What The World Costs-Brazil

free: Musea do Inconfidencia during museum week
1 real (50cents): one clove
2 reals ($1): churasco on the beach (grilled meat on a stick)
2.5 reals ($1.25): cafe carioca
2.80 reals ($1.40): Rio bus ride
3 reals ($1.50): can of guarana soda; churrasco (grilled meat on a stick) in Sao Paulo; Sao Paulo metro ride
3.5 reals ($1.75): coxinha at a cafe; 1 kilo of laundry
4 reals ($2) : can of Brahma beer at Sao Paulo cafe; fried pastel de palmito; stupidity tax for a bus ticket return
5 reals ($2.50): caprinha on the beach in Natal
6 reals ($3): cover charge for a beach umbrella
7 reals ($3.5): gelato popsicle
7.5 reals ($3.75): liter of Skol beer on the beach
8 reals ($4): getting jeans washed in a posh laundry place (had to be done)
9 reals (148 New Taiwanese Dollars): authentic bubble tea (!) in Belo Horizonte
10 reals ($5): sim card for cell phone
14 reals ($7): contrafile (steak) with fries, rice and beans at local lonchette (lunchenette) in Sao Paulo
16 reals ($8): 1.5 hour bus from Belo Horizonte to Inhotim
20 reals ($10): entrance to Inhotim
25 reals ($12.50): 20 min cab ride through Brasilia
26 reals ($13): 2 hour bus from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto
32 reals ($16): cheap cotton sweatshirt
35 reals ($17.50): buffet per person at Mormaii in Brasilia
43 reals ($21.50): one night at Walk on the Beach Hostel, breakfast included
50 reals ($25): all you can eat meat rodizio at Potencia do Sul
76 reals ($38): 6 hour bus from Rio to Sao Paulo
77 reals ($38.50): 7 hour bus from Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro
91 reals ($45.50): 8 hours bus from Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte
240 reals ($120): 1 night at hotel in Porto Alegre
350 reals ($175): 1 night at hotel in Sao Paulo

What the World Costs- Holland

priceless: all the things in Amsterdam with a price.
.40 euro (54cents): a squirt of satay peanut sauce or a squirt of curry ketchup
1eu ($1.33): a side of chili sauce
2eu ($2.66): live sex peep show (said the neon sign); espresso

2.25eu ($2.99): kaffie verkeerd (café latte)
2.40eu ($3.21): small extra cold Heineken at Holland Casino

2.80 eu ($3.72): small Heineken; pickled herring sandwich; a ride on the tram

2.90 eu ($3.86): small frittes with curry ketchup & peanut sauce

3 eu ($4): glass of gluwein (hot spiced wine)
3.90eu ($5.22): train from Amsterdam to Schipol Airport
4eu ($5.35) pint of beer at a bar in the red light district
5eu ($6.69) entrance to Holland Casino (I was not pleased with an entrance fee at a casino)
7.40eu ($9.90): apple pancakes

7.50eu ($9.98): student entrance to Maritime Museum

10 eu ($13.30): entrance to Konnijks Palace; entrance to Medag Panorama in The Hague
10.60eu: Train from Amsterdam to The Hague

13.70eu ($18.22): 40 min train from Utrecht to Eindhoven

15 eu ($19.95): entrance to Van Gogh Museum at Hermitage; entrance to the rijksmuseum

18 eu ($23.94): hostel in Utrecht

18.40EU ($24.47) 1.5hr train from Eindhoven to Amsterdam
19 eu ($25.27): bife de lomo and fries at an Argentine steak house

40 eu ($53.20): single room w/o shower in Amsterdam

50 eu ($66.50): single room w/ shower in Amsterdam

54eu ($72.24): off peak hotel rate at the Quinten Hotel
66.50eu ($88.96): weekend hotel rate at the Quinten Hotel

654.16eu ($884): RT flight to Amsterdam including 10 percent discount

What the World Costs- New York City

free: paan, for my enthusiasm; internet cafe at the Apple Store
$.50 (4,500 Indonesian rupaih) : loosey
$1.00 (33 New Taiwanese Dollars): small cup of coffee around the city; a slice of NY-style cheese pizza
$1.25 (10 Guatemalan quetzal): Barley-eye drink with honey
$1.50 (15 Mexican pesos): ginger beer at Carib grocery store
$2 (9 Peruvian soles): Chinese noodle soup with sour vegetables; sweet paan; egg and cheese on a roll
$2.10 (250 Japanese yen): veggie patty
$2.50 (14 Egyptian pounds) : one ride on the subway; falafel from the famous Mamoun's
$3 (16 shekels): bubble tea in Chinatown; a bowl of borscht at Krolewkie Jadlo in Green Point
$3.50 (2.5 Jordanian dinars): Onion rings on the Coney Island boardwalk
$4 (245 Pakistani rupees): Happy Hour beer at the Bearded Lady; a knish at Paul's daughter in Coney Island
$5 (20 UAE Dirham) : Student ticket for Asia Society Museum; pair of sunglasses
$6 (270 Indian rupees) : a plate of fried spinach & mushroom and potato &a cheese pierogies at Krolewkie Jadlo
$6.50 (60,000 Lao kip): 500ml Heineken in Central Park
$8 (98,000 Vietnamese dong): Curry Vegetables and rice and peas
$10 (12,500 Iraqi Dinar): Student ticket for the Frick Museum
$12.50: pack of cigarettes (not that I am buying, just noticing the astronomical price)
$16 (26 Turkish Lira): ricotta fritters, oven-baked eggs w/ polenta, ricotta and tomato & bottomless bloody marys at Giovanni's
$17 (55 Malaysian Ringit): One-way Bolt bus from New York to DC's Union Station
$19 (800 Philippine Pesos): 20 minute taxi from Williamsburg to Prospect Heights, including tip; ticket to Mets game
$22 (12,000 Chilean pesos): Chinese foot massage
$27.50 (20,000 Jamaican Dollars): One-way tripper bus from Bethesda to New York
$1,080 (17,820,000 Vietnamese Dong): one month sublet for one bedroom apt in Prospect Heights
$1,100 (A gazillion Zimbabewean Dollars): one month sublet for a room in a 3 bedroom apt in Park Slope

What the World Costs- Kurdistan

250 dinar (20cents): cup of sweet black tea; bottle of water; public bus in Suli
500 dinar (40cents): bottle of carrot-orange juice; piece of baklava
750 dinar (60cents): falafel in Erbil
1,000 dinar (80cents): shwarma in a triangle pita; kebab on the street; 500ml can of Tuborg beer
1,500 dinar ($1.20): street kebab in Erbil
2,000 dinar ($1.60): large fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juice; 15 minute cab ride in Duhok
3,000 dinar ($2.40): 15 minute taxi in Erbil; 330ml bottle of arak; 250ml bottle of Johnny Walker Bl Label
5,000 dinar ($4): 500 ml beer at Sun Palace restaurant; headphones
6,000 dinar ($5.20): stupidity tax for round trip taxi from Univ of Duhok to hotel for a forgotten office key
6,750 dinar ($5.40): two-piece chicken dinner at Texas Chicken
8,000 dinar ($6.40): veggie pizza at King Foods; shave and a haircut
9,000 dinar: ($7.20): Turkish veggie pide in Ein Kawa
12,500 dinar ($10): laundry at the Hallal Hotel
15,000 dinar ($12): stupidity tax for taxi delivery of  my Kurdistan ID card from Suli to Erbil
20,000 dinar ($16): 1 kilo of baklava for the pesh mergas guarding our convoy to Kirkuk
22,000 dinar ($17.60): a kilo of fish, charcoal broiled at "The Fish Restaurant"
40,000 dinar ($32): nice shoes in the bazaar
55,000 dinar ($44): dinner for 4 at the Sultan Restaurant in Erbil
64,000 dinar ($51.20): 1 night stay at Mondeal Hotel in Erbil w/ breakfast included
75,000 dinar: ($60) 1 night stay at Alborz Hotel in Suli w/ breakfast included
87,500 dinar ($70) 1 night stay at Hakar Hotel w/ breakfast included
159,900 dinar ($130): 1 night suite at Amenuel Hotel as per my commitment to media and public diplomacy
28,000,000 dinar ($22,400): bag money from the ministry

