Touring Johannesburg

After yet another night of insomnia - at this rate I won't have to worry about getting back on EST because I'll have never left it - I decided that Sunday would be a day for touring Johannesburg. Seeing as I am not centrally located at a hotel, my only option for getting out and about was to hire a driver - the one the American woman recommended last week. After another hearty British breakfast and chatting with fellow guests and our hostess, the driver Terrance picked me up and we were off to the Apartheid Museum. They aren't kidding when estimated time for completion is 2 1/2 hrs...and I didn't read/watch everything that was there. Such a complicated history and I'm not sure how I missed the goings-on of South Africa, especially given the very violent portion that occurred while I've been alive. It is a really good museum and I highly recommend it. In fact, it should do a touring exhibit.

Afterwards, Terrance who is a native of Soweto and speaks English, Afrikans, Zulu and three other African languages, drove me through the township of Soweto. We stopped briefly at the Nelson Mandela House for a photo op, and then proceeded to a restaurant with a buffet lunch of traditional foods. Not sure if I've had tripe before, but I have now. Everything was very good and it was obvious that this somewhat non-descript location was the stop for many tour guides and their clients.

This adventure took about five hours and it was very nice to exchange information with Terrance about our home countries. But it was a long day and I was so eager to get back to the guesthouse that I unfortunately forgot to take a photo of Terrance. However, should you find yourself in Johannesburg and need a driver (for transport, airport transfers or touring), I have his card and can highly recommend him.