More Travel Tips: Money

Lately, I've been hearing from friends that they've had their ATM or credit cards hacked while on the road. When I called into my bank to advise that I was travelling, the coordinator told me that she'd been getting a lot of "hot card" alerts, i.e. stolen or hacked cards.

The challenge of getting money on the road today is, unless you're carrying all the cash you need, you're dependent upon cards.  Travelers cheques aren't worth taking (imho) as it's harder to find places who will cash them.  If they do cash them, the fees can be up to 40% of the face value.  Plus, the exchange rate is often better with cards.  Certain credit cards & banks will waive the foreign transaction fee (Capital One, Chase Sapphire, etc.) so it literally can pay to use cards.

In general, your cards could be compromised anywhere (Hello, Target!). However, it's a bit easier to deal with the issue when you're home vs. travelling.  So, here are some tips to help lessen the chances of being inconvenienced by "hot cards" on the road:

1. Bring 2 credit cards from separate banks - If one card gets compromised, then, you will have the other one.  Some exceptional cards will express you a new card but you'll still need something while you're waiting.

2. Bring 2 ATM cards - Some banks offer fee free checking - or you may have multiple checking accounts with your bank.  Use one of them as your "travel" account. Deposit enough money in this account to cover your travel expenses. If something does happen to that card/account on the road, it's not your main checking account.

3. Use an old hotel key card to get into bank ATMs after hours - The bank coordinator told me that she thought some of the hacking occured from inserting the card in the door slot to access the ATM. That may or may not be the case, but, if you're concerned, use the old hotel key to gain access. I recommend carrying a card with a magnetic strip in your suitcase anyway.  Many eco hotels require the key card to be in a slot to turn on the lights in your room.  I, personally, have left the room and the key card in the slot as I've departed.  While it's not a super pain to get a new a key card, why waste the time?

4. Use AMEX or Visa Gift cards in lieu of cards or cash for shopping - In some ways, you could consider these the new travelers' cheques as they're widely accepted and independent of your accounts.

If you do get hacked or lose your cards, I recommend calling the banks ASAP to report your accounts being compromised & to discuss your options.  If you lose your ATM card, you may have the option for the bank to run your credit card through their terminal.  They may be able to give you cash at a lower interest rate than if you used your credit card as a straight ATM card in the machine.

I hope these tips help and I wish you safe travels.

Deutschland 83

As I am emerging from a crazy period, my brain space is starting to clear.  Of course, I will attempt to blog more because I simply like blogging.  Sending that intention out to the universe...

One of the other things I enjoy doing is watching clever television which can be challenging to find. Over the summer, Phil was scrolling through the guide & came across a show that was "in German with English Subtitles".   Of course, we were totally intrigued & it ended up being the fourth episode of Deutschland 83.

Deutschland 83 was a joint project between Sundance & RTL, Germany's largest television network, and is the first German language show to be broadcast in the US. The premise is a young East German native, Martin, is recruited by the Stasi to spy on the West in 1983. Watching it was like falling into a black hole and landing square in 1983.  Everything from the sets to the music to the socio-political issues, they nailed it.  Creator Anna Winger said it wasn't that difficult to find backdrops for the scenes as much of what was East Berlin still looks like East Berlin.

As we jumped in halfway through the season, we had a hard time following along. So, we took the plunge & purchased the entire series from iTunes. It was a leap of faith but totally worth it.  I've started watching it again and I realize that I missed so many subtle details during the first run.  Oddly, I am forming a real attachment to the series - the kind of attachment that I only have with music. Aside from the intelligent writing, there were a handful things that struck me through the series:

1. The colors on the sets - When Martin wakes up in West Germany, everything is brightly colored.  It reminded me of the Radiohead video for "Fake Plastic Trees" - big, bold, & clean

2. Toblerone - Martin has a Toblerone for the first time and eats it like a Snickers. I rewound that scene multiple times because I could not get my mind around somebody eating a Toblerone like that.  You're supposed to break off each peak individually. Then, you slowly savor the smooth chocolate and lightly chew on the honey nougat to experience its full flavour.  It's a real sensual experience. I feel he was disrespectful to the Toblerone. Also, I feel weird that I have feelings about an imaginary person disrespecting a candy bar. Disclaimer: Toblerone is only chocolate bar I liked a child and it continues to be one of my favorite things to eat (MB + Toblerone = <3 forever).

