US checks may be easier to handle in foreign lands since the big changeover a few months ago (more famous for eliminating "float"). The US was one of the last developed countries that required physical checks be routed for redemption, which fell to pieces when airplanes were grounded at 9/11. So a new electronic redemption system is newly in place for recipients of checks.

To follow up, I mailed the check USPS January 4th--this morning (1/24) I received confirmation from the hotel, deposit received. Thank you!

Three weeks! That's great service. For a trireme. What method did you use?

Hi Robespierre, I used USPS (United States Postal Service) at a cost of 80 cents.