I spent my day after the safari at one of the big malls outside Jo’burg uploading photos to Flickr, buying a new rain-resistant jacket to replace my deteriorating North Face jacket, and catching a matinée showing of “Quantum of Solace.” The mall was decorated for the holidays, with cheerful music playing over the sound system. It reminded me of home.

The next day was spent touring Soweto, the 4-million person mega-township of Johannesburg. It is so large, it has two or three professional soccer teams and stadiums within its borders. I used the opportunity to complete a dare (which will come in the next post), much in thanks to the flexible and jovial guide. Unfortunately, I didn’t get under the skin of Soweto as I’d wanted. I knew it would require at least one night at Soweto Backpackers, but I was so happy to have five straight nights lined up at Bob’s Bunkhouse before my camping excursion in Botswana, I decided to stay put.

The Apartheid Museum was also on my “must-see” list for the area, and I spent two hours walking through it, learning more about the genesis of the movement and the notable figures of resistance.