Work for all

Normal shops in India are a great example of how communism still has some kind of stronghold over the country. One thought or strain of ideology remains - work for all! You may not get paid a decent salary you'll be able to live off, but no one should come and tell you that you can't work for it if you want. I have an hour left in Pondy and since my views on material things have changed since my visit to Auroville (alternatively because I'm saving space for the shopping in Hoi An), I decided against buying tacky souvenir Ganesha statues and on exchanging my last 900 Rupees into a more stable (LOL) currency instead, the greenback. I went into Western Union last week and was escorted out as I had neither passport nor flight details, and naturally, only terrorists come to exchange dollars without a passport, so today I had learned and had both with me. I enter and tell the lady that I want 900 Rupees worth of US dollars. She guides me on to her colleague who I also explain my request to. Then a third guy comes up, and I'm standing there in the afternoon stinking heat explaining I don't want to pick fights or get married, I just want US dollars.

Ok, ok, whatever the white madam wishes. I give them my passport and itinerary. "You leaving today, mam?" "YES," I reply, frantically looking at my watch. He starts going through my passport, admires the multiple entry ten-year visa I have to the US, then starts scribbling down the passport details. I have to sign at least three times to say I promise not to buy drugs or fund Al-Qaeda activities with the 21 dollars I eventually will end up getting. I wonder if there is a clause for chocolate or Coca Cola there as well, as both are major threats to homeland security.

Now that the formalities are over the money needs to be counted before I can get it. The third guy counts them, six $1 notes and three $5 notes. Then he turns them up side down and count them again before he gives them to the second guy who repeats the procedure. I didn't bring a bag because it's packed and I had the intention of stuffing the dollars into my pocket when I got them. The second guy screws this up by putting them in a large envelope. "I don't need one!" I say several times, but he still gives it to me. I demonstratively take out the money, stuff them in my pocket and leave the envelope on the counter. I say I'm in a hurry and don't need the receipt either. He still writes it, pausing to think of today's date (it's on my ticket!!) and makes me sign the receipt as well. I leave it along with the envelope (hoping they will recycle) and hurry off.

Saigon next stop!