Originally Posted by johnnybzw

Hi Dfjordan, I'm Zimbabwean - but been living in London for 7 years for obvious reasons... I've managed to get back once or twice a year for holiday and went back for Christmas recently. Honestly every year I've been it had got worse and worse - especially 2008 when literally every single shop was bare...like not a tin of anything on the shelves. I have no idea how anyone survived but they did. Now that they scrapped the Zim $ and are trading in US$ I can't tell you the change! Honestly the place is buzzing and so full of optimism I came back to London, lasted one day in the office and handed in my notice. I've just bought 2 cars to take back and leave June 1st for Zim!! And honestly everything there is absolutely fine...everyone is friendly - even the police! Just smile and you'll be fine. Fiona I can concur - we went all round the country and Harare and Vic Falls were by far the most affluent. Shame Byo is really struggling because obviously it's an opposition area so NO money goes into the whole province. Jordan you might be a little shocked at how nothing has been built pretty much since independance and there are no street lights or any luxurys like that anymore - they've also resorted to growing crops along main roads and in some roundabouts which makes it feel more like the rest of Africa but it still is exceptionally beautiful with wonderful people and tons more opportunity than here so I'm off! If you need a place to stay or anything or recommendations of where to go don't hesitate to shout. Fiona I love Mlibizi - we stayed at the Knox's place a few years ago - where's your mum working as I definitely want to head up to that end of the lake asap so having somewhere nice to stay would be a bonus! And contrary to the above I'm kind of hoping the old man will hang on for another year or so - it's relatively stable for the first time in a decade and the last thing anyone wants is more upheaval...anyway fingers crossed it all works out for Zim in the long run!

Originally Posted by Pablo

Have you tried engaging in politics? You know, that pesky free-speech stuff?

Apart from that, it is interesting to observe what happens when a government is no longer permitted to debauch its own currency.

Presumably you heard about the tyrant Mugabe being made the UN's tourism ambassador. What next, Assad as head of Save the Children?

Originally Posted by ededed

I didn't hear about Mugabe doing anything for the UN. I am assuming / hoping / guessing this is one of your famous practical jokes?

Originally Posted by Pablo

Ed, read it and weep.

Robert Mugabe asked to be UN 'leader for tourism'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...sm?INTCMP=SRCH


and

Canada quits UN tourism body over Mugabe appointment
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...be?INTCMP=SRCH

Originally Posted by vx999

Anyone want to read up on day to day Zim can read Cathy Buckles blog, who blogs about every day life there.

http://www.cathybuckle.com/

Originally Posted by Alfresco

So sad to read.

Originally Posted by vx999

True, reading about the electricity cuts between 5am and 10pm everyday makes SA and their power cuts look good (probably a sign of things to come from Escom?).