Day: 364
“No, no es possible,” the senorita at the counter said to us mechanically and rather unapologetically. With a requisite “Gracias”, we bolted out of Banco del Trabajo (Worker’s Bank) and back into a cab.
“Are you sure? Let’s check again,” I said, as Rob and I ran back into our budget hostel for the umpteenth time that day. In the sweltering heat of this dusty border town, we rummaged through Rob’s bags, patted down his pants and searched through what seems like two dozen zippered compartments.
But the credit card was gone.
As I waited anxiously for Rob to finish speaking to e-trade Customer Service, I thought about the flurry of events that defined our day:
Earlier that day, we rolled into town, bleary-eyed and greasy-faced at 7 in the morning. We needed money to buy our tickets for the 15-hour bus ride to Lima, so searching out an ATM was our first priority.
Thankfully, across the frantic road jammed with tuktuks (motor rickshaw vehicles) and taxis, there were several banks. After dodging traffic and running across the street with our giant backpacks, we got to the carjero automatico (ATM), where I got some Peruvian soles successfully with my Singaporean credit card. Rob followed next, and as he drew the receipt, he bitched about the US$1.50 withdrawal charge but concluded that e-trade would reimburse him.
With soles in hand, we crashed at one of the cheapie hostels listed in the Lonely Planet.
It was only at about 4pm, when we tried to book a hostel in Lima, that Rob suddenly decided that he had left his card in the ATM. No way, I thought. He’s a smart, seasoned world traveler who even survived shady Argentinian hotties with their hands in his pants! He couldn’t possibly have lost his credit card by leaving it in an ATM and walked away. I told him its probably in his pants (which he promptly took off in the hostel because Californians wear shorts).
But alas, it was true. Rob’s getting old and losing not only his hair, but his mind.
And so it is, he now has to rely on Bank of America and pay withdrawal fees. Or spend Felicia’s money instead.
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silly boy…girls are much more responsible with their credit cards! haha…good post to you Felicia!! it only took him 3 weeks of traveling with a woman to become distracted!! Have fun spending her money Rob!!
Moocher at it is best. I taught him that trick. Keep the credit card in the sock and spend her Singaporean money. The exchange rate is probably better any way!