Memories With a Cold Spanish Beer

I was in Cartagena yesterday, the beautiful Spanish deep water port city once contested by the Roman Empire and the other great power of the ancient world, Carthage of “Hanniball marching elephants through the Alps” fame. After visiting the ruins of a Roman theater, I was paying for an eagerly anticipated beer when a thought crossed my mind.

As always I had used my multi-currency prepaid debit card, the same one I’ve used in many different parts of the world. It made me wonder: when was the last time I’d used a traveler’s check? I can’t remember and don’t even know if they’re still a thing.

When I was first introduced to the humble traveler’s check, I thought it was such a brilliant idea—very sophisticated. I was young and felt like a wealthy gentleman signing all those little stubs, thinking about it now has certainly brought back memories. I suppose money is meant to provide memories and experiences, and those checks certainly delivered.

From cashing them at a sleepy taverna in the middle of nowhere on a tiny Greek island whose name I can’t recall, to using them for a two-day snowmobile trek inside the high Arctic Circle where daylight never came, rummaging through my backpack in tropical northern Queensland for that last crumbled check to quench our thirst with one last beer—they were my passport to adventure.

It’s sad how quickly they’ve become nothing but fading memories from my thoughts. Most younger travellers today would look at a traveler’s check with bewilderment. But I guess convenience with cards is undeniable—my seamless 2-euro beer purchase is proof enough—but there’s something to be said for the old way.

I think the physical nature of it—the deliberate act of signing, the interaction, the eye contact with the taverna owner examining your signature, the pause while they verified the watermark—it forced a moment of human connection at every transaction. It anchored you in the moment and location creating a snapshot memory in a way that tapping a card never will.

I suppose the years move on, technology advances, faster and faster, no time for silly sentimental memories. Our elaborate dance, the traveler’s check ritual is no more. Farewell old friend. Now the tap of a card is better…isn’t it?