It's BANANAS!

Ok, so this is an extreme example of how jacked prices are here. But it really is bananas how expensive things are. For added fun, the US dollar is at an all-time low. This is probably what it feels like to visit the US from a third world country. Tables totally turned. Sucks. I remember on my first visit to Australia back in 1993 being shocked that CDs cost $20-25 AUD. And even the relative strength of the US dollar didn't temper that, but now it's weaker!

Keeping in mind that 1.00 AUD = 1.057 USD, here are some prices in AUD:

Gala apples - $5/kg

Small bag of potato chips - $3.80

Baskin Robbins single scoop - $4.90

Fresh blended juice - $7-9

Cup of tea - $4.50

McDonald's Sausage McMuffin meal - $6.90

10 ride single zone bus pass - $16

Pay-per-view in-room movie at Westin - $17

Besides the strength of the Australian economy, there are some good reasons things cost more here. The minimum wage is high. It varies based on the industry (imagine that!) The national minimum wage for "award/agreement free employees" is $569.90 a week (based on a 38 hour week), or $15 per hour. Because people that work in the food industry are paid a living wage, the service cost is included in the price of your meal. You are not expected to tip and the average cost of an entrée (by my estimation ~$25 in downtown Sydney?) reflects that. In the case of the bananas, the store chose to support local growers during their crisis rather than import cheaper bananas.

Overall, good for the world! Right now, bad for US tourists.