Safest money in the world

Neither safety nor security are words we associate(d) with the country of Iraq unless it is (was) to be fearful for the lack of it.

In Erbil, on the other hand, we saw the most amazing thing when it comes to security of money!

In Kurdistan people abide by a strict moral code and so robbery is simply something which is not tolerated. Yes, really, they actually do and no, it really isn't! Don't believe me? Check this out.

In and around the Erbil bazaar you will find dozens of money exchangers in mostly improvised stands. This, in itself, is not an extraordinary thing but when you look at the way it is done, I would bet that you'd be absolutely astonished!

During the day, money exchangers leave literal small mountains of money worth into the many thousands of dollars just laying on top of their stalls without the smallest amount of concern for being robbed. This goes to the point that they will go for lunch leaving their money entirely exposed and unattended while safe in the knowledge that none shall take it.

Watching all that money just standing there entirely unprotected is wild! In most places in the world it would be under lock, key and armored security!

But there is more! Yes, the money is so safe that at night people simply cover it with a tarp (to avoid the rain) and go home trusting that nobody will take it.

What an amazing sight!