I have continued to think in and use the guilder and will do so till midnight. As the euro was not available yet, I did not bother as I would always have to convert between the two. There was another way to prepare: when I went to Ireland every year, I set up the budget in Irish pounds, and in Ireland I only thought in Irish pounds. I never converted back to guilders, except when I really wanted to make a comparison about a special item, for instance, compare the price of a computer in Ireland and in the Netherlands.
I got enough guilders from the cash machine before Christmas to take me to the end. To-morrow I will get my first euro notes. I will make an overnight change, just as I did with Irish pounds every year. For the last time I am buying stuff in guilders today. The guilder or florin came from Firenze (Florence) where it was struck in 1252 for the first time. It then found its way to The Netherlands. Now, after 750 years, the guilder is in its death throes. It has a rich history and deserves a respectful demise and goodbye. "And what if she has seen these glories fade, Those titles vanish and that strength decay; Yet shall some tribute of regret be paid When her long life hath reach'd its final day: Men are we, and must grieve whenever the shade Of that which once was great is pass'd away. (William Wordsworth, 'On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic') It is with these feelings of respectful regret that I say farewell to our old currency. Then onwards with our new money. Han
