Money-Changers and Thieves

In addition to being on the lookout for pickpockets, we found the value of not listening to people who offer to change money here in Prague. A man approached Geraldine while she was waiting to change some money and said he'd give her a much better rate. She was intrigued, but of course Val can small a rat from a mile away and told the guy to buzz off (or something like that). It turns out that these guys offer you a better rate, then give you old, obsolete Czech or Bulgarian money for your dollars or euros. Glad we turned them down (I had learned last year in Cambodia to not use money-changers if at all possible).

The best way to deal with money in a foreign country it to use ATM machines; they give you the current rate, and they are dependable and trustworthy. Try hitting machines in banks (as opposed to ones in convenience stores) where possible.

Pickpockets are pretty good at their jobs, too. We were on a metro here and a few guys got on and were all crowding near the door (which is where Val was standing). One started pushing him into the guy behind him, and when the guy behind complained and Val turned to tell him that he couldn't help it, the "pusher" tried to get into Val's pocket. Val was not thrilled about this and made it quite known. The guy finally jumped off the metro and disappeared into the crowd, at which point someone pointed out to Val that his camera case (on his belt) was completely opened up. Luckily, he was wearing the camera itself around his neck at the time! Nothing lost, except a bit of my composure.