The currency in Zimbabwe is the American dollar. Every attempt to introduce a currency of its own – and this has been attempted several times – has failed. (It was only a few years ago that inflation reached almost 200 percent and there were notes worth millions!) So, they have returned to the American currency.

Consequently, the prices of goods are written in US$ and it is advisable to have enough of them with you. The most important thing is to have the one-dollar notes with you. With them you can buy everything you need at the street stalls. Vegetables, tomatoes, cashew nuts, eggs and other things are offered there in the quantities that the seller (usually women) thinks are appropriate. (And in our opinion that is usually too much and never too little!)

Zimbabwe was and still is a major tobacco producer. It is not without pride that Zimbabweans say that they produce the best tobacco. This is primarily used to make cigarettes. A package with twenty costs US$ 1.- I bought four (!) packages yesterday in a bar on the side of the road for US$ 3.50. (Whenever we are in Zimbabwe, I become a cigarette smoker! This also has the advantage that the VegaFina cigars that my brother gave us last longer and can be enjoyed on special occasions!)

Speaking of cigarettes: It is not the case that the packaging contains information such as «Smoking kills», be defaced. People praise the good quality and the enjoyment that (sensible) smoking promises!

PS: If you want to know more about Zimbabwe and tobacco cultivation, read here.