Cash in Australia is very cheerful. All bright and shiny and there are even see-through parts (that little weird shape with the stars in the corner of the $50 bill is transparent). Apparently it's made of plastic -- you have to be careful it doesn't melt. Or, that's what I was told... I'm not really sure of the circumstances where money would melt... on the seat of the car? Who leaves their money on the seat of the car? You deserve to have melty cash then.
They also have $1 and $2 coins, and no bills lower than $5. When the shuttle driver at the airport gave me $4.50 in change, I thought he was trying to rip me off. Until I noticed the $2 coins. No such thing as a quarter. There are 20-cent coins and I think there are 50-cent coins, but I don't have one. Also: NO PENNIES. They round up or down, and 5-cents is the smallest coin. (the coins in the photo, top to bottom, are $2, $1, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents)
In general, stuff is more expensive here. It's probably about the same in American dollars, but I've noticed the little stuff like when we ordered Thai take away (they don't say take out). The green curry that would be a $10-$11 dish in PDX is a $13-$14 dish here. Beers at the track were $6, but that seemed relatively normal for a sporting event. Bottled water: $3. Of course, it would all seem about the same if you came here from NYC.
my english friend deppie says take away for take out food, i kind of like it better!
ReplyDeletekeep that money out of the sun and the clothes dryer. it is pretty.
anne
steve says, the best part about Aussie money is it is impervious to water, so you CAN take it swimming or surfing....... with you! it drys off afterwards! :)))
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