Tom Keener wrote in message . ..
On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 10:41:21 GMT, Spehro Pefhany
wrote:

On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 09:45:15 +0000 (UTC), the renowned "Christopher"
wrote:

The 'exchange rate' has nothing to do with anything here - it is the cost of
living that is important.

Closer, but it's the cost of living *for a visitor* of the OP's
specific type.

If the locals subsist on little but mashed taro root and sleep in
squalid, filthy and unhealthy conditions unacceptable to the OP, he
might find a place with an apparent low cost of living to be
relatively very expensive. If the government forces foreigners to pay
much more for many things, regulates where they can stay overnight and
what price they must pay, requires some shops to deny them service
without ration cards, or the forces them to exchange money
"officially" at a very unfavorable rate, the same result can occur.

True, but even when that occurs, sometimes it's possible to enjoy a
very cheap trip. For example, Burma. It's been 18 years since I was
there, but in spite of the government control, it was dirt cheap. And
a great place to visit, too.

WHY BOTHER COMING BACK WHEN ALL YOU DO IS GET IN THE WAY?