Jamaican money….
Well, I suppose you all must be wondering WTF the picture above is all about. Well, I spent about an hour or more today counting coins. You know….. you have them throwing into containers at the end of each day and they add up over time. Furthermore, I hate to carry coins around in my pocket or wallet. They usually get thrown into the little space on the dashboard of the car below the radio/CD player or into these containers.
Well, as those of you who read this site and Mad Bull may already know, the Jamaican currency isn’t worth a hell of a lot….. (my Father would say, “It nuh worth sea crab shit!”) So, after seeing these coins pile up in two containers in my room over the last two years, I decided to count to see what sort of fortune I had saved. Well, it is not a fortune, but I have come up with over $6,700 (Jamaican remember), which is about US $110. Not too bad eh?
Well, as I was in no mood to cook today, I decided to buy Chinese food (I made this decision from yesterday) for dinner. Well, the coins could have bought Chinese food for perhaps two more days as well, but somehow, I don’t think it would have gone down well with the owners of the restaurant if I unloaded the coins on the counter to pay…I can hear the Jamaican Chiney cussing already….”Weh de fuk u goin wid all o dem rass coin? Me naw tek ie, and u naw get no orda fe carry home a blood claat unless u pay wid paper money. Feisty rass you!” 
I wont bother to translate. I’m sure you get the picture.
Anyway, I gave them bills, which they gladly accepted and the food was irie. It was made even better as I opened a bottle of Merlot to go along with it, it was such a nice tasting wine that one glass became two, and two became three…..and the rest is history. I’m feeling irie nuh rass now! (I guess you could have come that conclusion long ago…..Dr. D. is posting while unda two juice, nuff expletive and ting…..you should try it!)
Anyway, I’ve got to find somewhere to unload my coins next week, and the Sunday is not over yet. Let me go hold a fresh and see what else can gwaan before work tomorrow! Tek it easy nuh.
July 27th, 2003 at 8:14 pm My coin collection was getting a little out of hand as well. So about a year and half ago, I started grabbing a handful about twice a week and took it to work with me. I’d use whatever I could, especially pennies to buy 37 cent stamps (and yes, sometimes I would feed 37 pennies into the slot). I’d also buy sodas. My collection has shrunk to a mug-full. It’s much more manageable.
July 27th, 2003 at 8:33 pm But my question is as the dear Doctor post while intoxicated ~ is he in his boxers???
July 27th, 2003 at 9:54 pm So how much *are* they selling crab shit for these days?
July 27th, 2003 at 10:38 pm ….$6700jamaican=$110american… So.. i got £400 in my bank account, that’s like…$500 american..? Which is like…$30000jamaican..? So if I moved to jamaica…I’d be rich! Rich I tell you! aaahahaa!!!
July 27th, 2003 at 11:38 pm To respond to the ladies…. Yes Jamie, I was in my boxers!
July 27th, 2003 at 11:43 pm What kind of Merlot?
July 28th, 2003 at 12:53 am Damn. oh well… What’s all this about nakedness? I always miss the naked.
July 28th, 2003 at 1:29 am Yeah, Bek… $30,000 will get you and your loved one maybe 1.5 nights at any of the all-inclusive hotels… just 21.5 nights. They’d be fun-filled nights, mind you! But just 1.5 nights.
July 28th, 2003 at 3:16 am well… uh, simply what comes to mind is posting a pic of you in them boxers… and for the coins, rolling them in the things the bank uses and taking them in and depositing them or exchanging for paper money. (uh, the dull and practical response, that is me - today).
July 28th, 2003 at 8:02 am Nakedness???
July 28th, 2003 at 2:10 pm I just watched a movie/documentary called “Life and Debt” about the Jamaican economy and various historical (well, since independence from England) factors contributing to the way it is now. It was actually really interesting - I’m sure even more so to people who this directly impacts. Made me feel rather guilty for the pure luck of being born into my life. Just thought I’d tell you since it was kind of related to your post
July 28th, 2003 at 5:19 pm I always just take the coin-filled cup to the bank and get paper for it. That way I can buy whatever I want with it cause it’s not “real” money that I have to pay bills with.
July 28th, 2003 at 9:06 pm Jenniy, I would like to see that documentary myself. Just to see if my theories as to why our economy is as screwed as it is today coincide with what is said in the show.
July 28th, 2003 at 9:35 pm For a while we saved quarters for Fred’s daughter. She’d come to visit now and then and ask to swap her dollars for change so she could pay tolls and do laundry. I never figured out why she didn’t just bring the laundry and do it here. Quarters will really add up fast. We were saving about $75 in change every six months, and I’d put it back into savings.