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.
We’re well into August and American kids are about to return to the classroom while it’s still 95 degrees outside (that’s hot, even for Fahrenheit), while my friends in Johannesburg are breathing a collective sigh of relief because the mercury is finally inching up again. The coldest ...
You know one wonderful quality South Africa has that often gets lost amidst the collective angst about crime?
It is a country almost entirely devoid of natural disasters.
Note that I said “almost,” before you start trembling with indignation about my demeaning your disastrous-ness in any ...
| My new best friend these days. |
You guys in Wisconsin, you know those autumn afternoons when the wind is howling outside and you are sitting in your cozy easy chair in shorts, surrounded by a cloud of central heating bliss? Well, here in Joburg, the wind is howling both outside AND inside the house ...
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 ...