Johannesburg: Dust, Dreams, and a Whole Lotta Vibe
okay, so. johannesburg. i didn’t really plan to be here. touring with the band, you know? one minute we’re in berlin, the next i’m staring at a billboard advertising… something i couldn’t quite decipher. it was a whirlwind, honestly.
I just checked and it’s clinging to the skin, that kind of humidity that makes your hair instantly frizz and your clothes feel permanently damp. twenty-four point something degrees, they say. feels like a bit more, if you ask me. pressure’s normal, apparently. ninety-two percent humidity? yeah, that tracks.
I spent most of my time wandering around *Maboneng, which is… a lot. Graffiti everywhere, street food smells battling for dominance, people just living. It’s chaotic, but in a good way. Like, a controlled chaos. I stumbled into this tiny little cafe - “The Shed,” I think it was called - and the coffee… oh man. Seriously good. I’d link it here, but i was too busy slurping to get the name. You’ll find it. Trust me. Check out some local reviews on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g311038-Johannesburg_Gauteng.html
Someone told me that the vibe in Braamfontein is completely different. Apparently, it’s all art galleries and student bars. I didn’t make it there, but it’s on the list for next time. I did spend an afternoon in Yeoville, which was… intense. A real melting pot of cultures. I felt a little out of place, to be honest, but everyone was surprisingly friendly. I found this amazing vintage shop there, overflowing with clothes from all over africa. I snagged a gorgeous embroidered shirt for like, ten bucks.
I overheard some drunk guys arguing about the best place to get bunny chow. Apparently, there’s a fierce rivalry between different neighborhoods. They were yelling about “golden crispy batter” and “the perfect curry-to-bread ratio.” It was… entertaining. I didn’t try it myself, but I’m adding it to my culinary bucket list. Yelp has some decent recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=bunny+chow&find_loc=Johannesburg%2C+South+Africa
I’m staying in a little guesthouse in Hillbrow. It’s… rustic. Let’s just say that. The neighbors are… lively. If you get bored, pretoria is just a short drive away. I’m trying to find some decent live music. I saw a listing on a local events board: https://www.johannesburg.co.za/events/
I heard that you shouldn't wander around alone at night. Something about petty theft and… other things. I’m not gonna lie, i was a little nervous at first, but i’ve mostly been fine. Just keep your wits about you, you know? And don’t flash your valuables.
Honestly, johannesburg is… complicated. It’s beautiful and broken, vibrant and weary. It’s a city that gets under your skin. I’m glad i came. Even if it was just for a few days. I’m already thinking about when i can come back. Maybe i’ll even learn to play the drums properly while i’m here. There’s a music school in Newtown* that looks promising.
okay, gotta go. my bandmates are yelling for me. wish me luck.
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