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Helllo all from sunny Jo'burg (as the locals call it). Had a good flight, although couldn't get much sleep on the plane. Had a couple of alright meals on the plane and loads of good games and films and music, etc. Got picked up from the airport (eventually) by a guy from the hostel, had to phone them because we couldn't find him and then he appeared before saying he had to get money and disappearing for about 30 minutes. Haha, getting used to the laid back African way of life. Got dropped at hostel and checked into room- it is a 6 bed dorm with en-suite, but we are the only ones in it- except for the scorpion we found last night!!! Gareth bravely chucked it out using a piece of paper to scoop it up!
We booked a meal at the hostel for that night, which was a yummy beef and vegetable stew and rice and salad for gareth and soya and veg stew with rice and salad for me (I was a little dubious about the soya, but I think it was soya and not meat; Gareths beef was huge hunks still on the bone). We chilled out and had a nap in the afternoon and looked around hostel, not many people about. Had a game of scrabble and then got an early night.
29/10/2012:
We had breakfast, which was included in price. Toast, fruit, yoghurt, OJ and boiled egg, etc. Then we decided to brave a walk to the biggest shopping centre in South Africa- Eastgate Mall. The hostel staff said it was safe and showed us the way on a map. It took about 30-40 minutes. The rules of the road seem limited! Plus all the houses had barbed wire fences and armed response security warnings, which was reassuring! Lol! But we made it fine, except for getting a bit of a sweat on cos it was boiling!
We went to supermarket and stocked up on some drinks and a few snacks and pasta. We had a mooch around some of the other shops- seriously the clothes are gorgeous! As are the shoes and everything else! 100 times better than our shops! But we resisted buying anything as my bag is already full! Then we walked back to hostel- Gareth was my mule as the bags were v heavy and I was v hot!
We got back and sat by the pool playing scrabble in the sun (my nose is a tad pink, so I will remember sun cream from now on). Then we went back to the room and got showered, etc, before we had tea at the hostel again- another lovely meal for about 4 pound each. We had a game of pool in the bar and watched a bit of James Bond before heading back to the room, 7-0 to me in the scrabble now!! But Gareth did win the pool!
30/10/2012:
We had booked a tour of Jo'burg for today, so we got up and filled up on breakfast before getting picked up about 8.30am. It was just us two and a guide. We started off going into central Jo'burg where we went up the tallest building in Africa- 50 floors up! The guide pointed out all the big sites and it gave us a lovely view all over Jo'burg. We did stand out as the only white people around. Then we went to Soweto, which is the South Western Township- one of the biggest in SA. We started off in the wealthier area, then went to the middle area and then to the poorest, where a local guy 'Marley' showed us around. We went to a local nursery school, which was amazing!! The kids were sooooo sweet and all gave me a big hug! Then we had a look in someones 'house', which was made of like corrugated steel and wood, etc; more like a shed and there is so many all next to each other and they have outside loo's, etc. We did get conned into buying a couple of ornaments to help support the community, but they will be nice keepsakes!
Then we went to Hector Pieterson museum, who was a 13 year old lad that was the first to get shot during the protests re. schooling and the language used in schools. We learnt all about that protests, etc.
Then we went to Nelson Mandela's house, which is now like a museum. And also saw Desmond Tutu's house on the same street.
We finished up at the Apartheid Museum, which was very interesting and we learnt a lot about the history of South Africa and the apartheid and there was a Nelson Mandela exhibit, etc. It was shocking the way the Police treated the black africans.
The driver showed us various sights and gave us lots of information about Jo'burg, for example, he pointed out several of the big football stadiums used for the 2010 World Cup, etc.
We got back to the hostel about 3pm and are just chilling for the rest of the afternoon; lovely weather again today, although it does tend to get stormy in the evenings. Got another lovely dinner booked for tonight
Off to new hostel tomorrow for one night before we start the safari on Thursday! Don't know when we will be able to update you again, might not be until after safari, so take care guys xx
- comments
Auntie Vic Safari so goody then!!!!!!! I bloody love your blogs you are championi blogger! All sounds very exciting although please no more walking to get to places and shops sound fab maybe have to invest in a suitcase on wheels???? Look foward to the next instalment. love to you both stay safe and good luck beating al at scrab gareth xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx love you xxxxxxx ps all good here xxxxxxxxxxx
Mum Wow! what an interesting blog sounds just fantastic except for the scorpion good thing it was not a spider or you would have been putting it outside Alex, we would rather you didn't go out on your own exploring however safe it's suppose to be do take care, hope the next leg of your trip is just as great and you have a fantastic time on safari get in touch soon do take care love Dad and Mum xxxxxxxx
Mum Mandy (and Sophie her PA) Hey good job it wasn't Sophie at the shopping centre! All sounds like such an adventure already and your only a couple of days into it. Have a fab time on safari am guessing won't be much time for scrabble there (luckily for Gareth!). The food sounds brill and remember Auntie Debbie's 10 minutes front, 10 minutes back rule for the sun in future! Looking forward to hearing about the safari and hoping that you see lots of wildlife. Love you lots xx Ps. zip up your tent.
Daniel Glad to read and hear all is going well so far, have a great and safe trip and looking forward to seeing photos at Xmas. We are only half world apart at present. Is Paul any better at scrabble than Gareth? We dont go on safaris but we do take Zac to the farm - he enjoys it. Take care Daniel, Claire and Nephew Zachary xx
Paul (The Boss) Simmons Hi Alex/Gareth Sounds great!! really jealous, particualarly around the Mandela, Tutu and Apartheid viits, although most of all because of the footie stadiums hot weather and lounging round the pool, enjoy, stay safe and cant wait to hear about the safari.....
Auntie Vic Missing your blogs :-) :-) XXX
Emily & Paul Hi guys sounds like you're having a great time! Very jealous of the nice weather - its freezing here! We both loved safari and south africa so hope you do too. All good with us - looking forward to hearing more about your travels. Take care love Em and Paul x
Mum Hi to you both how was the safari hope you both had a great time and took plenty of pictures, watching fireworks from the house too cold for us to go and watch a display, stay safe hurry and send us your up date love Dad and Mum XX