A few lessons learned...

1. If the woman at the ticket counter says she doesn't have a credit card machine, even though she's looking at you like you're stupid, it may mean that someone else at the same counter with the same company has a machine for credit cards.  

2. If someone says the bus passes by a certain street, it may mean just that (not that the bus actually stops)

3. Don't stress out about your students missing a few hours of your class because you were pulled out for a meeting; nobody else worries about it!