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 ๐งก
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!
