2 Jul
2003
2 Jul
'03
7:53 a.m.
--- Mail List <mail.list(a)analog-and-digital-solutions.com> wrote:
Hello Paxton,
I don't know what it is like these days, but back in the 90's the US
dollar wasn't worth much in exchange against the Yen.
~115 Yen to the US Dollar. It was 105 when I was there in 1996. It's
been better recently, it was worse formerly. I _think_ the US dollar
hit a low of 87 Yen or so around the time you are thinking of.
some of the other instructors told me what it was like
to try to
go out on the local economy. Something like a hamburger being
$35.00 and such. I don't think they were BS'ing me about that either.
I personally saw a steak advertised in a window for 8000 Yen. I
chose to eat down the street at a "yakitori" place (grilled meat
on skewers) and had the most expensive meal of my trip - $22.00 USD
for a plate full of food and one or two beers. Most of my meals were
in the $6.00 to $8.00 range, but I can read Japanese menus and did not
go to the places frequented by Americans.
Yes, I'm certain that there were $35.00 hamburgers to be had. Local
cuisine (Soba, Ramen, Sashimi, Sushi, etc.) is much cheaper there
than beef. Save money in Tokyo - eat fish. Insisting on an American
diet in Asia is an expensive way to go.
-ethan