All's well that ends well

Before I write about our last week in Mexico, I have to document the very dramatic exit from Argentina. Since the trip was nearly over, we decided to splurge and upgrade our airline tickets. We did one of those online bidding things and won lay flat seats on the two legs from Buenos Aires to Panama and Panama to Mexico City. We filled out all the airline paperwork for our on-board dog and double checked all Mexico requirements for bringing the dog in, and dutifully arrived at the airport 2+ hours early for our flight.

With our heads high, we breezed past everyone in line claiming "business class" and were promptly told that Bodhi was not able to travel because we hadn't completed some sort of exit paperwork required by Argentina. Begging, pleading and crying didn't work and they closed the flight as we continued to try to figure it out. Turns out, Argentina has a 3-5 day process for a dog to be examined by a internationally certified vet in order to leave the country. Had we called the airline ahead of time, we would have learned this.

Panicked and broken-hearted (and too late to smuggle him like we did in Portugal), we found a vet in Buenos Aires and jumped in a taxi with all of our crap and headed in to the City - which took about 90 minutes because of the traffic. Thanks to several English speaking pet owners, we communicated our needs and the guy wrote up a dog health certificate for him and we checked in to the Intercontinental.

We were so tired and beyond anxious, but luckily we found some old friends were in town for the night so we met for drinks to lift our spirits. And Buenos Aires was beautiful.

Next day, we schlepped back to the airport more than 3 hours early, and went to the pet office at the airport, where we were told, once again, that this paperwork needs to be filed 3-5 days before the flight so the vet has time to review it. Flight was at 11:30. Apparently the vet would arrive at 9:30, but would likely not sign. We waited anyway. At 10, the airline tells us if we don't check in soon, they won't take us. Vet is reviewing paperwork and tells us we are missing a certain de-worming treatment which we 100% got in Colombia. Back and forth with this lady for over 45 minutes while Tyler stays at the gate begging them not to close the flight. Finally (mercifully), I find a picture I took of the de-worming box in Colombia and she agrees to sign. We RUN to the gate and we are the very last people on the flight. Walking past the lay flat seats, Presley says, Mom I thought this is where we got to sit??? Nope baby. Not this time. Tyler sat in the middle in the back next to a very large woman and Presley and I sat near the front.

Alls well that ends well.

Oh, post script - Rather than watching the final World Cup game from Mexico City as intended, the game started an hour after our flight took off. We were on the flight with probably 90% Argentinians and many had satellite radios so we would hear periodic cheers as they battled France for the win. Captain gave us the score along the way, and when they finally won in Penalty kicks, the entire plane was on their feet screaming, dancing and singing the team song. What an experience to be amongst these fans.