What the World Costs- Turkey

.5 lira (27cents): 330 ml bottle of water
1 lira (56cents): cup of fresh squeezed oj
1.5 lira (83 cents): cup of fresh pressed carrot juice; cup of ayran (yogurt milk); piece of chocolate baklava
2.50 lira ($1.39): pair of boxers
3 lira ($1.67): cup of nescafe; 20 min ferry from Eminonunu to Uskudar (from Europe to Asia)
3.85 lira ($2.14): 500ml can of Efes from a corner store
4 lira ($2.22): cup of Turkish coffee
5 lira ($2.78): fish sandwich on the quay; 4 piece variety of baklava
5.5 lira ($3.06): french fry and cheese sandwich
6 lira ($3.33): homemade lunch of sauteed tomato stringbeans, rice, bread and yogurt soup at hostel
7 lira: ($3.89) potato kumpir (baked potato with all the trimmings)
8 lira ($4.44): student ticket to Istanbul Modern
10 lira ($5.56): entrance to the Byzantine Cistern; entrance to Istanbul Archaeological Museum
11 lira: ($6.12) efes dark at Aenoman Galata terrace restaurant
12 lira ($6.68): lamb and tomato kebabs at terrace restaurant
15 lira ($7.24): full mezze; melon nargile; leather wallet
34 lira ($18.89): 1 night at the World House Hostel for an 8-person dorm, breakfast included
60 lira ($33.33): hamam with massage
158 lira ($87.78): 1 night for a suite at St. Sofia hotel, breakfast and airport transport included
2,340 lira ($1,300): compensation for being involuntarily bumped

What the World Costs- India (II)

free: Jaipur Literary Festival; executive suite at the Eddessery Mansion (Venkat's Clubhouse special)
1 rupee ($.02): student ticket for Indian National Museum; centerfresh gum
2 rupees ($.04): paan
3 rupees ($.07): Times of India newspaper
4 rupees ($.09): small cup of chai; 20 minute commuter train in Chennai
5 rupees ($.11) : delhi bus; jolibi in Paharganj; piece of barfi
8 rupees ($.18): tobacco paan; djarum clove
9 rupees ($.20): 30 min bus from Ajmer to Pushkar
10 rupees ($.22): kachori (lentils and potato stew and fry bread); red onion-omelette on the street corner; chili pakora; one-egg omelette with red onions and chili on toast
10.8 rupees ($.22): Delhi metro- Chhartrapur to Hauz Kauz
12 rupees ($.27): deep-fried bread with chilies and veg stew
13 rupees ($.29): glass bottle of limca or thumsup
15 rupees ($.33): 1l bottle of water; sweet paan; coke in a glass bottle; glass of fresh squeezed oj
20 rupees ($.45): can of thums up; aloo tikki; streetside straight-razor shave; kulfi ice cream
25 rupees ($.56): 604bus from Vasant Kunj to downtown Delhi; butter omelette
26.60 rupees ($.59): 30ml glass of Black Night whiskey in Paharganj
30 rupees ($.67): Veg Surprise at McDonalds
33 rupees: ($.74) small fries at McDonalds
40 rupees ($.89): egg curry, dhal, rice and two chappatis on the train
41 rupees ($.92): baksheesh to get into Beatles Ashram
50 rupees ($1.12): winter hat; 20 minute rickshaw from Jaipur lit fest to bus station
60 rupees ($1.34): the best falafel sandwich in India, found in Pushkar
67 rupees ($1.50): general class unreserved train ticket from Hardiwar to Delhi (7.5 hrs)
70 rupees ($1.56): veg thali in Rishikesh
72 rupees ($1.61): pint of Kingfisher in Paharganj
75 rupees ($1.67): poster from Indian National Museum of Modern Art
88 rupees ($1.97): 2 hr bus from Jaipur to Ajmer
100 rupees ($2.23): 1.5 hour beginners yoga class at Sri Swaninarayan ashram in Rishikesh; entrance into Purana Qila; 650ml bottle of Black Label beer in Paharganj
120 rupees ($2.68): 500ml can of Kingfisher in "dry" Pushkar ("apple juice" on the bill)
150 rupees ($3.35): sweater; 1 night stay at Shiva Cottage in Rishikesh (w/bathroom), Mahesh Guesthouse in Pushkar
168 rupees ($3.75): public bus from Delhi to Rishikesh (7.5hrs)
175 rupees ($3.91): Indian whiskey on the rocks at Cafe Oz
200 rupees ($4.47) one night stay in dorm in Jaipur; lens cap for my camera; 1 night stay at Bhanderi Swiss Cottage in Rishikesh (w/bathroom)
255 rupees: 7hr non A/C bus from Jaipur to Delhi
260 rupees ($5.69): 10 hr non A/C bus from Ajmer to Delhi
400 rupees ($8.93): single room w/ shower and mini tv in Jaipur
425 rupees ($9.49): 7 hr A/C bus from Delhi to Jaipur
528 rupees ($11.79): 36hr train (2nd class sleeper) from Delhi to Chennai (2,100km)
595 rupees ($13.29): pitcher of Kingfisher (5 glasses) at Cafe Oz
600 rupees ($13.40): non AC taxi to Cochin Airport (1hr)
1,114 rupees ($24.77): change fee for switching an IndiGo flight
2,995 rupees ($67.03): Nehru Suit
5,084 rupees ($113.53): 3hr IndiGo flight from Cochin to Delhi (half the flight price was just taxes added on)
8,348 rupees ($186.42): AirAsia Flight from New Delhi to Kuala Lumpur

What the World Costs- Thailand (II)

free: the Thai National Museum (not sure why for the day I visited)
1 baht ($.03): per minute charge for internet
5 baht ($.17): cheap bottle of water
6 baht ($.20): red bean-filled bread bun
7 baht ($.23): bus ticket for non aircon bus in Bangkok
10 baht ($.33): a veggie springroll on the street; thai coffee on the street of Ayutthaya; bottle of Red Bull
14 baht ($.46): aircon bus in Bangkok
15 baht ($.50): nescafe at hostel in Bangkok
20 baht ($.66): iced thai coffee in a bag in Bangkok; bottle of coca cola; papaya salad in Ayuthaya; ride on the BTS Sky Train in Bangkok
25 baht ($.83): pad thai with egg on Khosan Road; can of archa beer at 7/11
30 baht ($1): green chicken curry and eggplant with rice off Khosan road; 3-fruit shake in Koh Phangan
39 baht ($1.29): 500ml Chang Beer at 7/11
40 baht ($1.32): thai coffee at Sea Sun Resort
45 baht ($1.49): 650ml bottle of Leo Beer in Ayutthaya
50 baht ($1.65): 2 hr bus from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
70 baht ($2.31): 600ml beer at a bar on Khosan road
100 baht ($3.30): Full Moon Party entrance in Koh Phangan; 30min foot massage on Khosan Road
130 baht ($4.29): minibus to BKK airport
150 baht ($4.95): room for one in Ayutthaya w/o hot water
160 baht ($5.28): room for one at guest house off Khosan Road w/ hot showers; 1 hr thai massage
320 baht ($10.56): 3hr ferry from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani
400 baht ($13.20): room for 3 at Sunsea Resort in Koh Phangan
488 baht ($16.11): night bus from Surat Thani to Bangkok
500 baht ($16.50): minivan and ferry from Hat Yai to Koh Phangan
3,617 baht ($119.37): Indian visa in Bangkok
4,981 baht ($164.41): Flight from Bangkok to New Delhi, India

