A day at the Melrose Arch

FUNKE ADETUTU
It seemed unbelievable but it is true. At 5 a.m. South African time, the sun was up almost shining in its full strength. It stood in the horizon in its yellowish radiance. How amazing it was to watch the sun rose as the tyres of the aircraft touched the tarmac at O.R Tambo International Airport.The rustle movement of our feet unsettled the quietness of the big A2 arrival hall walkway. It was obvious that business was just being revived after some hours of midnight break. Ours seemed the first flight to arrive that morning, yet the immigration officers were alert. They spoke at the top of their voices. Sleep was no where near their eyes since they had resumed duty the previous night. The sound of their voices was pleasantly annoying, such that the woman in front of me complained bitterly about their screams. "What could be so exciting at these early hours of the morning?" She asked in annoyance. After such a long trip, the laughter coming from these women seated in a corner at the immigration point was not what anyone would like to hear, especially at that time of the day. "Why are they screaming at the top of their voices?" the woman continued, mustering some efforts to speak louder for someone to caution them. "Could someone tell them to keep quiet?" she said hysterically again even as the noise continued. "That's the way of life for the average South African," I replied, forcing a smile. I was equally very exhausted after the six hours flight. The seats on the aircraft were not comfortable for a tired limb like mine. I'm sure the same it was for others."They talk at the top of their voices. At times, you'll almost think they are fighting, whereas, they are engaged in a friendly conversation.""Well, that's how they talk," I again tried to explain. By this time, someone had already waved at the shouting group to keep quiet. They now spoke in low tones made audible by the quietness of the hall. Greg of Bophelo Tours and a driver from Sixth, a car rental outfit, were already waiting to receive the two of us from Nigeria at the arrival hall. We were driven to the hotel but on our way, we had a stop somewhere at Sandton to pick up Tsholofelo Mogale, a South African Tourism representative. The streets of Johannesburg were still as beautiful as ever. The sidewalks were lined with beautiful flowers and trees. Everywhere was green! "The streets are quiet today and the roads are free," the driver observed. "I thought there would be heavy traffic by this time because of the season." "Yes, it's true. It's good to have some quiet today," replied Tsholofelo. Our drive to the hotel was a smooth one and what the driver considered as heavy traffic, when we eventually encountered one, was exactly no traffic to those of us from Nigeria at all. The real traffic logjam exists back home on the roads of Lagos, not here in Johannesburg. "This is a child's play compared with what we experience at home," said Yemisi, a colleague from Nigeria. "She's right," I supported. "I was told the same thing," said Tsholofelo. "I would be in Nigeria in two weeks. I'm scared, but I will come all the same." "You don't have to be," I tried to calm his fears and at the same time tried to explain that: "It actually depends on the area. Traffic is not bad in some. You just need to understand such is expected in any big city like Lagos. It's part of the problem of a city with so many people. But the Lagos State government is currently working on some roads within the metropolis to ease traffic congestion." We were all consumed in our individual thoughts for the remaining part of our journey to the Melrose Arch where our hotel was located. I see the Melrose Arch as a mini city in Johannesburg. All that's needed for comfortable living was there. There were about three banks in the area, several cafes and bars, hotels, shops and apartments."People live in that apartment across the road," Greg said at lunch, pointing at a block of flats overlooking the Protea Hotel where we were lodged. "This is a comfortable area to live in. Those who live there walk out of their homes into their offices. They do not need to drive cars to move around. That means a reduction in carbon emission which is safe for the environment."When he said this, I did a quick survey of the area as we sat at the JB's Café nibbling at chips and grilled chicken breast. There was actually a toll gate at the entrance to the arch which served more as a security check point than a toll collection spot. The road runs through the shops and cafes forming an arch round the building where the JB's Café is housed. The residential apartment was located on the left with a café in front of it. Trees, flowers were planted in front of it. Much later at night, it was a beautiful sight to behold. The Christmas light glittered in the dark. Meanwhile, the sitting arrangement at the JB's was fantastic. But I noticed that each group seated around the table were mostly women, no man at all. The women spoke in low but excited voices as they shared a drink. They looked unperturbed at all. They were simply having fun. On the only table where I noticed two men, the woman (whom I earlier told Tsholofelo looked like Kabelo of Channel O), was talking excitedly at the top of her voice, the typical South African way. A day at a café at the Melrose Arch testified to the relaxation spirit that is synonymous with Johannesburg. Everywhere, there seemed to be a relaxation spot full of people who spoke excitedly in low tones. No stress or worry. They were simply all out to enjoy life to the fullest, I'd say.