Some years back my daughter, then a senior at Bellaire High School, was part of a choir trip to Canada.  They had the privilege of singing with the Vancouver Symphony and spent a week or so “seeing the sights.”  It was one of those once in a lifetime events of which she still talks about on occasion.  It was also her first opportunity to go to a truly “foreign” country.  She had been to Mexico a few times, but that really isn’t “foreign” from our perspective and we didn’t go far into Mexico at all. 

 

      Before Stephanie and her friends made the trek, they all decided it would be great to have genuine Canadian money in their pockets/purses.  I was elected to drive them to the local exchange office.  We used the American Express which used to be in the late Town and Country mall.  I explained to them several times that even in Vancouver, in Canada, a “foreign” country, U.S. dollars could be used.  But my point fell on deaf ears as they really wanted to spend money that wasn’t United States, thus making their experience seem that much more “foreign,” even though the people they visited spoke English better than most of us Texans.

 

      I’ll admit that there is something significant in doing as they did.  I’ll also admit that I enjoy spending money from another place as well.  My delight especially is in studying what the notes of others look like and focusing on the design features and how they speak of that which is important to the country visited. 

   

     So it was last month when I was in the Ivory Coast.  Inflation was such that I didn’t use any coinage, only paper.  I’m sure coins were out there, we just didn’t go places where “smaller” change was required.  It was fascinating to me that the bank notes were not specific to Ivory Coast.  They use, as do several other former French colonies, West African Francs.  It was interesting to hold a piece of currency which could circulate beyond the boundary of the country.  This was actually the second such; we changed planes in Paris where I enjoyed reviewing the Euros needed to purchase the five dollar Coke Lite at the airport.

   

     West African notes are attractive.  The back of each denomination has a nature image unique to the area.  Not only were they spend-able but they were also educational.  I can truthfully say that these little pieces of printed art did enhance my visit. They even share a few pictures of what the area had to offer by way of nature.

 

     For thousands of years money has been, and at least for the foreseeable future shall be, part of every culture.  It would be a good challenge for each of us to explore the currency that we may have tucked away somewhere and try to glean a little insight into the cultures represented by each.  Also take a few minutes and glance at the currency in your pocket or purse.  There is much to be learned about us (U.S.) from what these notes offer.  Take time to look at the history of our older notes.  There is much to see and there are leads to follow which help us understand who we are and where we have come from.

 

     As for me it is good to be back.  Ivory Coast wasn’t such a difficult trip.  The flight was only a total of fifteen hours.  Time difference was but five hours.  I compare this to the Russia trips.  Air time to the part of Siberia to which I go is twenty four hours.  Time difference from Houston is twelve hours.  As for my return from the Ivory Coast, I was back to work the day after we returned.  I’ll share a few stories with you I’m sure.

Have a blessed week . . . Richard