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Very detailed Africa travelogue with lots of information for anyone planning a trip. Indexed for easy reference. 11 Countries over 3 months.
3 months in Africa -- detailed travelogue, travel tips, indexed
Larry2006-05-27 03:11:54
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surroundings from the
top even on a cloudy, overcast day. Alfred pointed out a few things,
including a nice, new, green-glass building that used to be the Holiday Inn,
though it's now closed due to the lack of people wanting to stay in the
downtown area with its high crime rate...
Unfortunately, Johannesburg has a major problem with crime, and people
are fleeing to the suburbs like never before. It's the only place in the
country that I didn't walk on my own, and even Alfred kept stressing that
the downtown area isn't safe -- saying that anyone walking with a backpack
(even a daypack) would be an instant target. He said most of the crime
isn't directed towards whites, but rather tourists. Quite truthfully, I
wonder if it's as bad as everyone says: I went to school in New York, know
how to walk and live in a big city, and probably would have been fine on my
own. Seeing the vibrant downtown section during the day really ate at me
inside -- I pined to get out of Alfred's car and start walking around, but
with the lack of time, the only practical choice was to go with a driver.
If I ever go back though, I'll look around the city on foot (though DO
listen to the warnings, as the crime rate in this city IS high, and if you
look like a tourist, you'll certainly be targeted).
The area near the Carlton Centre reminded me a bit of Broadway Street in
Los Angeles, with plenty of small shops, stores, and seedy hotels. Looking
around, I saw hardware stores, discount outlets, electronics shops, Indian
groceries, and China shops. As a sidenote, today's newspaper carried a
story that Ster-Kinekor (the large South African cinema chain) would be
closing its downtown Johannesburg cinemas.
When we were finished with the Carlton Centre, the Australian and Brit
were done for the day (asking to be left off
...
See photographs from:
Botswana Gallery
,
Cape Verde Gallery
,
Kenya Gallery
,
Lesotho Gallery
,
Malawi Gallery
,
Mauritius Gallery
,
Swaziland Gallery
,
Tanzania Gallery
,
Zambia Gallery
,
Zimbabwe Gallery
I just thought it might be helpful for you to know how i am finding your system.
Thank you
Susan J, 2008-01-28 14:00:20