MUNGO EATS Latin America

If you recall, I left you at a very exciting point yesterday, waiting in line at the border.  I know, it was evil to leave you hanging like that…what suspense!  Yeah, here is what happened.  We got very close to entering Argentina…but not quite. 

As we FINALLY neared the beginning of the line (or the end, I guess), we were approached by a customs agent, who asked us if we had purchased any insurance for driving in Argentina.  We replied, that we had not yet, but realized we had to.  This apparently was a big problem.  Unlike all the other borders we have crossed, they do not sell insurance AT the border.  You actually have to go into the town to buy it.  Which normally would not be a problem,except that it was now 9pm and there would be nowhere open that would sell insurance.  Without insurance, the vehicle could not enter, without entering, there was no other option other than return to Bolivia…NOOOOOOO! 

So back to Bolivia we go, look for a hotel, end up in a dive, just to get up at 6am the next morning to do it all again.  Seems we don’t get to go to the front of the line, just because we waited all day yesterday.  Nope, back to the end of the line (which was longer today, by the way).

At least we knew what we were doing, kind of.  I also wondered if the dog was going to give us any problems, so I asked two different police guards on the Argentinean side, whether I needed to do anything about bringing in a dog.  I did not want it to be 9pm again, and have them turn me back a second time.  Both guards said there was nothing special I had to do about the dog.  Of course, this was not exactly true.  I was supposed to have gotten a dog “paper” from the Bolivian side, which would then be exchanged for a permit on the Argentinean side.  I think luckily, there was no one at the Bolivian office, so the Argentineans nicely let that pass and issued me a permit without needed to see a Bolivian permit.  Also, I was supposed to go pay a fee at the  bank to import Mungo, but now the bank was closed, so again LUCKILY, the officials let me pay them instead (much easier!). 

The reason for the super long wait at the border, was that EVERY vehicle was thoroughly searched.  All bags were removed and searched by hand as well.  Crazy!  No wonder it took so long.  We were really dreading a thorough search, not because we have anything to hide, but you really have no idea how much stuff you can fit in a Volkswagen Vanagon.  There are hidey holes EVERYWHERE!!!  But, we were spared.  We only got a VERY cursory glance in each door.  That was  it!

So we are finally in Argentina, at a relatively nice hotel, with wi-fi, that has let our dog in, even though there are large signs that say NO PETS.  Go figure.  So, if you have time, look back at some of the newly posted, older posts, that are finally online!