Lesson Learned: It is important for travelers to have at least $100 in emergency cash at all times. Don’t spend this cash on anything unless it is a real emergency.
Set the Scene: Traveling in Cambodia, down to my last $25. At the ATM.
I was so excited to finally visit Cambodia. It was part of a multi-country adventure through Asia, and the breathtaking beauty of the countryside was a warm welcome. I had started the trip with $250, but had spent a lot of the cash because my credit card decided not to work with me (despite multiple phone calls to my bank). Also, the last two countries I had traveled through were cash-only, just like Cambodia, so my funds had dwindled quite easily.
I had arrived in Cambodia the night before, and enjoyed my tuk tuk ride to my hostel.
The next morning, before the crack of dawn, I awoke with fellow travelers and hired tuk tuk drivers to transport us to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise.
We were not disappointed – with the sunrise or the throngs of people. The sun rose red over the temples, and our day began. We went from wat to wat and took pictures upon pictures.
It was a sweltering day (as most days are in Cambodia), and my group stopped to haggle over some coconuts after lunch. I knew that my cash supply was dwindling, and planned to visit the ATM later that evening.
On our return from Angkor Wat, our driver pulled an impressive U-turn so we could take some pictures of the monkeys that lined the road. We started a “monkey-jam” as other travelers then tried to convince their tuk tuk drivers to stop for pictures; the drivers slowed down but did not stop. I figured that we had truly lucked out on tuk tuk drivers, and doubled the amount that I tipped him for the day once we returned to the hostel.
After washing up, we walked toward the Siem Reap Old Market for dinner. I asked the group if we could stop at the ATM on the way.
Everyone was more than happy to comply.
We went to one ATM stand and couldn’t withdraw funds, and so we soldiered on to the next ATM we found. It was in a convenience store.
(I have never trusted convenience store ATMs, but I was desperate for some money).
One of the girls went first and successfully withdrew money. I approached the ATM, inserted my debit card, plugged in my pin code, and looked up to see the following phrase:
“Your card has been captured.”
Say what? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. What do you mean my card has been captured?!
I pressed another button.
“Your card has been captured. Please contact the bank.”
Uhhhhh… It’s 8:00 pm here, all of the banks are closed, and I have $25 in cash to get me through two more countries in two weeks. And I’m borderline hangry.
I asked the clerk about contacting the bank, and he said that not only could I not call the bank, he couldn’t break into the ATM for me (or allow me to do it). He did, however, provide me with the WiFi code to his store so I could call my bank.
After multiple disconnections with my bank’s account services people, I finally called in the troops… and called my parents.
I begged them to call my bank to try to get a new card mailed to me at my next stop. The representative my parents spoke to didn’t quite understand the name of my next city (“Soul? There isn’t a place called Soul…”), but I was comforted by the fact that I wasn’t the one who had to make any more phone calls. I did, however, call my travel insurance company and, for the first time ever, they were unable to help me (apparently a debit card is worthless; they can only replace cash).
One of my fellow travelers – to whom I will be ever grateful – gave me $30 and 1000 Thai Baht, and I paid her via PayPal. It is truly wonderful how travelers support each other, and I will certainly continue to pay this forward.
My debit card never showed up until I arrived back in the US, and I ended up charging the majority of my expenses over the next two countries.
When I returned home, I had the equivalent of a total of $2.50 across five currencies.
In all of my travels since, I have made sure to have a cash stash that I do not touch – because you never know when an ATM is going to get hungry.
Related:
4 Mistakes to Avoid While Traveling
What to Do If You Lose Your Passport
What to Do During an Emergency Abroad
Drinking While Abroad: Staying Safe
How to Survive those Bad Days Abroad