Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Joburg here we come!!!

DAY 1
This past weekend was amazing!!! We left Durban early on Friday morning and arrived in Johannesburg around 8am. We then got our car and headed to the Park Inn Hotel in Sandton. The hotel is very modern and stylish. I loved it!!!
Here is a picture of Athi and myself checking in and one picture of my room.

A little bit later we took a tour to Soweto, which is a township in Johannesburg, where people were forced to move during apartheid. Life there is quite different than what we saw until now. Houses are made of anything ranging from brick to metal laminate. It’s hard to explain but life is not all rainbows and unicorns over there. It is a quite humbling and eye opening experience that people living in those conditions are still very positive, hard working, happy, and willing to share their stories with strangers.  
I sadly did not take any pictures from that side but right next to Soweto two towers rise. They were cooling towers from a plant that ran with coal. The plant polluted the environment so it got closed down. Now the towers are painted and are a very attractive tourist site since one of the highest bungee jumping site is right in between them.
Here are a couple of pictures of the towers and the jumping site hanging in the middle. We actually saw a man jump… Let’s just say I’ll keep my feet on the ground for now.


Our city tour continued as we headed to the Hector Pieterson Museum! Such an emotional place!!!
Hector Pieterson was the youngest school kid to die on a protest agains the government ruling that school lesson will be thought in Afrikaans. The protest caused many more schools in cities all over South Africa to rise and change history. The day Hector died is now celebrated as Youth Day (June 16th).
The words "to honor the youth who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom and democracy" are written in this memorial site right outside the museum.

On the left the famous picture taken by reporter Sam Nzima of a fellow student, Mbuyisa Makhubo, carrying Hector after he was shot.
Mbuyisa is presumed dead after he had to leave South Africa because of this picture. His mother says in a quote written in stone that his son "is or was" (because they don't know if he is still alive) not a hero, he was doing his duty to help a fellow student, and if he had not done so he would not be able to live among them.
Very hard words coming from a mother, but at the same time showing all of us the spirit and courage behing these heroes (because to my eyes they are heroes).
We then had a typical South African lunch and visited Nelson Mandela's house. Outside the gates, we wrotte our "get well" wished, since he is in such a critical state right now. He is such an inspiration for mankind.


The perfect ending of the tour--> we visited Soccer City Stadium! Unbelievable design!!! here is a picture of it.


Later that day we went out on a girls’ night!
Sundowners on the roof top of a hotel + amazing dinner + clubs = fun fun fun  


DAY 2 & 3

After a great breakfast.. we visited the Neighbourgoods Market in downtown Johannesburg! Amazing food amazing drinks and treats. Great way to start a day!!!

Later on we visited the Lion Park! HEAVEN!!! we got to play with lion cubbs and take a tour to see the white lions! Huge beautiful creatures!






After this awesome afternoon we went to the Union Pop up Bar, which is a bar that changes locations. They randomly select a location and turn it into a bar/club with lights, Dj, lounges, etc... The location this time was in the middle of a mall!!! very cool!
We definitely need this back in Fay ;)

Sunday morning we went to a mall and visited Mr. Price stores to learn more about the DC-Store process!

Come on... I mean, it can't all be fun and games!!! gotta get some work done as well!! haha ;)

I have some exciting things planned for this week (Week 7) - time goes by so fast- I will post again soon!

Cheers!
p.

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