What the World Costs- Malaysia

Free: Merdeka (independence) museum in Melaka; National Art Gallery in KL; Batu Caves in KL
20 sen ($.06): paan
60 sen ($.19): chocolate cream roti
1 ringgit ($.32): coffee with condensed milk in Melaka; 2 pieces of kaya toast; 5 limes in the market; pineapple with chili
1.20 ringgit ($.39): dosa in KL; sugarcane juice in Melaka
1.50 ringgit ($.49): melaka local bus; KL local bus
1.60 ringgit ($.52): KL monorail
2 ringgit ($.65): KL shuttle bus; 2 roti canai with dhal; white coffee
2.50 ringgit ($.81): cendol; bus to Batu caves, 13 km outside KL
3 ringgit ($.97): nonya laksa curry noodle soup in Melaka; entrance to Maritime Museum in Melaka; rent-a-speedo
3.50 ringgit ($1.13): veg thali in Melaka; peking duck with rice
3.90 ringgit ($1.26): adapter plug
4 ringgit ($1.29): Bobanonya curry chicken rice; curry laksa (noodle soup); 45minute bus from Putrajaya to KL
4.50 ringgit ($1,46): halal chicken sausage McMuffin and coffee
4.60 ringgit ($1.49): roasted chicken and chicken rice balls
5 ringgit ($1.62): 5 museum pass in Melaka
6 ringgit ($1.94): flipflops; chicken shwarma
8 ringgit ($2.59): entrance to Bobanonya Heritage Museum in Melaka
9 ringgit ($2.91): movie ticket to see The Social Network; whole large white tuna in KL market
9.50 ringgit ($3.07): 20 minute highspeed rail from KL to Putrajaya
10 ringgit ($3.23): ticket to Petronas skybridge
12 ringgit ($3.88): Dorm at the Oasis Hostel in KL (w/ wifi and free coffee)
12.20 ringgit ($3.95): 2 hr bus from Melaka to KL
12.90 ringgit ($4.17): McProsperity burger, twisty fries and a coke at McDonalds
13 ringgit ($4.20): 640ml bottle of Skol Beer at 7-11; large Tiger Beer in Chinatown-KL; small beer at Reggae Bar
15 ringgit ($4.85): dungeon dorm in Melaka (w/ wifi)
16 ringgit ($5.17): single room in Melaka (bargained down from 20r)
18.90 ringgit ($6.11): liter of Myanmar beer (xmas special) in Melaka
20 ringgit ($6.47): A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway; dorm in Penang (w/ hot shower and bfast)
26 ringgit ($8.41): Moroccan lamb tagine in KL
30 ringgit ($9.70): 5 hour bus ride from KL to Penang; stupidity tax for flicking a butt in KL
35 ringgit ($11.32): 5 hour bus ride from Cameron to KL
38 ringgit ($12.29): entrance to KL Tower observation deck
40 ringgit ($12.93): 4 hour minibus from Penang to Cameron Highlands
45 ringgit ($14.55): night bus from KL to Hat Yai, Thailand
50 ringgit ($16.17): a liter jar of beer at the Reggae bar
55 ringgit ($17.78): double room with a/c in Penang

What the World Costs- Indonesia

500 rupiah ($.06): a single mentos candy; one piece of deep-fried tempe
1,000 rupiah ($.11): student ticket to Jakarta museum; ten minutes internet in Bali; a bag of tofu and chillies
1,500 rupiah ($.17): cup of green tea in Bandung
2,000 rupiah ($.22): cup of cafe bali on the street; slice of watermelon or papaya from street vendors
3,000 rupiah ($.33): 1.5 liters of water; transyogya bus service
3,500 rupiah ($.39): transjakarta bus service; elevator to the top of Manas tower
4,500 rupaih ($.50): deep-fried tofu; student ticket to the Indonesian National Museum
5,000 rupiah ($.56): nasi goreng (fried rice) in Jakarta; sweet rice breakfast in Ubud; 3in1 nescafe
6,000 rupiah ($.69): babak ayam (chicken soup) in Jakarta
7,000 rupiah ($.78): fresh-squeezed oj; mango smoothie
8,00 rupiah ($.89): a shave at a barber shop
9,000 rupiah ($1.00): udap udap (Balinese noodles); 1 hr train from Solo to Yogja
10,000 rupiah ($1.11): the best chicken soup with rice in Jakarta; entrance to Kebun Raya botanical garden
11,000 rupiah ($1.22): martabak in Yogya
12,000 rupiah ($1.33): chicken sate with thick peanut sauce and rice; stupidity tax for 2hr bus from Probolingo to Malang
15,000 rupiah ($1.67): mie goreng (fried noodles) in Kuta
16,400 rupiah ($1.83): 250ml bottle of listerine
17,000 rupiah ($1.89): fish in yellow curry, spinach and rice in Jakarta
20,000 rupiah ($2.23): matinée movie ticket; ticket to see monkey sanctuary in Ubud; 1 hr bemo (minibus) to Ubud
22,000 rupiah ($2.45): banana split in Jakarta
25,000 rupiah ($2.79): large bottle of Bintang beer in a corner store; arak and pineapple in Kuta (2 for 1 happy hour)
27,000 rupiah ($3.01): large bottle of Bintang beer in a restaurant
32,000 rupiah ($3.57): tenderloin steak, potato wedges and veggies for thanksgiving dinner
34,000 rupiah ($3.79): halal Big mac, fries and a coke
35,000 rupiah ($3.90): half a double room with breakfast in Yogya; dorm in Jakarta
40,000 rupiah ($4.46): per person for a double room at Nick's hostel in Jakarta; 3 hr bus Bogor to Bandung
50,000 rupiah ($5.57): 2 for 1 vodka tonics in Kuta; single room w/ bathroom and cold shower in Ubud
55,000 rupiah ($6.13): room with fan in Solo
60,000 rupiah ($6.69): single room in Jakarta, no bathroom
70,000 rupiah ($7.80): single room w/ bathroom in Kuta (Bali)
75,000 rupiah ($8.36): capirinhas at nice bar in Jakarta; room in Bogor, no bathroom
105,000 rupiah ($11.70): new copy of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving in Bandung
120,000 rupiah ($13.37): 12 hour bus from Denpasar to Probolingo
130,000 rupiah ($14.49): 10 hr "bisnis" train from Yogya to Jakarta
150,000 rupiah ($16.72): cup of kopi luwak (civet shit coffee); 16 hr bus Bandung to Surabaya; 12 hr bus Surabaya to Denpasar
230,000 rupiah ($25.63): 54 hr bus from Jakarta to Bukittinggi
270,000 rupiah ($30.09): fast ferry from Dumai to Malacca, Malaysia
373,000 rupiah ($41.57): flight from Medan to Penang, Malaysia (Aka possible stupidity tax)

