Falling in love with Johannesburg

Johannesburg.

It's so alive and artistic, the people are so kind and willing to help just because it's their way of being and not because they have to. It seems like they are just being honest en real with each other within their Joburg community. Not denying their problems but not caught up by it either.

Still actively striking for their rights and willing to protest when they don't agree on something. The people are strong and powerful, this goes for the advantaged but also the disadvantaged, who have to fight even harder. They are highlighting the problems and at the same time reminding the people of the city of their strength and goals, in a beautiful way such as (street) art.

The streets are alive and feel like you're walking around in somebody's home without them minding it.

Diversity as a big theme. You are walking in diverse streets, which seem like different worlds even though you just went around the corner. Black, white, tall, short, poor, rich, tourist, local, male female, gay, straight... You will find everything in most of the places.

Sunsets like you only know from fairytales which light up the beautiful street art of Johannesburg. Buildings that reach for the sky, just like the people.

Homeless people making art out of garbage which seems even more beautiful than the Nachtwacht in the Rijksmuseum from the Netherlands.

Creating "convenience jobs" by which I mean an extra guy in the supermarket who just weights your fruits & vegetables, a guy in a bar who cleans the tables for people who are about to get drunk and will probably spill a lot more, a guy who replaces ash trashes all the time, people who help you pack your groceries. Which on the one hand allows for more jobs for the people of South Africa and on the other also helps them to live their lives with less complication.

Fashion which seems so linked to their culture and identity and which is mostly so colorful that it can only express joy and happiness.

A wonderful wonderful city which I just started to get to know a little better.

I still have a lot to learn and a lot to see but for now I just wanted to express the feelings this city gave me.

Johannesburg, thank you for showing me all of your hidden beauties.

Sure there is crime, and sure it's not perfect in every sense, but it sure as hell is beautiful.

Love,
Sammie