If my money goes from a bank directly to a company, they've got a legal responsibility. I use hotels.com as a search engine, but even if I had no more problems ever it would not make up for just the monetary cost, never mind the stress.

Yeah, sadly being controlling and self-obsessed was G's entire personality as I'd realize later. I stupidly assumed she was dealing with the stress of travel by acting a certain way and mostly tried to roll with it. But it was nuts to have someone who'd barely been out of the timezone she was born into acting like she was the expert. But, as mishaps go, that is a classic and also hilarious. When it comes to travel, you just gotta take all the silver linings and make as much lemonade as possible. What else can you do?

Also, shortly after these pictures were taken she bought a roller bag similar to mine and dumped that 'travel system' bag with many compartments on top of a garbage can on a street corner. Meanwhile, my Timbuk2 shoulder bag in that picture is literally within arm's reach right now.

I also travel alone these days. For some trips, I really wish I had someone to share them with. For others, yeah, I know my itineraries seem like some bizarre self-inflicted torture to most people. But, I like what I like.