CathyKramer

When i get to Aukland airport-that is when I will be leaving NZ to return to Sydney for 3 day extension. So will hopefully not have any NZ dollars left.

I understand everyone is getting annoyed with me but I have never used ATM's overseas. I have used here in the States but its been years since I have used an ATM. I think I am afraid of Murphy's law-that something could happen to go wrong.
I tend to get cash as needed at the bank by going to the teller's window. I know that I have to change my thinking but its sometimes hard at my age. I know that ATM's are easy to use. It's one thing in your own community but different when doing overseas.

Thank you for all your advice and suggestions.

sartoric

CK, you probably should get used to ATMs - there is talk of cash becoming less and less acceptable in the media here right now.

It might help to choose an ATM that is attached to its Bank, and use it during opening hours. If you do have a problem with the card being retained, at least you have a chance of getting it back.

Bokhara2

Well, you have 3-4 weeks to get some practice using ATMs in your own community before you leave the USA.

ATMs around the world are not much different at all from country to country, actually. And at least in Australia & New Zealand, you don't have to select the language - they are all in English.

I understand change can be difficult, but honestly, this is not rocket science. Get some practice at home in a bank where you can get someone to assist you. Everyone has to start somewhere and sometime.

You will be doing yourself and your travelling companions a great favour by becoming familiar with the most available source of accessing cash while you are travelling.

Most of us have mental blocks about something. Usually it's something that, once tried and or conquered, we wonder why we thought it such a big deal.

It seems you've put a lot of time & effort into this trip and, as you've had a cochlear implant, you're certainly someone who has faced & overcome some much bigger challenges than this.

You do know what ATM stands for, don't you? " Aah That's Marvellous!"

"Take away money machine "as my then late 70's mother used to say when she was going to get some cash.

She resisted them too, until she had to stand in a queue at the same bank while I sashayed up to the ATM, got cash & had ordered our coffee at the cafe next door before she arrived. I suppose she was about 75 then and that was the day she started using the ATMs. I showed her a couple of times and I think she probably used the ones in the banks a few times - but she never went back to the bank queue.

Melnq8

Nice story about your mom Bokhara. I can relate. My 78 year old mom still writes checks at the grocery store, and then seems amazed when they return the check after deducting the money electronically. She absolutely will not accept the concept of ATMs or debit cards, let alone online anything.

I'm beginning to understand though, as I'm probably the last person on earth without a cell phone. I just don't see the fascination. Yep, I've turned into my mother

Bokhara2

My mum was always pretty good technologically Mel, she was always better at programming TVs, videos then me. She'd have been in her element with iPads.

She just didn't see the point of ATMs when she could cash a cheque at David Jones or the other department stores, her Clubs, local shops, Woolworths and other places. I think that day at the bank was just a queue too long & she saw the difference in our two transactions.

I was like you about mobiles / cell phones when they came out. Thought they were the greatest ....ers' toys known to man. My MD insisted all senior managers have one in about 1988 & I've had one ever since.
My iPhone is an essential piece of equipment for me and enables me to run my business on the run and saves me, at the very least, the cost of an answering service. And it's awfully handy for a lot of other things too.

Like posting on Fodors while I'm waiting for my car to be washed.

Melnq8

I'm sure it is Bokhara, and I'm guessing that if I ever cave, I'll wonder how I ever lived without one.

Back in the day I was forced to carry a pager when I was on after-hour rotation for work emergencies (now there's an oxymoron). I hated it with passion, felt like I was on a leash (which I was).

Also hated the massive clunky at-the-time-cutting-edge-mobile-phone I was forced to carry when working alone in isolated areas. This was the early 90's - it came in it's own briefcase like the satellite phones you see in the movies. A manager once chewed me out for not answering the briefcase. It's hard to hear a telephone ringing when it's locked in the trunk

I just don't want to be found that badly.

Funny thing about mobile phones...I never can seem to reach people who have them.

KayF

Cathy, that is good advice from sartoric about using an ATM attached to a bank, and during banking hours. If you can't figure out what to do, you can go inside and they will help you.

A tip - if you have trouble with your PIN number, don't enter it more than twice at the ATM because if the machine retains your card (happened to us once, long story, we tried it 3 times and the card disappeared), the bank cannot give it back immediately. I think they do some checking on the account first. OK if you are in the area for a while but not if you are moving on.

Kay

CathyKramer

Melnq- I understand your resistance to cell phones. I didn't have one for years, then got just a flip phone to make long distance calls and while I was out on errands to call my Mom to see if she needed anything. Then I got my first smart phone last year a few weeks before I went to SE Asia. And I am paying more for data and minutes that I barely use. I do not like web surfing on the phone as its too hard to read. It is fine to check emails. I just made my land phone at home wireless and get unlimited long distance. So do not even use the cell for long distance calls. Just use for some local calls when i am out and about, check emails or play some games that are on the phone. I am giving it up when my plan ends in Feb. I do everything else on my computer. I may get a tablet to use for traveling but am taking my 13" Mac Air on this trip. I have looked into tablets but not sure how much I would use it outside of traveling. I do not travel enough to make it worth the expense. And It will be a year in Sept when I brought my computer. I debated between the 11" and 13". It was easier for me to type on the 13" than on the 11. It will be the first time that I am traveling with the laptop. I did fine with my phone on SE Asia trip but prefer laptop for researching websites.

annhig

CK, you don't say how old you are but as the others have said, using an ATM is a breeze compared to a cochlia implant.

and if you can manage a laptop, the ATM should really be no problem at all. practising at home would be a good idea.