Latest news with #ElCalafate
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
The kindness of strangers: when I left my card in an ATM in Argentina, a Dutch guy found it and saved my trip
I was towards the end of a nine-week trip, travelling solo around the world. After that long abroad, I was just exhausted. So when I went to the ATM to get money out, I made a critical mistake. At home in Australia, we take the card out and then we get our cash. In Argentina, where I was, it's the reverse – first your cash comes out, then your card. So I put my card in, got my money and just walked away, leaving my card behind. I was already on the other side of the street when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and this hulking Dutch guy handed me my bank card, telling me I'd forgotten it. I immediately burst into tears, then thanked him profusely and tried to offer him a reward. He politely refused, and away he went. I was in a town called El Calafate, and the next day I travelled to the Perito Moreno Glacier. There I saw him through the crowd – tall Dutchmen are easy to spot! I ran after him to say: 'Hey, you're the guy who returned my bank card!' He didn't really remember me, because I was nobody important in his life, but he was certainly important in mine. I said to him, 'Look, I really want to give you something to say thanks – how about I shout you a beer?' He was travelling with some friends, so the three of us perched in the little cafe and drank a beer. I was just so happy that I could thank this man – whose name, I learned, was Bart – and give him a little token of my appreciation. Bart thought what he had done was no big deal, but to me it was. This was in 2009, a different time for technology. If he hadn't returned my card, I would have been in a big mess. I only carried the one card, which in hindsight was a bit careless, but that's what I had. If you're traveling with somebody else you can use their card for a while and reimburse them later; when you're on your own, it's a whole different situation. And every traveller knows that any problem on holiday feels magnified to the extreme! All these years later, I have not forgotten Bart's act of kindness. At the cafe, we took a photo together, which I've always kept. From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A ghostly parliamentarian and glacier tourism – photos of the day: Thursday
The Qatari airforce escorts the plane transporting the US president, Donald Trump, as it prepares to land Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Yoh Yoshida attends the photocall for A Pale View of Hills during the 78th annual Cannes film festival Photograph: Clemens Bilan/EPA Tourists admire the Perito Moreno glacier, near the city of El Calafate in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz Photograph: Bernat Parera/Reuters Maddie Summerfield aged three, meets her favourite Disney character, Tiana, at the fifth annual A Disney Wish UK event, an immersive experience for Make-a-Wish children living with serious illnesses, at Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire. The event welcomes 200 families and brings 'Disney magic' to children when they need it most Photograph: Fabio De Paola/PA A stork guards her chicks on her nest on a pylon Photograph: Michael Probst/AP Donald Trump during his tour of the al-Udeid air base on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the US and Qatar, focusing on regional security and economic collaboration Photograph:Riccardo Magii, a member of parliament, wears a sheet during prime minster's questions in the chamber of deputies Photograph: Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse/Shutterstock Keir Starmer looks on as an Albanian officer demonstrates the procedures for checking vehicles arriving by ferry from Italy, ahead of Starmer's attendance at the European Political Community summit Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images Ann injured Palestinian child, Yousef Al-Bayouk, weeps over his brothers, Moath and Moataz, who were killed in Israeli strikes, as mourners attend their funeral, at Nasser hospital Photograph: Hatem Khaled/Reuters A serviceman of the 141st Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces prepares a 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer for firing towards Russian troops, from a position near the front line Photograph: Reuters A mural reimagining the iconic Govan activist Mary Barbour as a modern-day campaigner has been unveiled on the gable end of 1198 Govan Road, Glasgow. Created by the internationally acclaimed muralist Jeks, the artwork is a bold and contemporary depiction of Barbour's spirit linking her legacy of protest and activism with the fight for justice and equality today Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Palestinians struggle for food rations outside a crowded distribution centre in the northern Gaza Strip. Gaza rescuers said Israeli strikes and shelling on Thursday killed 82 people in the war-battered Palestinian territory, updating a previous toll Photograph: Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images Models walk on the runway during the Iordanes Spyridon Gogos show at Australian Fashion Week 2025 at Carriageworks Photograph:
