Jozi, Jo'burg, the City of Gold

Flying into Jo'burg was a little shock to the system! When we left Entebbe at 0730 it was already 25 degrees. Landing in Jo'burg a good few hours later, and the temperature was nothing above 15 degrees! It doesn't sound like much, but when you have been living in near constant temperatures and high humidity, the cold of a South African Highveld winter is pretty hard to bear.

Jerseys, fleeces, windbreakers and beanies to the fore!

With hired wheels, we were free to travel our own paths; ride down roads of our own choosing; in directions that we decided! After months of being reliant on the brilliance of African mass transportation, we felt free FREE FREE! The only problem was….er…..was where did Colleen booked us in….. perhaps Avis have a map?

Navigating purely on memory from years ago, we eventually made it to The Cosy Den. This was a place to rest our heads for the next night or two. But after tents and bowl showers, this place was luxury! Showers! Hot water! On tap! Beds that suck you up and nestle you in a duvet cocoon! It even had a kettle and fridge! Where we had come from, Cosy Den was undeniable luxury!

But first things first. Food and laundry. What was I thinking having that Chicken curry topped Belgian waffle? For days afterwards, I could taste that curry every time I burped! Aaaaaaaaarggggggghhh! I think I got far too carried away! My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. Ing just laughed at my stupidity!

After endless weeks of hand washing, here was the chance to get everything, literally, machined washed. With bags of dirty gear in tow, we commandeered five machines. The owner looked on in amazement and laughed! Ing looked on in amazement and wonder. She had never been in a launderette before. I always told her to stick with me because I will take her places! Clean clothes and full stomachs. Our day in "civilization" ended with a little bedroom picnic of fresh bread and red wine! All very exciting when you haven't had this stuff for ages!

Jo'burg is Africa's financial powerhouse built on the back of the gold mines located far below the city itself. It has always been Africa's magnet. Here is the incomparable place that offers a glimmer of hope to those across Africa that have none. Here is the City of Gold! It certainly has a reputation of making all your dreams come true. Whether you are a criminal or an honest joe, this place is a place of infinite potential. Just ask the droves of Saffas returning home with the will and spirit "to make it work"!

And Sandton City in the heart of the northern suburbs manifests just that! Here is commerce writ large. Designer stores and goods at every turn and charging outrageous prices for sometimes very mediocre stuff. But, darling it is the label that conveys the value. Not the price. Didn't you know that? With some time on our hands before seeing friends, a lunch steak (hadn't had one for months) and a glass of good red wine and a place in the sun was necessary to get over our clear culture shock!

We could get used to this I think!