Day 3, Sunday, May 19, 2013:
Up after a 9 hour sleep. Didn’t I sleep during most of the flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg? Another luxurious shower to get ready for some breakfast in the lounge. Typical fare with nothing out of the ordinary. Good food none the less and great service. I’m ready for a little fresh air, but nothing too demanding. I’m still feeling the need to rest and recover. The picnic I had planned was cancelled due to rain. One of the doorman suggests a short walk to Nelson Mandela Square.
The square is quite small and serves as an entry to a very large mall. Lots of stores of all types; from luxury to discount. When's the last time anyone saw a Woolworth's?!I wander around and take in the local color.
It’s like the world made small. Mostly locals I think. I find a shop for tooth paste. I am dissuaded from buying the Colgate by a young lady proudly displaying the AquaFresh logo. Wouldn’t I prefer their product, she asks? It’s on sale. It’s cheaper, so I’m sold and she is happy.
Another feature of American life I already miss is short lines. I ponder this as I wait my turn to check out (I’m about #20 in this line). Then I have to pony up 30 cents for a bag to carry purchase. I find a luggage store that has a grand total of two luggage tags in stock. Why are they so scarce and what are people using to ID their bags these days? A short walk back to the hotel in time for afternoon tea in the lounge accompanied by an assortment of cakes and cookies. I spend some time in my room to read the local news and prepare this post. Time for dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. I’m still not up to any wandering about. I’m greeted by the entire staff, lined up like a military parade, headed by the manager. They have been waiting for me they say, all smiles and good nature. Should I go elsewhere, so they can go home? The no’s are uttered in unison. I settle in and peruse the menu. Kingklip catches my eye. It’s a fish I’m told. My waitress, Moreblessing (that’s her real name), is asked about local favorites and she suggests the Lamb Potjie. A potjie is a cast iron pot with a lid and three legs. This dish is basically a stew that is made with almost any kind of meat mixed with vegetables and mushrooms and served with rice on the side. While I am waiting she comes out with a gift from the chef. A marinated tuna appetizer. The fish is caught off the coast I’m told and served chilled, marinated and rolled in black pepper. The potjie is good; hot and swimming in a rich gravy. Too much for one person. Moreblessing then tempts me with the dessert menu. One item is unknown to me, Malva Pudding. She describes it as a sponge cake served warm in a lake of custard with a big berry on top. I surrender to the temptation and order it. It was perfect. She comes with the bill and thanks me for trusting her judgment; hoping I will come again. Everyone gives me a smiling good-bye as I leave. Thankfully, they have a few more customers. Day 1 over and soon it will be lights out. I need to be ready for my only full day in Jo’Burg. I’m catching on to the local lingo. I had planned to go to Pilanesburg, but that had to be cancelled as I was the only one booked. This is the downside of traveling on the off-season. The owners of the tour group, Susan and Glenn, were very nice. They called me at my hotel and offered to take me alone if I wished to pay the full cost. Not being J.P. Morgan, I declined that offer. They promised to arrange some day trips for me when I return next week from Cape Town. I will have the concierge arrange something for me to do tomorrow.
The square is quite small and serves as an entry to a very large mall. Lots of stores of all types; from luxury to discount. When's the last time anyone saw a Woolworth's?!I wander around and take in the local color. 
It’s like the world made small. Mostly locals I think. I find a shop for tooth paste. I am dissuaded from buying the Colgate by a young lady proudly displaying the AquaFresh logo. Wouldn’t I prefer their product, she asks? It’s on sale. It’s cheaper, so I’m sold and she is happy.
Another feature of American life I already miss is short lines. I ponder this as I wait my turn to check out (I’m about #20 in this line). Then I have to pony up 30 cents for a bag to carry purchase. I find a luggage store that has a grand total of two luggage tags in stock. Why are they so scarce and what are people using to ID their bags these days? A short walk back to the hotel in time for afternoon tea in the lounge accompanied by an assortment of cakes and cookies. I spend some time in my room to read the local news and prepare this post. Time for dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. I’m still not up to any wandering about. I’m greeted by the entire staff, lined up like a military parade, headed by the manager. They have been waiting for me they say, all smiles and good nature. Should I go elsewhere, so they can go home? The no’s are uttered in unison. I settle in and peruse the menu. Kingklip catches my eye. It’s a fish I’m told. My waitress, Moreblessing (that’s her real name), is asked about local favorites and she suggests the Lamb Potjie. A potjie is a cast iron pot with a lid and three legs. This dish is basically a stew that is made with almost any kind of meat mixed with vegetables and mushrooms and served with rice on the side. While I am waiting she comes out with a gift from the chef. A marinated tuna appetizer. The fish is caught off the coast I’m told and served chilled, marinated and rolled in black pepper. The potjie is good; hot and swimming in a rich gravy. Too much for one person. Moreblessing then tempts me with the dessert menu. One item is unknown to me, Malva Pudding. She describes it as a sponge cake served warm in a lake of custard with a big berry on top. I surrender to the temptation and order it. It was perfect. She comes with the bill and thanks me for trusting her judgment; hoping I will come again. Everyone gives me a smiling good-bye as I leave. Thankfully, they have a few more customers. Day 1 over and soon it will be lights out. I need to be ready for my only full day in Jo’Burg. I’m catching on to the local lingo. I had planned to go to Pilanesburg, but that had to be cancelled as I was the only one booked. This is the downside of traveling on the off-season. The owners of the tour group, Susan and Glenn, were very nice. They called me at my hotel and offered to take me alone if I wished to pay the full cost. Not being J.P. Morgan, I declined that offer. They promised to arrange some day trips for me when I return next week from Cape Town. I will have the concierge arrange something for me to do tomorrow.
sounds good so far, but I don't see any pictures of the foods which are so elegantly described...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. I guess I'm always too hungry to take the time to photograph the food. I'll be sure to include some in future posts.
ReplyDelete