Living Like a Real Expatriate

When I worked at the World Bank, a lot of people gave me grief for not paying income taxes. Now in Aceh, I've received some *remarks* about my allowances. I currently receive from the governement a Post Differential allowance, Cost of Living Allowance, and Danger Pay.

Post differential (also called “hardship differential”) is an allowance for any place when the place involves extraordinarily difficult living conditions, excessive physical hardship, or notably unhealthful conditions affecting the majority of employees stationed or detailed at that place. Living costs are not considered in differential determination.”

Cost of living Allowance is “a balancing factor designed to permit employees to spend the same portion of their basic compensation for current living as they would in Washington, D.C., without incurring a reduction in their standard of living because of higher costs of goods and services at the post.”

So I could go out and eat rice and fish everyday for about $1.25 for lunch, but like any good and proper Expat, I need to maintain my luxurious Washington standard of living and buy western goods (and support the local economy). In the past week or so, I've been noticing just how ridiculous some prices are. Here's a sampling, Aceh price listed first, followed by US price

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (1 pint) $6.50, $2.50
Tina’s Burrito $2.75 , $0.59*
S&W Canned Beans $1.80 , $0.79
Frozen Tortillas $4.50 , $1.45
Cheerios (large box) $9.60, $5.29
Barilla Spaghetti or Penne $3.75, $1.39
Microwave popcorn (3 bags) $4.75, $2.99
Box of Nerds Candy $2.50 , $0.69
10 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread $2.00, $1.00

Total US: $16.69**
Total Aceh: $38.15

I admit to splurging on a pint of Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie the other night.

* Some claim to have found them 12 for $1 in college
** US price based on www.peapod.com for zipcode 20003

As of today, I've been in Aceh for 6 months!!!