Joannesburg: it’s gritty, crime runs rampant, stoplights are called robots, and it’s impossible not to get lost. Every house resembles Fort Knox. Barred windows, electric fences, and barbed wire; you name it, they’ve all got it.
We escaped the heat, but ran into rain – lots and lots of rain. Torrential downpours were a daily occurrence. We stayed at a few shady places, before relocating to a comfy B&B in the trendy suburb of Melville.
It took almost a week to get our bearings. Obtaining a rental car was the biggest hurdle to jump. There are walk-in, over the phone, and online rates – all different. Trying to keep these straight was next to impossible. We called almost every rental company within the city and visited every office at the airport. In the end, we went with Avis. The slogan ‘We try harder’ instilled confidence. What can I say?
It should be mentioned that we walked into the office, received a rate, walked outside, made a reservation online for half the price, and then walked back in. Hmmmmm. In hindsight, that should have been the first red flag.
With a VW Polo in our possession, we went in search of camping gear. After two very long days of shopping, we managed to fill it up with the necessary supplies. In the process, we befriended Sage, an employee from a local outdoor store. As luck would have it, he and his wife own a tour company and offered to discuss our plans over dinner. They offered some insight on the area, tips for our trip, and shared some rather entertaining stories. Most notable: Sage being stolen by a baboon as a baby: a worry we don’t have at home.
With our car full and maps in tow, we were ready to hit the road. We had two months, three countries, and almost 15,000 kilometers to cover.
Yes, I realize pulling over in a hijacking hotspot is a no-no. Oops.
