I’m running out of time. Need a car. Sweaty down to the Latino garage at 7am after a nearly all-nighter. Dodge Neon, 3000$. Way too much, but never mind, no more time. Boss is coming at 10, I have to find the money by then. And my credit card doesn’t work. So: cash in traveller’s cheques.
Research on the Internet the night before revealed that Apple Savings Bank cashes out free of charge. So into Manhattan, first bank. Yes. Works. But only $200. I pick up a card with all 16 Apple Savings Banks in Manhattan at the first branch. I still need $2000, so I have to rally over 10 banks. Off to Subway, without a card I only know my way around half as well.
Still: I’m fine, sprint on over the missing 10 blocks to the next one, run a few red lights. In between, I keep shaking off tourists who think I know the area because of my speed and want to know something.
I try to open an account at the second bank, but they see through my base motives (to be able to cash out more). Onwards, subway, bus and sprint to the third bank on 57th Street. Another 200…will be fine. However, after an hour I’m already pretty exhausted. On the way to the fourth bank: a sign from a higher power. An American Express Service Centre. And: yes, they offer unlimited withdrawals. That wasn’t on the Internet. Money here, out and back to Brooklyn. The boss is there, the purchase is arranged for tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I won’t get the papers until tomorrow, which will be super stressful with insurance and registration. I still have time, so back to Manhattan, all the way south, and off on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Much less going on today. Again: drop everything, MP3 player and money in plastic boxes, get a bit of radiation. The Americans are crazy. No, I don’t want to blow up your stupid Statue of Liberty. And no, you can’t hire me to do it either. Why? I’ve never done business with the Bush clan. My home country is poor in oil. And I’m also an atheist.
Statue of Liberty…hmm…nothing to say. Just as expected. Ellis Island was much more interesting, you can easily spend 3 hours in the museum, very impressive and well stocked. But unfortunately I have to get home quickly, go back to the Latino garage and leave a deposit for the purchase tomorrow. Soderla. Done. Wipe!
Frank Woelky, born in 1973. Kitesurfer since 1998. Since 2006, I have been combining kitesurfing and web design on trips lasting several months off the beaten track.