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Hi All,
This must be monastery visiting season, because more than a few people have asked me about proper gifts to take to a monastery? Those going by car could take the traditional oil and honey, but that's out for those traveling by air.I'd appreciate your suggestions.

Peace,
Indigo

How about cash?

Always the right color and style; never out of fashion. Never will be seized at the airport as dangerious.

BOB

You'd be amazed. I was once awaiting my luggage at Newark Airport, flying in from Ireland, when a uniformed person accosted me, demanding to know if I was carrying more than ten thousand dollars! When I responded that I had never in my life ever had any such sum, and never expected to, she repeated the question. Duly chastened, I assure her that I was not carrying any amount remotely approaching ten thousand dollars. She then stamped my landing cards and passport.

Turned out that a friend who was a "hierarch", so to speak, in the Newark Police had despatched said optimistic person to speed my way through the airport. The net result was indeed to save some time - but I'm still wondering where I was supposed to have ten thousand dollars, and why anyone would bring such cash into the US from Ireland.

Fr. Serge

Hello Fr. Serge,

In case it is helpful, I found the following information related to US Customs procedures that refers to the $10,000 amount and may be somewhat helpful in explaining your experience.

May God bless your work and travels always! A student

"There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the U.S. However, if you transport more than $10,000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the U.S., a report must be filed with U.S. Customs. The form FinCEN 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) may be obtained when entering or leaving the US from a customs official, or it can be downloaded. Failure to declare currency in amounts over $10,000 may be subject to forfeiture and could result in civil and criminal penalties."

Drug dealer?

Seriously, Father Serge, I'm sure you didn't remotely fit any such profile. Go figure.

BOB

I thought of two categories of people who might carry such amounts: drug dealers and arms smugglers. But I'm not into either of those businesses!

Fr. Serge

Father Serge:

I'm with you. I don't think I've ever had 10 grand at one time in my possession unless you count the times it went directly through my hands to pay for university tuition. And then it went so fast through my hands that I didn't really feel like I'd had it in the first place. The only record that stuck was the note for repayment.

BOB

I'm in the Banking business in the U.S. $10,000 is the magic number whereby tellers must report any cash deposits at that level, or more, to the Federal Government. It is an attempt to track money laundering.

Dn. Robert

That happened to me more than 20 years ago and has never been repeated - anyone who looks in my bank account will realize that I've never had such money! But thanks.

Fr. Serge

Oil and honey? Would this gift be given on arrival?

I am unfamiliar with these customs. Is this to a monastery where you are arriving for a weekend on a pilgrimage or one where the visit involves only a visit?

Terry

I might have read that in a Mt. Athos pilgrimage autobiography or heard it at a lecture. Maybe someone else knows more about it.
What gifts, if any have y'all taken on monastery visits?

I've had to carry more than that when receiving client checks from Bank of America. This institution, loathed by other banks as much as its customers, will not confirm checks over the phone. The result is a ten day hold!

I've had to create a BofA account just to cash the BofA checks, and then move the proceeds--meaning I fill out the form twice minutes apart!

Unfortunately, the current form doesn't have a line for "purpose of transaction." I'd like to enter, "annoy Big Brother" there. It does ask for occupation, but I've behaved myself so far . . .

hawk

Folks,

While the bank transactions and customs regs are interesting, could someone try and focus on our sister's query, somewhat more relevant to Faith & Worship. Thanks.

Many years,

Neil