Hotels Johannesburg
It always fascinates me when some says he comes from ohannesburg. Johannesburg as such only exists as a run down cbd area that would be ideal as a backdrop for a remake of a Mel Gibson/ Mad Max genre type movie." Mad Max takes on the druglords and filth of Johannesburg"." And loses" could be the sequel.
Johannesburg Airport. We knew it as Jan Smuts for many years.Now its called Johannesburg International Airport. Well its closer to Kempton Park and Benoni so why call it Johannesburg Internation Airport.
Johannesburg Airport is quite something the new arrival halls everything working and clean and working. A Swiss Company is actively involved in that.
Okay so we head off into Johannesburg. No why would anyone voluntarily want to go there? The urban decay starts about 10 kilometres from the cbd. Buildings falling into ruin broken windows and in a general state of disrepair.Also so many building and shops vacant and boarded up. The litter is more noticeable.
Okay our Taxis.Dont hoot or swear or flash your lights at them .They wave at you. They have the ultimate right of way.
You now pass through Jeppe.An old part of Johannesburg slipping into oblivion. Past national monuments . Hotels from the mining area. Sadly now dilipidated. Usually serving as muti shops (traditional herbalists shops) or cellphone shops or shebeens (taverns). If you are not now feeling uneasy then you are brave or naive.
Down Commissioner Street to the sight of the Carlton Centre. Sadly the Carlton Hotel has not been operating for 5 odd years.In the late 60's we used to watch the construction of the Carlton Hotel from special observation posts.
What a grand old lady it was. A fully blown five star hotel with internationally
acclaimed restaurants like "The Three Ships" .Pool Decks, Cocktail bars,Resident lounge lizards on the 50th Floor.We used to go the hotel after work for drinks and then frequent clubs close by. No more.
All that you remembered from 30 years ago gone.Not as in "evolved", but as in decay and squalor.So you are now in the centre of Johannesburg I suggest you stay in your car. At this stage you will get the whiff of urine. It is everywhere the whiff that is .
The skyline used to be dotted by the silhoutettes of construction cranes. Not one to be seen. Hawkers abound, want a pair of Raybayn's or Police sunglasses for R30.00.You will be approached every 30 seconds. Careful when you open the window.
Hey that cell phone that is visible they will break the side window with a bandaged hand holding a spark plug and take the cellphone in less than 2 seconds. That necklace and handbag that is visible,a no no. I suggest we move on.
Not much to see Mad Max will come whizzing past any minute. Oh tourist attractions. I will take you down to the Market Theatre precinct and across Mandela bridge. You guide says he would rather not get out of the car with you.
More squalor and degradation past fine historic building, the old Rissik street post office, the old Markhams building. Alas all boarded up and derelict.
The next eye opener is a ride down Bree street at about 5pm.The litter is incredible on the pavements a mountain of garbage as far as the eye can see.
Past building now obviously being used as flats. No curtains people hanging out from the balconies. Washing hanging from the buildings. People carrying beds and furniture obviously moving. Furniture on pavements from people obviously evicted.
As a precaution you double check the door is locked.There are a least 2 fires inJhb cbd a week. Buildings that have been taken over, rent not paid to the owner, the electricity long cut off. Open fires are then made and somewhere there is an accident and lives lost.A regular occurence.
So what is in Johannesburg.Well the utility companies,a bank headquarters that made a bold move to stary in the cbd, and a few old mining houses. All heavily fortified.Even the Johannesburg Stock Exchange moved out of the cbd.
At night the majority of remaining shops pull down the steel shutters to their windows. No more burglar guards, shutters.
What do the city fathers say?They talk of inner city rejuvenation, myself I think inner city decay is on a fast track and has won the race.
We leave the city and head towards Sandton.Why would anyone want to go to Johannesburg.I am sure there cannot be to many compelling reasons. |