Viruses, ATM cards and cell phones …
<<<<Hacker’s Delite!>>>>
Well, I’ve had quite the half-month. In addition to living without my Crackberry and ATM card for nearly two weeks, my laptop seems to have been infected by one of the famed/infamous North Korean viruses — at least that’s the assumption I’m operating under, since neither I, nor anyone on my company’s IT team, has ever seen anything like it.
Yeah, figures!
This malware has latched on to every root in my system, despite Symantec’s feeble attempts to quarantine the little trojans. Bruce Schneier, a security blogger I pick up from time to time, has posted a few bits about the viruses. But take it from me, they really are malicious.
So much for my blog about living without cash, eh?
All of my moaning and groaning over the last three weeks about having to write checks at Border’s for book purchases (Can we say 1955? Writing checks at the checkout! Really!), since I was without debit (and thus the ATM ability to withdraw cash) as well as credit, have now been overshadowed and muffled by the death rattle of my fallen laptop. May she rest in peace!
My parents had Farrah, but I had Michael
Wow! June 25 will go down in the
What a sad day … and, btw, I don’t typically give the celebs any props!
Admittedly a bit lame, but funny all the same …
My dad sent this to me … and it brought a smile! I don’t get write this kind of stuff in the real world!
A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:
‘Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.
After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE Procedures have been developed. Please follow the Appropriate steps for your gender.’
*******************************
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
*******************************
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
(What is really funny is that most of this part is the Truth.!!!!)
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
ATM cards … the saga continues
OK.
I give up.
I give in.
I allow the universe to take all of my dependence on debit and credit and step on it!
For the third time this month, I’ve faced yet another snafu with access to my monetary funds. Crazy! I won’t go into all of the details here, but suffice it to say, this most recent episode has been the most devastating thus far. It’s funny how much a person can miss the convenience of debit, credit, and night deposits and cash withdrawals at the ATM … until she no longer has them! I may have to write about this, since I write for a banking and financial Web site. I just haven’t quite figured out how to, well, position it!
Happy Tuesday! Another week, another day!
Canada and greyhounds … WOW!
OK. I’m not quite sure where I was last July, but I was definitely not paying attention. (I was probably pulling weeds or something. Who knows?!)
Upon sharing my stories of travel mishaps — the most recent being my near-landing in Ontario, Calif., rather than the desired destination of Ontario, Canada — someone asked me about my greyhound experience, since I had to take a greyhound from Buffalo to Toronto. Puzzled by the Q, I went on a two-minute explanation and defense, really, of the bus service in Canada — how nice it is, etc.
Much to my surprise, the bus trips on greyhounds in Canada are not always so pleasant. I’m glad the head-hunting passenger who toured this July 2008 trip was detained, and nowhere near me on my trip. Now I understand why Greyhound keeps the Canadian bus line so cold … and prevents passengers from sleeping!
YIKES!
Just when I thought everything was set …
This learning to go with the flow stuff actually works, I’m quickly finding out. Yes, unexpected events and trials have a way of creeping in. Although I sometimes wonder if on my quest for adventure I don’t subconsciously create chaos … just to add a little excitement to my day.
Here’s a brief update:
After a week and a half in Africa, I returned the States a bit worn from the road but with a rejuvenated spirit. Frantically, I prepped for my trip to Toronto, which would carry me across another border in just more than a week.
The time quickly passed and I found myself on Wednesday back in my car, bags packed, driving to the airport. The fligtht to Chicago was on time, comfortable and, for lack of a better way of putting it, the same ole same ole.
But once I arrived in Chicago, the tune changed. A flight delay led me to the ticket desk, where I had a traveling epiphany! Waiting to check with the Southwest agent about my delayed flight, I noticed that the flight I was soon to take was being routed through Phoenix and then Sacremento. Odd, I thought. And then it hit me …
Yes. I had booked a flight to Ontario, Calif., not Toronto, Ontario, Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
$#!%
Quickly, the Southwest agent, who reminded me that Southwest has not yet begun flying internationally — a fact I knew but thought had changed recently — helped reroute my bag and me to Buffalo, where I caught a bus and crossed the border. I made it, albeit six hours later than I had expected. Ah well. Taking a Greyhound into Canada added some color to my day … and some interesting goings on at the border check — where we de-bussed and were visited by dogs.