What the World Costs- The Philippines

Free: National Art Museum, Philippines Nation Museum- during Museum month
2 pesos ($.05): one fried chicken nugget on the street
5 pesos ($.11): bathroom at D’mall in Boracay; mango on the street
7 pesos ($.16): jeepney ride in Iloilo, Bacalod; instant coffee (although cup, spoon and water doubles the price)
10 pesos ($.23): 200 ml bottle of water
15 pesos ($.34): grilled eggplant in back alley bbq in Manila
20 pesos ($.45): ferry terminal fee in San Carlos; tricycle in Romblon per person
22 pesos ($.50): bag of cinnamon sugar breadsticks in Bacalod
25 pesos ($.57): loaf of bread for shabbat
30 pesos ($.68): cockfight in Romblon; Red Horse beer in Romblon
34 pesos ($.77): San Miguel draft beer
35 pesos ($.80): whole grilled fish in back alley bbq in Manila
40 pesos ($.91): brewed coffee at Coffee Break in Iloilo (wifi included)
50 pesos ($1.14): expensive San Miguels in Boracay; ferry terminal fee in Boracay
53 pesos ($1.20): beef stew with potatoes and peas, with rice in Bacolod
60 pesos ($1.36): 3 whole uncooked fish at Romblon market
72 pesos ($1.64): bbq chicken, veggies, soup and rice
80 pesos ($1.82): 20 min taxi to bus station in Manila
90 pesos ($2.05): 1.5 hr jeepney from Odiongan to San Agustin; Gin Tonic in Boracay
98 pesos ($2.28): pancakes at Café de France in Cebu
100 pesos ($2.28): 1 night stay in Looc; pair of Foakleys in Boracay; 30 min massage
120 pesos ($2.73): cab from Noynoy airport to Manila (or 450p for “special taxi”)
140 pesos ($3.18): grilled tangui fish steak, rice and veggies at Republica in Romblon
160 pesos ($3.64): whole rotisserie chicken
166 pesos ($3.77): 2 hr bus from Manila to Batangas
170 pesos ($3.86): ferry from San Carlos to Cebu
200 pesos ($4.55): Single room in Odiongan sans bathroom
250 pesos ($5.68): ferry from Looc to Caticlan (the Minnow special)
275 pesos ($6.25): bamboo bungalow dorm at Nuts Huts in Bohol
290 pesos ($6.59): 3 hr bus from Bacolod to San Carlos (w/AC)
300 pesos ($6.82): dorm suite at Tree House in Boracay
303 pesos ($6.89): 5 hr bus from Caticlan to Iloilo (w/ AC and a slew of Pacino movies)
320 pesos ($7.27): Single room in Iloilo w/ toilet & cold shower, plus bfast; dorm in Cebu
350 pesos ($7.95): dorm in Manila Bay Hostel
440 pesos ($10): stupidity tax for missing ferry to Manila
400 pesos ($9.09): 2hr fast ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaron; single room in Tagbilaron w/bfast
450 pesos ($10.23): 9hr ferry from Batangas to Odiongan
536 pesos ($12.18): 4 chx kebabs, tumeric rice, humus, pita, mango shake and beer at Terra in Iloilo (I splurged, it was Friday night. I still felt guilty)
1,036 pesos ($23.55): 22hr ferry from Cebu to Manila
1,100 pesos ($25): 1.5 hr flight from Cebu to Manila
4,092 pesos ($93): 2 hr flight from Taipei to Manila

What the World Costs- Taiwan

Free: one betel nut to try
8 New Taiwan Dollars: ($.24): ramen packet at 7-11 (surprisingly more expensive than US!)
10 NTD ($.30): grilled mushroom or tofu skewer on the street
15 NTF ($.45): gushan ferry to Cijin Island
16 NTD ($.48): metro ride on the MRT
18 NTD ($.55): bottle of water
20 NTD ($.61): ring of jasmine flowers
25 NTD ($.76): can of Mr. Brown's iced coffee; oodles of noodles
30 NTD ($.91): pearl milk (boba) tea
35 NTD ($1.06): medium Cafe Americano at 7-11; 1.5 kilos of rice
40 NTD ($1.21): order of stinky tofu; sea salt iced latte
45 NTD ($1.36): Noodle soup at a roadside noodle stand
46 NTD ($1.39): 500ml can of Taiwan Gold Medal beer
49 NTD ($1.48): 600ml bottle of Taiwan beer
50 NTD ($1.52): drycleaning for 1 dress shirt (gee, I pay that in the US)
70 NTD ($2.12): starting price for a cab
75 NTD ($2.27): medium Cafe Americano at Starbucks
80 NTD ($2.42): student entrance into the National Palace Museum
85 NTD ($2.58): 6 inch turkey sub at Subway; bowl of beef noodle soup
90 NTD ($2.73): bus from airport to Taipei
100 NTD ($3.03): bag of coffee; cake set at 85 sky tower
110 NTD ($3.33): Big Mac extra value meal at McDonalds (I couldn't eat any more noodles)
150 NTD ($4.55) pint of Warsteiner beer at Taipei Artists Village
180 NTD ($5.45): student ticket to Taipei Museum of Fine Arts; chicken burrito at Pancho's
200 NTD ($6.06): large Carlsburg at Tavern Premiere
280 NTD ($8.48): regular priced movie ticket for Prince of Persia (awful!)
315 NTD ($9.55): one night at Camels Island hostel
350 NTD ($10.61): shoe recobbling
400 NTD ($12.12): ride to the top of Taipei 101, the second-tallest building in the world
465 NTD ($14.09): whole fresh fish, bbq'ed in Cijin
500 NTD ($15.15): one month of Wifi around the city
885 NTD ($26.81): one night in studio apt in Kaohsiung 202 hostel
1,265 NTD ($38.33): Taipei to Zuoying (Kaohsiung) bullet train
6,400 NTD ($193.94): Beginners Mandarin, two days a week for 2 hrs.
7,500 NTD ($227.27): monthly rent for one room in a Taipei apartment
40,491 NTD (1,227): roundtrip, open-ended flight to Taiwan

What the World Costs- Panama

Poor Panama, I almost forgot you. Like El Salvador, Panama is on the dollar. Unlike El Salvador, Panama maintains its own coins, the "balboa."

The balboa is the same size and shape as quarters, nickels and dimes, but with a conquistador rather than American prez. They are worth the same in coinage as American centavos.


20 balboas: cup of coffee on the street with sweet milk
25 balboas: bus ride in town
30 balboas: cup of pineapple juice and pineapple chunks
35 balboas: cup of coconut milk and meat
40 balboas: 30 minutes of internet
70 balboas: empanada de polla at panama canal
80 balboas: 1 liter of beer at local shop
$1: stamp at the border
$1.60: eggs, bread, rice and beans and coffee
$2: corvina sandwich and fries
$2.25: fancy cappuccino at artsy cafe in Casco Viejo
$3: student entry to Panama Canal; mojito sunsetter
$4: shave and a haircut...2 bits
$5: regular entry to Panama Canal; tourist card to visit Panama
$6: fine Panamanian cigar
$8: cab to Miraflores lock from Casco Viejo
$12.60: 5 hr bus from David to Panama City
$12.80: 1 night in Luna's Castle hostel dorm
$16: 1 night in an apartment in Casco Viejo
$17: Mero a la brasa en salsa romesco (grilled grouper) at swanky S'cena for a Hemingway lunch
$18: Panama hat as gift from Lina Fina
$24: Hostel room for two with A/C
$25: cab to the airport

What the World Costs- El Salvador

This one almost feel like cheating.  I debated converting it to pesos, limps and other assorted currencies, but thought otherwise.  My enduring thought while spending money in El Salvador was that this must have been what it was like buying stuff maybe in the 1960s or 1970s.  Oh, the value of a "cora" (a quarter).

15c: 500 ml bag of water; cup of coffee
20 c: bus ride in San Salvador, Santa Ana
25c: pickup truck ride to Perquin
30c: pupusas on the street
43c: 1.5 hour bus to Lago Chapeque
50c: fried plantains; jugo de pina
60c: 1.25 hour bus from San Salv to Libertad
80c: giant creme filled donut at Mister Donut
$1: pilsener beer; necklace at the beach; huge stein of coffee at El Trunco
$1.20: breakfast completo with eggs, tortillas, frijoles and plaintains
$1.25 1.5 hr bus from Santa Ana to San Salvador
$1.50: expensive beer on the lake
$2.25: bagel with cream cheese for my bday
$3: huevos rancheros El Trunco with frijoles, plaintains and white cheese; 3 hour bus from San Salv to San Miguel
$4: red puma hat
$5: Big burger and fries on the Lake
$6: per person for 4 bed room at Hotel libertad in Santa Ana
$7: dorm in Ximena (San Salv), dorm at Papaya Lodge (El Trunco); whole fried fish
$9: per person for 2 bed room at Hotel Libertad in Santa Ana
$10: surfing lessons; surf board rental

