Cable TV in BsAs, Episode 3
17/09/11 22:10 Filed in: Argentina
After a "no show" on thursday the apartment owner had a heated conversation with Cablevision who were adamant that cable guy #3 had called. He hadn't.
Another appointment was made for today between 13:00 and 17:00. I was there at 13:00 and cable guy #4 showed up.
The wretchedness of Cablevision's operation became more apparent. The cable guys are independent contractors without, it appears, too much support from Cablevision. Cable guy #4 had an old rucksack with a broken zip. It was held closed with cable ties which he cut to open his rucksack. His toolbox was falling apart.
Our cable run was diabolical. In the end a new section of cable was inserted and simply dangled down 14 stories. In the middle of all this cable guy #5 showed up at 14:15. Some confusion about appointments.
Cable run. Most buildings in the area are like this. Without control the cable/telephone/electricity/satellite companies do pretty much as they like.
No planning control = mess.
Finally, at around 15:00, we had a functioning cable/internet service. I then had to sign four pages of assorted contracts with no copies provided for the owner who was paying for the service.
Another appointment was made for today between 13:00 and 17:00. I was there at 13:00 and cable guy #4 showed up.
The wretchedness of Cablevision's operation became more apparent. The cable guys are independent contractors without, it appears, too much support from Cablevision. Cable guy #4 had an old rucksack with a broken zip. It was held closed with cable ties which he cut to open his rucksack. His toolbox was falling apart.
Our cable run was diabolical. In the end a new section of cable was inserted and simply dangled down 14 stories. In the middle of all this cable guy #5 showed up at 14:15. Some confusion about appointments.
Cable run. Most buildings in the area are like this. Without control the cable/telephone/electricity/satellite companies do pretty much as they like.
No planning control = mess.
Finally, at around 15:00, we had a functioning cable/internet service. I then had to sign four pages of assorted contracts with no copies provided for the owner who was paying for the service.
Cable TV in BsAs, Episode 2
15/09/11 22:51 Filed in: Argentina
Episode two of our "please can we have what we paid for" cable drama.
Our last instalment closed with cable guy number two saying that Cablevision would call us to to arrange an appointment. They didn't. Another long call yesterday produced an appointment between 13:00 and 17:00.
While waiting one ponders as to why this situation exists. While no expert on Argentine consumer matters it seems to me that a culture exists where the consumer is not particularly important and has no real recourse. What legislation there is does not appear to be enforced so the consumer is on his own.
Thirdly, there is a lack of competition.
At 16:00 there was no sign of cable guy number 3. 18:30, looks like a no show.
Our last instalment closed with cable guy number two saying that Cablevision would call us to to arrange an appointment. They didn't. Another long call yesterday produced an appointment between 13:00 and 17:00.
While waiting one ponders as to why this situation exists. While no expert on Argentine consumer matters it seems to me that a culture exists where the consumer is not particularly important and has no real recourse. What legislation there is does not appear to be enforced so the consumer is on his own.
Thirdly, there is a lack of competition.
At 16:00 there was no sign of cable guy number 3. 18:30, looks like a no show.
Cable TV in BsAs
12/09/11 13:37 Filed in: Argentina
In Buenos Aires getting a utility company to provided what one has paid for is often akin to pulling teeth.
An apartment owner had a problem with his cable tv/internet provider. The company, Cablevision, has an effective monopoly in many parts of Buenos Aires.
An appointment was made. I agreed to wait for the cable guy who would call between 13:00 and 17:00. No problem, he did. He fiddled around for a bit and announced that there was a problem. Whoopy doo! We knew that. His attitude was surly and he did not seem interested in a solution. He said he couldn't fix anything and that another cable guy would have to visit. Cablevision would call us, he said.
They didn't. Later in the afternoon a long call to Cablevision produced a promise that another cable guy would visit before 17:00. He didn't but eventually showed up at 18:30.
He made an effort to diagnose the problem. We went up to the roof. This is a fourteen story building with lots of apartments. Here is the Cablevision control box.
Cablevision have installed a complete dogs breakfast. It's not surprising we have a problem. Huge amounts of cable laid in an unsightly manner in the cheapest possible way. A satellite provider does the same thing. The roof is a mass of cables.
