Let the Journey Begin in Johannesburg

After leaving Boston at 10:30 pm Thursday, October, 8, and landing in Johannesburg (Joburg) Saturday morning at 9 am, I was very  happy to see my driver, Matthews and his smiling face!

 Matthews brought me to the Balalaika Hotel in Joburg. A nice local hotel with vendors outside the entrance selling wooden African jewelry, giraffe statues, and lots of other goods.

Below is the garden area of the Balalaika where I waited for my room to be ready. 

 Meet some of the Global IBM CSC team I'll be working with in Polokwane- Hiro (Japan), Sameer (Canada), Cadu (Brazil), Anshu (Delhi, India), Reg (Maine - although originally from Ireland). A great group of talented people that I'll be with over the next month.

Off to Liliesleaf Farm in Johannesburg, was the farm used secretly by African National Congress activists in the 1960s and was the location where many prominent African National Congress leaders were arrested, leading to the Rivonia Trial. The activists were from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds - Jewish, Russian, American, Middle Eastern, white and black - all for the common cause of equality.

 

 This says it all! Poster in Nelson Mandela's bedroom at Lilliesleaf. This poster was created by South African children thanking Mandella for their freedom.

 He had a simple desk in this small, unassuming bedroom. Loved reading the letters and cards to Mandela thanking him for their freedom, expressing their appreciation and love. I'm thinking they sent them when he was sick and in the hospital.
His people so loved him!

Day 2

Jill, our awesome coordinator who works for Digital Opportunity Trust, the IBM partner who handles all our logistics for the Corporate Service Corp program. On our way to Polokwane, which is about a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg. And, on our way, we MUST go through Pretoria to see the Jacaranda trees!

 The jacaranda trees have an amazing scent - tey smell like jasmin. The smell of the jacaranda trees wafting through the air is so intense. Lover's Lane in the embassy area. This street is the only street in the world with double rows of jacaranda trees on either side of the street.

 The South Africans bring their children to walk under the jacaranda trees when they have a test at school. They believe that if a jacaranda petal falls on the child's head, they will pass their test.

No proof this isn't true!

Heading to Polokwane in our souped up bus!  
This is the same van and driver that took Mandela’s family to his funeral. They installed a siren in it for the funeral. Our driver, Ghetti, wasn’t afraid to use it! 

Regina (Reg) and Ghetti scheming. Ghetti took us through the private area where the President lives and where many of the embassies are located. 

Onward to Polokwane!!