A few thoughts about Johannesburg before we depart for the bush.
Joburg is a HUGE city (approximately 14 million. 22 million or so, if you include the suburbs).
Like any major metropolitan city, there is a storied history here. A time of conflict, of struggle, of oppression. And the people’s champion.
Also like a lot of other big cities, there are the very rich and the very poor. Likewise, different areas of town reflect exactly this.
One guide described the area known as Howerton as “marginal” and as such, suggested visitors not enter this area without a guide. The hop-on hop-off bus tour had discontinued a stop in a different area, Newtown, for the same reason.
“The City of Gold” still evident in the areas of Sandton and Rosebank. In Sandton, where we stayed, many of the extremely large and beautiful houses (one might call them ‘compounds’, they were so big) were surrounded by walls so high that only the rooftops are visible.
The same could be said for Soweto. In part, known for its shanty towns (or, “informal settlements”, as the government liked to call them during apartheid), the newer homes built by the government are also surrounded by ceiling-height walls, barbed wire attached to the top.
Economic differences aside, we found the people of Joburg (and those who travel in from the surrounding suburbs each day for work) to be incredibly friendly.
Including a Soweto local who approached me with “Well hello, mama” as he looked me over. A special thanks to my husband who had walked ahead of me!
We felt safe here. Although ... we didn’t exactly head into South Town after dark.
The food here is much like what you might find at home. Sandwiches, salads, fish & chips, and steak. It’s all been very yummy!
Various tour guides or Uber drivers suggested we try the steak. They didn’t realize they were talking to the daughter of a Texas cattle rancher.
Still, I decided to give it a try.
There was something definitely different about the center-cut fillet. I can’t really describe the taste other than to say I happily ate every bite of it, along with the accompanying roasted purple-skinned sweet potatoes.
Even the home-cooked meal we had while on tour in Soweto was so good. On offer were salad, cole slaw, baked beans, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, corn, butternut squash, polenta, roasted chicken, beef sausage, and beef stew. In a word: tasty!
We’ve really enjoyed our time in Joburg, but it’s time to get wild.
Tomorrow, we head to Botswana and Chobe National Park. A day of travel and lounging around the lodge, which is reminiscent of my beloved Animal Kingdom Lodge (at Walt Disney World) awaits.
Our first game drive, Monday morning.
Lions, giraffes, & elephants, Oh My!
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