In May 2003, I was in Zimbawe for a couple of days. In 2 days the black market rate for $1US went from 1,200ZW to 1,600ZW.
In September 2007, official rate was US$1 for ZW$30,000 while black market was around ZW$600,000
On April 4, 2008, Zimbawe issued a new ZW$50,000,000 note worth approximately US$1 in the black market.
I kept as a souvenir a ZW$500 note from 2003. So now it’s worth $US0.00001
And this is with the US dollar worth not much. (0.637€)
I came back yesterday after spending 2 days in Gweru, located in the middle of Zimbabwe. More exactly I was staying in Antelope park where I had incredible experiences. I was able to walk and play with lions aged from 4-months to over a year old (you’d better pay attention with those one). I took some incredible pictures of them and that was really special to be able to cuddle them like cats (still being aware of their sudden change of mood though as they have the same snobbish attitude as cats do and lions are extremely powerful, with sharp claws and teeths that cut meat like paper, my sweat shirt can testify for that).
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This time the lions were just over a year old and the difference in size between the 7-month one are huge. You really have to take care here as a claws and teeths make you bleed just by looking at them. Moreover they are about human size and extremely powerful. Just after I went playing a little bit with the 4-months old and take some pictures.
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The first walk with the lions happened with 3 individuals aged of about 7 months. The difference with the 4 month old cubs is absolutely amazing. They were not very cooperative for pictures as they are still young and were running all over the place. A contrario to what pictures may suggest, you have to be aware constantly as the lions can switch from ‘love mode’ to ‘predator mode’ in a couple of seconds. You can normally spot this easily as the look in their eyes change completly.
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