After a few days in the stifling, polluted heat of Jakarta I was very anxious to board a train to Yogyakarta, about 8 hours to the east. At the train station I used an ATM. I was about to learn a very valuable lesson. Unlike most ATMs that pop the card out, give you a friendly reminder, then give you cash, this ATM handed me my cash first. Thrilled about being a (Indonesian) multi-millionaire I proceeded to walk away from the machine without taking my card (yeah, seriously). About 3 minutes later I realized what I had done and ran back to the ATM where my card was nowhere to be found. Not a single security guard spoke any english, but after much gesturing they led me to the local bank branch. I spent about 5 hours attempting to explain what had happened, the entire time assuming someone had stolen it, or maybe brought it to a lost and found (wherever that might have been). I was led to the police station where a report was written. Then I was led back to the bank where the manager reviewed it, found something she did not approve of….back to the police station. Etc. I finally decided I would cut my losses, cancel my card, move on to Yogya (I had aready purchased my ticket) and have a new card mailed. I left my Indonesian cell number with the bank just in case, and boarded the train early the next morning.

About 6 hours into the train ride I received a phonecall. After speaking with three different people, I undertood (desperately hoped) that they had opened the ATM and retrieved my card! Unbelievable. I arrived in Yogya, boarded the next train back to Jakarta (overnight), and waited at the station for 3 hours until the bank opened. With the card finally, incredibly in my hand, I bought everyone in the small bank a thank you croissant and boarded the next train back to Yogya. Solid.

The story is not complete without noting that almost the entire 5 hours I was at the bank I was assisted by a customer who happened to speak slightly better english than anyone else. She was friends with the manager and “just wanted us both to be happy”. They supplied me with water and chocolate milk, and called a third party company to open the ATM as soon as possible. And all this for something that was purely a result of my carelessness. I am so grateful.