1st stops in BA!

After a long (but nonstop!) flight from New York, we arrived at the Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Argentina. No one on the plane had been wearing a mask, despite the Swine Flu threats, but almost all the airport workers we first saw when we stepped off the plane were. We had to fill out a form asking if we had any flu like symptoms, and were then verbally asked the same question when we handed in the form. After that we passed by a thermal imaging camera which checked our body's temperature. Luckily, we passed all the tests with flying colors; no quarantine for us! Customs and exit security were fast. We avoided the offers of car services and "unofficial" taxis and headed to the taxi stand, where we told the woman where we were headed, and a cab driver came to meet us after just a few minutes. The ride, paid in advance, cost AR$98, which included tolls. An uneventful (but first glimpse of BA!) ride into the city brought us to our next stop - our home away from home for the week.

When we pulled up to Hostel Suites Palermo I thought we had written the address down wrong. There were no signs outside so I went up to the gate and pressed the buzzer. We were immediately buzzed in (you also had to be buzzed out as part of security) so gathered our luggage and entered the old mansion that had been restored into a hostel. The young front desk staff were extremely friendly and helpful. We were a bit early so we left our bags in the "luggage room" (read: small closet) and ventured out with a map and directions from the front desk on where to find some coffee, lunch, and an ATM (the hostel only takes cash, in pesos). Lunch at a little restaurant on Charcas and Thames in Palermo (drawing a blank on the name) was the first of many but the empanadas here set the bar high and it hasn't been met yet, even a week later. After several attempts at ATMs (closed or no cash), we were able to withdrawl part of the payment and the hostel was kind enough to let us pay the rest later.

Returning at check in time, 2 PM, we were led upstairs to our private room which consisted of a desk, 2 twin beds, a nightstand, a sink and mirror, and a bathroom. It was just what we needed for the week. Coffee and water were available around the clock at no charge downstairs, as well as breakfast from 8-10 AM each morning. The only catch being you had to do your own dishes! Beer and bottled water were available for purchase. Outside alcohol drinks are not allowed. Next to our room on the 2nd floor was a common area with a table and couches. Downstairs was a common area with several tables, a TV, magazines, and tourist information, and downstairs was also a terrace with a couple of tables. The whole hostel had WiFi but if you hadn't brought your own computer there were 2 computers available for use. The sign read "everyone wants to use facebook, please limit time to 10 minutes!"

I would definitely recommend Hostel Suites Palermo.
It's a couple blocks from the green/d line Subte,
and walking distance to several Palermo restaurants and shopping. The staff was very friendly, the building is safe, and we had no problems!