Multiple cable runs draped over the parapet all the way down to street level with absolutely no consideration for aesthetics or the integrity of the exterior walls.
Finally cable guy number two says that the cable run will have to be replaced. However, he does not have any cable and cannot do it. One had to smile. A cable guy with no cable. Another appointment would be required. Cablevision would call us.......
An apartment owner had a problem with his cable tv/internet provider. The company, Cablevision, has an effective monopoly in many parts of Buenos Aires.
An appointment was made. I agreed to wait for the cable guy who would call between 13:00 and 17:00. No problem, he did. He fiddled around for a bit and announced that there was a problem. Whoopy doo! We knew that. His attitude was surly and he did not seem interested in a solution. He said he couldn't fix anything and that another cable guy would have to visit. Cablevision would call us, he said.
They didn't. Later in the afternoon a long call to Cablevision produced a promise that another cable guy would visit before 17:00. He didn't but eventually showed up at 18:30.
He made an effort to diagnose the problem. We went up to the roof. This is a fourteen story building with lots of apartments. Here is the Cablevision control box.
Cablevision have installed a complete dogs breakfast. It's not surprising we have a problem. Huge amounts of cable laid in an unsightly manner in the cheapest possible way. A satellite provider does the same thing. The roof is a mass of cables.
Multiple cable runs draped over the parapet all the way down to street level with absolutely no consideration for aesthetics or the integrity of the exterior walls.
Finally cable guy number two says that the cable run will have to be replaced. However, he does not have any cable and cannot do it. One had to smile. A cable guy with no cable. Another appointment would be required. Cablevision would call us.......
Quito to Buenos Aires
Our flight was very early. 07:10 departure. Checkin was very quick and we left on time.
Soon to be closed, Quito airport.
About to take off.
Quito from the air.
Andean vista.
Approaching Lima, Peru where we changed planes.
Atacama desert. Northern Chile.
Again, good on time flights with TACA. Immigration and customs were super fast at BsAs but there was a bit of a wait for our baggage.
Soon to be closed, Quito airport.
About to take off.
Quito from the air.
Andean vista.
Approaching Lima, Peru where we changed planes.
Atacama desert. Northern Chile.
Again, good on time flights with TACA. Immigration and customs were super fast at BsAs but there was a bit of a wait for our baggage.
Last Day in Quito
06/09/11 13:35 Filed in: Ecuador
This morning we spent several hours browsing in Mercado Artenesal. Lots of tempting goodies. I came away with a Panama hat, a chess set and a couple of tee shirts.
My Indigenous v Conquistadores chess set.
Later we got a taxi out to Cumbaya. He stopped to fill up on the way.
These prices are US$ per US Gallon. One US gallon = 3.785 litres. So Super is US$0.53 (£0.33) per litre.
Nancy with rapidly growing grandaughter later in the evening.
My Indigenous v Conquistadores chess set.
Later we got a taxi out to Cumbaya. He stopped to fill up on the way.
These prices are US$ per US Gallon. One US gallon = 3.785 litres. So Super is US$0.53 (£0.33) per litre.
Nancy with rapidly growing grandaughter later in the evening.
Puerto Lopez to Quito
04/09/11 23:19 Filed in: Ecuador
We left Hosteria Alandaluz at around 11:30 bound for Quito. A good day for travelling. Slightly overcast and not too hot.
There being no obvious enforcement of traffic regulations some municipalities resort to budget speed bumps. A length of 3" mooring line across the road tied on either side.
Traffic mayhem continues at a nearby crossroads while these officers enjoy a sunday afternoon in the shade listening to music.
Hotel California in San Antonio. From here on we began the climb back to Quito.
The road up into the mountains begins as a single carriageway. The traffic is insane. Probably the most dangerous road I have ever been on. It is geographically challenging but the danger lies with the large number of very stupid drivers, commercial and private. Queue overtaking over double yellows on blind corners, excessive speed and driving without lights. Add fog/mist and dampish roads and the mix was really toxic. Much of the commercial traffic comprises large American 16 wheelers. Kenworth, Mack, International all driven by idiots.
I would have been surprised if we had made it back without seeing at least one incident. We didn't. Still on the single carriageway traffic slowed to a crawl. A large Kenworth rig (40+ tons) coming downhill in the dark had gone into a shallow corner way too fast, lost the plot, and tipped onto its side blocking the approaching lane, fortunately not taking any other vehicles with it.
