Cultural discovery for today, we went biking into the huge 3-4 millions inhabitants slum of Jo-Burg, Soweto. Said to be very dangerous by Afrikaans (some whites of SA), this was actually quite all right, and clearly better than reading books or watching documentaries on how people live.
Soweto has 3 types of areas. We are starting with the really poor and slum ones, with no real houses but only shacks or whatever can be used to shelter. Of course living conditions look tough... but people, and most of all children, look nice and joyful, cheering us all the way along.
What is the future for all those here... No clear answer, but it sounds a minimum of education is now ensured, hope it will drive good changes over the years.
What would I be if I was born here is a question you can't avoid popping into your mind...
In a ghetto, but biking with style, isn't it Aurelien? ;)
The tour of course includes some local discoveries of the cultural habits and food... well, ok, can do this a bit, the beer is weird but good, and the meat with paprika not so bad until you discovered where does it come from...
After this break, we head to the nicer side of Soweto, with real houses, clean streets and less people outside so... some famous kitchy singer house, then Mandela's one of course, which is located in the only street in the world having 2 nobel prices! Being raised in a ghetto must clearly makes you fight for life and rights differently.
Aurelien and I being what we are... we can't resist to head to the trendy rooftops of Jo-Burg end of Sunday afternoon, which host quite a nice crowd with music and cocktails in the air. Tapinage is out!
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