I’ve always been a big fan of embracing all the little things that make up the experience of traveling abroad.
Because it's not always the big-name attractions and iconic sights that stay with you after you head home. Even seemingly mundane activities have a way of turning into interesting experiences when done in another country.
Taking public transportation, shopping at the local supermarket, sitting at a cafe watching the world go by.
These experiences all feel slightly different abroad from the way they do at home, leading to a tiny "travel buzz” that often turns into a good memory.
Using a country’s currency is another one of those little thrills for me.
Whether it be euros, Mexican pesos, Swiss francs, Hungarian forint, Japanese yen, British pounds or anything else, there’s just something cool about having a handful of notes and coins from another land in your hand.
They're colored completely differently.
They are often in different denominations than you're used to. It's always a thrill to be holding a five-digit bill in your hand, even if it's only worth five bucks back home.
There are unfamiliar faces and landmarks printed on them. They're in different shapes. Sometimes, they are even made of plastic and feel funny in your hand.
When it comes to the coins, they're often thicker or thinner than the ones you're used to and sometimes even cut in altogether different shapes.
Using a country’s currency is another one of those little thrills for me. (Photo Credit: Grafner / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
If you're like me, you may start your trip confused about the local currency, but as it becomes ingrained in your travels, you end up leaving with some affection for it—and maybe even stash some away as a souvenir.
Well, I just returned from my very first trip abroad where I didn’t use cash once and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it.
The trip was to Stockholm, Sweden and I used a card for every single purchase while I was there.
In fact, during the entire five days, I didn’t lay an eye on a Swedish krona.
Not once.
I couldn't even tell you what they look like. (I've since looked them up and oh, would you look at that, Pippi Longstocking is on the 20 kr note!)
Train from the airport to the Stockholm Central Station? Tap the card.
Metro and ferry tickets? Tap.
Princess cake and coffee? Tap.
Souvenir magnet? Tap.
You get the drift.
Waterfront in Old Town Stockholm with Sweden's national flag in the foreground. (photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus/f11photo)
While it’s certainly possible that some places would have accepted cash from me, I am fairly certain at least half of the establishments I visited had signs that said “Card only” or “This is a cashless business.”
Even the band playing at the famed Stampen Jazz Club was only taking digital tips via an app called Swish.
Now, it would have been interesting if I had seen anything I just had to have at the Hornstull Saturday market, which was a pretty old-school affair. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that had I decided to buy a 50-cent second-hand thimble, the stall holder would have just whipped out a card machine.
This is fine and all, but I can’t help but feel that something has been lost just by simply tapping your card.
Now, I certainly won’t miss the dodgy currency exchange booths offering you a pathetic rate for your USD or the exorbitant ATM fees, but I'm still torn.
Are we heading towards a completely cash-free travel experience one day soon? Sure seems like it.
Now, I know Scandinavia is really ahead of the curve on things and cash is still the norm in many countries, but if you're like me and thoroughly enjoy using a country's local currency, this is my official warning to start really enjoying it while you still have it.
And don’t get me started on the demise of the passport stamp, which is surely on its way to being replaced by a digital version or nothing at all.
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