Good times, indeed!
And just when I thought I would have time to get caught up on the stories from Africa I have yet to share, I have new adventures flooding my consciousness.
So, to keep it brief, the work is finsihed, the keynote I gave went well, and all is right with the world. I scored a stellar hotel on Priceline for a very decent fare for a bit of an extended Toronto stay. I’ve posted some pics, just to rub it in. I’m in DT Toronto!
Today I head to Niagra. Should be fun.
Until the next traveling post …
Keep it real!
Enjoying the sites, at the James Bond hotel
To the left: Dinner at an old sugar factory built in the 16th century.
I joked before I left for Marrakech that I might find myself in the midst of a scene similar to a James Bond movie. That has not really been the case, but the Golf Palace, where I’m now staying, comes close to being a James-Bond-like hotel. It’s lush, and I plan to enjoy the pool a bit today, once the conference wraps … I also hope to have some time to get in more blogging and journal writing. Well, I also need to do some reporting, perhaps poolside!
Just a few highlights: The gym here, which I’ve visited twice, has an incredible view! While on the treadmill, one can see the mountains through full-length windows that run from ceiling to the floor. Techno music booms and an area in the center of the workout area is dedicated to step and kick-boxing classes … which never seem to be going on while I’m there, but that’s OK. I have my own routine. The coolest bit about the gym, however, is that personal trainers are on standby to offer workout tips and monitor the heart-rates of the guests.
To the right: A view of the facade of the entrance to the golf course lounge and check-in. (Thought my brother would enjoy this one. The Palmaraie has, shall we say, an uber golf course!)
And the scene from the lobby, which is always accented with the sounds of a flute player or a Moroccan singer, complement the ambiance well. Birds also abound — everywhere!
To the left: A view from the wall of the golf course of the “new” city, meaning outside the medina or city walls, with the mountains as a backdrop.
What can I say, it’s close to paradise. It’s been busy here, but I’ve gotten some rest in, thankfully! Sleeping has not been much of an issue. Perhaps it’s all the sun I have been getting. I hope the boss believes me when I tell him I really have been, um, covering the conference. It’s just impossible not to get a tan-line. The sun and heat are very intense, but so are the moon and the evening breeze. I’ve never seen such an incredible view of the moon!
Landing at the resort, Golf de La Palmeraie
To the left: Tracy and Dana in the desert, on the way to Essaoulia, Morocco!
While Marrakech has been a great place for alcohol-cleansing, it’s not been so great for sugar-cleansing. I guess that’s to be expected, given that sugar is one of Morocco’s primary cash crops and exports. Sugar and honey are in or on EVERYTHING! I guess that’s why the bees are always buzzing around. I don’t mind it, though.
I just topped off two or three little pastries in typical Marrakech fashion. The walking has offset the intake, though, I’m sure … thus, I am not too worried.
Being in a Muslim country has been interesting. And though I understand Marrakech (and Morocco, generally) is really only a gateway to Africa and Islam, with a lot of European influence, seeing the city and country as a Westerner, especially an American, has been eye-opening.
For one, English is not spoken here — even in the hotels and resorts. French is the norm. So, it’s behooved me to try speaking a blend of French and Arabic. My attempts at both are admittedly pitiful, but people seem to appreciate the effort I’ve put into Arabic. I know a total of four sayings, but it’s enough to get me around.
Today the work begins. My friend, Dana, whom I met in the medina of Marrakech on Friday morning, flew out today for Paris. I miss here already, but I will be busy doing conference work from this point on.
I toured the resort grounds a bit today, and cannot describe how beautiful this place is. The company I am here to cover is always hospitable, and the resort definitely reflects the hospitality.
