Pretoria: Reiseführer, Preise und kostenlose Unterkunft · 2026

Rravik18.06.2009Lesen

Alexey, Magnitogorsk «I fell in love with this country at first sight!!!». Alexey WELCOME TO SOUTH AFRICA Ever since I was in school, I dreamed of visiting this mysterious country, completely unknown to most of our fellow citizens. Historically, due to the political regime in South Africa, the USSR (as far as I know) had no diplomatic relations with it for many years. This lasted until the fall of that very political regime — apartheid (from the English «apartheid» — separate living, in this case, based on race). The USSR, however, ceased to exist three years before South African apartheid ended. The new Russia established diplomatic missions in South Africa, and relations began. But Russian citizens, for the most part, still know little about this unique country, except for some stereotypical ideas (as is the case with most other countries on the African continent). So, we have yet to discover the new South Africa! By the way, this young country will turn only 15 years old in 2009! And it became new thanks to fundamental changes in all spheres of politics, economy, society, and mentality. These changes have only just begun. The most potentially dangerous times for the country and its residents are now behind us, but this young pearl of the African continent still has many sharp turns ahead. «Welcome to South Africa!» — a greeting with information about roaming conditions appeared on my mobile phone display as we were flying in, circling over the impressive Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo airport. Through the porthole windows, I saw the skyscrapers of Hillbrow, the local Manhattan... Those were my first minutes and first impressions of the country. Very pleasant impressions, gradually growing into euphoria from the very realization that I was in South Africa!!! In general, strange thoughts arose even while approaching, as the plane slowly descended first over Pretoria, then over Johannesburg, giving passengers an excellent opportunity to view this entire metropolis from a bird's-eye view. Below, neat farm fields floated by, then suburbs, a kind of «one-story America», then industrial zones, business districts with skyscrapers, golf courses, stadiums, a racetrack, highways... And everything was neat and even. And the thoughts were strange because I was bewildered that all this was in Africa! And most of our fellow citizens have a completely different idea about the countries of this continent. My thoughts seemed strange to me also because I expected to see South Africa exactly like this! I had read a lot about it and studied it remotely for a long time, but I was still struck and pleasantly surprised. Next were the friendly black customs officers, pleasant airport staff ready to help. We transferred to a flight to Cape Town, where another portion of impressions awaited us. It was cool that day. The local spring was beginning. We were quite surprised by the slums (townships) near the road from the airport, «Khayelitsha». Those were the so-called «houses for black poor, illegal immigrants, and all sorts of drifters». But upon approaching the center, we were surrounded by very cool neighborhoods, drowning in greenery. And finally, the most stunning view opened up when entering the center, on the descent from the mountain. The whole city, the bay, the ocean, Table Mountain... — everything was in full view. Unforgettable minutes of incredible delight, experienced on the first day in Cape Town, the acquaintances of that day — all this made me fall in love with these lands forever. — Wow!!! I can't believe my eyes! — I marveled, looking around and catching my breath from the delight and joy overflowing me. Before South Africa, I went to America twice for four months on a student program. It was okay there, but America didn't hook me. Which I cannot say about South Africa. When the three of us got together: me, Liza, and Alisa, wanting to go somewhere, I suggested South Africa. The girls didn't resist. Moreover, we had just graduated from

Rravik18.06.2009Lesen

The capital's train station seemed to cut the city off from the rest of the world. The commuter train from Johannesburg shook us for over two hours, much, much longer than we could have imagined. By that time, we had run out of patience and doubted several times if we were even heading in the right direction. Had we boarded the right train?! It turned out we were right after all! The station looked old and worn from the inside. It felt as if Johannesburg ended there and a new world began — the world of the city of Pretoria. We stepped out onto the station square and looked around... Nothing! True, we were exhausted from the trip and could barely enjoy it. But it was clear: there was plenty to enjoy in this city. The most interesting thing: everything that seemed remarkable was to the right of the station exit. And to the left — well, just... just the city. We headed to the bus station to ask about tickets to Victoria Falls. There were tickets. Inexpensive ones. But only for tomorrow. We thought about it and decided: we could take them. We would definitely make it back by the 14th for Vitya's departure! — Well, shall we buy them and go look for a hotel?! — I suggested. — Let's do it the other way around! First, let's find a place to sleep, and then — get the tickets! — What's the difference? — What if we don't find a hotel? — We'll find one. I just don't know how much it will cost. Fine, let's do it your way! Just ask until what time the ticket office is open? — Until 8:30! — Vitya reported after checking. We looked at our watches: it was past 3 PM. — Okay, let's go. Let's just ask at the station information desk first, let them advise us on a hotel! — I suggested. That's what we did. They recommended one very close by, about two hundred meters from the station building — to the right and around the corner. — And what about the prices? — we asked the consultant. — Reasonable, — he replied. Everything was clear! Both of us took this "reasonable" with skepticism and started wandering around, looking for another hotel. — Black people, as soon as they see white people, think they have pockets full of money, so they can offer them something more expensive! — I shared my opinion, which had formed over the last few months. We searched. But either the place didn't suit us, or the price. We walked for about thirty or forty minutes. In the end, we decided to go and check out the place the black consultant had suggested. It turned out: HE WAS A GOOD MAN! And the hotel was lovely! They were having a discount month and we arrived two days before it ended, which meant we qualified for the discounts in every way! We rented a charming room cheaply with comfortable beds, a shower, and a wonderful view from the window! I was on cloud nine! Looking out the window, we immediately decided where we could go. To the right in the distance, the University of South Africa and the TV tower stood proudly. And to the left — about twice as far — the old government building, the Union Buildings. Huge, beautiful! On a hill. And even further left and closer to us — the city center. There was a beautiful high-rise. And I love high-rises! Euphoria swept over me. — Hooray!!!! — I shouted. Vitya was also beaming with happiness. We settled in. A refreshing shower, hot coffee with a sweet roll. A celebration of life and joy! And Pretoria immediately became ten times dearer! After the shower, I started jumping on the bed. From indescribable delight! At six, traveling light, we went for the tickets, taking only the money for them and Vitya's small camera, which fit easily in his shorts pocket. AND THERE WERE NO TICKETS TO VICTORIA FALLS! THEY WERE SOLD OUT! — Oh well, we'll go to Port Elizabeth tomorrow! — Vitya wasn't upset at all. But I was disappointed. — But we got so close to Victoria! Maybe I'll never have another chance to visit that waterfall! — Well, what can you do?! Yeah, it's fine! We'll go to the Indian Ocean, and then, on the bright side, while I'm here,

