Adventures of an Expat in South Africa
Over the years, I've answered many questions about expat life in South Africa. "I want to come visit; what is the best time of year?" is the most frequently asked question by many prospective travelers. I'm always tempted to say, it doesn't matter. There really isn't a bad time to visit South Africa. But there are some factors to consider before you plan your trip.
Winters on the Highveld are cold. Not as cold as our Tennessee winters, to be sure. In fact, most people in other parts of the world would kill for a summer that was like a Joburg winter. Cold nights yes, but lovely dry and sunny days, warm but not hot. The problem, however, are those cold nights. And the fact that no South African house has any central heating.
If you are living in a proper house with the benefit of some education, you'll be safer from natural disasters in South Africa than just about anywhere else in the world. Earthquakes are practically unheard of, as are hurricanes (though there are instances of reported tornadoes), and the coastline along the Indian ocean is entirely protected from tsunamis.
Promptly every June begins that time of year again in Joburg. Whining time. And I’m glad to say it’s not just us expats who whine incessantly for two months. No, it is the Joburgers themselves who seem to suffer from collective amnesia every year, when predictably at the beginning of June it turns freezing cold and everyone is shocked how this is possible.
If you’re holding out for a good winter storm and icy roads here in Johannesburg, you’ll have to wait until summer. Yep, the weather is kind of weird. Although still mostly very beautiful.
This was the scene in our yard last week, the beginning of February:
Looks like any good February day ...
You might remember that not very long ago we stayed in a beautiful game lodge near Kruger Park, Kitara Camp. I’ve written about Don and Lee-Anne, the couple managing the game lodge, and what it feels like ...
After berating American energy consumption in one of my recent posts, I have decided to put my money where my mouth is (a little bit). I have taken to hanging the laundry up to dry.
The good news is, hanging up your laundry is allowed here. In fact, most houses already come equipped with a special ...
In one of my earlier posts I berated collective Joburg for amnesia about the fact that winters here are cold, so that every year you have to deal with a shortage of things to keep you warm. But now I understand why.
About three weeks ago I was still faithfully cranking up the gas heater every morning ...
Empty gas bottles |
This post will be a rather long-winded way to give you yet another expat tip. One thing about living in Johannesburg that I find very curious, if not irritating, is that every winter there is a shortage of just about everything you need to ...
I’m not sure of the official tally, but from our experience the sun shines about 359 days a year in Johannesburg. It’s definitely one of my greatest joys as an expat here. Even – and especially – in winter, when I’m shivering through the nights, the sun can always be ...