Hi Tweets

Sorry, this isn't about birds but a few more bucks in the pocket can equate
to a couple more birds!?

When I responded to Diann's comment about currency exchange, I meant to
include another caution but got sidetracked.

Another method of currency exchange (at least in South America) are the
'street' exchangers. In many of the cities you will be approached by folks
wanting to exchange money. First, it may not be legal but is usually OK.
Second, they quote a good rate. Third, make sure you get the current
'currency' because sometimes the money has been revalued and if they can
'pass' old bills (no longer negotiable). Lastly, when you pull out $20 to
change they punch it into their pocket calculator and start counting out
the local currency. CAUTION> more than once I have them show me the
exchange rate, enter the amount to be exchanged and then their fast fingers
do the calculations with a "memory recall" button punched with a different
exchange rate doing the calculation! Hey, it is part of the game! If you
change $10 or $100, you can do it in your head and keep them honest or you
can borrow their calculator and show them that you can do it without
punching the memory recall button and WOW, look I get a different answer!!!
They usually laugh and give you what you want. Lastly, in Denpassar, Bali
when a friend was changing money (she is one of the current hostages in
Colombia) and it didn't count out correctly, we learned that they count
different piles separately. They take all the money back and count it out
again in piles and miscount a different pile. Simple but clever, it is the
"old magician's misdirecting your attention" trick.

BOTTOMLINE: Know how much you are supposed to get and count it yourself.
Don't think that I ever got cheated but there are some sharp money changers
out there!!!

BTW, I think Rob Conway's response was only directed to me but I agree (and
said) plastic is the best way to go. Bank cards or credit cards give $$$$$
or the best rate.


Bob and Elaine
Federal Way, WA
taylorrt at foxinternet.net