Rravik15.06.2009Lesen

January 13, 2008. Pine branches, which I picked up behind the Christmas tree sellers for the holidays, have been standing at my place since the 20th, if not the 15th of December. That is, almost a month. And they will stand for another two days. After all, in Russia, we celebrate the 'Old New Year'! By the way, we celebrated Christmas in the Russian way too. I don't know whose idea it was—Kirill's or Stas's—but since both of them were working on New Year's, we planned the joint celebration for the 7th. I took two weeks off starting from the 7th. Vitya and I planned to go to Pretoria. But for the sake of this event, we postponed the trip to the 8th. SAYING GOODBYE TO KATYA On the morning of the 7th, first of all, I called Katya. Her time in South Africa had come to an end; she had to go back home. Finish university. Think about what to do next. Her flight was in the afternoon. I wanted to say goodbye. Katya had been complaining a month before her departure that she hadn't even left yet, but she was already missing Cape Town. If you think about it, I have little more than two months left. I already miss this city too. Vitya tells me that he will miss the Cape very much and will return with tears in his eyes. Katya didn't say that, but I was convinced: she would be sobbing on the way back. It's understandable: in a year, she had built a whole life here. She got used to it. She liked it here very much. She fell in love with this city. I gave Katya a gift. As a keepsake. We hugged, saying goodbye, a little longer than usual. — Katyusha, you were my best friend here! I will miss you so much! — Won't have anyone to fight with? — Katya asked with a smile. — Well, we didn't really... I think we got along quite well! — Well, you didn't fight. But I did with you sometimes. — You just love to fight! — Imagine, my bag is three times bigger than me! — And that's what I told you! Ten days before departure — and you went and bought new shoes! — You, damn it! — Katya hit me on the shoulder in a friendly way, and we laughed. I waited until she went up the steps, waved goodbye one last time, and left. Katya had to pack and get ready; in an hour, James was supposed to pick her up to take her to the airport. In a year, Katya managed to do a lot here. Of course, she would have liked to do much more. But that's life! And it's impossible to do everything wherever you are. AND YOU DON'T NEED TO! She had long been persuading me to go to Devil’s Peak. After all, in a year, she never visited it. On the 4th, she, Vitya, and I climbed up there. I decided that I wanted Katya's dream to come true. To say 'yes' to a dream, especially the dream of a friend. JANUARY SEVENTH On the 7th, Vitya went to an internet cafe in the morning. From Katya's, I went to SASTS, with the same goal as Vitya. We agreed to meet at the SASTS office at 1:00 PM. At the Waterfront cinema, they started showing the movie 'Yes Man' with Jim Carrey—one of my favorite actors—in the lead role. We went to watch it. Afterward, we returned home, went to the store for groceries for the holiday, and went to Kirill's. Our friends were already waiting for us. Vitya and I bought ourselves cool stylish hats; I put mine on for the occasion. We dressed well, in our best and newest clothes. We cooked shashlik. Sveta—Kirill's girlfriend—made salads. And she made pelmeni! How happy we all were about the pelmeni!!! Especially since they turned out great! There were seven of us in total, matching the date of the holiday: me and Vitya, Kirill, Sveta, Stas, and Anshen with her brother Nez. We returned home after midnight, not having eaten even half, but full and satisfied. In the morning, Vitya and I had tickets bought for the train to Johannesburg (Johannesburg; but it seems Johannesburg is the more correct name).