Streetlife in Jozi

Johannesburg, also affectionately known as Jozi or Jo'burg, is the last stop on my South Africa tour before heading to Nepal tomorrow. Jo'burg has 4.3 million inhabitants and is considered the most dangerous city in South Africa. I get a taste of that as soon as I arrive. I just took a wrong turn on a side street and find myself in a completely run-down, dirty street. Packed with homeless people, beggars, low-quality goods on the street, and very uncomfortable looking locals. I get out to orient myself and ask for directions. I would have loved to take out my camera and take a lot of pictures. Each one would have told its own story. But the bulky, grumpy looking guys with arms like wardrobes don't seem like they would understand fun. So, reluctantly, I continue without my camera. But after 300 meters, I feel so uncomfortable because everyone is staring at me like I'm a foreigner, that I quickly turn around and I'm glad to be safe in the locked car again. Oh my goodness. And my hostel is supposed to be here? One street over, a quiet, well-kept street with security awaits me. The hostel is cute and a real gem, surrounded by cozy cafes and street art.

I decide to join the guided city walk, as I can take my camera with me there. Our neighborhood Maboneng is really versatile and somehow cool. Graffiti on the walls. Former factories and brick houses transformed into art galleries of local artists, small bistros, and shops with high-quality handicrafts. When the others go to an antique bookstore that doesn't interest me at all, I persuade two of our three local guides to take a stroll with me through the neighboring streets. They tell me to put away my camera at some places with really cool and messed up motifs. Stupid crap. But also really intense, because after all, they are two and locals. I would have loved to walk through the street of my arrival, but the two of them absolutely refuse to do so. Well, I surrender. Safety first. That's why I can only show you the light version of street life here.