What the World Costs- Guatemala

1 quetzal (12.5c): cup of coffee on the street; school bus ride in Guate City
2.5 quetzal (31c): stick bought to hike up Pacaya volcano
3 quetzal (37.5c): a bunch of baby bananas
4 quetzal (50c): bottle of water; bottle of Spur cola in Guate City
5 quetzal (62.5c): greatest fried chicken drumstick ever in Coban
6 quetzal (75c): 1 hour internet in Antigua
8 quetzal ($1): 1 hour fast internet in Coban; chicken bus ride from Antigua to Guate City
10 quetzal ($1.25): tuktuk ride from Flores to St. Elena; can of gallo
12 quetzal ($1.50): bottle of Moza black beer- only good grog in Guate
15 quetzal ($1.87): a used copy of "Lincoln" by Gore Vidal
16 quetzal ($2): charon`s ferry to cross the watery Mexican-Guatemalan border
20 quetzal ($2.50): 2 hour stuffed full combi ride from St. Elena to Sayaxche
22 quetzal ($2.75): plate of carne guisada, frijoles & platanos- Comedor Santa Rita
25 quetzal ($3.12): 2.5 hour stuffed combi ride from Sayaxche to Ruxruja
30 quetzal (3.75): 1 night at Doña Goya hostel in Flores; shave from the Barberess of Antigua
35 quetzal ($4.37): 1 night hostel in Lanquin
39 quetzal ($3.87) 2 piece combo meal at Pollo Campero
40 quetal ($5): baksheesh paid to Guatemalan border official to let me in
45 quetzal ($5.62): 1 night at Casa Amarilla in Antigua, breakfast included; 5 hr bus from Coban to Guate City
50 quetzal ($6.25): ride and guided tour of Pacaya volcano; 1 night in Purgatory in Guate City
55 quetzal ($6.87): all you can eat buffet in El Retiro Hostal in Lanquin
60 quetzal ($7.50): round trip ride to Tikal from Flores
80 quetzal ($10): Bolivar cigar
120 quetzal ($15): bus from Guate to El Salvador
150 quetzal ($18.75) entrance to Tikal; xmas day taxi "special"

What the World Costs- Mexico I & II

gratis: Museo Incografico de Don Quixote (with student card);Harry being hit on by a 50-year old gay Mexican
2 pesos ($.15): D.F. metro pass
4.5 pesos ($.35): Monterrey metro pass; bus to Guadalupe from Zacatecas
5 pesos($.38): chunk of dulce de batata
7 pesos ($.54): small glass of horchata; 1 hour internet at cyber cafe
9 pesos ($.69): one gordita; a bottle of Sol cerveza
10 pesos($.77): glass bottle of coke; entrance to Casa de Diego Rivera
12 pesos ($.92): four tacos on the street
15 pesos($1.15): student entrance to Museo Rafael Coronel
20 pesos($1.54): entrance to Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
22 pesos($1.69): 1.2L Cevesa Indio
23 pesos($1.77): bowl of birria (goat soup)
25 pesos($1.92): ticket for cable car ride in Zacatecas
30 pesos($2.31): student entrance at MARCO in Monterrey, which by not wearing I was hounded by security
31 pesos($2.38): rickety hour bus ride to Teotihucan
35 pesos($2.69): four huge pastries and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice
40 pesos($3.07): cancion at Plaza Garibaldi; lucha libre ticket
45 pesos($3.46): student entrance to Museo de Mummias in Guanajuato
48 pesos($3.69): entrance to Museo Nacional de Antroplogio
50 pesos($3.85): entrance to lookout at the Torre Latinoamerica
53 pesos($4.08): Partagas cuban cigar
90 pesos($6.92): hostel bed in Zacatecas
100 pesos($7.70): hostel bed at hippy haven in Guanajuato
140 pesos($10.77): hostel bed in Mexico City; cubierto (ice bucket) of seven cervesas in Zona Rosa- D.F. luxury area
180 pesos($13.85): Fine Bolivar and Sancho Panza cigars, enjoyed on the roof in Guanajuato (finest I`ve ever had)
197 pesos($15.15): 8 hr bus from Zaca to Mexico City
269 pesos($20.69): 11 hr bus from Nuevo Laredo to Zacatecas
273 pesos($21): worst, most overprice meal in Mexico (Damn Yuppies!)
302 pesos($23.23): 11 hour bus from Guanajuato to Monterrey
310 pesos($23.08): breakfast for two at posh Sanborns
455 pesos ($35): 6 hr greyhound bus from Houston to the border
610 pesos ($46.92): lavish last supper at El Rey de Cabrito, the king of baby goats in Monterrey

Free: Student Entrance to Chapultapec Castle, ditto for Museo Rufino Tamayo
2 pesos($.15): DF Metro
5 pesos ($.38): Macrobus ride in Guadalajara; Metro ride in Guadalajara
6 pesos($.45): taco de cabeza de res in Guadalajara
8 pesos ($.60): tamale in D.F., cup of atole or leche con arroz
9.5 ($.79) pesos: bumpy bus to from Guad city center to central bus station
15 pesos($1.15): 1 hour internet connection at a place faster than my connection at home
20 pesos($1.54): a saucer of the greatest hot chocolate ever plus pan de yema at Comedor Maria Teresa in Oaxaca
25 pesos: huevos rancheros in D.F.
30 pesos($2.31): entrance Museo Robert Brady
35 pesos($2.69): student entrance at Hospicio Cabañas
40 pesos($3.07): enamoladas de polla smothered in mole coloradito at Comedor Maria Teresa in Oaxaca; roundtrip ticket to Monte Alban
51 pesos ($3.92): entrance to Monte Alban
70 pesos ($5.60): one night in Mi Casa in San Cristobal
75 pesos ($6): bus ticket D.F. to Cuernavaca (1 hr)
80 pesos ($6.40): new cap for my camera
84 pesos ($6.72): cloroquin malaria meds (damn prescriptions are cheap in Mex!)
100 pesos ($8): new shades
120 pesos($9.60): one night at La Casa de Don Pablo in Oaxaca
145 pesos($12.60): student price one night in Hostel Guadalajara Centro; Hostel Mexico City
146 pesos($12.67): bus ticket San Cristobal to Palenque (5 hrs)
299 pesos($23.92): a spiffy new pair of Nitros
360 pesos ($28.80): impuesto boludo (stupity tax) for forgetting my camera charger
410 pesos ($32.80): bus ticket Guadalajara to D.F. (9hrs)
428 pesos ($34.24): bus ticket Oaxaca to San Cristobal (11 hrs)
577 pesos ($46.16); bus ticket Cuernavaca to Oaxaca (7 hrs)
600 pesos ($48): bus ticket Mexicali to Guaymas (18 hours)
785 pesos($62.80): bus ticket Guaymas to Guadalajara (22hrs)

What the World Costs- Japan

80 yen($.85): vending machine coffee
100 yen ($1.06): 180ml of sake in a juice box; onigiri rice ball at 7-11
105 yen ($1.12): 1 piece of salmon sashimi from conveyor in Kyoto
110 yen ($1.17): cold boss coffee in a can; cold cinnamon cappuccino in a can
120　yen ($1.28): sangubayshi to shinjuku station on Odayku commuter train
158 yen ($1.68): 200 ml of sake in a glass tennis cannister
160 yen ($1.70): tamago on conveyor belt sushi
190 yen ($2.02): Shinjuku to Shinagawa sardine train on JR Tamanote line
200 yen ($2.13): bowl of fat udon noodles at Hakodate University cafeteria
210 yen ($2.24): 220 mL Asahi beer from vending machine
220 yen ($2.35): piece salmon sushi from sushi conveyor in Tokyo; bus ticket in Kyoto
250 yen ($2.63): 2 stop metro ride
270 yen ($2.87): chestnut icecream; 220ml can of Asahi beer at 7-11
400 yen ($4.26): red bean paste crepe in harajuku; shinagawa to Keihan airport metro
420 yen ($4.47): 4 plates of keitan conveyor sushi in Kyoto
480 yen ($5.16): 4 piece german-style japanese kuchen cake (incredible!)
500 yen ($5.32): draft beer of Sapporo;　black and tan beer in Lost in Translation bar
550 yen ($5.85): glass of sho-chu on the rocks; black beer in Mt. Hakodate lounge overlooking the city
580 yen ($6.17): black and tan at lost in translation bar
600 yen ($6.38): entrance to Kyoto temple of 1,000 Buddhist statues
620 yen ($6.60): Tamago Double Mac, fries and a coke at McDonald`s
770 yen ($8.19): entrance to Kyoto observatory tower
880 yen ($9.36): roundtrip cable car up Mt. Hakodate (group price)
1,200 yen ($12.77): 1 hour at at anime cafe including cute rabit cake and surcharge for cutesy animaid blessing the food
2,500 yen ($26.60): all you can drink plus food in Ropongi; dorm bed in Kyoto Hostel
28,200 yen ($3,000): JASC Conference- Arigato Gozimashta to USC!

