Comments on: So where are we now on this getting to Cairo thing?

By: francis

francis — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:10:03 +0000

What a BEAUTIFUL site-such a treat when you can’t go yourself-wonderful photos!! Thanks so much , Francis

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:27:31 +0000

It’s specific to South Africa – we discovered some while back that people love to launder money through our banks, so in order to get forex, you now need proof of residence and the fact that you are traveling (a flight ticket, or something like that). It can be a real pain. The alternative, of course, is just to cross the border with rands and exchange for dollars in Zimbabwe. I can’t quite work out if that would give an excellent or a terrible exchange rate :)

By: Russ

Russ — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:00:04 +0000

That is interesting about exchanging money. Maybe I am naive to the rules here in the States, but I was always under the impression that here you could exchange as you wished at any bank or currency exchange. I’ve been able to exchange dollars for both British Pounds and Euros without presenting any reason. Perhaps there are different rules based on the type of currency? Or maybe the rules here (or lack thereof) are much more lax when it comes to this type of thing. I’m curious to learn more about this. Are the laws in South Africa different based on the type or currency you want to get, or does it apply to any type of exchange? Is it to prevent people from unnecessarily converting rands to other currencies?

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:03:19 +0000

I will ask anyway, if for no other reason than my own entertainment :) But ye – that may be a good idea. I can also give you a lift to the Sudanese embassy in Oct, when I go to retry my visa application.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:05:12 +0000

Eeek. I hadn’t even thought about the logistics of getting forex without a plane ticket. Although, I suppose I WILL have a plane ticket, going to Lusaka and all. Maybe we can make a plan using that.