my. splendid. experience.: Fake Money

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Fake Money

Evidently, an ATM I withdrew money from on Saturday dispensed me 3 fake 100 RMB bills. Yes. At the time I didn't have a clue and I was rushing to make the next bus to Guangzhou so I just took the money and left.

There were a few times in Guangzhou at different times this weekend where I tried to use the money but they would always refuse it and give it back. I was so confused! They always always always check the money here, hold it up to the light, do what they do just like they do in the States but I never actually thought fake money came around. If you recall, I mentioned earlier, I tried to pay the taxi driver with one of my 100's and that's the reason he gave it back, because it was fake. When I went to go home on Sunday I tried to buy my ticket and John took it and jokingly suggested that it looked fake and I said, “oh right. I'm pretty sure it's not fake...” and then I gave her the bill to pay and she declined it and John said, “oh my goodness! It is fake, let me see that!...” ha... so he checked the rest of my bills and sure enough, the ATM dispensed me fake money, which is not necessarily uncommon to happen at banks occasionally or in stores, especially to foreigners but coming from an ATM it is VERY rare. So today I took the money into school and asked Cherry and Tina if there was any way I could take it into the bank with one of them and get it switched out, and unfortunately they told me I can't because I didn't say anything right when it happened. Shucks. I'm so disappointed, that's a good chunk that I'm out now. BUT, a great lesson learned. I now know how to distinguish real and fake money and it will certainly not happen again.

In America, it seems like if someone tried to buy something with a fake bill a big deal would probably be made... but not here. They just look at it, shake their heads and give it back. 'Oh! Fake money? No problem. Try again with real money next time!' :) Kind of funny.

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A list of my favorites... created in China, inspired by Abby. Made to add to.

snuggling into a warm bed on a cold cold night, soft serve vanilla ice cream, ripples in water, having butterflies (not the animal), being speechless, playing the piano, listening to the piano, photographing life's special moments, smiling, laughing so hard you cry, sneezing, speaking another language not your native tongue to a native speaker, bay windows, pressed flowers, outbursts of song, barefoot on freshly cut grass, overcast days, organization, romances, porch swings, cool breeze on a summer day, coincidences, sunsets, early morning runs, running to not miss the bus, tender mercies, an early start, skype-ing family across the world, reminiscing about old times, memories, stories, etc., dim lights in a dark room, coconut yogurt in china, laying on the sidewalk drying off in the summer time, sunday walks, cleanliness, inside jokes, clean sheets, developing film in a dark room, long hugs...with certain people, swimming at night, coconut bread (in china), bread in China in general, waking up to the rain, being sore after working out, hammocks, screen doors, walking into screen doors, awkward eye-contact, winks, laugh attacks that almost hurt and feel like you've just had an ab work-out, heartfelt talks, constructive criticism, movie quotes, “whatever makes your boat float.”, a warm towel just out of the dryer, saying a phrase, and having you and everyone around you parallel it to a song and burst out in song., Big kitchens that can be the gathering place and the place for many memories to be made, singing, singing LOUD, Singing a song you don't know... making up words as you go., Picniks, temple walks, wind, thunder storms, rain downpours, music, bleach pens, the smell of new born babies, an infants cry, impressions from the Spirit, eating with chopsticks, phase 10, traveling, evening summer hikes, views of the city from a higher point, Korean Air, Parachute... the band, cleaninng to blasting music, bike rides, temple baptisms, temple weddings, wedding receptions, birds chirping, the sound of leaves blowing in the wind, waking up to the weed wacker and/or lawn mower early on a Saturday morning, Freshly made cinnamon rolls, Enjoying a storm from your deck, the way you feel after working out, washed feet, clean socks, Hot Potts, Surprise Birthday Parties...especially when it's not really your birthday, Fresh Flowers , the smell of Lillies, hand pulled noodles, bartering in China, The Muslim Quarter, LOVE , Bullet Trains, smiling at a stranger, getting a smile in return, special places :),inside jokes, cheesecake, laying out feeling the sun on your skin, a harmonized hymn, a good hair day, complimenting someone who needs it, giving to the needy, Yangshuo mountains, muddy bike rides, yangshuo crepe breakfast, chey kelly, stretching, soccer, hanging out with my mom, hanging out with all of my siblings. Watermelon in summertime. Skinny sharpie pens, harmonized hymns, a made bed, words of our Prophets, Conference, rearranging furniture, cleaning parties, a clean home, Buddy the Elf, evening walks, sitting/running/standing in the pouring rain- feeling the water just drench you and drip off your nose, learning to speak a different language, the what if game, bridges, gates, doors, my China kids, Zhongshan,