The "A" Factor

**jSki** · 10-26-2009, 10:31 PM

Taxi ran out of gas on the way to the airport last week, also got passed 30 (~8US) fake pesos today, cheap souvenir I guess. Despite what's in this thread, things actually run really smoothly down here and I've been very surprised how easy it is to get around.

**cliffhucker** · 10-26-2009, 11:37 PM

did anyone already mention having to throw your shit paper in waste basket rather than flush,
using the same plunger to clear the shower drain as you did to clear the john,
and paying a taxi driver with a larger bill than what was due then having him drive off without giving you change.
How about having the freaking highway/military patrolmen that pull you over and go through all you shit at every border change,
and then the "tax" to leave the country in Buenos Aires Inrntl Airport...
I really did actually have a goot time while I was down there

**rometheworld** · 10-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by cliffhucker

did anyone already mention having to throw your shit paper in waste basket rather than flush,
using the same plunger to clear the shower drain as you did to clear the john,
and paying a taxi driver with a larger bill than what was due then having him drive off without giving you change.
How about having the freaking highway/military patrolmen that pull you over and go through all you shit at every border change,
and then the "tax" to leave the country in Buenos Aires Inrntl Airport...
I really did actually have a goot time while I was down there

Throwing your shit covered TP in the trash is pretty common all over the world. So is paying a departure tax.

**enlosandes** · 01-19-2010, 11:04 AM

So we have been having issues with our internet here in Patagonia. It isn't a big deal, just a sudden blip that cuts off my skype calls.

I asked my assistant to please contact the provider, undeservingly named Speedy. First she tried to calling Speedy, but learns after many tries, they finally told her she has to call from the property of the internet, not her house, or go to their office.

She goes downtown, waits in a long line and proceeds to tell the Speedy representative what is going on. They don't believe her. They then say to have the owner call the instant the hippcup is happening. Even better, they suggest I video tape the modem lights not working, and email it to customer support.

Sounds like we might get a hombre de technical support to come out. Maybe I will pour him some mates and we will watch the modem together, until the lights stop flashing.

**enlosandes** · 02-02-2010, 04:50 PM

Today I went to the local grocery store to get change for a US$ 100 bill (sometimes our guests pay in Dollars). I have been doing this for a couple years at the same market, instead of going to the change house downtown.

Today, when I go to pay the clerk tells me I need to spend at least 100 pesos to get change. I say todo bien. She holds on to my C Note, tells the people in line behind me to go to the other register, and pulls out a magazine to read while I finish my shopping.

**enlosandes** · 04-26-2010, 03:09 PM

Here's a classic A Factor

Argentina Marriage Chaos: 4 Gay Weddings, 3 Annulled, Then 1 Un-Annulled

**llyon** · 05-06-2010, 04:01 PM

I came across this paper that Matt Mckee presented at the 2008 ISSW. For all those arrogant Chileans that claim their country is without factor:
http://www.issw2008.com/papers/P__8017.pdf

**LightRanger** · 05-06-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by llyon

I came across this paper that Matt Mckee presented at the 2008 ISSW. For all those arrogant Chileans that claim their country is without factor:
http://www.issw2008.com/papers/P__8017.pdf

That's a gnarly write-up.

His thought on kinetic energy turning a dry slide into a wet one reminds me of the footage from that huge Ruapehu Slide.

Look at the snow characteristics from around 2:00 onward:

**enlosandes** · 06-30-2010, 05:07 PM

So we have been living in Argentina since 2005 and have been working on obtaining residency before we even left the States. I'll spare the details, but wanted to share the last couple interactions.

A few weeks ago, a guy from Migraciones comes over to our property to confirm we are renting the other units. (We use our property to apply for a investment visa. Since we create jobs and are good for the local economy, they offer this form of residency) Homie and I sat on the coach for about a half hour, drinking mates and talking about futbol. He shakes my hand and says it shouldn't be long now.

Today, we decided to go to the office and check in. The same guy that we have dealt with for 3 years says in the English equivalent "Your file is in Buenos Aires, and it won't be back any time soon". My wife and I just chuckled and gave him the thumbs up, todo bien!

**enlosandes** · 07-23-2010, 11:21 AM

Went to Malargue yesterday afternoon to drop some clothing to be cleaned. Picked it up and noticed they didn't separate the darks from the whites. One would think that is standard, worldwide, laundry mat 101 procedure.

