Mistake Monday: The Pain in Spain
In his bimonthly series, "Mistake Monday," TPG Contributor J. Keith van Straaten invites readers to learn from his travel mistakes—his many, many travel mistakes. Or in this case, his pain, as well. (All photos are by the writer.)
Last summer, I booked a trip to Spain from my home in Los Angeles, with an outbound stopover in New York. After a couple days of walking around Manhattan and Brooklyn, my feet were aching. I didn't think much of it, as I'm apt to walk more in New York in one afternoon than I do in a month in L.A.
Crossing the Atlantic was happily uneventful and the tour I'd booked through northern Spain (along with a few extra days at the end) was as nourishing for my art-loving soul as it was for my food-loving stomach. Yet each step closer to a Miro was a step closer to podiatric misery. I just couldn't shake the ache.
Madrid became Ma-dread. Pamplona became Pam-pain-a. By the time I got to Barcelona, I was too weary to even think of a bad pun. (In retrospect, perhaps Barcel-Oh-No?) Still, I soldiered on. While at home I'm happy to call in sick at the first sign of a sneeze, on the road I'm somehow resilient, determined, and even strong-headed.
With a couple days left to fill on my Spanish spree, I was eager to use my new prescription SCUBA mask for its initial dive. I booked a cheap Ryanair flight (is there any other kind?) to Ibiza and set myself up for a tank-aided dip in the Mediterranean. I figured that swimming would mean being off my feet for a spell, providing my barking dogs with some refreshing buoyancy.
Dive day arrived, and after getting suited up, riding the boat to the dive spot, and seeing clearly through a mask for the first time...my body was not having it. I could feel a disruption in my nervous system as soon as I was in the water; my breathing was labored and my skin felt suffocated by the wetsuit and agitated by the saltwater. At the divemaster's suggestion, I returned to the boat to relax and try again at the next spot.
I planted myself in a shady spot on the boat deck for 45 minutes and listened as my fellow divers returned with stories of fish, sharks, and treasure. Minutes later we were in another cove and I stood up to join them. I collapsed to the floor.
I crawled up to my seat and sat in confusion and concern, trying to process how my right foot was suddenly so sensitive that even drying it with a towel caused me to wince. I would not be getting back in the water.
With some help, I got back to shore where I had the driver stop next door to my hotel, where I'd seen signs in English for a medical clinic under a green cross. I willed myself through the door and set myself gently down in the waiting room.
The nurse did some intake, checked my vitals, and called the doctor. Twenty-five minutes later, Dr. Ibiza pulled up on his racing motorcycle and I repeated my complaints to him as he stripped off his protective leather outerwear. He inspected my foot, slathered it with brown liquid, wrapped it with a thin bandage, and informed me I had an infection. (Apparently, my stubborn walking had led to a blister which had led to a cut which had led to a welcome party for Mediterranean Sea bacteria.) Moto-doctor suited back up, declined my request for crutches, and was back on his bike less than ten minutes after he'd arrived—now with 125 of my Euros ($136) in his account.
It took me about an hour to walk the three blocks to the pharmacy, where I filled my prescription for antibiotics and bought a protective boot, the strongest painkillers legally allowed in Spain, and in a stroke of MacGyver-worthy genius, a set of bright-orange water wings to place around my foot. I wanted to ensure proper cushioning for the four airports I'd have to schlep through to get home the next day— Ibiza, Barcelona, Frankfurt and Los Angeles. And all my flights were in coach.
The lessons here are two-fold:
1. Travel is awesome but no trip abroad is worth a trip to the hospital. If I'd paid more attention to what my body was telling me, I could have easily used the travel insurance that was a required purchase for the tour—and which expired when the tour ended in Barcelona. Instead, I was out of pocket, out of luck, and out of the sea.
2. Accept your body's limitations. I'm not a kid anymore. Sure, plenty of people hike their way through Europe but most of them are half my age. And as much as I'll buy shoes for how they look and how little they cost, the time has come when I have to consider more than fashion and price. My well-being is worth more than what I can find for 40% off at Zappos.
I'll travel again this summer, this time with orthotics lining my clunky-but-stable shoes. And while I'll make plenty of new mistakes, I'll learn from those in my past and do my best to have a memorable travel experience. (Is there any other kind?)
Ever hurt yourself while traveling? How did you handle the situation?
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.