Well, I decided to head out on my own this last week on my first solo travel venture. It didn't end well. Seems like lady luck took a day off and my mission was too prove the existence of Murphy's law.
After setting out, around greenville, my poor little android kicked the bucket. I had to go to the local walmart and buy a cheap little trakphone. While there, I also loaded a card with my cash so it's easier to use and I could call ahead and book my room. The thing is, recently changed over their cards from the ones that print out the activation number on the reciept to those that have the silver strip on the back. I happend to choose the one and only (I checked them all to prove a point to management) cashier lane they missed when changing all the cards over. Once getting back to my car, setting up and loading minutes onto this POS flip phone, I go to load my CC with the only to find that *surprise* it's invalid and they will take 2-5 days to refund. I head back into the store, where the only manager available is this ghetto, hyper rude and condesending something something who blatently tells me they don't refund s, period. Even though they JUST sold me a bad card. After arguing for a half hour with an imoable object and trying to explain that without the money I just gave them I would be stranded, she just continued to talk down and reiterate that she wasn't going to do a thing. My temper, blood pressure, and "whoop this womans ass" meters were all through the roof after an hour or so... I ended up being shown the door by security.
I make it to bham, without GPS or a single idea of where I am or where to go. Then, only thanks to Mina Parker being on the phone and talking me through directions for well over 2 hours did I find a decent holiday inn in Hoover. Of course, my 1 scheduled appointment falls through due to my incredible delay. Nothing else comes in, I'm assuming because now my number doesn't match the one I mark all my pics with. In the morning, I high tail it back to the coast with my tail between my legs. In total, driving about 16 hours in 2 days with about 3 of sleep.
This, ladies and gentleman is why I don't travel. I swear, I could right a book with the kind of things that happen to me. Thought I'd share after a friend cracked up after I told her about it. Thank you Murphy for making certain I never do *that* again. After what feels like a twilight episode, I'm MORE than happy to be back home safe where I belong!