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metaset({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","entry":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-540500409391478806"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-21T11:45:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-24T22:32:50.197+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Africa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Destination"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Johannesburg"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pretoria"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"South Africa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Travel"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"72 Hours in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BPVZxmm7sbw\/WKt0UPQA9qI\/AAAAAAAAQpA\/0zxm250fSjoDfMHv5Ah6JSMOImBALt9AQCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0002.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BPVZxmm7sbw\/WKt0UPQA9qI\/AAAAAAAAQpA\/0zxm250fSjoDfMHv5Ah6JSMOImBALt9AQCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0002.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMall of Africa\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo after all the entry drama, which I shared in my last post, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.molarabrown.com\/2017\/02\/the-road-to-south-africa.html\"\u003Ethe road to South Africa\u003C\/a\u003E...I finally got my 72 hours in South Africa. How did I end up leaving Nigeria just to spend 72 hours in South Africa?\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n1) I paid for the ticket which I used in applying for my Kenyan E-Visa because flight fare had gone up by the time I was finally ready to pay.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n2) Fear, let me just say it was only one person who I met on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.molarabrown.com\/2017\/01\/accra-with-irinng.html\"\u003EIrin-ajo trip to Accra\u003C\/a\u003E who assured me I had nothing to fear by visiting South Africa. Almost everyone else fueled the fire of fear in me, even those who currently live in the country. At some point, I almost canceled the South African part of the trip.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EWhat I did\/Saw:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KWkQhT4wgww\/WKt01rNnD9I\/AAAAAAAAQpE\/PAbExY80e-IQfmdNSNZCvkPcJLOM6MbpQCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0008.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KWkQhT4wgww\/WKt01rNnD9I\/AAAAAAAAQpE\/PAbExY80e-IQfmdNSNZCvkPcJLOM6MbpQCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0008.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMall of Africa\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ySIecyWUTWM\/WKt2qkmoGNI\/AAAAAAAAQpU\/a5ivNM7ZLg4WTdM2yKoTe-wAOMiy2a4JgCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0012.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ySIecyWUTWM\/WKt2qkmoGNI\/AAAAAAAAQpU\/a5ivNM7ZLg4WTdM2yKoTe-wAOMiy2a4JgCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0012.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMall of Africa\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-t70LHejS9vA\/WKt33qSsZsI\/AAAAAAAAQpg\/9T6ShZsXEbw06D9DOEIsduGG1HQNoMAOACLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0116.NEF\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-t70LHejS9vA\/WKt33qSsZsI\/AAAAAAAAQpg\/9T6ShZsXEbw06D9DOEIsduGG1HQNoMAOACLcB\/s400\/DSC_0116.NEF\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ERhodes Park\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xcyty5F9WEU\/WKt5XWn25nI\/AAAAAAAAQps\/z1H0HpDfKqopmoNPtF9YTNECOY0eaxeWQCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0265.NEF\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xcyty5F9WEU\/WKt5XWn25nI\/AAAAAAAAQps\/z1H0HpDfKqopmoNPtF9YTNECOY0eaxeWQCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0265.NEF\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMandela House, Soweto\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZDqqlhUloGc\/WKt8dZB7wrI\/AAAAAAAAQp4\/_ov1uYQZLlwZuMF9H5ltiI_WrNEs-4yrgCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0269.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZDqqlhUloGc\/WKt8dZB7wrI\/AAAAAAAAQp4\/_ov1uYQZLlwZuMF9H5ltiI_WrNEs-4yrgCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0269.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESoweto\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_HVDDzmAMEQ\/WKt9Aigc96I\/AAAAAAAAQp8\/A82oPl2mA-EmCqygL8Yia0VkCMWabNoHwCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0299.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_HVDDzmAMEQ\/WKt9Aigc96I\/AAAAAAAAQp8\/A82oPl2mA-EmCqygL8Yia0VkCMWabNoHwCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0299.