I stayed in the dorms in Alexandria. Very much cheap and cheerful accommodation, but being with other Wikimedians meant there were very late nights.

Staying elsewhere seems like the same as going to Glastonbury festival and not camping.

Brian.

-----Original Message----- From: wikimania-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org [mailto:wikimania-l-bounces@lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Ray Saintonge Sent: 30 July 2009 08:26 To: Wikimania general list (open subscription) Subject: Re: [Wikimania-l] Shouldn't you suggest HI Hostels in Buenos Aires?

Galileo Vidoni wrote:

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 1:36 AM, Everton Zanella Alvarenga <everton137@gmail.com mailto:everton137@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi!

I've just booked HI Hostel Florida

<http://hostelsuites.com/hostel.php?Buenos+Aires+Hostel+Suites+Florida&id... stel=30&idioma=2

http://hostelsuites.com/hostel.php?Buenos+Aires+Hostel+Suites+Florida&id_ho stel=30&idioma=2>.

The prices are very good, around 20 US$ per night on shared rooms, 41
US$ per night on single rooms and US$ 46 per night on double rooms (a
bed for a couple, I already checked by phone). Likely most people know
HI Hostels, but I think it's worth suggesting. The first time I went
abroad I didn't know about them.

Buenos Aires also has other hostels
<http://hostelsuites.com/hostels.php?idioma=2>. Maybe locals could
inform which are the closest to the Wikimania event place. For me
Hostel Florida seems OK.

http://wikimania2009.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Accommodation

Greetings,

Tom

Dear Tom,

Hostel Florida is about nine blocks away from CCGSM, the venue for Wikimania 2009. I think you will be fine there, if you like going through touristy-financial districts :). You'll have a nice glance of Buenos Aires.

While we can encourage and help attendees to find an accomodation fitting their preferences --I'm affiliated to HI, BTW--, we have already made an agreement with Hotel Bauen for a *really* cheap price for a hotel of its type and location, on the other hand just two blocks away from Wikimania. It's better for organizative reasons to have a centralized prearranged offer and then let make his particular choice to anyone that wants so.

I'm sure there are plenty of places where one might save a little money on the room rates, but is the difference over five nights enough to be worth it? The people you will meet at Wikimania are from all over the world, and one of the great benefits of being there is to wander into an international conversation in the hotel lobby and becoming involved in it until the small hours of the morning. Living in a different facility makes your participation more difficult. Last year in Alexandria three facilities were available, and the choice depended on price. The effect was that it separated people, and it was difficult to know where you could meet people.

It's your right to choose where to stay, but this and walking seven blocks further in winter are points to consider.

Ray

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Everton Zanella Alvarenga wrote:

I'd like to go to Bauen Hotel, but my girlfriend will be working at her job in Buenos Aires at this period, then I decided stay with her, since she cannot participate of Wikimania and cannot use Bauen Hotel for the chieper price. Fur sure I want enjoy a lot the company of people of Wikimania during and after the event. ;-)

I looked for other places close to the Wikimania event place and I found Hostel Florida is close enough (maybe I'm wrong and there are better places). For people who cannot stay in Hotel Bauen for some reason or want a even chieper place (one month a go I could go only on a place for 10 US$ per night), maybe this kind of information can help others.

I understand and appreciate your situation. Over the years the Wikimania management has always had to struggle with the fact that many Wikimanians are students without a lot of money. For those of us who come from far, Wikimania has no control over the fares charged by the airlines.

I am coming with my wife (who is not an active Wikimedian). Registering her for the conference allowed us both to stay at the Bauen Hotel. She may not attend any of the sessions, but she will still be able to come for lunch (if she's not busy somewhere else). She will also be able to attend the welcome dinner and the closing party. A local student may not want to waste $45 for a registration that is useless for his girlfriend. Maybe the local organizers can do something for partners who can attend only the party.

Ray