Many locals work here, and I am sure having a job at the Golf de La Palmeraie (literally the Golf Palace in the Palmeraie, an upscale end of Marrakech) is a privilege, and a place many jobseekers, esp. women, want to find.
At the riad, where I stayed during the first leg of my trip, the owner commented about how hard-working Dana and I seemed to be. I, of course, had to spend a couple of mornings on the computer — checking email and filing a handful of news bits. Americans often are accused of working long hours — which we often do — but I took the comment as a compliment, and feel privileged to have the ability to work in a field that allows me to travel the world, write, and be independent.
Morocco is a developing country, one where female authors are scarce, but that will likely soon change. The country is working vigorously to improve education, but it will be a couple of generations before the efforts are evident. Most of the younger generation, however, does speak English, French and Arabic – as well as a little Berber, the original language.
The country is dominated by young people, and the current King/”president” is working hard to modernize the nation. The World Bank also is closely watching Morocco — in hopes that it will open its economy and initiate free trade with Europe by 2010.
The banking system here is developing, although it has a long way to go. Western Union and Money Gram maintain strong presences here, as many Moroccans now living outside the country continue to send money home. This conference will be an interesting one for me to follow, as the future of banking and the ability to reach Moroccan consumers via the ATM and mobile channel are expected highlights!
Stay tuned. More later!
To the right: The camel is Sebastian.
Quote of the day: Truman Capote said, after visiting Marrakech …
‘Before you go to Marrakech, make sure you say goodbye to all your friends and draw your savings from the bank.’
Finding mystery, and taking in the sights and sounds
My travel buddy, Dana, says everyone who comes to Marrakech looking for mystery finds it. She read that somewhere — something profound someone said, and it’s actually true.
Mysteries: Sometimes the water works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the streets are illuminated with street lights, sometimes they are not. Some roads lead you where you expect, sometimes they don’t. And just when you think every 20-something man on the street is trying to rip you off or pull a scam, one or two come along and surprise you with a comforting word and a helpful hand. It’s a very intriguing place … one that I like very much.
The mystery for me started with my inability to use my ATM card. Long story short, my bank has blocked Morocco — a fact unbeknownst to me until *after* I got here. How ironic — since my daytime/full-time gig is to write and edit for an online publication dedicated to ATMs.
I took all the necessary precautions — I called my bank in advance, etc. No one told me I was blocked until, well, I got here and no cards worked. Thank God for AmEx! And I never thought I would say that about a credit card company! AmEx agreed to send some $$ to a Western Union office, and charge me no fees! Keep your fingers crossed that I can get the money today or I will be, shall we say, up the creek without a you-know-what!
Thankfully, Dana has been covering me thus far on the cash-flow front, but she, like the rest of us, only has so much to give!
We’re heading out to the Atlantic today, so I’ll try to post more later. Internet and phone service are a bit shoddy, and we honestly have not had a great deal of time for much posting.
Bis Lama!
Tracy 
Preparing for the trip: Africa ‘09
Well, traveling to a new country is always exciting. Before my first trip overseas 12 years ago this month, I stressed and planned and anticipated for nearly 12 months before the trip. Granted, I backpacked for three months across Europe as a new college grad, so I was, shall we say, a little over-the-top about it all. But I still like to feel that excitement, anticipation and expectation that the trip will somehow open my eyes to new perspectives and return me to good ole Kentucky a little different than I was when I left.
This trip is bringing back a lot of those same emotions. First, I’ve been Europe a few times — I lose count, but I traveled there on three separate occasions last year alone. I love Europe, but it doesn’t feel exotic anymore. Africa: Now that’s exotic! And exciting!
I’m a fearful, hopeful and nervous, but I’m taking it all in as good signs. I’ve spent the last week preparing my wardrobe, in an effort to not only be respectful but mindful of the cultural differences I expect to encounter. The blonde hair will likely be shrouded or covered most of the time, and the knees and shoulders will not be exposed. I’ve also taken my recommended doses of vaccinations, so I don’t anticipate any hospital or health clinic visits.
With a few euros in my pocket, I should be good to go!