International Criminal

I never thought my travels would come to this...I am now an International Criminal. It all started so innocently.  I never have understood travelers who try to buy things without the local currency, sadly it's mostly Americans. I see it on the same plain as expecting the world to speak your language. While many do speak English and use US currency I think it's rude to assume it. So in being the being the smart respectful traveler that I am in my own mind, I went directly to the bank window at the Addis Ababa airport and bought $20 worth of the local funds, that came to 377 Birr. I had a 4 hour layover so I figured I'd get a coffee, a snack, and maybe a trinket. I went to the coffee shop and it was packed, no space at the bar and no chairs at all. I had no desire to push my way in dragging a small roller bag with me and order anything I had to juggle while standing. So I went to the duty free store thinking I would spend my Birr on fresh Ethiopian coffee for my office mates. I looked around, found coffee and asked how much.  The lady said $6, I asked how much in Birr, "We don't take that, just US and Euro."  I was bum fuddled and a bit put out so I put the coffee back and left. Sorry office mates, I didn't get the coffee. I went to a trinket shop.  The Addis Ababa airport is more market place than airport, there are numerous tourist trinket shops and 3 duty free stores that are sparsely stocked with all the same stuff; liquor, candy, and parfume.  The trinket shop had all the same junk you find anywhere; really bad wood carvings, expensive t-shirts, and cheap ugly jewelry. The only think worth buying was a soccer jersey for my nephew Cody but they wanted $35 for a cheaply made replica. By this time I had been up an going for 36 hours so I was tired and crabby. I decided to forget the shopping and go through security to wait at the gate. I had no idea what to do with the 377 Birr in my pocket. I boarded the flight to Nairobi and started reading the inflight magazine on Ethiopian Airlines, Selamta.  In the back there was an interesting section on Travel in Ethiopia and what do I see???  In the currency section, "It is illegal to carry more than 200 Birr when entering or departing Ethiopia."  Oops! So for $20 I have unknowingly become an international criminal. BTW if your going to Ethiopia let me know, I have Birr you can take with you, but I'll only give you 200, unless you just feel like living dangerously.  Travel On!