Several years ago, on a poorly planned surf trip to Costa Rica, my friends and I ran out of money. You've heard the story. One night you're sipping fruity drinks and throwing down handfuls of brightly colored colones (Costa Rican cash). Next thing you know, you're a few hangovers and a bribe or two down the road in your beat-up Toyo van, drying off from a day of surfing, and the money's gone. Normally, you could squeeze a few beans out of friends or relatives, but there are none handy. As it stands, you can't even afford the fuel to get back to the airport.
	I've since learned the hard way that running out of money in a far-away land doesn't have to be a major disaster. In my particular case, misfortune inspired creative problem-solving. If we hadn't spent all our cash in Costa Rica, I might never have become educated in the benefits of personal international trade--or the "Grey Market."