Visa and MasterCard make a big deal in their respective commercials about their respective exclusivity.  However, there are places were neither is accepted.  Winnenden Germany for example.  During some shopping this afternoon, we were trying to find the arch support I got here last year and have loved ever since, our Citibank card was refused.  The merchant only takes cash or a local bankcard.  We didn’t have enough Euro left and so we left the store empty handed.

A few minutes later we were trying to map out the rest of the evening, and coordinate what we wanted to do with the bus schedule so we didn’t have to walk back to our hotel, a distance of several kilometers.  We were debating whether to eat in town or at the hotel when Sibylle suddenly realized that once we bought dinner we wouldn’t have anz cash in the morning for another bus fare.  We quickly made our way to the nearest ATM and withdrew 100 €.  Now we’ve got enough on hand for dinner, and tomorrow’s bus and train fares.

Maybe Italy will be more accepting of our credit card.