impressions 29 June 2009
And so, Johannesburg. The weather is sunny and extremely cold when darkness comes. It’s a place of contrasts, like every major African city and town I have been in (though I imagine our own cities must seem that to visitors but we are inured to it somewhat) – one minute you’re in a posh area, the next by township. We passed the outskirts of one today, the metal lean-tos packed tightly next to one another, and standing in front of them, although it was very early in the morning, men were lounging, out of work, bored, and waiting for something at all to happen in the day.
Later I felt something of a star, and that was odd and unexpected – I was left by car to the local gym because I’m trying to keep off the weight I lost at the beginning of the year and get a bit toned (the latter is proving more difficult than staying off potatoes and bread – oh, and pasta and rice too) so I need to do an hour’s exercise each day (at least) – it’s also great for thinking and releasing the old endorphins or seratonin or whatever the happy stuff is. Anyhow, it’s not a great idea for me to walk to the place, which isn’t that far away, so I was driven by a unit driver and he waited for me!!! I could get used to such things…though I needn’t as this particular service is only available to me for the week I’m here.
I would also like a wife, in case anyone is wondering – not a personal assistant, no, I want the 24hour wife thing that most of us who are married are providing – I know I have something of a cheek to suggest that I am actually on-call 24/7 (though I am, in my own peculiar way) but, dammit, when I am being wifely I am GOOD at it! And I want one of those, thanks very much.
