Travel without money = Don't do it.

Writing to you from New England. I am here for an internal science day at a pharmaceutical company (which I"m excited about as I'm sure it will be really informative and a good time). I present a poster tomorrow on my research over the past year. So, this is a good opportunity to do what chemists do best - trade secrets of science and network.

Oh, what is that about the title of this blog you ask? Well, in true self-style, I didn't replace my debit card to my wallet after going out yesterday and upon checking in at the kiosk - realized this. It was super bad luck. But, there was no time to go back home. On to the flight I went, and now in survival mode I checked and rechecked my wallet and found that there was $2.60 in change to my name. I had a great breakfast of biscoff cookies, peanuts and apple-cran juice which hopefully was enough to convince my body that we are not going to starve. Because a helpful co-worker had given me his Charlie card, I found that by subway $1.70 was enough to get to the hotel.

Once at the hotel - they wanted a debit card. Of course they did. After promising to not use any of the amenities, they put it on the card that it was reserved with (thank goodness or I'd be out on the street). Then I went out into the world to figure out how to get money - simply because I needed at least $1.20 just to get back home on the subway friday morning.

Upon finding a bank, I quickly realized the loyalty that banks require. They could do nothing for me because I wasn't a member of their bank. AND, come to find out wiring money is expensive. So, after going through at least 6 other plans for how to get me a little cash we didn't come up with a plan at all. Finally, after being DENIED to open an account due to some back-history that I didn't know about (which is good to know about so that I can spend the next 6 mos trying to figure out what the heck I did previously that has caused that) I left. One of my newly found friends slipped me the cash I needed so that I wouldn't have to pan-handle on the street.

So here I am in New England. $10 to my name. Good thing the pharma company is within walking distance.

Comments

Elizabeth Downie said…
Oh no Kara!!! Can I overnight you some $$? Let me know! That's horrible!
7:21 PM
k nelle said…
Thanks Elizabeth! Don't worry about it. The co. had a dinner and reception, so I'm all set.

I just need to have this down somewhere so: there are about 10 of us. 3 are from the area. 1 came straight from work, the other two went back to lab and group meeting after dinner - which ended ~ 8. I'm not the only crazy one...it's all of the organics!
8:39 PM
Joshua Rowley said…
Oh Kara! That's really awful, and kinda funny. Is it funny yet? Too soon? Maybe in a week or so it'll be funny?
12:51 AM
SamYam said…
Oh my gosh Kara! That sounds like my kind of adventure. We should travel!
2:28 AM
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