At the Bank and the Post Office

It is Thursday morning and I have two important things to do today. First, I need to go to the bank to exchange some money. Second, I need to go to the post office to send some postcards home to my family in England. I ask the hotel receptionist, "Excuse me, where is the nearest bank?" She says, "There is a bank on the main street. Go out of the hotel, turn left, and walk straight ahead for about five minutes. The bank is on the right side, between the pharmacy and the bookshop. You cannot miss it." I say, "Thank you. And where is the post office?" She says, "The post office is a little further. It is past the bank, on the same street. About three minutes more. It is opposite the big church." I say, "Perfect. Thank you for your help." I get my passport and my British pounds and leave the hotel.

I walk along the main street. It is a busy morning with people going to work and shops opening their doors. I find the bank easily. It is a large building with glass doors and a sign that says "National Bank" in gold letters. I go inside. The bank is quiet and cool with marble floors and high ceilings. There are several counters with staff behind glass screens. I take a number from the machine and wait. My number is forty-seven. The screen shows they are serving number forty-four. I sit in a comfortable chair and wait. After about five minutes, my number appears on the screen. I go to counter three where a young man in a suit says, "Good morning. How can I help you today?" I say, "Good morning. I would like to exchange some British pounds for euros, please."

The man says, "Certainly. How much would you like to exchange?" I say, "Three hundred pounds, please." He types something on his computer and says, "Today's exchange rate is one pound to one euro and sixteen cents. So three hundred pounds will give you three hundred and forty-eight euros." I say, "That sounds good. Are there any hidden fees or charges?" He says, "There is a small service charge of four euros for the transaction." I say, "That is fine. So I will receive three hundred and forty-four euros in total?" He says, "That is correct." I give him my three hundred pounds and my passport. He counts the money carefully, checks my passport, and types more information into his computer. Then he counts out the euros and passes them to me under the glass. He says, "Three hundred and forty-four euros. Would you like a receipt?"

I say, "Yes, please. I always keep my receipts when I travel." He prints a receipt and gives it to me. I count the money to make sure it is correct. Three hundred and forty-four euros. I put the money in my wallet and the receipt in my bag. I say, "Thank you. I have one more question. Is there an ATM outside where I can use my English bank card?" He says, "Yes, there is one just outside the main door, on the left. You can withdraw euros directly from your English account. The ATM accepts all international cards." I say, "Thank you very much for your help. Have a good day." He says, "You are welcome. Have a good day too." I leave the bank feeling happy. I now have plenty of cash for the rest of my holiday.

I go to the ATM outside the bank. I put in my English bank card and follow the instructions on the screen. I choose English as the language. I enter my PIN number and select "withdraw cash." I take out fifty euros as extra spending money. The machine gives me a fifty euro note and asks if I want a receipt. I press yes. The receipt shows the amount in euros and the equivalent in pounds. I put everything in my wallet. Now I have almost four hundred euros. That is more than enough for the rest of my trip. I need some smaller notes though. The fifty euro note is too big for small purchases. I will ask for change at the post office.

I walk further along the main street to the post office. I can see the big church that the receptionist mentioned, and the post office is right opposite it, just as she said. It is a yellow building with a sign showing a letter and a stamp. I go inside. The post office is busier than the bank. There are about ten people in the queue. I take a number and wait. While I am waiting, I look at the postcards I bought yesterday at the market. I have five postcards with beautiful pictures of the city. I want to send them to my mother, my father, my sister, my best friend, and my colleague at work. I have already written messages on all of them. I just need stamps. When my number is called, I go to the counter.

The woman at the counter says, "Good morning. How can I help you?" I say, "Good morning. I would like to send these five postcards to England, please. How much is the postage?" She takes the postcards and weighs one of them. She says, "Postcards to England are one euro twenty each. So for five postcards, that is six euros." I say, "That is fine. I will take five stamps, please." She gives me five stamps with a picture of a famous building on them. I stick the stamps on my postcards carefully. She says, "Would you like to post them here?" I say, "Yes, please. Where do I put them?" She points to a red box on the wall and says, "Just put them in there. They should arrive in England in about five to seven days." I put all five postcards in the box.

I say, "Thank you. I have one more question. Do you have change for a fifty euro note? I need smaller bills for shopping." She says, "Of course. How would you like it?" I say, "Can I have two twenty euro notes and one ten euro note, please?" She takes my fifty and gives me the smaller notes. I say, "Perfect. Thank you very much." She says, "Is there anything else?" I say, "Actually, yes. I would like to send a small package to England too. It is a gift for my friend. How much does it cost to send a small package?" She says, "It depends on the weight. Do you have the package with you?" I say, "No, not today. I will come back tomorrow with it." She says, "That is fine. We are open from eight thirty to five thirty, Monday to Friday, and nine to one on Saturday."

I leave the post office feeling accomplished. I have exchanged my money, sent my postcards, and I know where to come back tomorrow to send my friend's gift. It is now half past ten in the morning. I am a little thirsty after all that walking. I see a small café across the street from the church. It has tables outside in the sunshine. I go in and say, "A coffee and a glass of water, please." The waiter says, "Of course. Would you like to sit inside or outside?" I say, "Outside, please. It is such a beautiful day." He brings my coffee and water to a table in the sun. The coffee costs two euros fifty. I pay with a five euro note and tell him to keep the change. He says, "Thank you very much! Enjoy your coffee." I sit and watch the people passing by.

I drink my coffee slowly and enjoy the warm sunshine on my face. I can see the church across the street. It is very old and beautiful with a tall tower and coloured glass windows. People are going in and out. I think about my postcards travelling across Europe to England. My mother will be happy to receive one. I wrote to her, "Dear Mum, I am having a wonderful time. The city is beautiful and the people are very friendly. The food is delicious. I miss you. See you next week. Love, Sophie." I finish my coffee and stand up. It is time to go back to the hotel. I have had a productive morning. I have money, my postcards are on their way, and I know where the post office is for tomorrow. I walk back to the hotel feeling happy and organised. What a good day!