What the World Costs- Los Angeles

Free: Arman Hammer Museum (for students); USC Symphony (for students)
$.25: Dash bus downtown
$.85: glazed donut at Winchel's
$1.15: mochi in Little Tokyo
$1.25: One-way Metro ticket; Metro bus
$1.35: dry cleaning
$1.50: taco at taco van; diddy riese cookie sandwich
$2.00: Argentine empanada on Venice Beach; 2 samosas at the Indian-Mexican-American Deli; Korean tacos
$2.25: a double espresso over ice at Coffeebean
$4.95: medium Pinberry frozen yogurt with 3 toppings
$5: student entrance at the Griffith Park planetarium
$5.25: Dodger Dog at Chavez Ravine
$6.00: Fly-away LAX shuttle
$7.57: Kobe beef hot dog in Venice Beach
$8.00: Foakley sunglasses at Venice Beach
$8.15: chicken wings and waffle at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in Long Beach
$10: drink at the Standard Lounge
$11: student entrance to Museum of Tolerance
$18: greyhound bus to San Diego
$19: Kobe beef Sloppy Joe at Ketchup's on the Sunset Strip
$20: bike on Craig's list
$23.92: 3 month subscription to the LA Times
$43.50: round trip train to San Diego (with 15% coupon)
$92: 4 game student package to USC football
$125: Pub D 502 text book
$675: Rent for one bedroom in an old Victorian house near school
$15,000: tuition for one semester at USC

What the World Costs- Peru

20 centimos ($.07): bread
50 centimos ($.17): "tuna" (sabra-cactus fruit); almoliente elixor o'life; cachote (yam) and cheese sandwich
1 sol ($.35): bottle of inka kola or water
2 soles ($.70): mate de coca (tea)
2.5 soles ($.87): two course meal- soup & fish, rice and salad at hidden restaurant in Cusco
3 soles: ($1.04): entrance to San Francisco Monastery and crypt: 20 min Cusco taxi
4 soles ($1.39): entrance to cupola at church in Arequipa
5 soles ($1.74): 20 min taxi 2am taxi in Arequipa
8 soles ($2.78): iced cappuchino at Dunkin Donuts in Lima
10 soles ($3.48): hostels in Lima, Arequipa, Aguas Calientes (sans breakfast)
10.5 soles ($3.65): Norky's lunch special-1/4 polla a la braza w/salad, fries, coke, icecream and cake
12.5 soles ($4.35): half rent for a double in Cusco
13 soles ($4.52): single room w/ tv and bath in Cusco (Shhh...don't tell the neighbors, they paid 20s)
14 soles ($4.86): 3 hour shared van St.Teresa to Hidroelectrico
15 soles ($5.22): 1/2 cuy and potatoes
25 soles ($8.70): 6 hour shared van fr Cusco to St. Maria: 7 bus fr Tacna to Arequipa
30 soles ($10.46): 12 hour bus Arequipa to Cusco; entrance to nunnery
35 soles ($12.20): student tourist ticket Cusco
37 soles ($12.90): double room in Lima
60 soles ($20.92): student ticket to Machu Picchu-couldn't get :(
70 soles ($24.40): reg tourist ticket Cusco
89 soles ($31): 4 hr backpacker class train fr Aguas Calientes to Ollyantatambo
110 soles ($38.19): 18 hr (25 really) bus fr Cusco to Lima with "los professionales" who got stuck in the mud
120 soles ($40.84): reg ticket to Machu Picchu
864 soles ($300): my 1 way flight (Spirit Air) fr Lima to Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1008 soles ($350): Emiko's roundtrip flight (Spirit) Lima to Ft. Lauderdale
1296 soles ($450): Eva's 1 way flight (LAN) fr Lima to BsAs

What the World Costs- Chile

100 pesos ($.20): acensor Polonco (funicular) in Valparaiso
300 pesos ($.60): student entrance into Museo Bellas Artes (for a perpetual student)
380 pesos ($.78): bus or metro ticket in Santiago
400 pesos ($.80): Pap-papaya soda
600 pesos ($1.20): normal entrance into Museo Bellas Artes
650 pesos ($1.30): Empanada de pino (beef, onions and egg)
800 pesos ($1.80): miminmum to recharge your bip transport pass
980 pesos ($1.96): cappuchino at Marcopolo in Plaza de Armas in central Santiago
1000 pesos ($2): student entrance/spanish tour for La Cascona (Pablo Neruda´s house)
1200 ($2.20) pesos: BIP transport card for Santiago
2000 pesos ($4): shared taxi from Arica to the border and beyond to Peru
3000 pesos ($6): entrance to Museo Arte Precolumbino
3500 pesos ($7): gringo entrance and english tour for La Cascona
4500 pesos: ($9): Grand Gatsby buffet in Viña del Mar
5000 pesos: ($10): great sushi and a beer (cl) at Midori (half price mishpucha discount); hostal in Iquique with breakfast
7000 pesos ($14): 5 hour bus ride from Iquique to Arica
8800 pesos ($17.60): grilled fish and veggies and 2for1 beers in Iquique
32,000 pesos ($64): 25 hour bus from Santiago to Iquique

What the World Costs- Uruguay

14 Uruguayan pesos (64c): 500 ml of homemade red wine
20 pesos (91c): Donation entry to the Mueso Torres Garcia; a Pañarol team flag
25 pesos ($1.14): 6 museum entry pass in Colonia; banana split icecream cone; burger
35 pesos ($1.59): pint of Patricia beer
40 pesos ($1.82): salmon and avacado pate tapas in Montevideo
55 pesos ($2.50): glass of red wine and cover charge for guitar show at El Drugstore
75 pesos ($3.41): chivita (steak sandwich) in Colonia
80 pesos ($3.64): grocery bill for shakshouka (Israeli egg dish) and beer
100 pesos ($4.55): general admission to Nacional vs. Pañarol futbol match
110 pesos ($5); Big Mac combo meal at Montevideo bus station
120 pesos ($5.45): admission to Montevideo night club with 3/4L beer, girls free
161 pesos ($7.32): 2.5 hr bus ticket from Montevideo to Colonia
170 pesos ($7.73): grilled fish with boiled potatoes, bread and white wine in Colonia
190 pesos ($8.64): hostel in Colonia
270 pesos ($12.27): hostel in Montevideo, breakfast included
484 pesos ($22.22): slow ferry from BA to Colonia- 3 hours
695 pesos ($31.59): fast ferry from Colonia to BA- 1 hour

