My friend and I were sixteen when we were about to embark on a river expedition. My mother was quite insistent on slipping money into our pockets before we left. My friend shyly declined, but Mum got her way when she pointed out: “Must have when travel, for good luck!”
There’s no denying a Chinese mother when it comes to good-luck traditions.
Still, there’s truth in what she says. You should always have a bit of the local currency in your pocket, even before touching down at your intended destination. I’ve always done this, merely out of habit, but was reminded of its importance some years ago when I and another friend were returning from travel.
We had just spent some hot summery days in Toronto, and were crossing back into the US. Well, “back” for me, that is; my friend was from Europe, and it was her first time visiting. To cut costs, we took a Greyhound bus. Only two things need be said about that experience:
1. Never again take the bus for a 19-hour journey.
2. Never again take a Greyhound bus, period.
It was close to midnight when we reached the border. We, along with other passengers, sleepily shuffled off to the immigration counters for the usual checks. It wasn’t typical this time, however, when the immigration official discovered that my friend (a) was not American, and (b) did not have a single dollar on her.
The official and her supervisor were very displeased, to say the least. “You have to have at least seven dollars in order to enter the country,” they barked.
I blinked, wondering if this number was pulled at random or if it was indeed a standard rule. “Why seven dollars?” I asked.
“Don’t argue!” they retorted.
Consequently, my friend had to walk to the closest ATM — keeping in mind it was approaching the one o’clock hour by now — so that she could withdraw enough cash to fulfil the minimum amount needed to enter the country. I waited, and fretted, back at the immigration station, constantly watching the doors for her return. My relief was palpable when she reappeared, and we boarded the bus again. Needless to say, it wasn’t something either of us would ever forget.
My mother was right: not having money in your pocket when embarking on a trip is bad luck!
Nowdays, most of the travel and customs forms you’ll encounter — whether in Europe or Southeast Asia — will ask how much of the local currency you possess before you’re allowed to enter the country. Therefore, even if you plan to withdraw or exchange money at your destination itself in order to ge better rates, make sure you have at least some of the local currency prior to your arrival. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to trudge over to an ATM in an unknown location in the middle of the night, and that’s no way to start a journey at all!
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