Johannesburg: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

KSKristina Sabelnikovasabelnickova.kristina · Feb 2, 2015Read

South Africa is out of this world. No, really. It’s just trendy to say that about something that really hits you hard. Africa hits you in every sense of the word. I don't want to bore you with descriptions of nature and my sighs about how beautiful it is here, because you, my dear reader, will understand it yourself as soon as you arrive. I will be tactless at times, please forgive me in advance, for by nature I am extremely emotional and bipolar: either happy and cheerful, or in complete apathy. South Africa is also bipolar, but more on that later. I want to make this blog as useful as possible for those who are just planning to come here. You will learn all the realities of this country and this magical city - Cape Town. Briefly about me: my name is Kristina, I am 22 years old, I am from a small village of Novoorst in the Orenburg region, but I studied in Chelyabinsk. Last year I received a linguist diploma at South Ural State University, and over the last 3 years I spent 8 months in America and 8 months in Italy. Work, exchange studies, travel, you name it, and now it's time to challenge myself, to see the world beyond the beaten paths like America and Europe... Just kidding, I just went to my favorite IEC and asked them to send me somewhere, I wanted new sensations, adventures, and another dose of adrenaline. And here I am, two months later. I am starting this blog 1.5 weeks into my stay in Cape Town, because only now did the inspiration and time come to reflect on things and draw some first conclusions. But even such a short time here has been so intense that one could write about it endlessly. Cape Town makes you fall in love at first sight. Johannesburg, for instance, didn't make me fall in love, because we (I was flying with a girl named Irina, also from Chelyabinsk, we live together here now and are becoming friends) first flew there and had a crazy 1.5-hour layover (I beg you, don't repeat this, it's almost impossible to make it). Plus, before that, there was a 14 (!!!) hour layover in Abu Dhabi, and we weren't just tired, we looked like zombies. Irina's luggage arrived in Cape Town two days after us. Things like this happen often here. Welcome to South Africa. Next, you must follow this, my dear reader, when you find yourself at the airport in Johannesburg: DO NOT GIVE YOUR BOARDING PASS TO ANYONE, EVEN IF THE PERSON IS IN UNIFORM AND RESEMBLES AN AIRPORT EMPLOYEE. The head of our IEC, Ksenia, is an amazing woman; she prepares you for the trip better than I've ever been prepared for anything in my life. That's why I knew about such people who take your boarding pass, walk you to the gate, and don't give it back until you pay. This is Africa, baby; to them, you are a light-skinned tourist with your mouth open from African beauty and a full wallet of money (even if that's not the case, I flew here myself, I know). Locals will try to make money off you in any, believe me, ANY available and unavailable way. They couldn't squeeze money out of me, I am a tough Russian person ;D especially since you don't need any help at this airport if you just look at what is written on the signs. At the airport in Cape Town, everything wasn't as "fun," and a man with our names on a sign delivered us safely to the hostel. And at that moment, when we were driving from the airport to the city late at night, I fell in love with Cape Town. Sia – Chandelier was playing full blast on the radio, and we saw the lights of night-time Cape Town for the first time... Such moments are etched in your heart forever. Even now, listening to this song, I get goosebumps and see night-time Cape Town before my eyes... I’m gonna liiiiive like tomorrow doesn’t exiiiiiiiiist... Yes, that is exactly how Cape Towners live - one beautiful sunny day at a time.

RravikJun 18, 2009Read

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

RravikJun 18, 2009Read

Kristina, Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region "I have never lived anywhere else like I have here, having fun and enjoying life! And I won't let anyone spoil my pleasure!" Kristina DEFINITELY, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PLACES IN THE WORLD!!! For me, this is an undeniable truth! South Africa is beautiful! Magnificent!!! But before I found out about this, I had to cover a huge distance, which apparently gives the right to call South Africa the "Edge of the World" (judging by its distance from our country and my city). By airline — the one I flew with — it took a long, long time to get there! On the night of October 18th to 19th, 2008, I boarded a plane in Moscow, flight "Moscow—Doha". From Doha, I transferred to a flight to Johannesburg. And from there to Cape Town. Only on the evening of October 20th did my feet touch the promised land, the most extraordinary place on earth, the oldest, most beautiful, and first city of the country! I was tired of flying. Although the flight was amazing, and the plane was lovely (lots of free space, you can stretch your legs). Clean. The stewardesses were kind, constantly trying to give us something to drink or eat ???. And they did it about five times during the whole flight — I don't eat like that at home!!! So, for those who are hungry — you've come to the right place! I recommend choosing long flights — they will feed you! At the airport, we were met by representatives of the host organization (SASTS). They helped with the luggage. They drove us in comfort to the so-called SASTS-house, which became my final destination in Cape Town. This is... let's say, such an unusual place. For everyone (judging by the different reviews of the guys I was moved in with), it can produce an absolutely polar first impression. And what about mine? Generally positive! But not without "surprises". We had a good time on the first day. We had fun late into the night at the "ZULA" club, dancing. Hip-hop and rock were playing there. And nearby, from the restaurant side, the sounds of national South African songs could be heard, as we were told by the local guys we asked: "What is playing there?" We returned to the hostel only at four in the morning. Tired. I fell into the sweetest sleep, intending to get a good night's sleep. But that's where the first "surprise" lay in wait for me. After what seemed like a very short amount of time after I fell asleep, a noise reached my ears. First, the crash of a falling object. Then — even louder — a hissing stream of water!!! I jumped up, frightened. The girl on the neighboring bunk jumped up right after me. And it turned out to be simple: in the room where I was settled, there is a working shower cabin. And one of the roommates (and there were four of us placed there on two bunk beds) decided to take a shower. For some reason, she felt the need to take it right in the room, even though there are three more showers on the floor! Wash yourself — you don't want to! Moreover, looking at the clock, we found that she decided to do this not earlier, not later, but at eight in the morning!!! We were in shock! We couldn't fall asleep again, we had to get up. On Monday (the program is calculated so that it starts from the first day of the week), we were gathered at the SASTS office. They briefly told us about the country, the program under which each of us arrived and will be staying here for some time. And about what awaits us in this first week and later, when everyone scatters to different corners. By the way, from European countries, according to my observation, guys arrive more often as volunteers. Subsequently, they live in local families, work mainly as nannies, educators, or teachers. They don't have to worry about anything, they are fed and watered, but their work is unpaid. But they are 100% relaxed and enjoy life. And their programs, unlike ours, are designed for only three to four months. In my group, besides me, there were only two people on the

RravikJun 15, 2009Read

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).