A Chance for Redemption

It seems like every time I've traveled in the past three years, something has gone wrong.  Sometimes big, sometimes small, but always with a bite.  This time, no different, has made me paranoid about using my credit card abroad.  Observe the picture above?  Amsterdam.  It's a very lovely place.  I wouldn't know.  My ticket, seemingly confirmed and paid for, was canceled last minute by the airline because there was trouble with the payment. . .  Which brings me to my point. 

Amsterdam is a beautiful city.  But the point is, before you go abroad, make sure you contact your credit card company and let them know where you will be.  And, once you arrive, try it out once or twice to make sure it's all functional.  So, though it was after the fact, I tried out my card, seeking to verify if their were anything wrong with it. . . There isn't.  It's working fine.  And I still don't understand why my flight was canceled.  Which brings me to my second point:  it's good to make the best of a bad situation while traveling.  I lucked out in that two of the other Intrax interns remained in the city -- we ended up having an awesome time. 

With our friend Dani (Chile) and his girlfriend (from Madrid) as guides, we ended up going to our first botellon, which is a fiesta held en masse in the streets.  Apparently, it's illegal, which is something I never would have guessed.  The police basically watch as long as no one is causing a ruckus, so no one got bothered or arrested.  It's a great way to meet new, interesting people.  I met a man from Camaroon who had pretty much traveled the entire world.  The entire experience was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.  

So, while I showed poor traveler's form in missing out on Amsterdam (and a chance to see the Heineken brewery), this weekend I've got a chance to redeem myself -- a weekend trip to Barcelona, almost impossible to screw up since I've already got physical tickets and a place to stay.  Then -- it's come to quickly -- my final week in Spain.