24 Hours in South Africa

by Rob Meronek on Monday, October 01, 2012 8:44 AM

I can't believe all the things we've done in the last 40 or so hours. After landing in Johannesburg following 30+ hours of traveling, we've had an adventure that has included gambling, drinking, skating, wildlife, and friends from around the world. Here's a camera dump so far...

I'm not even sure how many were in this initial stop, but the bag pile needs a whole separate cab on its own.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/8, f/4, 5000ISO

A fresh sweatsuit, just Bedazzled, and just married. I wonder where the honeymoon is.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/180, f/4, 5000ISO

We got a nice, cheap hotel a mile from the Johannesburg airport with a shuttle and great service that accomodated the few extra friends we met up with along the way.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/210, f/2.8, 5000ISO

If you're ever on Johannesburg layover, this hotel is $103 a night for this room with a free shuttle from the airport. It's the One World Hotel.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/28, f/2.8, 5000ISO

The entrance is looking classy.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/7, f/2.8, 5000ISO

We asked for a cab "downtown" and the driver said he wouldn't take us there. Afer we asked if it was because our gear would get stolen, he replied, "Because YOU might get stolen." Okay, so he brought us to the tourist spot. This Emperor's Palace place was basically America without fat people.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/7, f/2.8, 5000ISO

Yep, looking like Vegas and Ceasar's Palace here.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/500, f/2.8, 5000ISO

Since we're in America, we just went ahead and went to Hooters. Hooters? Yep, nearly 30 hours of traveling half way around the world and fresh off the plane we go to Hooters.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/120, f/2.8, 5000ISO

Schaefer isn't impressed with the wings.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/140, f/2.8, 5000ISO

Full frontal view of the Ceasar's Palace statue.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/850, f/2.8, 5000ISO

These signs are everywhere and make me feel like I'm the only one not packing.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/550, f/2, 5000ISO

I have no patience when playing these numbers games, so I push it all in. At least I got a photo before I lost this stack.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/800, f/2, 5000ISO

Pause for a foot fetish with Pat and I on some random mall prop.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/600, f/2, 5000ISO

We had time for a quick tourist mission around Johannesburg before heading to the airport. We're going to where kids go on field trips and get fancy book learning.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/600, f/2, 5000ISO

We're at the site where a student protest planted the seeds of freedom and democracy in South Africa.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/320, f/8, 800ISO

Random artifacts for sale at the landmark history learning spot.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/850, f/8, 800ISO

These kids were blown away by Porpe's jeans, beaming hard and taking cell phone photos of them. They were the Omar X Levi's Nike SB's.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/2000, f/4, 500ISO

This kid is flossing hard on the field trip.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/2000, f/4, 500ISO

Watch for an episode of SPoT Life from here in the Motherland soon. The Contest weekend will also be shown in theaters on October 2. We get home on that day and we're going straight to the big screen.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/1500, f/2.8, 500ISO

A public service announcement in the local store.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/30, f/2.8, 500ISO

The local neighborhood car wash.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/4000, f/2.8, 500ISO

Alright, we're finally in Kimberley now and Porpe is straight to the gambling with Braydon.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/12, f/4, 2000ISO

The above ground pool at the hotel is not your average plastic Plant City variety.

Fuji X-Pro1, 1/1900, f/4, 640ISO

Last year we didn't have time to go to this place outside of town to play with baby lions, but this year we made it a point to make time for it. These guys are six months old and already very powerful and playful at the same time.