Old Money

I tried to change $50 into Cambodian riel before we left Saigon. It took a lot of time, counting and conversation behind the desk... eventually the money changer informed us that they only had $13.60 worth of riel. Well, that would have to do. We weren't sure whether we would be able to use dollars right at the border so we wanted to at least have some local money in our pockets. Turns out $13.60 worth of riel is a stack about 2 inches high stuffed into my handbag. Not only that, but they must have had it so long that they gave me some bills that are long out of currency here. At first that was annoying, then we decided that these might well be collector's items and, at a minimum, would make good souvenirs. Apparently, the Khmer Rouge, in its attempt to eradicate all ties with the cultural past as well as corrupting influences like money, eliminated currency entirely. These bills aren't dated like the contemporary ones but may well be pre-Khmer Rouge bills. In any case, the locals won't take them, so even though they're only worth less than a US penny each we're going to hang onto them as souvenirs.