Zimbabwe's Growing the Wrong Way

Zimbabwe is growing indeed but it is growing the wrong stuff - inflation!

The latest report is that Zimbabwe's inflation has shot up to 2,200,000%. Bear in mind that this is an official figure from the government itself. Malaysia's official inflation figure is only at 7% but to me it should be much higher also, say between 10% to 20%. I'm sur many Malaysians will agree to that.

Zimbabwe's economy is really nosediving to an abyss, a place with no bottom. It was at one point, one of the richest country in Africa. Now, it's one of the worst in the world.

I followed closely on this situation not because I'm in Africa at the moment but more so of how are the citizens going to maintain their livelihood with such circumstances. It's really beyond everyone's expectation and ability.

To counter the effect of the high inflation, the Zimbabwean government kept issuing higher currency notes. Was it the right way in economic strategy in which case I'm not agreeable with it.

In January 2008 - Zimbabwean $10 million dollar note.
April 2008 - Z$50 million dollar note
May 2008 - Z$100 million, Z$250 million and Z$500 million dollar notes
June 2008 - Z$5 billion, Z$25 billion and Z$50 billion dollar notes

Reason for the issuance of new dollar notes was because prices for everything have risen so fast that in order to pay for those goods or services, you need to carry a suitcase wherever you go in order to get what you want.

So, by issuing larget note denomination, citizens only need to carry lesser monies. Guess how much is Z$500 million? It's only US$2.00.

As inflation shot up to 2,200,000% percentage, the Zimbabwean government has to issue the Z$100 billion to counter it.

Unfortunately, it was not enough fast enough as taking a public bus from the city centre back to home after work would have cost Z$250 billion dollars. One loaf of white bread is already Z$200 billion dollars. How to survive?

How now? The Zimbabwean government came up with a brilliant idea this time. They would issue new notes again but this time they will cancel the multiple zeroes. Effective 1 Aug 2008, Zimbabweans will need to go to the banks to convert their millions or billions of dollars at a rate of Z$10 billion = 1 Zimdollar.

Suddenly, a multi-billionaire could become a normal person overnight.

In Sudan itself, it's almost similar. It was 1,000 Sudanese Dinar = US$5.00. Then they changed by issuing new notes to 2 Sudanese Pound = US$1.00. Such African nations' exchange rates are not recognised internationally. Their currencies are not traded outside of their country therefore they can implement whatever denominations as they like.

This stack of Sudanese pound was equivalent to about US$12,000. It was to pay off certain expenses.
Tags: Zimbabwe, Africa, Inflation, Zimbabwean Dollar, Zimdollar, Sudanese Dinar, Sudanese Pound , Economics

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - astounding and exhilarating. Beyond words to describe its unique showcase. With their humonguous population, China is able to prepare itself for one of the best Olympic Games in history.

Indeed, the theme itself "One World One Dream" will spur many athletics to live their dreams by winning their events.
Even though, I'm in Sudan at the moment, was glad that our TV satellite subscription didn't disappoint us. What more can I do on a weekend in Sudan.

The Olympics will be on for the next sixteen days up to 24 August 2008. Google's website changed its logo for the day to commemorate the opening event too.
The opening ceremony began at an auspicious timing today, on 8.8.08 at 8.08:08pm. The meaning of numeric 8 to chinese is huge. It could mean properity, success or considered a lucky number in chinese culture.

In Malaysia, when we see a car number plate which has the digit 8 or 88 or 888 or 8888 (max of 4 digits) on it, we are very sure that it belongs to a chinese.
Tags: Beijing, China, Beijing 2008, Beijing Olympics, Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Sports, One World One Dream

Forrest Gump Goes to Heaven

The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself. However, the gates are closed, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter said, "Well, Forrest, it is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about youI must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast, and we have been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven."

Forrest responds, "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was."

St. Peter continued, "Yes, I know Forrest, but the test is only three questions.
First: What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
Second: How many seconds are there in a year?
Third: What is God's first name?"

Forrest leaves to think the questions over. He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over,
give me your answers"

Forrest replied, "Well, the first one -- which two days in the week begins with the letter "T"?
Shucks, that one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow." The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, "Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer.

