2nd October Money Madness

Today we stayed local as our mission for this morning was to exchange some €100 notes for smaller denominations. Taking on the challenge we headed out to what we found out to be mission impossible!

Initially we had success in exchanging a few notes near our apartment when we popped into see our rental agent. We thought we were on a roll. As we had a couple more notes to exchange we were advised to go to one of the banks. For this we had to go to Roses, so off we went.

Now, if you haven't experienced the banking system in Spain it's totally different to the UK. Once getting into the bank (often this involves pressing a buzzer and sometimes going into an airlock system where you get permission to go through one door, enter, close the door behind you and then have to be given entry through the next locked door) you go to a reception point. Here they can sometimes deal with your request or you get referred to another member of staff in a little cubicle. This means there is always a huge queue!

Anyway we tried Deutsche Bank which didn't have a queue. As we didn't have an account with them we were directed to another bank. This one had a massive queue. So after a loonnng wait and explaining our request it was no go again. This was despite us seeing she'd had loads of money being handed over so we know they had the cash!! Aaarrrggghhhh! However this time they suggested the post office.

Back through all the back streets we got to the post office which runs a similar system. This time you have to use a machine to select from 7 different options for your requirements. As cash exchange wasn't an option we chose the one that mentioned cash, took our ticket and waited. And waited ......

About half an hour later (nothing is a slick operation in Spain) our number was flashed up on the screen and we were game on. Unfortunately we got the same answer. A big fat 'No we don't exchange money'. So we'll be off to the supermarket to buy a baguette with a €100 note to get change. Potty!!!

After about 2 hours trying to exchange money we stopped for a coffee and a ping pong (Nutella sized doughnut covered in chocolate and nuts) to recuperate. Then we sauntered back for lunch.

On our walk back we had time to admire what the sand sculpturer has been doing. There is actually one to see this time. It also has candles in it so I reckon we should take an evening stroll to see it lit up. Ian's not so convinced 😅.

This evening sitting out on the balcony at 7pm there is some low cloud coming down the hill. Looks like we might have a foggy start to tomorrow. It's also starting to get a bit cooler but still warmer than if we were sitting out at 7pm in the UK. No jumpers and socks over here just yet 😁.

In the morning we're going to have a look around a similar apartment in our building to get some inspiration. It'll be interesting to see inside another apartment so quite looking forward to having a nose.