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EUnion Building, Pretoria\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TF2NriFc-3s\/WKuOtwTwHgI\/AAAAAAAAQrU\/MgCMrV_JdhUPHqnyxxqAquh_HlhWOMe0gCEw\/s1600\/20170131_105629.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TF2NriFc-3s\/WKuOtwTwHgI\/AAAAAAAAQrU\/MgCMrV_JdhUPHqnyxxqAquh_HlhWOMe0gCEw\/s400\/20170131_105629.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EUniversity of Pretoria, Hatfield\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-X9aQ_Hp6H4g\/WKuQkVxvfBI\/AAAAAAAAQrs\/4H1mP03GUyExi4fCAGKyFjDtPJT2Z7YzwCLcB\/s1600\/20170131_162906.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-X9aQ_Hp6H4g\/WKuQkVxvfBI\/AAAAAAAAQrs\/4H1mP03GUyExi4fCAGKyFjDtPJT2Z7YzwCLcB\/s400\/20170131_162906.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECBD, Johannesburg\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RoufmL3sv8w\/WKuPzx9F7NI\/AAAAAAAAQrg\/zj-hT7d981U3T7aoWe5QgdfAACY1GWwHQCLcB\/s1600\/20170131_122740.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RoufmL3sv8w\/WKuPzx9F7NI\/AAAAAAAAQrg\/zj-hT7d981U3T7aoWe5QgdfAACY1GWwHQCLcB\/s400\/20170131_122740.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPretoria\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jHTCOIvLO18\/WKuQHMcK7GI\/AAAAAAAAQrk\/FSlZ3Iy2WW0b6MQ1NfPKBwgxRMhQ8_z6ACLcB\/s1600\/20170131_123504.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jHTCOIvLO18\/WKuQHMcK7GI\/AAAAAAAAQrk\/FSlZ3Iy2WW0b6MQ1NfPKBwgxRMhQ8_z6ACLcB\/s400\/20170131_123504.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPretoria\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B-MeJ8kS0uo\/WKt9kaiarLI\/AAAAAAAAQqE\/PUuub_4wrrURSX9TsshHEdNT8W_bbxYqgCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0397.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B-MeJ8kS0uo\/WKt9kaiarLI\/AAAAAAAAQqE\/PUuub_4wrrURSX9TsshHEdNT8W_bbxYqgCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0397.JPG\" width=\"265\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESandton City\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5DRM9nNDf7M\/WKt97VeHusI\/AAAAAAAAQqI\/w9-rWmLQ860gSAiTPfVrbQm2Dxy_54d8QCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0396.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5DRM9nNDf7M\/WKt97VeHusI\/AAAAAAAAQqI\/w9-rWmLQ860gSAiTPfVrbQm2Dxy_54d8QCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0396.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESandton City\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-c1yDeldNGpw\/WKuFH6CSYGI\/AAAAAAAAQq8\/QsGnUdcGNX0g5JpGdJcsXBjGHq6dr7pZgCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0410.NEF\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-c1yDeldNGpw\/WKuFH6CSYGI\/AAAAAAAAQq8\/QsGnUdcGNX0g5JpGdJcsXBjGHq6dr7pZgCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0410.NEF\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMonte Casino\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI pretty much realized how little time I had the moment I stepped into Johannesburg. I tried to see as much I could while there. The rain which fell the next morning after I arrived, did not help matters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nLuckily for me, my high school friend agreed to drive me down to Soweto. He has been living in South Africa for almost 5 years minus the 2 years he spent in South Korea and has never been to the Mandela house or any of the tourist destinations in the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI sadly did not get to see the Apartheid Musuem, Maboneng and Consititution Hill as I expected.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EAccommodation\u003C\/b\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CX8X_cKOoFI\/WKt_W9PXGdI\/AAAAAAAAQqY\/Xb67re_hQyknE-TM3O1TeHcl2Ods5J5wwCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0016.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CX8X_cKOoFI\/WKt_W9PXGdI\/AAAAAAAAQqY\/Xb67re_hQyknE-TM3O1TeHcl2Ods5J5wwCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0016.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rsqRidCEOzc\/WKt_s4XVWbI\/AAAAAAAAQqc\/-JQ-9kfg0Oc4QNiLkAbs6mtFwpfr24TMQCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0017.NEF\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rsqRidCEOzc\/WKt_s4XVWbI\/AAAAAAAAQqc\/-JQ-9kfg0Oc4QNiLkAbs6mtFwpfr24TMQCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0017.NEF\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-EE1gj6ZzV8Y\/WKuAQp-3XSI\/AAAAAAAAQqk\/R2HSuVoSTVAyKusn1CUN_fNsqJHhYOPvQCLcB\/s1600\/DSC_0023.NEF\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-EE1gj6ZzV8Y\/WKuAQp-3XSI\/AAAAAAAAQqk\/R2HSuVoSTVAyKusn1CUN_fNsqJHhYOPvQCLcB\/s400\/DSC_0023.NEF\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo I rented a Orchid room in a Victorian House, the Kensington area of Johannesburg on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eairbnb\u003C\/a\u003E. The neighborhood pretty much gave the European vibe and was pretty quiet. The main house is occuppied by 3 permanent housemates.