Mags on Nostr: A special moment in El Zonte was when I went for a stroll along Bitcoin Beach and ...
A special moment in El Zonte was when I went for a stroll along Bitcoin Beach and came across a coconut vendor. Curiously, I asked if he accepted Bitcoin. "Si", he nodded, so I enthusiastically asked for one.
His little girl opened his Bitcoin Beach wallet, and another vendor helped him create the invoice (I suspect he's done it only a handful of times). The payment sent, he industriuously hacked open a yellow coconut, and a short time later, I continued my beach walk, fresh drink in hand!
Reflecting on the experience, Bitcoin offers a different type of convenience for vendors purveying inexpensive goods. A shop keeper selling colourful wares or regional street food avoids being placed in an awkward position where a large bill needs to be broken
In my travels to smaller towns in El Salvador and Peru, I've found large bills (eg $20 or $50) can create an issue. With average incomes in LATAM being far below those of North America (an average income is approximately $10 a day in El Salvador), theres a limit to how many times a vendor can make change. I've had vendors ask their surrounding mates to help them make change. I try to be concious of this and ask my bank for smaller bills before I leave, or break twenties at large stores, but ATMs do not give out singles
Being able to offer exact change helps preserve dignity 🧡
And from my perspective, I went on a beach stroll without any cash, only my phone for pictures - paying in Bitcoin was convenient and still a little mind blowing!
Published at
2023-03-14 22:37:04Event JSON
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"content": "A special moment in El Zonte was when I went for a stroll along Bitcoin Beach and came across a coconut vendor. Curiously, I asked if he accepted Bitcoin. \"Si\", he nodded, so I enthusiastically asked for one. \n\nhttps://i.imgur.com/oIIvWOG.jpg\n\nHis little girl opened his Bitcoin Beach wallet, and another vendor helped him create the invoice (I suspect he's done it only a handful of times). The payment sent, he industriuously hacked open a yellow coconut, and a short time later, I continued my beach walk, fresh drink in hand!\n\nhttps://i.imgur.com/pLpPHcY.jpg\n\nReflecting on the experience, Bitcoin offers a different type of convenience for vendors purveying inexpensive goods. A shop keeper selling colourful wares or regional street food avoids being placed in an awkward position where a large bill needs to be broken\n\nhttps://i.imgur.com/grlZgfd.jpg\n\nIn my travels to smaller towns in El Salvador and Peru, I've found large bills (eg $20 or $50) can create an issue. With average incomes in LATAM being far below those of North America (an average income is approximately $10 a day in El Salvador), theres a limit to how many times a vendor can make change. I've had vendors ask their surrounding mates to help them make change. I try to be concious of this and ask my bank for smaller bills before I leave, or break twenties at large stores, but ATMs do not give out singles\n\nBeing able to offer exact change helps preserve dignity 🧡\n\nAnd from my perspective, I went on a beach stroll without any cash, only my phone for pictures - paying in Bitcoin was convenient and still a little mind blowing!",
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