Changing Money

Changing Money

Yesterday I had an opportunity to change $20. Clair led me to the mysterious window in the hospital where it is possible to exchange USD for Haitian Gourdes. We enter a small room and wait. There are 2 chairs to sit upon if you are lucky enough to have a small or no line. There are 2 windows with shutters and bars that are too high for any type of public negotiation. A name is called, the shutters open, and a hand passes money through the bars to a person on the other side of the corner. Apparently there is a wall separating the two rooms.

There are the two other windows – one square and one round tinted black with a small door on the other side of the glass. There is also a small slot for money and other items to be passed back and forth. The windows are likely not really tinted black. It appears there has been a black garbage bag taped to the inside of these windows. We don’t really know when someone is back behind the window.

To exchange money you approach the round window and knock. Then you wait. And wait. Eventually the shutter door behind the window opens and you slide your USD through the slot at the bottom of the window. Then you wait and wait some more. A paper eventually is sent back to you to sign. Eventually money is slid back to you as you wonder what will happen and if you will ever see any money ever again. Both Claire and I received our money. It was so dirty it was difficult to see the denominations! I now had money to add to our Prestige collection. For 210 Gourdes one can purchase 6 Prestige beers! That is about 50 Cents per beer! I also now have money for the beach!