I left out another person who pissed me off on day two (letâ€s see how many is that now?). Sophie and I headed out to Value Master for trip two. We are minding our own business, just pushing our little cart through the aisles “Hey, you need to change some money?†“No way, you guys are con artists and cheat people.†“No we donâ€t.†“Then how do you make any money giving the same rate as the banks and cambios?†(inquiring minds really wanted to know) “Well, you see our boss needs US cash to go abroad and buy cars to bring back to sell.†Hummm, Iâ€m thinking this makes no sense at all, does that make sense to you? Well, it was Sunday and I had no money exchanged yet and we were going out that night, let me see what kind of game heâ€s playing. Besides, I felt like messing with him. “Sure Iâ€ll exchange $60 at your 98-1 rate.†He leaves the store. A few minutes later weâ€re approached again by another “money changer†(in Shakespeare's time they called it something else didnâ€t they).
So, before we check out I do some fast math – actually Sophie and I try to do fast math but it took us a little while, numbers arenâ€t our thing. But we had it figured out. We check-out and step out in the parking lot. Of course our “friend†was waiting. Iâ€m holding the $60 tightly in my hand. He starts to count the money – REALLY fast into his own hand. “Oh, no. Start over and count it slowly into my hand.†He starts over “One thousand, two thousand, .. .. .. .. there, $5,600.†And he started to put his money away. “Wait just a damn minute that isnâ€t right.†“Yes it is.†“No, it should be $5,880. Here let me get the calculator on my phone out and see whoâ€s right. I KNOW how you guys work†This pissed him off to the max. He took the small bills back, slapped another $1,000 in my hand and stormed off.
Yes people, I got better than 98-1 and one pissed off money-changer.
Then the next time Sophie and I drive in the parking lot of Value Master heâ€s right at my door opening it saying “Here I am, your body guard.†I push past him and tell him I donâ€t need a body guard, a friend or another boyfriend. He is all indignant and wants to know why Iâ€m being so mean. “You tried to cheat me and I donâ€t take kindly to that.†“How did I try to cheat you? You got your money.†We are now in the middle of the parking lot drawing a lot of looks. “Fine, you want me to tell you exactly how you tried to cheat me in front of these nice tourist? Letâ€s tell them all your little game?†He walked off mumbling to himself. “Yeah, I didnâ€t think so.â€
Now do you see why I need a little space between me and Jamaica right now? I'm sure a lot of Jamaicans are happy with my absense too. I promise, the entire trip wasn't like this -- (but unfortunately these are the things that are stuck in my craw right now) and I will be posting some positive thing, at least I hope.