5 Billion Dollars… (Pronounce with Dr Evil accent)

Yesterday we arrived in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe nice and early for once. We upgraded to a double room for some luxury as we are here for 3 days and started wandering. A group of us headed down to the waterfalls for a look. After a steep $US20 entry fee (although afterwards I thought it was worth it) we started walking, eyeing up those other tourist in raincoats and ponchos as we had none. The falls are huge and spectacular. We walked along many viewpoints see the falls from all angles. The water is at it’s highest so has millions of litres pouring over it every second. The spray from it all is immense, causing a massive mist in the canyon producing rainbows at every angle. As we walked out to each viewpoint a spray of water would pass over, we hide the cameras, take a quick photo then run back. The very last one, Adam and Amber went ahead to come back completely soaked. All good fun though.

Afterwards we headed to the local market to look at goods. Along the way back from the falls, people are on the street trying to sell items to you, running when tourist police approach so you know it’s a bit dodgy. Once in the markets it’s a bit similar to Turkey how every shopowner becomes your friend, remembers your name and asks when you will be buying items. The scary part is once the start explaining prices and that rather than money, clothing or other items are preferred. “I like your shoes (watch, stanky socks, etc), how much”. You can barter any items here for anything. Offers were made for climbing clips, tissue packets etc. Everything is worth something. We went to the supermarket and you can see why. No fresh produce and very limited other products. Everything that is there is expensive. You start to feel sorry for the locals here as it’s nothing they have done to deserve such a thing. We have picked out a couple of the friendlier shopkeepers and will be heading back tomorrow with some products we bought in Botswana to trade with (sugar, rice, cooking oil and soap).

In reference to the posting title, we exchanged $US15 and received 54, 000, 000, 000 dollars in a mix of 5 billion and 250 million dollar notes. It’s crazy. I’ve kept one of each note for reference

Off to go and walk with some lions.