The one thing I don’t like about South Africa is the hype about crime. Maybe it’s true. Maybe it’s not. I haven’t seen anyone get mugged or car-jacked yet. The guidebooks, colleagues in the US who have visited Jo’burg, colleagues who live in South Africa, the hotel staff, everyone warns me about crime. I’ve been strongly advised not to go out by myself after dark. Do you know how hard that is? I don’t know anyone here and it gets dark early.

Truthfully, I think the chances of me getting hit by a car are much higher than being the victim of a violent crime. I’ve been here a week and still can’t remember which way to look before crossing the street.