After 9 hours and 55 minutes we were back in Quito. In one piece. Next time we will fly.
Coast road up to Manta where we picked up route 30 all the way to route 35 which took us back to Quito. We used google maps on the I-Phone. Not very accurate but the best we had. Road numbers did not match those on the few signs we saw.
There being no obvious enforcement of traffic regulations some municipalities resort to budget speed bumps. A length of 3" mooring line across the road tied on either side.
Traffic mayhem continues at a nearby crossroads while these officers enjoy a sunday afternoon in the shade listening to music.
Hotel California in San Antonio. From here on we began the climb back to Quito.
The road up into the mountains begins as a single carriageway. The traffic is insane. Probably the most dangerous road I have ever been on. It is geographically challenging but the danger lies with the large number of very stupid drivers, commercial and private. Queue overtaking over double yellows on blind corners, excessive speed and driving without lights. Add fog/mist and dampish roads and the mix was really toxic. Much of the commercial traffic comprises large American 16 wheelers. Kenworth, Mack, International all driven by idiots.
I would have been surprised if we had made it back without seeing at least one incident. We didn't. Still on the single carriageway traffic slowed to a crawl. A large Kenworth rig (40+ tons) coming downhill in the dark had gone into a shallow corner way too fast, lost the plot, and tipped onto its side blocking the approaching lane, fortunately not taking any other vehicles with it.
After 9 hours and 55 minutes we were back in Quito. In one piece. Next time we will fly.
Coast road up to Manta where we picked up route 30 all the way to route 35 which took us back to Quito. We used google maps on the I-Phone. Not very accurate but the best we had. Road numbers did not match those on the few signs we saw.
Whale watching off Puerto Lopez
03/09/11 00:28 Filed in: Ecuador
Overcast again today but still quite warm. We went whale watching off Puerto Lopez.
Lots of hustlers selling tickets. They pounce as soon as one opens the car door. After some questioning we chose and paid US$15 per person.
As with other places on this coast the beach shelves very gently. It was nearing low tide when we departed around 13:00.
We walked long the beach to our embarcation point. No dock here.
Shallow draught tour boats back in as far as they can. The passengers wade out.
Prior to this shoes and flipflops are collected, thrown in a large bag and left ashore. Shorts need to be rolled up.
All aboard and the crew push us off.
Our boat was the "Humpback Whale". It is about 6.5m long and fitted with two 100hp+ Yamaha outboards.
We were given a safety briefing with particular emphasis on not all rushing to one side when the ooh/aah started. Lifejackets were provided and use was compulsory.
On the way out we checked in at the Navy/Coastguard office. A passenger list was taken.
Then we were off. Full throttle 200+ horsepower.
Twenty minutes later about 1-2 miles from land our first sighting.
The whales migrate north from Antarctica, arriving off Ecuador in June to breed.
A mother and calf wandering south.
These are big creatures. 16m long and weighing up to 40 tons. At sea in a yacht one does not want to get to close. I had seen them in the distance several times while on passage but never this close.
These photos in no way do justice to the spectacle. Basically one waits for an opportunity, clicks, and hopes for a good result.
This was my best shot.
Nancy caught this jump with her I-Pod.
The whales roll from side to side exposing their fins.
We really enjoyed the trip. Over an hour on site amongst the whales and a magnificent spectacle.
Deep sea tuna boat at anchor off Puerto Lopez.
We didn't checkin with the coastguard on the way back. I suppose had we not come back they would know who had drowned.
Once ashore shoes were collected and a small boy carrying a bottle of water offered to rinse the sand from our feet.
Home made anchor for inshore fishing.
Electrical installation including nav. lights.
Pelicans waiting for the fisherman to return.
View from our post trip cafe. A coastguard patrol vessel moored off the coastguard/navy floating office.
Where the whales were.
Lots of hustlers selling tickets. They pounce as soon as one opens the car door. After some questioning we chose and paid US$15 per person.
As with other places on this coast the beach shelves very gently. It was nearing low tide when we departed around 13:00.
We walked long the beach to our embarcation point. No dock here.
Shallow draught tour boats back in as far as they can. The passengers wade out.
