life as it is today in Zimbabwe 1

Things have changed in Zimbabwe over the last few months. To think that this time last year we had to import all our food from South Africa and now we have a choice on the shelves - almost all imported products.
The use of the USD and the Rand have made a tremendous difference to our lifestyle. but are things slipping back to where they were?
There are gaps on supermarket shelves - is this bad ordering on behalf of the store - or is it a sign that people cannot afford the goods there and therefore ordering by the big chains has to be limited?
I have spoken to several people recently who we thought were tremendously wealthy - almost all have lost almost everything due to the collapse of CFX and Old Mutual. The stock market is looking up but has been through better times.

So we go on.

No one knows what to pay for their utility bills - Electricity is the most problematic. first you must pay or be cut off - then a credit - only pay $30 for high density areas and $40 per month for low density - some people are only paying $2 a month - I was told this by the clerk at the post office who was taking the ZESA (electricty) payments!

We are asked to pay $10 for water a month - we have not had water for nearly 2 years - each time the meter reader comes he has the same reading - what a waste of money even sending him round to our area! perhaps the money would be better spent on repairing the gushing water leaks in other areas.

So we go on and on.

The weather is warm and humid - one relies on one's friends - and people clan together.

If one wants to be entertained their is something going on every day - from art exhibitions, musical performances, theatre, film, discussions, lectures, parties and society get togethers. Social life definitely still exists!