July 1, 2012

• Panic Attack?

  I may have had a panic attack today, but I'm not sure. The only sure symptom I experienced was a racing heart beat. Here's how it went down:

  I got settled into the room where I'll be staying for the next month while I'm on this study-abroad program. I was trying to fix a problem my laptop was having with YouTube. It was unsuccessful venture. I decided at that point that I needed cash in case I wanted to live it up while the Spain-Italy game was going on tonight (the city will go crazy for sure, regardless of the outcome). I located ATMs on the InTaRWebZ and found there were a couple pretty close by. There were three nearby so I started walking toward them.

  On the way, I recognized some people in a larger group who are also participants in the program. They were sitting down on the sidewalk patio for lunch it appeared...I just mosied on by without making eye contact.

  When I got to the ATM, I selected "English" and tried to proceed normally. It wanted a reference number...I didn't know what that meant, so I tried to cancel the transaction. The transaction cancelled. I waited. And waited. And my card never came out. I tried to start another transaction. It didn't ask me for my card...I tried selecting "Spanish" to see if there was a typo in the Spanish-English instructions. I got the same thing and cancelled again. Still no card. STILL NO CARD!

  Of course, it's a Sunday and the bank where the ATM was located wasn't open. Fortunately, a girl who looked about my age came up seemingly to also use the ATM. I told her that the machine ate my card. She knew who to call apparently. That's when I found that I'd probably just have to try to go back tomorrow to ask whoever is inside that building if they can get the card out. So, I'm nervous and without Euros.

  Disgruntled and confused, I walked back to my room--the LONG way so as to avoid contact with the sidewalk-patio sitters. Really, who could have endured that much awkward TWICE! I got back. i tried to work on my computer some more--to no avail. I felt exhausted and tried to take a nap. That's when I think I started to freak out a little bit.

  Summary of potentially panic-inducing factors:
  1. I lost my ATM/debit card in a foreign country and have no recourse until tomorrow/I could have been the victim of a plot to thieve my identity--they do that in Madrid...
  2. I was awkward about handling the walk-by situation and may have ruined my chance to make contact with those people...
  3. I couldn't fix my computer...
  4. I was tired and couldn't fall asleep

  I tried to stop my heart from racing but couldn't...really...It finally slowed down after I held my breath. UGH! It turns out that the turbulent flight I had from Geneva here was likely an omen of the way this month will go...stink. But, I guess this is the type of carelessness that happens when I let myself get excited. I guess I'll have to add "excitement" to the list of emotions not have again...double stink.

  So, tomorrow I'll have to try to reclaim the card. If I can't, I'll have to cancel it. BUT! Tomorrow will start much earlier here than at home, which leaves plenty of opportunity for mischief if it's actually been taken and not merely eaten if I do need to cancel the card.

  • 12:45 pm
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