Robyn and I finished packing and had an hour to spare before the 12 o’clock check out time so we decided to take one last walk around the block to spend the time. Rule #1 . . . take a map! Off we went, making a left turn at the first street, another left turn at the next street and once again another left turn at the next street. Now this approach would normally work if the streets ran at proper right angles to each other and a couple of right turns aren’t added in for the hell of it. However many of the streets are at funny angles and in no time one can become completely lost in a city of 11 million people.
Now this normally wouldn’t be a problem at home as anyone speaking the same language could easily get you on the right track. The clock was ticking and it became very clear to Robyn and I that we were . . . LOST in B.A. No problem we thought as on almost every street corner is a gun toting Policia Federale officer so Robyn approached a lucky candidate thinking that he would be able to assist us to the only street (9 De Julio) we knew by heart. Well let me tell you that the “deer in the headlights” look that he gave Robyn when she asked him if he spoke English didn't give us a warm fuzzy feeling nor did his hand gestures that had similarity to an Aresti pattern. So off we went in our quest asking a nice little old lady who spoke only Spanish and further down the road a shop owner who actually told us the street names that we would pass on our way. With little time to spare (5 minutes) we finally managed to locate our hotel where Dave and Kelly were already starting to check out. 
Our journey home started at noon on Wednesday Nov 21st from the Hotel Presidente when we loaded the vehicles and got to experience the “No Rules” driving of B.A. during a workday first hand. I had been dreading this experience ever since the day we arrived and my confidence didn’t grow as we toured the city by foot and cab over the couple of days here. Anyway off we headed through the heart of B.A. by car to the airport and I quickly learned not to look in any of the mirrors, disregard the lines on the road and occasionally run a red light. It wasn't too long before we were at the airport but not before passing through our final 3 toll booths on the way. 
This is actually where I really started to enjoy myself as Dave and Kelly were ahead of us and we got the chance to get in the fast lane (minimum of 130km/h)to catch up to them as I'm pretty sure there is no Policia speeding enforcement in Argentina.
We arrived at the B.A. airport at around 1pm and had a couple of hours to spare before our 3pm check-in. That gave us a chance to pre-weigh our luggage to see how our shopping adventures affected our weight. Dave got into a discussion with one of the baggage handlers who saw the airplanes and it wasn't long before the boxes and luggage were secured with zap straps and the airplane crates checked over. We noticed a couple of other cardboard airplane type boxes which belonged to the Hong Kong team who were also scheduled on the same flight via Toronto. Processing of the luggage went perfectly as the airplanes were accepted without any oversize fees and our friendly baggage handler made sure they went through the security inspection area without a hitch. We felt sorry for the Austrialian Team as they couldn't take the airplanes with them with the motors in the airplanes and they were scrambling around trying to figure out what to do. Another security check for ourselves and another visit to the customs area to turn in our arrival documents that we completed when we entered the country and then we headed to the gate for the first leg of the flight home.
The Air Canada 767 headed out for the 2 1/2 hour flight to Santiago Chile where we deplaned, went through a security check point, headed back to the same gate via a maze of hallways, picked up a long anticipated Starbucks Latte, another passport check and finally back onto the same airplane at the same gate all within one hour. Couldn't figure this one out when we arrived but I figure it was a way to get the passengers to spend a little money on some last minute souvenirs while the plane was serviced.
The flight to Toronto went smoothly and although I thought I would get some much needed sleep (NOT)it seemed to me like this flight lasted for days. I did manage to watch 3 movies, stare at the funny angle moon out the window and think a bit about the 2009 Canadian Team Trials which will be next September. Once in Toronto we once again got to experience the delay in getting our luggage and most importantly the airplanes. We only had a 1 hour connection and it took that long to get our belongings, clear customs, clear security which for the first time checked our hand luggage, computers and transmitters. A mad "Amazing Race" like dash to the gate at the other end of the airport and we were the last people to board the airplane. That was close, however with the light snow falling the airplane needed to go through the de-iceing area which added another 2 hours before we managed to take off. No complaints from anyone however as the airplane had been sitting at the gate probably all night and had a good inch of ice on the fuse and wings and it was my first time to watch the ballet of machines working to make our flight to Vancouver safe.
Because of the delays in Toronto we knew we had missed our final leg to Victoria but this wasn't going to be an issue with the number of Dash 8 flights to the capital city. It wasn't long before we were on the 12pm flight to Victoria and we were amazed that our luggage and airplanes had already made it to the Dash 8 and were waiting for us. Now that's what I call service. Thanks Air Canada!
23 1/2 hours later after leaving the B.A. airport we landed in clear crisp weather conditions in Victoria and here I am in my shorts and T-Shirt but who cares we made it home safe and sound. Funny thing . . . I kinda miss the 11 million people of B.A and the people of Argentina who made our visit so special. Many thanks to Dave and Kelly for asking us to be part of this adventure. Next up . . . the F3A Worlds in Portugal 2009!
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