What the World Costs- Argentina

Free: 60 hours a week of intermediate spanish class (donations accepted); Museo del Bellas Artes (always); MALBA (Modern Art Musuem-Wednesdays)
50 centavos (.16c) dulce de leche-filled pastry at the Malvinas bakery on my corner
70 centavos (.22c) subte/metro ticket-all stops for one price
80 centavos (.25c) bus ticket
1 peso (.32c) alfajores (chocolate-covered sponge cookie) at the local store
1.2 (.38c) train ticket to La Plata (1 hour)
1.35 pesos (.43c) bus ticket from airport to Buenos Aires proper (90minutes)
1.5 pesos (.48c) 1 hour internet at cafe
1.75 pesos (.56c) superpancho (hotdog) at the 24hr fastfood joint on my other corner; glass bottle of pomelo soda; steak at the corner markert
1.8 pesos (.57c) an empanada
2 pesos (.63c) sandwich de miga; bottle of coke; 3 apples
3 pesos (.95c) McFiesta hamburger at McDonalds, or at the 24hr corner place
3.5 pesos ($1.11) 1 liter bottle of cheap wine at the market; 1/2 liter at restaurant
4.5 pesos ($1.43) spanish tortilla at a little local restaurant
5 pesos ($1.59) a pint of Quilmes during Happy Hour at the Alamo
6 pesos ($1.90) espresso with condensed milk at Havana coffee shop
7 pesos ($2.22) good bottle of Malbec wine; espresso with dulce de leche
9 pesos: ($2.86) Cafe Irlandes- coffee with whiskey, cream and cinnamon
10 pesos ($3.17) ticket to Bollywood movie; ticket to public theater; maté gourd
12 pesos ($3.81) lunch of a milanesa sandwich and a glass of wine
13 pesos ($4.13) restaurante tenedor libre (buffet)
14 pesos ($4.44) cheapest ticket to a futbol match
15 pesos ($4.76) t-shirt; the Great Gatsby at an old bookstore
20 pesos ($6.35) sim chip for my phone; credit for the phone
29 pesos ($9.21) Tango City Hostel- 1 night, breakfast and dinner included
32 pesos ($10.16) Bife de Chorizo (good steak), frs and a beer in La Plata (tip incl)
50 pesos ($15.87) cellphone (second-hand)
61 pesos ($19.37) Bife de Lomo (really good steak), frs and 2 glasses of wine at swanky Buenos Aires Grill in BA (tip incl)
80 pesos ($25.34) 1 night at the Hotel Acurios in La Plata, brkfst included
600 pesos ($190.47) 1 month rent in BA
1890 pesos ($600) flight to Buenos Aires from Baltimore

What the World Costs- Jamaica

$50Jamaican Dollars (74 cents): bus fair
$55JD (81 cents): beef patty
$64JD (94 cents): bottle of juice (mango-carrot, pineapple-ginger, cherry, june plum)
$90JD ($1.32): Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee with condensed milk
$100JD ($1.47): flipflops aka "slippers"; one hour internet
$150JD ($2.21): sunglasses
$200JD ($2.94): side of the road jerk chicken; Devon stout I-Scream (ice cream)
$500JD ($7.35): tour of the Bob Marley Museum
$700JD ($10.29): steamed fish, festival (corn bread) and two red stripes on a pier
$775JD ($11.40): Oxtail and beans, and a rum-and-ginger beer at a posh restaurant
$1360JD ($20): room in dorm at Leighton Guesthouse
$1500JD ($22.06): taxi to the airport
$2000JD: ($29.41): cottage at Mikuzi guest house (cold shower, no ac, no tv)

What the World Costs- Egypt

50 piastres (9 cents) mug of subaya- cold almond juice
1 pound (18 cents) eggplant stew at neighboorhood restaurant
1.25 pounds (23 cents) foul and egg sandwich; falafel sandwich
1.5 pounds (27 cents) cup of turkish coffee at local coffee shop
2 pounds (36 cents) amazing rice pudding; Cairo metro ticket
5 pounds (91 cents) cup of turkish coffee by the sea in Dahab
10 pounds ($1.82) one night stay at Oasis Fighting Kangaroo
12 pounds ($2.18) Sakara beer from (Egyptian beer)
16 pounds ($2.91) 2nd class seat on a 4 hour train to Alexandria
20 pounds ($3.64) one night stay at Hotel Rashid in Alexandria
25 pounds ($4.55) student entrance at the Egyptian Museum (normally 50lbs)
28 pounds ($5.10) backsheesh for two to climb the minarets at Al-Azhar, one of the holiest mosques in the world of Islam
30 pounds ($5.45) entrance to jazz show at Rugby Club
33 pounds ($6) whole fried fresh fish, salads and bread (including tip)
40 pounds ($7.27) caramel cheesecake, brownie ala mode and cafe latte at Costa (the Arab world's Starbucks) in the City Star Mall
67 pounds ($12.19) 9hr bus from Dahab to Cairo
100 pounds ($18.18) overpriced 2.5hr taxi from the border to Dahab (I hate borders); taxi for 3 hour tour of Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis

What the World Costs- Jordan & Israel

Jordan
20 fills (28 cents) falafel on the street
25 fills (35 cents) cup of turkish coffee
40 fills (57 cents) public bus to Jerash
75 fills ($1) one hour at an internet cafe; shwarma
1 dinar ($1.43) entrance fee into Kerak's crusader ruins; strawberry banana cocktail in Madaba
1.5 dinars ($2) public bus to Kerak
2.5 dinars ($3.57) red Jordanian keffiya
4 dinars ($5.71) cab to the Jordan-Israel border, night stay at Farah Hotel
6 dinars ($8.38) burger, fries and a pepsi at Houston's in the Mecca Mall
10 dinars (~$15): Jordanian visa bought at the airport
15 dinars ($21.43) total cost of a pub crawl through Amman till the break o' dawn

Israel:
5 shekels ($1.12) hamza key chain in Jaffa market
12 shekels ($2.67) train from Tel Aviv to Kfar Saba; latte at Cafe Aroma
17 shekels (3.78) draft of Staropramen (czech beer) in Jeru
18 shekels ($4) 20 unit phone card
20 shekels ($4.45) sherut from Jeru to TA
23 shekels ($5.11) grand marnier and butter cream waffle at Babette's in Kikar Zion
27 shekels ($6) glass of merlot on TA beach (cold red wine, ugh)
31 shekels ($6.89) train from Tel Aviv to Haifa
34 shekels ($7.56) huge shwarma in a lafa and goldstar beer on Ben Yehuda st
36 shekels ($8) pint o' guiness on Dizengoff
65 shekels ($14.45) visa to Egypt
130 shekels ($28.89) 2 caprinhas and profiteroles at a trendy Tel Aviv bar
200 shekels ($44.45) Lonely planet guide to Egypt

What the World Costs- Pakistan & the United Arab Emirates

Pakistan:
5 rupees (8 cents) cup of chai on the street
15 rupees (24 cents) 600ml bottle of water
25 rupees (42 cents) one hour of internet
60 rupees ($1) amazing beef kabab plate and naan at restaurant in Karachi
70 rupees ($1.16) backsheesh pack of Marlboros to hotel manager for letting me leave my stuff for free at a fancy hotel (normal price 200 rs per hour)
75 rupees ($1.24) 250 grams of masala fried fish and naan in Rawalpindi
80 rupees ($1.32) large cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee (the best!)
100 rupees ($1.64) cafe latte at chic Lahore coffee spot
130 rupees ($2.16) 10 km cab from Rawalpindi to Islamabad
180 rupees ($3) one night stay at the al-Azm Hotel in Rawalpindi- vip price for a double room
200 rupees ($3.32) foreigner entrance into Lahore museum; bribe to police man for driving w/o a licence in Lahore
245 rupees ($4.08) 2nd class sleeper train from Lahore to Multan, cancelled with 180 rs returned
275 rupees ($4.58) 3 Pakistani rock cds
300 rupees ($5) one night stay at the Hotel Ocean in Karachi- tv included, such luxuries indeed
450 rupees ($7.50) Daewoo bus from Lahore to Rawalpindi, including snack pack, drinks and movie (Men in Black)
580 rupees ($9.64) 8 hour bus from Rawalpindi to Multan- really 10 hours aargh
600 rupees ($10) treating 4 SOP campers to Cake Alaska, and assorted sweets, ice cream and shakes at a cafe in Lahore
1,560 rupees ($26) overnight lower ac sleeper train from Multan to Karachi

