March 27, 2014
As with a lot of people I know, travelling to Africa was a bucket list item for my parents. While they did spend a day in Morocco as part of a high school trip a few hundred years ago, they have always talked about wanting to see Africa (and by they I really mean my Dad, but Mom was definitely up for the ride). And so, after having last seen them in December 2012, my parents made their way 12,000km from eastern Canada to visit us in Johannesburg and take advantage of the opportunity to cross a few things off their bucket list.
We spent their first weekend here exploring Jozi- mainly, the monuments and the markets of the city. Don't worry, there's a lot more adventure to come with Mom and Dad, this was only the beginning of their six-week long travels in Africa.
We spent their first weekend here exploring Jozi- mainly, the monuments and the markets of the city. Don't worry, there's a lot more adventure to come with Mom and Dad, this was only the beginning of their six-week long travels in Africa.
Monument #1: Checking out the statue in Nelson Mandela Square.
Taking advantage of family photo ops.
Market #1: Bryanston Organic Market. This was M & I's first visit to this particular market, and it did not disappoint. The assortment of high-quality local handmade wares combined with a nice layout that allowed for equal amounts browsing/resting/eating made for a great morning.
Monument #2: Another first for M & I, the Voortrekker Monument. It was built between 1938-1949 to honour Afrikaners who trekked north over the coastal mountains of the Cape to get to the centre of the African dry-lands ("veld").
The monument has impressive views of South Africa's capital city of Pretoria.
Monument #3: This nine-metre-tall bronze statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled just eleven days after his passing on 5 December, 2013. It stands proud on the grounds of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Madiba with the people.
The artist that created the statue apparently made his mark by engraving a tiny bronze rabbit into Mandela's right ear; while not visible to the human eye (even with a 300mm telophoto lens), there is talk of taking the statue down to remove the engraving.
Market #2: Arts on Main is a favourite of M & I's. Over the course of the past twelve months M & I have noticed a huge difference in the rejuvenation that has taken place in this area of inner city Joburg. There are loads more people wandering around, more vendors and activities in the streets, and new shops popping up every time we visit.
The compulsory visit to "I was shot in Joburg". I love this picture: Dad and M look like they were posing for a very different shot than Mom and I.
Guitar lessons on the street!
Love these guys so much.
At the time, everything is so new and different it was sometimes
ReplyDeletenot easy to just take it all in. It's so neat to relive the adventure through your pictures.