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Hugeaux aka Hugo R. Miller is an artist/photographer living in the USA

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Hugeaux aka Hugo R. Miller

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www.hugeaux.com

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DAY #3

Friday
March 16, 2012 Johannesburg, South Africa
6:00am

I slept very good last night. A total of 10 hours. I was awaken this morning again by the chirping of the birds because there is a tall majestic tree next to my window, which they love to gather. I am staying in a quaint Bed & Breakfast hotel called: G-Lodge. It is located in the Bertram section of Johannesburg. The manager here is Papy Katende, who is originally from the Congo, and he is very friendly. The rooms are large, spacious and the décor is African animal prints. Mine happen to be leopard. The room is very cool this Fall season and there is no need for additional vent circulation. I spent some part of last night looking at South African television (SABC) mostly African night time soap opera and news. From listening to the news, one of the places I was thinking about visiting: Limpopo, is having a bit of disturbance, so I have decided not to visit it. Well, I must get dress and head for breakfast before I catch the Rea Vaya (public trans) into the heart of Johannesburg to Park Station…Another rainy day in Johannesburg.

12:30 Johannesburg, South Africa
Park Station, Central JoBurg
I took the Rea Vaya to Park Station, downtown central Johannesburg. After confirming my Durban, South Africa trip tonight with SA Roadlink Bus Line, I decided to walk around downtown and photograph in the rain. Everywhere you go is a market. Food selling and outdoor restaurants. I photographed as much as possible, before I came upon an area where I almost got my camera confiscated. Unknowingly to me, I was stopped by security and told to delete the 2 photographs I had taken. The officer dressed in bright red uniform said he had been watching me since I entered. I must admit I do look totally like an African American short pants, white T-Shirt, and white socks tourist, while everyone here look like they are dressed for winter. The red clay of Africa is everywhere. It is now red mud, but it looks so rich. The people are beautiful and friendly. There is the smell of cooking everywhere and the sound of Soukous and Reggae (music) everywhere even during this rain. I walked for 2 hours trying to absorb and capture, if possible everything. I walked passed and photographed City Hall. Downtown Johannesburg is huge. It is impossible to walk it all. While sitting in Park Station on a bench, I can not help but notice all the tribal (Zulu - Xhosa) conversations. The people are dressed for winter. There are a few bright fabrics. Blue jeans are really popular here. The station is humming. I am glad I remembered to pack my umbrella. The beautiful skin color of the people is similar to the red soil. There are not many dark skinned Africans here. Their complexions are similar to African - Americans. I am quite excited about the trip to Durban, in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa and the third largest city in South Africa, tonight. However I shall not see much because I shall be traveling all night.

4:00pm Johannesburg, South Africa
Back at the Hotel
After leaving downtown Johannesburg, I decided to walk through the park and toward the Johannesburg signature Landmark: The Ball. As I was going through Joubert Park, I caught glance of two large on-ground chess games going on. Both games had an audience, however it look like there was an amateur game and the large professional game. I began to photograph. What an historic sight for me to see the descendants of the original ancestry playing their ancestor’s game. The minds and energy was so powerful that they we not affected by the continuous rain. After walking out the park, I headed for the landmark. Everywhere you turned there are smells ranging from food to exotic aphrodisiacs. I was enhanced by all. Music is everywhere even during the rain. I am getting around on the Rea Vaya pretty well. The streets of downtown JoBurg are quite easy to maneuver. I caught the Rea Vaya and made my way back to the hotel, but with a quick stop at the grocery store for something to eat. I want to get about 3-4 hours of sleep before I go back to Park Station to depart for Durban, South Africa at 10:00pm. With all the music and scents going on in the community it may be difficult. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, that the G-Lodge Bed & Breakfast hotel is located in the heart of the neighborhood of Bertram. I can see into the neighbor’s backyard…Good Nap!!!!