For the past year and a half, I live in probably the most spicy country in the world - India.The first impression of this world remembered as now befallen upon arrival in New Delhi heat, tart thick air, ending the heady aromas of mango, curry, coconut and various spices, and, of course, unimaginable melodious Indian speech.
first question that confronted me at the airport, was the exchange of dollars.Intimidated stories that in shops, markets and hotels accept only Indian currency, but the euro and the ruble exchange can only be at the airport, I began to frantically search for a place where you can buy the rupee.This place turned out to be a regular exchange office, which, like all over the world, called the «Currency exchange».To note, the rupee - the national currency of India.One rupee is equal to 100 paisa.And paisa almost never used.Occasionally penny can meet 50 paise.But mostly everything here is rounded off by the laws of mathematics.
Now, looking at the past with the life experience of 1.5 years, I would not exchange all the cash at the airport.Foreign currency in India is easily converted into any bank.In addition, the conversion rate set by the airport, slightly undervalued, and sometimes unwary traveler may deceive.It is not necessary to believe, if you will say that at one time legally exchanged only $ 300It's a lie.At the same time for the currency conversion in excess of the offers to pay a small percentage of which is not specified in the receipt, as well as the excess amount.Sama has got - I know for sure.
Rupee - only the lawful currency of India.Dollars will not get anywhere else: any trendy store or in the rental scooters, or even on the market.It's kind of a criminal offense.Many Hindus, even very rich, never seen dollars, euros or rubles.As a souvenir you willing to take the national denominations of the country.Of course, as a tip or begging you take even rabbits Belarusian or Mongolian Tug, but as payment for services or goods - only Rs.
most interesting is that Indian currency is stable enough.A small percentage of inflation allows for a long time to keep the rupiah stable: 1 dollar yield about 50 rupees.
Many are advised to keep all the receipts confirming the exchange procedure.The motivation is explained by saying that on the way back without these documents will not be able to exchange rupees back.I will not refute.Perhaps, in some individual cases, it is required, but three times when I was leaving expanses of India, I have never asked for these papers: no customs, no currency exchange.
another legal fact is that the Indian currency should not leave open spaces of the country of manufacture.It seems to be all right.I heard it and from the Indians, and by tourists.But never seen a man on the plane was checked, departing from India, about the removal of Rs.Why should check it on the plane?It is my personal, purely personal opinion: Each terminal is equipped with an international airport duty-free, the prices of goods in these stores listed both in dollars and in rupees.So in the duty-free zone is still possible to use the national currency.Or it is understood that the traveler will spend every single penny in duty-free shops?Let's say, many tourists do so.But Indians traveling abroad, always carry a national money.So here, too, not everything is clear.I can say one thing - this is slightly unusual for a European country is stable religion, the rainy season and the currency.