Prior to this shoes and flipflops are collected, thrown in a large bag and left ashore. Shorts need to be rolled up.
All aboard and the crew push us off.
Our boat was the "Humpback Whale". It is about 6.5m long and fitted with two 100hp+ Yamaha outboards.
We were given a safety briefing with particular emphasis on not all rushing to one side when the ooh/aah started. Lifejackets were provided and use was compulsory.
On the way out we checked in at the Navy/Coastguard office. A passenger list was taken.
Then we were off. Full throttle 200+ horsepower.
Twenty minutes later about 1-2 miles from land our first sighting.
The whales migrate north from Antarctica, arriving off Ecuador in June to breed.
A mother and calf wandering south.
These are big creatures. 16m long and weighing up to 40 tons. At sea in a yacht one does not want to get to close. I had seen them in the distance several times while on passage but never this close.
These photos in no way do justice to the spectacle. Basically one waits for an opportunity, clicks, and hopes for a good result.
This was my best shot.
Nancy caught this jump with her I-Pod.
The whales roll from side to side exposing their fins.
We really enjoyed the trip. Over an hour on site amongst the whales and a magnificent spectacle.
Deep sea tuna boat at anchor off Puerto Lopez.
We didn't checkin with the coastguard on the way back. I suppose had we not come back they would know who had drowned.
Once ashore shoes were collected and a small boy carrying a bottle of water offered to rinse the sand from our feet.
Home made anchor for inshore fishing.
Electrical installation including nav. lights.
Pelicans waiting for the fisherman to return.
View from our post trip cafe. A coastguard patrol vessel moored off the coastguard/navy floating office.
Where the whales were.
AlAndaluz
02/09/11 22:33 Filed in: Ecuador
Feeling a lot better this morning we risked breakfast. All well.
After our somewhat squalid stay in Canoas we decided to move down the coast to Puerto Lopez. We had read about AlAndaluz which looked like a much more amenable place to stay.
Cows crossing the road en route to Puerto Lopez.
Puerto Lopez, while better than Canoas, was still something of a dump. Fortunately AlAndaluz was a few kilometres further south, just outside Puerto Rico
AlAndaluz describes itself as an "Eco Resort". Quite what this means is unclear but we were in luck. It was a lovely spot. No air conditioning. The rooms were constructed of local materials, thatch, bamboo and stone with high ceilings and natural ventilation. Our room was immaculate, clean and very comfortable. At US$65 per night this was more than double what we paid in Canoas but with a tenfold improvement in quality we were happy.
Pool area with our room complex in the background.
Mature and well tended gardens featuring mainly native plants and trees.
A critter in the garden.
Surf beach just steps from our room.
It was cloudy but the water was warm. Here the skipper sliding back to sea just after being dumped in the surf. Minor gravel rash resulted.
Back in our room relaxing after a hot shower. Note the bamboo 4 poster with full mosquito net.
AlAndaluz has a large open plan bamboo restaurant featuring natural ventilation and a fireplace for chilly evenings. No need to leave the complex to eat.
After our somewhat squalid stay in Canoas we decided to move down the coast to Puerto Lopez. We had read about AlAndaluz which looked like a much more amenable place to stay.
Cows crossing the road en route to Puerto Lopez.
Puerto Lopez, while better than Canoas, was still something of a dump. Fortunately AlAndaluz was a few kilometres further south, just outside Puerto Rico
AlAndaluz describes itself as an "Eco Resort". Quite what this means is unclear but we were in luck. It was a lovely spot. No air conditioning. The rooms were constructed of local materials, thatch, bamboo and stone with high ceilings and natural ventilation. Our room was immaculate, clean and very comfortable. At US$65 per night this was more than double what we paid in Canoas but with a tenfold improvement in quality we were happy.
Pool area with our room complex in the background.
Mature and well tended gardens featuring mainly native plants and trees.
A critter in the garden.
Surf beach just steps from our room.
It was cloudy but the water was warm. Here the skipper sliding back to sea just after being dumped in the surf. Minor gravel rash resulted.
Back in our room relaxing after a hot shower. Note the bamboo 4 poster with full mosquito net.
AlAndaluz has a large open plan bamboo restaurant featuring natural ventilation and a fireplace for chilly evenings. No need to leave the complex to eat.