Photo of a Romanian Beggar - Information about Leu Currency

For some, begging remains the last option.

I encountered several beggars in the streets of Campina, elderly people worn down by the Ceausescu years and perhaps by "Tuica" (local vodka) as well.

I usually never "pay for a photo," but I made an exception for this insistent beggar, giving him a few thousand lei.

The Romanian Leu, the local currency, was heavily devalued; in 2003, one Euro was worth about 35,000 lei!

The Leu was revalued in 2005, with four zeros removed!