Well, I finally ran out of cash today. It was bound to happen sooner or later so I had to take a trip to the ATM. As I was leaving my class I got directions to the best bank to go to. Didn't want to go to one that would give me a bad exchange rate. Standard Bank. Let's go.
When I got there, I stuck my card into the machine. Nothing happened. Tried again. Nothing happened. I looked around a bit and saw the two machines behind me said cajero electronico. The one I was at did not say that. It did have money envelopes, but now that I think about it they may have been for some official bank business. I had taken a closer look at the envelopes and they all had some kind of code on them so I didn't take one.
Deciding that something useful might happen if I switch machines, I walked to one of the ones behind me. Yup. That sucker was happy to suck my card in. No problem. I looked at the screen. My name was on there and it said confirm. I clicked 'Si.' It seemed kind of strange to have a name confirmation on there. If someone were to steal my card, why would they deny my name? Oh, well.
I filled out all the rest of the questions. English. Receipt. $700. Your card be accepted here.
Excuse me?
Try again. Yes, I am Emily. English. Receipt. $200 (in case I forgot to transfer money from my savings to my checking).
Your card cannot be accepted here.
Dammit. My credit card company didn't mark that I was abroad. What do I do now?
As I left cashless and worried about my finances something occurred to me on the walk home. I have used BOTH my credit and debit card already. Once for the $140 reciprocal fee and once for my wine classes. What is going on?
I knew that there was a BBVA on Santa Fe and Anchorena so I decided to try there just in case. BBVA was in Cusco last year. I used them all the time. No problem. Same cards.
In I go hoping to not be embarrassed by further rejection. Suck. Are you Emily Carlson? Again with the weird questions. 'Si.' Nothing happens. 'Si.' Nothing happens. What is going on?
Now I finally choose to read the screen. There seems to be more on there besides Emily E. Carlson and a confirmation button. Please Enter your Personal Identification Number..............................................................
Oops.
Note to self. Always read everything on the screen.
¡Besos!
La porteña Emilia
hahahhahaha
ReplyDelete