Let me just add that small valuables, like gold and Western-made digital electronics come handy for pawning when you lose your wallet, get your documents stolen or otherwise that odorsome object hits the Murphy fan. And it will.

Two gold rings and a necklace, not worn, but secreted in your boots will get you out of allot of trouble, at least until that unexpected national/religious/regional holiday you never expected finishes, or perhaps the riot dies down, and the banks/embassies open. Sometimes government and banking offices will be wide open but you cannot get your paperwork done for DAYS, and you will quickly run out of money, and starve at that shitty border town.