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe two men (Anthony and Maku) were from the DRC and have been living in South Africa for a while. I enjoyed my night time conversations with them. We talked about everything, from religion to our varying culture and economy, finding love, Boko Haram, their experience living in South Africa. Maku runs a foundation and hopes to meet Tony Elumelu someday.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nThe third housemate is a white lady whose name I can't remember now. The first thing she said to me when we met was that she hope I did not come down to South Africa to settle down, for if I have come to settle, she would advise me to go back home. I kind of found that weird and over reaching, like what if I had actually relocated, that wasn't a nice thing to say to anyone at first meet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI am not really sure where she said she was from, I assumed she was Polish or German but I think she is a white South African or has always lived in South Africa all her life. She moved into the house 3 days before I visited. We chatted briefly whenever we met but nothing deep. I could tell she preferred to always be alone and I never went beyond the cordial hello, hi, how was your day compliment. She was nice enough to borrow me her umbrella when I visited Rhodes Park and gave me advise to be really careful at the park.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat I ate:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo when my friend asked me if I would like to try South African food, I gladly said yes.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWe went to a \"buka\" behind the complex his shop was located in the CBD area.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nLet's just say I could not wrap my head around eating this \"semo\" like food with coleslaw and all the other things inside this plate. I tried my best and swallowed a few wraps. I just told them to pack it for me, because the meat was too good to throw away.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\" style=\"background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"padding: 8px;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.14814814814815% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0px auto -44px; position: relative; text-align: justify; top: -22px; width: 44px;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BP5u44rhop0\/\" style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EA post shared by Lara A' (@lhararom)\u003C\/a\u003E on \u003Ctime datetime=\"2017-01-30T20:33:35+00:00\" style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\"\u003EJan 30, 2017 at 12:33pm PST\u003C\/time\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAsides from this attempt, I pretty much stayed off their food food.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI had burger and chips on my first day. Had chips and fish fillet, the chip was quite soggy sha when I visited Pretoria.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAsides from these, I survived on Fanta,\u0026nbsp;biscuit\u0026nbsp;and the \"minimie\" chinchin which followed me from Nigeria.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cscript async=\"\" defer=\"\" src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cb\u003E How I moved around\u003C\/b\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nI took the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.gautrain.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGautrain\u003C\/a\u003E from the CBD to get to Pretoria and Sandton City. My airbnb housemate gave me his card which saved me a few rands. Asides from the confusion when we had to change trains because the one we got in from CBD developed a fault, it was pretty much a good ride. But it was annoying having to change platforms like 3 times, watch trains stop and zoom off without picking up any passenger and finally getting a train and having to stand because it was full.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--DVpXJIIkaI\/WKuOd6jq7CI\/AAAAAAAAQrQ\/fgkGc30wv7MxViFFzz9KgwBu43SpItmbQCLcB\/s1600\/20170131_092121.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--DVpXJIIkaI\/WKuOd6jq7CI\/AAAAAAAAQrQ\/fgkGc30wv7MxViFFzz9KgwBu43SpItmbQCLcB\/s400\/20170131_092121.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EThe train was pretty much a good ride and way cheaper than taking a taxi. It reminds me of the trains in Germany. Foods and drinks are not allowed on the platform and on the train. It was one lady that called my attention to this while I was obliviously eating my chips on the platform.