Gess Where Travels: Johannesburg

Estimated flying time was approximately 20 hours and then there were the waits. Unfortunately the first delay came right away when our plane to Vancouver had to turn around on its way to Kelowna due to mechanical issues. Two and a half hours later we were on our way. Things seemed like they might be easier until we learned the next flight from Kelowna was cancelled with one person who would not make the BA connection. BA 84 left Vancouver late but arrived in London early!

Another wait and a total tour of terminal 5 from gates C to Gates A and back to C! Money belts are great but not through security especially when they hang from your neck and are under your bra. I won’t describe the procedure to get it off so I could clear security without a body search -let your imagination work with that imagine! BA 55 late leaving but estimated flying time less and there we were in Johannesburg.

Airport greeting

After a frantic arrival at the hotel I headed off with a small group for a street art tour of Maboneng area. The area is central and where so many businesses just abandoned buildings and moved. They are now trying revitalize it with shops, cafes, artisans..

We also visited Constitution Hill for a brief history lesson. The old jail sits there as a memory of days gone by. There is a man made hill that served as a fort, complete with cannons. The art is very impressive and symbolic - from the long shadows representing the people wrongly imprisoned to the ladies representing the indignity of not allowing pants while imprisoned.

The site is also the location of the highest court, Constitution Court - an impressive building symbolic of the flight to

Can you see Mandela?

The bridge is the Nelson Mandela Bridge but it is not over water - over rail cars on tracks.

Day 2 began with a long drive to Soweto or the South Western Township. The poverty is event at the first turn off. We had a tuk tuk tour booked with Levos Soweto and it was fantastic. The two main fellows presented the history of this area so well - the indignity and abuse of people based on color was jaw dropping. Despite this they see hope for the future because they are free!

A very somber stop was to visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Hector was a 12 year old boy shot June 16, 1976 and really became the face of the student protests that was the start to the end of apartheid. The museum is great but not a cheery experience.

The columns have the names of everyone killed during the uprising.

A visit to Nelson Mandela’s house seems like an natural stop. Lots of his artifacts in a very simple house.

Outside Mandela’s home and a bit of entertainment.

Our tour ended at the site where we were served a delicious lunch of local dishes, accompanied by some beer and cider produced by women. South Africa celebrates women for the month of August.

Beer and wine products from African women.

Our final stop was the Apartheid Museum. It is one of the best museums I have experienced. From the minute we entered through 2 different gates as white or non- white it was a moving experience to follow the journey to end segregation. Of course Nelson Mandela’s part in the changes was a significant part of the museum. I think we all walked away with a heavy heart but so pleased we had learned so much.