Africa Part 1: Joburg!

Well, its official!  Wed morning, at 7:30am, I made landfall on my 5th continent!  Having only really seen pictures of the bushland in Africa, the site of builidings and smog was not exactly what I was expecting.   But the city was just like any other, with lots of traffic and graffited overpasses. 

Having been warned about the crime and roughness of Johannesburg, I was apprehensive on the way to the hotel, keeping an eye out for the "dangers" that may be lurking around the corner.  What I found was friendly people, and a careful, but comfortable atmosphere.   Granted, I am in a fairly upper class neighborhood, neighboring a conference center and business area.  

At the recommendation of the local PRA staff, I wandered over to the next door shopping center, and wandered through the shops, arriving in the middle of an open air square complete with a fountain and a monument to Nelson Mandela.  Dotted on the edge of the square where a number of resturants, including a seafood place where i enjoyed a very nice local Sauvignon Blanc.   I also enjoyed dinner at an African resturant where I experienced an amazing lamb shank, with a beautiful pinotage, all while being entertained by a group of traditional drummers.  

While the need for security is obvious, as seen by the abumdance of barbed wire, gated areas and always present armed guards, there is something enticing and welcoming about South Africa, especially in every person I have met so far.  There is beauty amoung the concrete and I am lucky to get to see it.   Tomorrow I am off to Durban, where I will get to see the coast, some safaris and the mountains.