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4OXaGqfiNak\/WKuUmYKJAxI\/AAAAAAAAQsA\/bIx38IWsy5sW8jai2bSsfZhcMGCoUFI9gCLcB\/s1600\/20170131_115133.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4OXaGqfiNak\/WKuUmYKJAxI\/AAAAAAAAQsA\/bIx38IWsy5sW8jai2bSsfZhcMGCoUFI9gCLcB\/s320\/20170131_115133.jpg\" width=\"180\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nMy friend's sister and her husband picked me up from the airport. My friend also drove me to Soweto. I took the bus to the CBD from my airbnb\u0026nbsp;apartment on my way to Pretoria. The public transport (bus) is not so easy to assess, I had to take a long walk before I found the bus station.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/taxify.eu\/cities\/johannesburg\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETaxify\u003C\/a\u003E was also my go to app for movement around the city. I used it to get from the Pretoria Gautrain station to the union buildings. Also from the CBD to my airbnb apartment when I lost my way trying to find my friend's shop. It was also my ride to the airport on my way out of Johannesburg. I say never underestimate the power of these apps.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EThe weather\u003C\/b\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nSo before I left Nigeria, I asked two of my friends living in South Africa about the weather and all I heard was that it is very hot, summer hot in short. So I really did not pay attention to the weather forecast. Alas, my second day in Johannesburg and there was rain. The weather was pretty much cool all through my time there, and I had to buy a sweater at some point.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-version=\"7\" style=\"background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"padding: 8px;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.194444444444443% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"background: url(data:image\/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BP4RbD9BaBo\/\" style=\"color: black; font-family: \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESo someone forgot to tell me to prepare for the rain. #Johannesburg\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"\u003E\nA post shared by Lara A' (@lhararom) on \u003Ctime datetime=\"2017-01-30T06:56:52+00:00\" style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\"\u003EJan 29, 2017 at 10:56pm PST\u003C\/time\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nWith the recent renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, I would most likely have cancelled my trip. Because it was one of the fears I had that what if I got caught in the midst of it all. Yeah I found South Africa to be beautiful and way more organized and I can understand the reason why our people would rather be there than be back home in Nigeria. Their system works, they have good roads and there is stable electricity. They only have to worry about creating more employment opportunities and conducive business environment for entrepreneurs.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nBut I am not sure I want to live in an environment where I will always have to sleep with one eye, always watch my back and might lose everything I worked hard for because some citizens feel threatened by my presence in their country.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003EWhat do you think of South Africa?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EHave you been to South Africa? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\nStay tuned to more posts on my adventures.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cscript async=\"\" defer=\"\" src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: purple;\"\u003E ♥\u003C\/span\u003ELara\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.molarabrown.com\/feeds\/540500409391478806\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.molarabrown.com\/2017\/02\/72-hours-in-johannesburg-and-pretoria.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5261392446775961990\/posts\/default\/540500409391478806"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5261392446775961990\/posts\/default\/540500409391478806"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.molarabrown.com\/2017\/02\/72-hours-in-johannesburg-and-pretoria.html","title":"72 Hours in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Molara Brown"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15028561658576923679"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BPVZxmm7sbw\/WKt0UPQA9qI\/AAAAAAAAQpA\/0zxm250fSjoDfMHv5Ah6JSMOImBALt9AQCLcB\/s72-c\/DSC_0002.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}}});