I wish to give a short update of events over the past few weeks, to inform people of the travel needs for such a trip as I have outlined. After all travel and hotel details have been confirmed, one must look at what money will be required. While the three countries that we will visit, are all within the European Union, and therefore make use of the Standard Euro Currency, all three also have their own currency that has been in use since before the European Union was established. Generally speaking, the local currency is in use by smaller, small scale outlets. For the trip that we will start on May 8, we decided to take a supply of Euros, to cover major expenses, and a supply of the three local currencies for the other items like coffee, meals and admissions to art galleries, etc.
To give you an example of the different currencies, here is what happened. We decided to take fifty dollars Canadian, (CAD), each in Polish, Czech and Hungarian money along with the Euros. Here is what we got on April 1, 2019. For $49.86 CAD, we got 130 PLN, or Polish Zloty, at rate of 0.3835.
For $51.13 CAD, we got 800 CZK, , or Czech Crona,(Crowns) at 0.06391.
For $51.90 CAD, we got 10,000 HUF, or Hungarian Florint, at a rate of 0.00519.
On that date, the Euro was selling for CAD 1.5312. ($612.48 CAD gave us 400 Euros.) Two days later, the Euro was selling for two cents more; and the rates are changing daily, sometimes by the hour.
We have spent some time getting used to the various currencies, all of which are of different sizes and colors. While we will pass thru the Air Terminal at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (Holland), both going and on return home, they only use the Euro.
My next report will be issued from Warsaw Poland; Thank you
