European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Crown to the Dollar and 16 crowns to the Mark. She  the Money once our trip was Over a but Only the big Stutt. No Small stuff she emphasized. Exchanging Money on Street Corners in Prague is a dangerous Gabi warned. Some no goobers it seems take advantage of tourists by exchanging hard currency for counterfeit Money. Or if the willing Money changer happens to be a police person the tourist could find. Himself in trouble.  Gabi passed a list around the bus on which we were to put our name and How much Money we wanted to Exchange. An hour or so after crossing the Border gab announced we were stopping to meet her "banker.,&Quot the bus pulled off the Road next to a closed fast food stand where business was done with a Man in a White late. Model French car. No More than two or three minutes later we were off again Down the two Lane Road with about 35 Miles to go before we reached the Golden City. In route Gabi told us about the possibility of Border taxes on chandeliers and purchases of More than $20, Quot but who goes to Prague to spend $20? nobody right Quot she joked. A if  t brought along a suitcase in which to tote Home our bargains she advised we would be Quot Well advised to buy one  and she suggested that we Stow boxes in the cargo hold on the Way Back just to make sure they did t draw the curiosity of czech guards if they were spotted. However Gabi added she personally had never been checked on her return to Germany. We reached Prague after 7 . Gabi passed out maps of Prague s shopping areas and slips containing phone numbers for the . Embassy in Prague and top Tours in Germany As Well As the address of a Crystal shop she promised we d visit in the afternoon. The drive through Prague also provided time for Money changing. Each passenger filed to the front to Gabi s seat where the tour guide exchanged our Money. We d parked by the time it was my turn and Cabi hurriedly told me to sit Down so she would t be seen exchanging Money she could get in trouble she said if she were observe before breakfast Gabi walked us to the russian department store Kotva where she said we could get Good deals on Gold chains and whiskey decanter and Glass sets. We then converged on the hotel Paris for breakfast. We did t have reservations but Gabi said she d try a a a a a a continued on Page 8 left inexpensive Ceramic trinkets were popular with Many americans on the trip. Above sgt. Aida Roberts spots a Crystal vase she wants in a Prague shop. A amps photos by Deedee Arington Doke May 23, 1991 stripes Magazine