Valuable shoes

In February I travelled to Sri Lanka by myself.  I know my ability to lose things and the fear of losing my passport and/or money was scary.  As a precaution I put two $100 bills underneath the soles of my shoes.

A week ago I went to buy an iPad and my credit card was inexplicably declined.  "Wait a minute," I replied.  I went to the bathroom, removed the money I needed from my shoes, and went up to pay.

Since it was under the soles this entire time the money didn't even smell bad...