Tire on Fire | How I Learned to Have the Right Currency
In a previous blog on Money Matters I encourage having at least $200-300 in the country’s currency.
Let me tell you our story!
When flying from the US / east coast to Europe, flights depart between 5pm to 9pm and depending on connections or direct flight, you might land around 6:30 am. Keep in mind, Europe is 6 hours ahead, your body clock is saying it’s 2:30 am.
We arrive and start the waiting lines for luggage, customs, and for us, car rental, we are exhausted, hungry, and HOT! We jet out of there as fast as we can. Oh Oh! Exchange wasn’t open when we landed, no ATM in sight we have about $250 $’s – No Problem, we’ll get Euros in Amalfi.
Rome to Amalfi, is about 2 ½ hours; Oh, did I mention the heat and humidity? We get almost to Sorrento, drive through a long, curving tunnel (galleria, so called) suddenly we see and hear people yelling at us from their cars – Fuoco! Fuoco! (fire!) – jabbing fingers in the air and waving us down. We see smoke out the rear-view mirror but must keep driving through the tunnel – and they keep yelling. At the end of the tunnel, stop, and turn onto the main road.
Out of the blue, a man jumps into our back seat, pointing at the rear tire, yelling Fuoco! Motioning us forward - Avanti!
The Scenario – it’s about 9:30 am, Americans in a rental car, driving through a small town in southern Italy, with flames shooting out the back!
We are so startled, we just keep driving with our new passenger, emphatically telling us in Italian he’s going to help with our problem. It seems his brother has a repair shop further along. Fortunately, I understand. Sam, however, does not and is horrified at this stranger in our back seat!
I’m now listening, translating, and answering in two languages. As we drive on with our flaming tire, we see gas stations going by, but we are not told to stop. Finally, we are directed to turn into a narrow, shaded side street (where else) and to our relief, a sign up above “PIRELLI.”
It doesn’t end here folks! Now starts the negotiating on the state of the tire and cost. We explain our cash problem – “no! non c'è problema” - go to the bank up the street (long hill.) Sam goes, I stay with the car and a garage full of mechanics who don’t speak English.
What can I do?
I exchange pleasantries with our new friend, he gives me advice on not leaving my purse unattended, then I sit on the fender, eat the travel worn apple in my purse and read my book.
An hour later, Sam comes jogging down the hill huffing, sweating, mopping his brow – waving his arms - and gasps seeing me calmly reading – OMG - it’s the end of the world - Bank computers are down! No exchange of $’s to €’s. Now, phase 2 negotiation, paying the cost in $’s. As you can imagine, we didn’t leave with very much of our original cash.
LESSON – Have the currency of the Country you plan to visit.