3. Description of the American General's Taste In Women - At one point in the series, Martin tries to conjecture what sort of women the American General likes based on his taste in food. A long time ago, I read a study that showed food, sex, & music fired the same pleasure receptors in the brain.  As some of the US stuff can a bit on the conservative side, I appreciate a tv character publicly acknowledging this aspect of life.

4. Alexander Beyer - Excuse me, I am about to be rude...but he is the Salted Almond Toblerone of men.  He looks like Phil's cousin who is the second hottest man on earth.

Even if you don't have a thing for Toblerones, hot German men, or 80s music, I highly recommend Deutschland 83.

One Must Have Goals

I had mentioned that I’d be posting more from Australia.  Well, we all know how that worked out.   If you’re up & close and personal with me on a regular basis, you’re probably not surprised at my lack of blogging.  My track record on returning calls & emails runs on the slow side. 

Anyway, Australia has always been one of my places – it’s an American West Coast lifestyle with European infrastructure.  As with any good adventure, the country left a couple of permanent physical marks on me including a new piercing and a new hair color.  Thank you, Southern Sun!

A lot has happened since my adventure Down Under...and I should now have more free time.  With all this newfound time, I’ll probably be updating my blog a lot more. #daretodream  One must have goals, right?

Are you coming to this school or what?

There's always been something about Australia for me...maybe it was the music? Maybe it was "Facts of Life Down Under"?  I am not sure when or where the seed was sowed but it's just one of the places I've always dreamt of seeing.  When I filled out my SAT application in high school, I realized that the University of Sydney would take the scores as part of their application.  After that, I always wondered, "What if...".  Although looking back, I am not sure I could've handled going away & not coming home for a long time.  Being 10,000 miles away from home doesn't lend itself to any quick visits. But, still...

In 2003, I was able to make here for the first time & it surpassed my expectations.  Melbourne reminded me of Boston & Sydney was more like Los Angeles.  At the time, the whole country really felt like it was at the end of the earth.  I can't articulate the feeling beyond you're in a country the size of the US with the population of New York spread out across it while being thousands of miles from any world hub.  While the internet was around, it still felt a little isolated.  However, that isolation (and some of the social/political events of the late 80s/early 90s) gave way to amazing art, music, food, & fashion.  I was in love.

In 2010, I was approached about working in a vineyard in Victoria...but I still wasn't ready to take the plunge.

Finally, last year, I earned a sabbatical at work.  So, here was another chance to find out what it would be like IF I did take that opportunity to come here.  This time, I jumped on it. I got a cheap flight, rented an apartment, & packed my bag.

Here I am...and I've never been so glad to be anywhere. First, it's 80 degrees & summer here. Second, it's changed SO much!  With globalization & their robust economy, Australia feels so much more connected to the world.  "Murial's Wedding" & "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" celebrated their 20th birthday last year.  Stephen Elliot, the director of "Priscilla" said you could never make those films again. They really spoke to the isolation people felt at the time & how they'd do anything to get out of wherever they were.  Sydney still has it's unique character but it's much more global.

I am on my 5th day here...it took me 3 nights before I woke up feeling ok.  Waking up after the 4th night, I felt great.  This morning, after my fifth night, I feel like I've always been here.  In my fog, I've been able to basically walk the entire city & most of the inner suburbs.  Today, I was definitely "myself" inasmuch as I picked up some great interesting wines to prepare for my WSET.  I've made a list of music I'd like to pick up...most of the unique stuff is from New Zealand...which may still have that isolated feel Australia had 10+ years ago?

AND - most importantly, I closed the loop on my first opportunity to come here. I didn't realize my apartment is within walking distance from the University of Sydney campus.  So, I bought this ferocious lion t-shirt from the "Uni Store". If anybody asks me if I went to the University of Sydney, I can finally say, "Technically, yes...".

P.S. Doesn't the lion look like he's saying, "Are you coming to this school or what?"