United Arab Emirates
1 dirham (27 cents) 600 ml bottle of water
2 dirhams (55 cents) bus ride around Dubai, 30 min internet at the Djibouti Internet cafe- cheapest in town
2.5 dirhams (69 cents) student discounted entrance to musuems in Sharjah for a perpetual student;)
3 dirhams (83 cents) shwarma bought on the street; weekend Gulf Times newspaper
4 dirhams ($1.11) two eggs, naan and coffee at cafe in Sharjah
5 dirhams ($1.39) cup of turkish coffee at cafe on the Dubai creek
10 dirhams ($2.77) cup of starbucks coffee; gigantic ice cream float
15 dirhams ($4.16) 2 hr bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai; lamb humus, salad and pita at the Marina mall; apple/mint shisha at cafe on Dubai creek
17 dirhams ($4.72) McArabia extra value meal (2 hallal beef patties, special sauce on a pita)
25 dirhams ($6.94) 2.5 hr minibus from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi
50 dirhams ($13.89) dorm room at youth hostel in Sharjah
75 dirhams ($20.83) dorm room at youth hostel in Dubai
80 dirhams ($22.22) fancy dinner of 400gr grilled Arabic meats, kiwi juice and a melon shisha- I splurged after I got lost and walked for 2 hours.
150 dirhams ($41.67) 2 hours of snow skiing at the Mall of the Emirates (equipment included)
200 dirhams ($55.56) entrance fee simply to see the Burj al-Arab hotel- redemable at bars and restaurants
220 dirhams ($61) current rate for a barrel of crude oil
3,000 dirhams ($833) one night for the cheapest accomodation at the Burj al-Arab hotel, the world's only 7 star
30,000 dirhams ($8,333) one night for the penthouse at the Burj al-Arab for me and wife no.4

I guess Dubai isn't so bad, it just seems so much more expensive compared to what I am used to.

What the World Costs- India

2 rupees (5 cents)- entrance to view point to watch the sun set over three seas
3 rupees (7 cents)- masala chai
4 rupees (9 cents)- ginger coffee, dahl poori in a bowl made of leaves on Calcutta's streets
5 rupees (11 cents)- milk coffee
8 rupees (18 cents)- Limca, an awesome lime soda
10 rupees (23 cents)- baksheesh to view Mandir temple from the roof of a hotel (Bubanawhar)
15 rupees (34 cents)- a shave; masala dhosa
20 rupees (47 cents)- egg chicken roll in Calcutta, possibly the greatest food ever
25 rupees (58 cents)- cd of my pics burned
30 rupees (70 cents)- one karat of lapis for Ellen
48 rupees ($1.12)- 3rd class train ticket from Konya to Kollam (3.5 hours)
50 rupees ($1.16)- hostel in Konyakumari
60 rupees ($1.40)- UT Longhorns hat
75 rupees ($1.74)- 650 ml Kingfisher beer
80 rupees ($1.86)- Salvation Army hostel for a Jew and a gay Swiss, amazed they let either of us in
100 rupees ($2.33)- whole grilled King fish in Puri; handmade leather sandals in Mama
250 rupees ($5.81)- 350 ml Heineken at post Calcutta club
350 rupees ($8.14)- bug infested double in Calcutta; deluxe room w/tv in Puri
440 rupees ($10.23)- 18 hour bus from Chennai to Konyakumari
800 rupees ($18.60)- new cd player to listen to awesome hindi rock and punjabi rap
1,000 rupees ($23.26)- new lonely planet guide book
4,050 rupees ($94.19) 132 karats of assorted lapis, ruby, topaz bought by Ms. Ellen the jeweler
35,500 rupees ($825.58) new Canon digital SLR, speaking of....

What the World Costs- Thailand (I)

7 baht (18 cents) sweet milk rotee in Changmai night market
10 baht (27 cents) mango sticky rice on the side of the road
15 baht ( 40 cents) the best pad thai ever
20 baht (54 cents) half hour of internet
25 baht (.67 cents) ride on the skytrain in Bangkok
35 baht (1 dollar) small Tiger beer
50 baht ($1.35) large chang beer
70 baht ($2) access to swimming pool on a hot day in Changmai
100 baht ($2.70) overpriced coca-cola for working girls in Patpong
120 baht ($3.20) minibus to Bangkok airport
200 baht ($5.40) one night stay in Changmai or Kho San Road in Bangkok
220 baht ($5.94) bamboo bungalow complete with hammock on Long and Lonely beaches
300 baht ($8.10) silver chain necklace that promptly turned black
500 baht ($13.5) Departure tax to leave Thailand
800 baht ($21.60) buses from Changmai through Bangkok to paradise aka Koh Chang
1000 baht ($27) day of adventure trekking in Changmai
1,500 baht ($40.5) front row seats for Muy Thai

What the World Costs- Cambodia & Laos

Cambodia (Riel)
500 riel (12.5 cents) bottle of water
1,000 riel (25cents) baguette in the market with pickled veggies
2,000 riel (50 cents) cup of sweet milk coffee
3,000 riel (75 cents) fish soup and rice at local market stand
4,000 riel ($1) one hour on high speed internet
5,000 riel ($1.25) a ride just about anywhere in Phnom Penh
6,000 riel ($1.50) large angkor beer
8,000 riel ($2) one night's stay at the Happy Guest House in Phnom Penh
16,000 riel ($4) one night's stay in deluxe room in Siem Reap at Simon's Guesthouse
20,000 riel ($5) 6 hour bus to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh
32,000 riel ($8) 8 hour bus to Kampong Cham to Stung Treng
48,000 riel ($12) ripoff bus to Don Det in Laos that never appeared at the Cambodian border
80,000 riel ($20) one day entrance into Angkor Watt (free for Cambodians)

Laos (kip)
1,000 kip (11 cents) bottle of water
2,000 kip (22 cents) yummy pineapple
3,000 kip (33 cents) cup of sweet milk coffee
4,000 kip (44 cents) one hour of internet
5,000 kip (55 cents) ride to bus station from downtown pakxe in a tuktuk
6,000 kip (66 cents) rice, tofu, veggies and hard boiled egg in the market
9,000 kip ($1) shakshouka (a middle eastern egg dish that I was surprised to find in Laos)
10,000 kip ($1.11) big bottle of beer lao
15,000 kip ($1.55) tiny boat ride to Don Det Island
21,000 kip ($2.33) omelette breakfast and coffee overlooking the Mekong
36,000 kip ($4) ride on the roof of a bus to Pakxe from Don Det
45,000 kip ($5) ad-hoc transportation on moto from Laos border to Si Phan Don
50,000 kip ($5.55) 10 lbs of dirty laundry
130,000 kip ($14.44) VIP overnight bus from Pakxe to Vietntiane

What the World Costs- Vietnam

2,000 dong (6.25 cents): ginger flan; glass of bia hue (keg beer on the street)
4,000 dong (12.5 cents): 2 side-of-the-road spring roll and peanut sauce
5,000 dong (15.62 cents): cup of drip coffee with condensed milk
6,000 dong (18.75 cents): fried eggs and french baguette
8,000 dong (25 cents): local beer (bia Ha Noi)
10,000 dong (31.25 cents): pho bo (beef noodle soup); a motobike ride most places
48,000 dong ($3) dorm room in Hanoi
50,000 dong ($3.06) steak et frittes, salad bread and heineken
80,000 dong ($5) room with balcony in Saigon
392,000 dong ($24.5) regular sleeper train from Hanoi to Hue
666,000 dong ($41.62) first class sleeper train from Hue to Saigon

What the World Costs- China

2 RMB ($.30): breakfast- double Egg McMao sandwich from a street vendor; Shenzhen metro
4 rmb ($.60): chrysanthimum iced tea
5 rmb ($.74): cold spicy sesame noodles at street vendor
8 rmb ($1.18): 500ml beer "piju"
15 rmb ($1.90): lunch - noodle soup with chicken and cabbage
50 rmb ($6.15): entrance into the Summer Palace, where Emperors lounged
100rmb ($12.50): dinner- a large veggie pizza and a gin and tonic
150 rmb ($19) dress shoes bargained at the market, down from 380 rmb
200 rmb ($25) Chinese running shoes, down from 400 rmb
300 rmb ($37.50) A fox-fur lined winter coat from the Silk Market