In the early part of 1985, I was stationed in West Germany, and the DM - dollar rate hit 3.40. It meant that you could take $100 and get 340 DMs.....which translated to a fabulous weekend of travel.
In the year 2000? A $100 bought you 189 DMs (almost half of the value in 1985).
1984 and 1985 were a great time to be around West Germany. Over the two year period, I traveled all over the place....cheaply.
A 72-hour rail-pass? With the value of the DM.....your cost was around $40 for a whole weekend of travel.
Eating out? $5 got you a schnitzel plate, with a minimum of two beers.
After the Euro arrived? There was probably a year where a dollar got you 1.10 Euro, then the 'fall' started to occur. In roughly 24 months, a dollar barely bought you .8 Euro.
In this period of 2002 to 2010? It was pretty dismal on the exchange rate.
Recent weeks? The dollar now buys you in excess of 1.01 Euro. Edging up to the 1.10 Euro situation? I think by Christmas, it will occur.
Going past that point? It's anyone's guess. I do expect 2023 and 2024 to be fairly crappy years in Germany for the economy, with failed industry and natural gas bills hurting society.
No comments:
Post a Comment