Discovering Rials

I recently graduated from high school, and got a very interesting gift from my grandmother as a graduation present. My grandmother has traveled all over the place, so of course she would have the foresight to give Omani rials as a gift. Along with this insanely useful present, we also had a discussion about going abroad. She instructed me to get a secure bank account, to carry my passport around at all times, and make copies of every major document as well. All of this was incredibly helpful, but I can't help but make the focus of this post the rials. They're absolutely gorgeous.

I'm going to feel bad about spending any rials. Each is like an intricate tapestry. Every rial, no matter the denomination, has a picture of the Sultan on the back combined with some building of significance to Oman. The other side really varies in what it depicts. This side of the five rial is showing the city of Nizwa in Oman. 

Of course, the exchange rate is going to be the death of me. Every rial is worth about 2.9 USD, meaning 5 rials is actually about 13 dollars. Thanks America, for letting me look forward to days filled with mental math.

These rials reminded me that this trip is approaching quickly. Of course, I am scrambling to find clothes and keep up on my Arabic learning, but I've lamented about that already. I'm incredibly excited to embark on this adventure and spend far too much money because I forget the massive discrepancy in exchange rates. Two and a half weeks to go.