Money, Money Everywhere, and Not a Drop to Drink

Dear Reader,

Yesterday I tried to go to the fantastic flea market at Gare du Midi to pick up some spiffy souvenirs for you. I tried. I really tried. I went to an ATM beforehand to take out some euro notes so I could partake in the gloriousness of financial transactions. I tried.

"What happened, Lauren?" you ask. I can hear your voice choking up. Don't worry, I have some Kleenex.

Well, the ATM wouldn't take my card. "TRANSACTION INTERRUPTED!" it shouted as loudly as LED text on a screen can. Okay. Fine. Be that way. I'll use the ATM at the train station! I tried. I tried.

The ATM at the train station wouldn't take my card either. Surely, you think, surely, the ATM across the street by the Spanish supermercado would work! Surely! That's what you would think. I tried... me, and about seven other people wandered aimlessly, desperately, from ATM to ATM, from the outside to the inside, circumnavigating confused bystanders.

Next Sunday is "Car-Free Day" in Brussels, which means that no cars will be permitted to drive around the streets at all. Beautiful! I told Brandon I must have missed the memo that yesterday was "Forget-About-Using-The-ATM-Even-If-You-Need-Money-To-Buy-Gifts-For-Your-Family-An- Friends Day." Well, in so many words.

Perhaps the worst part of all was that the vendors had new, spring-time pretty things to sell. And I could enjoy none of them. I miss the bartering system.

The point of the story is I am flat broke with no euro whatsoever except a few 5 cent coins scattered on my desk. I was randomly looking in my drawers today and I came across my old wallet - I haven't used it since the first week here. Inside... do you know what I found?

American money! How you mock me! With your crummy exchange rate and your uselessness in this city! Oh well. I can only hope the ATM starts working soon. At least it's not my card that's the problem. At least the system isn't prejudice against me. At this point, I'll take whatever moral acceptance I can get.

Well reader, one paper, four exams, a few parties and twelve days from now, I'll be home. And I guess... this European blog will reach its culmination...

Until then, I remain poorly yours,

Lauren E. Litwinka