Money, Money, Money

I tweeted/updated Facebook recently that US Bank was, to me, the scum of the earth, and a friend messaged me and asked why, because he has a lot through them.  Here I am to elaborate.  Apologies if it bores you, but it should be shared.  If you want to skip this, I'll type "REAL UPDATE" in big, bold letters so you can scroll past it.

Dumbly, and completely my fault, I lost my check card about 2.5-3 weeks prior to when we were leaving.  I went to my nearest branch, at High and Broad in Columbus, and asked them to send me a replacement, and had them send it to that branch.  They said it should only be two weeks, and based on other things getting mail (in the US, anyway) 2 weeks often meant 7 days, or sometimes three or four.  No biggie.  Well, my last day of work downtown (after visiting to inquire several times) I make my way over there to send a wire transfer for the course Breanna and I are taking (this would be Sept. 24) and it's exactly two weeks after I had requested my new check card.  Nothing had come in yet.  I was a bit peeved, and there was really nothing I could do.  They offered a rush option, but it was unlikely it would get to Clyde on Saturday (where I'd be) and I was leaving the country before the mail would come in on Monday for me to pick it up at the branch.  They decided to issue me a temporary ATM Card that they said would work at any ATM, and my dear sweet mother agreed to send the new ATM Card to me in Egypt.

The wire, for whatever reason, was delayed.  Several times.  In fact, it was just THIS PAST FRIDAY, October 9th, after 5 phone calls about it, that it was resolved.

My temporary ATM Card did not work here.  I called customer support.  I called the branch that issued the card, and another branch in Columbus.  They all told me there was nothing they could do, and that the card should work.  Finally, I called the university branch (where I opened my account) and they told me that a temporary ATM Card would not work overseas, and they don't know why I would be told that.  I have my credit card, but do not remember the PIN.  I've called them to reset it, but apparently they mail you a new PIN, and even then I can only take a "cash advance" from my credit card, which automatically charges a total of a 7% fee (3% international, 4% cash advance fee) plus all the other normal credit card gobledy gook.  The only option is to take my credit card into a bank with my passport and have them provide me a cash advance, with the same aforementioned terms in regards to fees.  I want to avoid this at all costs.

So, the wire was late (enough of a problem as it is) and the gentleman told me that there would be no Wire Transfer fee ($50) which is very courteous.  Except last night when I check my statement THERE WAS A WIRE TRANSFER FEE ON MY ACCOUNT!!  In addition to that, US Bank, after failing to provide me my check card in their announced 2-week time frame, decided to charge me a $15 "rush fee" for the second debit card that was ordered (mind you I have NO IDEA what happened to the first one).

So, to sum up briefly, I told US Bank on September 10th I was going to Egypt in just over two weeks and needed a new check card, and they in no way shape or form were able to help me, and thus I cannot access any of my money.  I requested a wire transfer on Sept. 24th that took nearly 2 weeks to process, and I was charged for it after being told I wouldn't be.  And somehow I absorb the "rush fee" for the debit card.

I understand I am the one who A)lost my check card and B)moved to Egypt.  Had I had any inkling that this was how it would play out, I would've taken other steps.  For what it's worth, Breanna has 5/3 and hasn't had an issue.  Stay tuned, I owe rent in a month and a half, and a deposit.

REAL UPDATE STARTS HERE


So this has been one of the toughest and most mind boggling things I've had to do.  The other night I found myself considering all the opportunities I'd given up--good job with education benefits, the hit acoustic duo Ryan Zullo and the News, starting to network and mingle with incredibly talented and creative people, a flushing toilet, a dryer, no diarrhea.  Oh, and safe, organized automobile traffic and a metro that doesn't smell like rotten eggs.  It would've cost me $746 to fly home on Tuesday, and I gave serious thought to it.  I want to make a difference in some way, shape, or form (damn idealism, I try to curb it, but just can't!  I blame Peg!) and know that I can do that here or back in Columbus.  Basically, both options are sound options.  I've planned this one well, have good opportunities ahead of me, am taking a terrific course (more later) and things WILL work out.  It's weird not having a paycheck this month (first time in a few years, anyway) thought I do get my OPERS refund.  I struggled, though, wondering if this was the BEST choice of 2 GOOD choices.  Here's my conclusion:  Were I to not follow through with this, I may not have the opportunity to even see if this was close to being the best choice again.  I have created this opportunity, and it's unlikely anything like it will ever present itself in the future, should I not do it now.  The limits of this opportunity, to me, automatically make this the best choice, even if my butt hole feels like there's lit charcoal in it when I take the Browns to the Super Bowl.

Not to mention the fact that in the past week, well, I haven't done a lot .  It's weird being in Cairo when you've done everything that normal people come to Cairo to do.  FACT: Since I have been here, I have seen neither the pyramids (at all!) nor a camel.  (Thanks for the neither/nor, John Cahill). I was SUPER anxious for some structure, and some social interaction.  I like my girlfriend lots, but as pretty much every one reading can attest to, I am a super-duper social being.

So today started the course, and I have to say I'm underwhelmed.  I still have the opinion that it's nearly impossible to do VERY well (95% of all who take it worldwide get a "Pass" not "Pass B" or "Pass A" which are higher) and that it also is virtually impossible to fail.  Surprisingly, there are 9 people in the course, and only 4 are American.  2 Egyptians (one is half Russian) a Saudi, and a Swede make up the non-Americans.  Breanna and I, a girl from Philly and a guy from Wisconsin round out the 9.  And the teachers are British.  Almost obnoxiously British.  One day in, and I've realized how much more than Arabic I learned from my Arabic teacher at OSU.  It's incredible the impact one can have when they're simply PASSIONATE about what they do, especially in education.  Oh, and my parents do something in the education field, too.

I'm excited about it, and not nervous as many others are.  I think it will be a terrific experience and that I have a very good mindset to, "en sha'allah" (God willing) be a very good teacher.

Anyways, all should be well soon, hoping I get my debit card.  Otherwise it's time to get creative to raise some Egyptian Pounds!

One last thought!  Now that I'm here, there are many, many ways in which 1 Pound = 1 Dollar, or even 2 or 3.  Given that you technically get 5 Pounds for every dollar, the REAL exchange rate (for day-to-day life) can easily work out to 10 or 11 to 1.  This does not apply to rent or anything remotely "touristy".

Thought I should share for those who were interested.

Good night, friends.

- Nate