A visit to the shops in Harare isn't a very positive experience. Shelves have been emptied of all of the basic commodities, leaving expensive South African wine and tinned fish for those with money to burn. I gave a group of 8 women a lift the other day - I have a truck - and speaking with Rose, she said that what has happened has simply been a transfer of commodities from the shop floor to the thriving black market on the street. So these days when I walk through the shopping centre where my office is located whispers of "want some oil", "need some sugar" follow me as I move along.