How about the next one?" asked St. Peter. "How many seconds in a year? Now that one is harder," replied Forrest, but I thunk and thunk about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded, St. Peter said, "Twelve Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?" Forrest replied, "Shucks, there's got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... "

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind .... but I will have to give you credit for that one, too.
Let us go on with the third and final question.

Can you tell me God's first name"? "Sure," Forrest replied, "it's Andy." "Andy?" exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter. "Ok, I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?"

"Shucks, that was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied. "I learnt it from the song,
"ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN."

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: "Run Forrest, run."
Tags: Forrest Gump, St Peter, Pearly Gates, Funny, Humour, Jokes

Lebanese Restaurant in Khartoum

We went hunting for a place to try out some new dishes in Khartoum. One of my colleague thought of this place as I'm the only one who hasn't been to this new place.

The nice facade of the restaurant cum hotel called Assaha, a Lebanese restaurant.
At the village's entrance, that's what they call it - Assaha Lebanese Traditional Village. It's owned by Lebanese people.
The moment Fairuz saw me taking this picture, he said surely I'll put this into my blog ....... your wish came true.

As for Nazril, if money permits, would like to order all the food in the menu.

Our two other colleagues enjoying the free flow peanuts.
I really like the internal decor which reflects the Lebanese architectural design.
There are only a few hotel rooms in this village where all of them were located behind our table. Could be a bit noisy for hotel clients as the restaurant's table seatings are located just outside the hotel rooms.
We were there quite early, say around 7pm plus. The crowd was not there yet.










Three of us ordered this Flamingo drink. It has whipped cream, banana, strawberry, syrup, mango juices all mixed together. My stomach was alright after this marvellous mixture.













Our food started to arrive. I missed the main one because we were busy eating.
This bread was really unique. When I took one of it, it was quite light.
The moment I crack opened it, it was found to be empty inside.
A well look-a-like was built in the middle of the restaurant.
There was another section with low tables and chairs. Nobody chose to sit at this area as it was a bit dark anyway.

Tags: Lebanese Restaurant, Lebanese, Khartoum, Food, Assaha, Assaha Lebanese Traditional Village

Beijing Olympics in Jeopardy

China government is not taking anything for granted in the forthcoming Olympic Games after noticing a poster that was found in the capital city.Tags: Beijing 2008, Beijing Olympics, Olympic Game, China, Sports

Outskirt Teh Kangkang

We went outskirt for a work assignment and passed by this area where houses were made of tough clay. This place is roughly 20 minutes away from the city centre.

This is an actual simple bus stop.












While waiting for our stuff, we dropped into another teh kangkang stall. This stall was covered with bamboo sticks all over. Quite comfy. Of course you can't compare with air conditioned room but under a hot weather, this was a good cover.

Didn't really snap a lot of pictures as you just won't know when you could or could not.








As usual, we ordered three cups of coffee and one cup of tea for myself.

Notice my Sudanese counterpart, he's in his marvellous coat again.

Taken this at a nearby housing area. They got donkeys to pull their carts.

Only the main road was properly laid with tar. Away from the main road, it will be the original land itself.
Tags: Outskirt, Teh Kangkang, Coffee, Tea

Weirdest Hotel in Pyongyang

North Korea, shutting itself out of the world, is not far back in terms of building towering buildings. Unfortunately, a building that North Korea has committed into building is what I would say out of the world. It's the Ryugyong Hotel located in the capital city of Pyongyang.

It's set for opening soon with an Egpytian company, Orascom Group, continuing the final touch up for it.

The facts known about this weirdest hotel:-
* construction started since 1987
* construction value - US$2 billion (which is around 10% of the country's GDP)
* 1,082 feet tall
* 105 floors
* 3,000 rooms

With that number of rooms, any tourist going into Pyongyang area would still get to stay in the hotel even if all tourists in Pyongyang were to book a weeklong stay.

It has even gotten itself a nickname - Hotel of Doom or the Phantom Hotel.

Reading: North Korea's Ryugyong Hotel Gets a New Lease On its "Doomed" Life - HotelChatter
Reading: Ryugyong Hotel, the Hotel of Doom Isn't so Bad - Associated Content
Tags: Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea, Hotel, Orascom Group, Egpyt, Hotel of Doom, Phantom Hotel