My heart was racing as I calmly obeyed the speed limit of Macleod Trail; I'm on my way to Chinook Centre. Five more minutes and I am there. The new Degree anti-perspirant is executing its role to perfection keeping me dry as the rest of my body sweats under the pressure. I pretend to not feel the tension. "There is nothing to worry about" I tell myself, a nervous cackle lets me blow off some pressure. My heart calms back down, I'm good.
In the seat next to me a $4,000 dollar collage of bills sits on the passenger side suffocated in a white envelope. I hear them calling to me. Slightly at first, but the voices get louder. Borden, King and the Queen laugh at me. "You know together we are worth more than the vessel you are transporting us in," they tease. "Shut up!" I snap and the red light lets me recollect my thoughts and I can get back to just driving.
We park and the letter bag that contains the envelope hangs diagonally across my body giving me that attractive man-purse look. The beach sandals I am wearing also enhances that "he-could-be-a-tourist" style that I have been working on for a couple of years now. I slowly find myself tiptoeing across the mall to the Califorex exchange and am greeted by a friendly face. A friendly face that wants a 3.6% cut of the exchange, but a friendly face nonetheless.
Surprisingly they have enough yen to make the transaction and I hand her the stack of bills. Upon receiving the package, she focuses her big blue eyes onto mine and I am transfixed. We share a moment. Our eyes lock and she cracks a seductive smile. Could it be that at the end of my journey there lies something more? That all the blood, sweat and tears to make a simple exchange for a friend who is returning to her motherland for a couple weeks' vacation has become something more. Currency goddess, I beg you please speak now. She pauses for a brief second, but it feels like an eternity. The anticipation is killing me, but I cannot make the first move for she has reeled me in like some powerful currency exchange tractor beam. And then she speaks. "You know, next time you can just use your debit card to make an exchange. If it is better for you, that is..." My spirits sink back to the earth. "Thanks, but it wouldn't give me near the adrenaline rush" I reply.
Fast service, have large sums of currency available (at least in Yen), the buy price makes you lose about 3.5 - 4% of market price exchange rate and you can use your debit card to exchange currency. It's a bit pricey, but more convenient than banks. These rates might actually be better, at least they were for me. Open M-F 8:30-7:00, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5 in the summer. Call before you go to get the exchange rate. I was pleased with my experience here. read more