Congolese currency...and a few other stories

When I emptied my bulging pocket I discovered I was carrying  69,850 Congolese Francs, or about $75 (normally written 75 USD).  The exchange is 920:1 in some places and 930:1 in other places.  Congolese currency is usually very soiled, limp and torn, but when one attempts to pass US currency, which really is accepted just about everywhere, they examine it with a magnifying glass and if it is creased or slightly torn they will refuse it.  I haven’t found out yet why they accept, and often issue invoices only in, US currency but not European euros.   I think it is a status thing for Congolese to pay in US currency.  Only paper bills are issued here; there are no coins.  Often the smallest bill that is recognized in a transaction is 100 FC, so sometimes you have to pay a few cents more than the item costs because it rounds up to the nearest 100 FC, and sometimes you pay a few cents less than the item costs because it rounds down.  The most common denomination is 500 FC.  Sometimes I might get 20 of them in change.  The largest denomination I have seen is 5,000 FC.  A few things may be less expensive to buy than in the US (although that would mostly be services, such as tailoring), most things are much more expensive, and not just the imported things.  Some examples:  a big head of butter lettuce costs about $11; one medium sized potato is about $1.10; a nice leek might cost $5.  I bought a few $4 pens today that probably would cost .50$ at Staples. 

The adorably cute Amy Scott of Gilbert, AZ and close friend to daughter Lindsay makes the most divine
Banana Bars.  Whenever I visit Gilbert here comes Amy with bars ....just for me....she only gives her recipe to extremely special people.  After begging, crying, sobbing and bribery....she consented to give me the recipe!   They turned out wonderfully but not quite as wonderful as Amy's banana bars. 

Just out of the oven! OH YUM!!! Can hardly wait to eat them!!!

Banana bars with cream cheese frosting: Turned out quite good, if I do say so myself!

Cute Amy's banana bars were the hit of a Sunday brunch with the other missionaries. Note my necklace a treasured mission departure gift from Lindsay and Danny and family.  A tiny charm to depict each of my four children.   Priceless!  



While corresponding with my sister-in-law (Ro's brother and wife) who are currently serving as Church Education Missionaries in Odessa, Ukraine, Kaye was bragging about a lady there who was "our" age and could do the splits.   I informed her that even though she had known me for nearly 43 years she apparently didn't know everything about me.  She didn't believe that I could really do the splits until I sent proof!   So now you know.....the rest of the story!