**PNWbrit** · 07-23-2010, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by enlosandes

Migraciones

Doesn't sound so much different from the run arounds I've had with the U.S. INS over the years. Or come to think of it that my wife has with the U.K. equivalent

We never sipped mates with them though.

**enlosandes** · 07-27-2010, 02:52 PM

At various times this season, there has been a police stop, just pass Los Molles and about 15 minutes before Las Leñas. Sometimes it gets pretty backed up while they check everyone's documents.

Nothing sets the vibe for a day of big mountain skiing like some police interaction.

**unpossible** · 12-29-2010, 10:59 PM

So I bookmarked this thread prior to my trip to Argentina in early September, with the intention of reading it again once I got back. Well, I just found the bookmark again. All of the 'A' factor stories are so great and so not surprising given my experiences there. Don't have any gems of my own to post unfortunately.

This is so fucking true though:

Originally Posted by Spats

Those f***ing hard, waxy napkins that don't absorb a damn thing.

I could really go for a Choripan from Tage right about now. Thanks for the good read, brought back good memories about my trip.

**enlosandes** · 07-08-2011, 09:03 PM

Well I think it's about to time to roll out this thread.

After 5+ years living full time in Argentina, I am back in the Empire and will have to watch from afar.

I stumbled across this bit of news on Las Leñas' website. Apparently the supermarket is now being run by "OK Food".

Nuevo supermercado
Novedades
El objetivo de OK Food es que realice sus compras cómodamente, en un ámbito cordial, rodeado de personal especialmente capacitado para servirle y prestarle un excelente servicio en todo momento. La clave de nuestro éxito se debe a los esfuerzos individuales y al trabajo en equipo. A quienes somos y a nuestra pasión por lo que hacemos.- afirma Daniel Caballero socio de OK Food.

http://www.laslenas.com/esp/novedade...o-supermercado

**covert** · 07-08-2011, 09:12 PM

every year las lenas makes something better and something worse. maybe this year they added another aisle of cookies.

**RootSkier** · 08-23-2011, 08:28 PM

I would murder someone for a large fugazetta from La Andina in Bariloche right now.

**unpossible** · 08-23-2011, 08:39 PM

Pick me up a Choripán from Tage while your at it.

**enlosandes** · 08-23-2011, 10:31 PM

A portion of Lomo and a copa del Alberto sounds real nice right about now.

**Loinlover** · 11-12-2011, 10:32 AM

Haha, okay. This thread convinced me that I will ski New Zealand before Argentina.

**tylerjames** · 11-12-2011, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Loinlover

Haha, okay. This thread convinced me that I will ski New Zealand before Argentina.

Your right there in no snow in south america or hot girls or awesome steaks or even buenos aires, I hear Australia and south africa have some awesome mountains.

**covert** · 09-08-2015, 10:29 AM

After a lengthy discussion of the baggage policy, consultation with a supervisor, and another lengthy discussion of how I was meant to pay for my excess baggage, the guy at the LAN counter in Mendoza basically said "Fuck it, here's your boarding pass." To which I replied "Sooo, todo bien?" He confirms todo bien, and I go on my merry way.

Factor win!

**enlosandes** · 09-23-2023, 05:52 PM

I couldn't resist the huge snowpack and strong dollar and flew to Mendoza this morning.

I reserved a rental car and when I went to get it, the clerk asked for a credit card to run a deposit, though she didn't state how much
I gave her my Mastercard and within seconds received a fraud alert as she ran it for $10,500. I asked her of that was a mistake since the car doesn't even cost that much, plus she didn't alert me. After some back and forth, she agreed it was too much and ran another authorization for $5,600. I then called my credit card company and told them todo bien with the second charge.

Grateful to have a high enough limit but still seems excessive.

**Core Shot** · 09-23-2023, 06:09 PM

Fuckin A.

**byates1** · 09-23-2023, 06:19 PM

Is that pesos? If USD what the fuck you rent a rr phantom?

**enlosandes** · 09-23-2023, 06:41 PM

Yes, US Dollars. BTW, blue dollar is 740 to 1 and a 8 day lift ticket at Las Leñas costs USS156 this afternoon

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