Scrambled eggs and pancakes for breakfast= Kate in heaven.
First full day in South Africa and we went on a tour to Soweto. I am glad I was not driving.
They have a taxi system of vans where you can stand on the side of the road and point where you want to go. The taxi will then stop and collect you. But these taxis stop with no warning, sometimes in the middle of the lane, middle of the round about, basically anywhere they want. And you can tell by the taxis that they don't mind as their panel work of the car is probably not allowed to drive in NZ.
Soweto area has around the same population as New Zealand (according to our driver) however is quite opposite. Some areas in which they called middle class looked run down and not suitable for living but then we arrived at another area. The roads were dirt and houses made of corogated iron. Certainly made me grateful for where I come from.
Even though the population of Soweto lives in these conditions they are happy with what they have. They are all smiling and going about their lives. Kids are running around or returning from school looking very respectful in their uniforms. (There is no school in Soweto so they have to travel 30mins by foot to neighbouring area).
Our driver who was from Soweto explained that everyone knows everybody and you become like a giant family, passing down skills and traditions.
We also visited Nelson Mandelas house and a few other historical landmarks in the area. We travelled up the Soweto tours and had a 360 view of Soweto and Johannesburg( travelling up the tours in a elevator the cage on the outside).
What an afternoon it was, tugging at my heart seeing the way other people live.
Last night in the hostel we had an evening of playing the drums and learning African songs. Lifted the mood amongst us before we had an African Braai (BBQ).
Johannesburg is an interesting city with tall fences and barbed wire around all the properties, a number of different cultures and some strange road signs. I think one of the top reasons to live here would be for the Mcadonalds delivery! Yes that is a real thing!
It is definitely an eye opener to a different part of the world.