Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Hey Big Noter!

Loaded Zimbabwe style!

We met up with a friend yesterday who had recently returned from Zimbabwe. "Here. I have wanted to give you some money for a while so take this 5,000,000,000 dollar note. You can cash it in Zimbabwe for a can of coke" he said. Is any administration in the world more ridiculous than Mugabe's? It is highly unlikely. After things became fiscally confused the Reserve Bank Of Zimbabwe simply re-issued a bunch of bills, chopping a few zeros off in the process. Consequently, prices for even the most basic commodities would see-saw each and every day. You may not be able to see it but this FIVE BILLION DOLLAR note had to be cashed on or before Dec 31, 2008 or it would be useless. Oh dear. Five billion down the drain. And just why it is called a 'special agro cheque' is anyone's guess but at least the giraffes are cute...