Yet Another Expensive Swiss Mishap

You read that right. This country has it out for me.

Today, the friends that I was staying with are heading to Madrid for the weekend, so, shortly after lunch, I said goodbye and made tracks for the train station, hostel-bound for my last night in Zurich. At the ticket kiosk, I selected a 26-Franc day pass for all zones, since I planned on adventuring after checking into my hostel, and inserted a 50-Franc bill (it was pictured on the machine, so I knew it would accept it).

It was then that I noticed the small print on the screen that read: "Maximum change given: 19.90." Well, I'd already lost enough cash in Switzerland, so rather than lose 5.10 Francs more, I quickly punched "Cancel." The machine whirred and returned to the start screen. Without giving me back my 50 Francs.

I hit the "Cancel" button several more times, with more and more force each time (because hitting a machine always makes it work, right?), but to no avail. The stupid thing had swallowed my cash and would not spit it back out.

I called my friend. As soon as she picked up, I said, "Okay, don't laugh, but..." and then burst into tears. My friend, in disbelief at my misfortune, instructed me to head to the train station office, and told me that she would meet me at the station, as she'd been planning to take the next train anyway.

The lady at the office blessedly spoke English, and argued with the central office over the phone on my behalf for a solid 10 minutes. She reported that, since I'm leaving Switzerland tomorrow, the were originally unwilling to give my money back. She took down my contact information, and optimistically promised to follow up with me in the next few days. I have the train office's information as well, in case I don't hear from them, and my friend, who immediately offered a much-needed hug upon arriving at the train station, said she'd go to bat for me when she got back from Madrid if I needed her to.

Several deep breaths later, I managed to actually purchase a ticket (after my credit card got rejected, of course), and said a second goodbye to my friend when she got off the train three stops later.

And now a chocolate lava cake and a cappucino at a riverside café (with Wi-Fi!) are providing a balm for my frayed nerves.

Switzerland, I'm leaving tomorrow.

My mother taught me that if I don't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all, so I'll stop there.