Say, What's the Word? Johannesburg!

The flight from Los Angeles to Johannesburg, South Africa is not an easy one, but it's always pleasant for several reasons. One, i always fly South African Airways and the service is impeccable. Two, I love Africa and just the thought of returning there and engaging with all the wonderful people trumps the pesky child in business class who spent much of our 15-hour flight crying.

This time Im here for the Cape Town Jazz Festival. I'll get an opportunity to shoot and interview some top jazz musicians, do a little safari, visit Soweto (which is one of my favorite places on the planet), eat some great food--particularly the curry (Indian) at Bukhara in Mandela Square and just mix it up with the people.

DAY ONE

I am exhausted. Didn't sleep much on the plane--despite the comforts of business class. The Joburg airport is much different from what it was when I last here, just before the World Cup. It's bigger, sleeker and even more user-friendly. After clearing customs I'm greeted by Joe of JMT tours. He's been my driver ever since I started coming here nearly four years ago. Joe is terrific not only because he knows so much about Joburg, but because he is so passionate about his work.

When we arrive at the Sandton Sun, in Joburg's swanky financial district, I heard those dreaded words: "I'm sorry Ms. Turner your room isn't quite ready yet." That was a blessing and a curse. a blessing, because it gave me an opportunity to engage in some great conversation with strangers; a curse, for the obvious reasons.

Yet, when my room was ready less than an hour later, I could not sleep! Oy! I got only about an hour of sleep before boarding a bus to visit a cultural village north of the city. Part of it was because I needed to catch up on emails after not having access to the Internet for nearly a full day; and I got caught up in CNN's coverage of the tragedy in Japan. Today's news, 8,100 dead.

And then there's the drama in Libya.

The ride to Lesidi took nearly as long as the flight. It appears that Joburg's rush hour begins around 3 p.m. on Friday afternoons. And, it didn't help that several of the traffic signals along the two-lane route to the village were not functioning and that it was raining. I took a rather blurry shot of a rainbow, the first one I had seen in a long, long time.

At Lesidi we were greeted by this darling little boy and a Zulu chief, who gave us a crash course in Zulu and other tribal customs. Mostly what I remember is that women don't have too many rights in that culture! Then we watched the dancers and feasted on traditional fare before heading back to the hotel. I fell asleep just seconds after putting the "do not disturb" sign outside the door.




Next up: Soweto.