Money!

So since I haven't gone anywhere yet (besides work and Sydney Park) I figure I would show you some pictures of Australian money. :-)  The notes (aka dollar bills) are kind of cool because they are made of a plastic material so they can go through the washing machine without getting ruined. The highest note that I have received is a $50 note and the smallest that is made is a $5 note. They decrease in size along with the amount. The size decrease was done so that the blind could tell how much money they had collectively.

notes in decreasing order of amount and size

other side of $5 note

other side of $10 note

other side of $20 note

other side of $50 note

Change is called "shrapnel" here and it adds up fast!! They have 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coins. PLUS they have $1 and $2 coins. Everything except the $1 coins are my least favorite since the washer and dryer ONLY take the $1 dollar coins......and those are the hardest to get when receiving change. It's quite annoying actually. The coins start out little and then get bigger and then smaller in size again. The Queen is on the back of all of them and supposedly her age decreases/increases in some order, but I can't figure it out by looking at them.

5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. Then $1 and $2.

 

 

 

That is all for now! I didn't get to go to China town tonight for dinner as planned because the other intern I was going to go with is sick. And since I don't know the area I figured it's best not to walk around there at night  by myself (since these parts of Sydney get pretty full of the druggies, drunks, and drug dealers at night......oh my!). Looks like it is also a no go for Blue Mountains since the group that was planning it has no longer said it was back on. I am sure I'll get to Blue Mountains at some point even if I have to book the trip by myself. It's ok though, I found another intern who lives in another section of Sydney to go to some markets with. We have to take a ferry there so it should be interesting. Cross your fingers for the weather!!