. Contents of my evening. 3 vodkas, and night, night. Highlight was visiting with dear friends in Glazer. Welcome onboard, Les and Bill. Wonderful to see them. SAS is one interesting adventure after another.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 00:55:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015