South Africa 2015
With just three weeks' notice I spent 8–29 August in South Africa as part of a team from work starting up a new food factory in suburban Johannesburg. Although I've had as many opportunities as I wanted to make for myself to go to Africa in my adult life, I have never truly had the desire to do the trip, especially with my money, because I couldn't imagine there'd be anything of interest there for me. Well, in the same way I was wrong with my premature indifference to Paris, Korea, and Guatemala, I was wrong about Africa, at least South Africa. I had a wonderful time on the tip of the Dark Continent, both in and out of work, getting to know the locals—white and black—and exploring Johannesburg-proper, Soweto, Pretoria, and the north suburbs of "Joburg." The food agreed with my crazy stomach; the natural topography was beautiful; the weather was perfect; I learned a lot about the country's culture, history, and politics; and now I think about the world differently. The only way I could have enjoyed myself more would have been if the trip were longer. Having said that, barring an unlikely change of heart, I will return next year to vacation in Cape Town and perhaps Durban.
Anyway, unlike any other start-up I've been on, I had the weekends off, and it was from those days that I took the following pictures. Hover the cursor over any of the smaller images to read their captions; click on any of the smaller photos to enlarge them; the larger pictures near the end have a caption embedded beneath them.
Enjoy.
Anyway, unlike any other start-up I've been on, I had the weekends off, and it was from those days that I took the following pictures. Hover the cursor over any of the smaller images to read their captions; click on any of the smaller photos to enlarge them; the larger pictures near the end have a caption embedded beneath them.
Enjoy.
My short safari at Lion Park, where this past June an American woman was killed by one of the eponymous residents. Lion Park was close to my hotel and even closer to the factory I was helping to start up.
The Voortrekkers were Dutch farmers who, in the 1830s and 1840s, left the southern end of what is now South Africa and moved inland, looking, as pioneers do, for a better life. Over 2500 families started the trek, but hundreds died in battles with Zulu warriors and other natives. Among the leaders of the Voortrekkers was Andries Pretorius, who later played a key role in creating the South African Republic. The country's third largest city is named for him.
Construction on the granite Voortrekkers Monument started in 1937 and was completed twelve years later. In 2011, the South African Heritage Resource Agency named Voortrekkers Monument a National Heritage Site.
Construction on the granite Voortrekkers Monument started in 1937 and was completed twelve years later. In 2011, the South African Heritage Resource Agency named Voortrekkers Monument a National Heritage Site.
Although I'm studying about South Africa as I prepare this webpage, I'm not knowledgeable about the country's history. Paul Kruger, a controversial figure in South Africa in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth centuries, was the third state president of the South African Republic.
Church Across the Street from Paul Kruger's House
Monument in Front of the Union Buildings
Nine-meter, Bronze Statue of Nelson Mandela, along with Many Chinese Tourists
Huh? Yes, ice skating in Johannesburg at Northgate Mall.