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                <div class="comment-title med-lg-text">Only one month until the Summit!</div>
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                    by <span class="comment-author"><a href=""><span lang="" about="/user/45" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">talia</span></a></span> 
                    on <span class="comment-date">Fri, 09/06/2019 - 09:16</span>
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            <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-comment-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Hi!</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I'm looking forward to seeing everybody there! I lived in Johannesburg for a few years so here are a few tips and recommendations I can share for getting around, staying safe and having fun:</p>

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<p><strong>Getting around:</strong></p>

<p>- Talk to people, say hi, and be friendly when shopping and walking around - people in Johannesburg are generally very welcoming and interested to meet new people. </p>

<p>- You can use the local bus and shared taxi system safely during the day.</p>

<p>- Ask a local for exact instructions on how to use the shared taxis as it's very specific to each area and there are hand signals to use. Locals will happily give you a lesson.</p>

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<p><strong>Safety:</strong></p>

<p>- At night I highly recommend using Uber. You have the option to pay your Uber with cash in SA (last time I checked).</p>

<p>- Avoid walking long distances at night outside the few well-lit neighbourhoods and areas with security.</p>

<p>- Don't carry unnecessary valuables with you if you are walking a distance in the daytime outside of the immediate area of Skateistan / Maboneng.</p>

<p>- Leave the office/skatepark before dark, and take an Uber if it's gotten dark by the time you leave.</p>

<p>- Be careful crossing the street and look in all directions. Cars and shared taxis will not slow down for pedestrians.</p>

<p>- When driving or as a passenger in a car keep doors locked and phones/valuables out of sight or in the trunk.</p>

<p>- Don't text while walking - keep your phone in your pocket and pay attention to your surroundings. </p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>General:</strong></p>

<p>- Shops and shopping malls close early, so try to do your shopping on the weekend or at lunch time.</p>

<p>- The closest big grocery story is Spar. It's a 20 minute walk from the skate school, or a 5 minute Uber.</p>

<p>- The neighbourhoods of Braamfontein and Melville have some nice clubs and bars for dancing. Maboneng also has night life and there are many pop-up parties too.</p>

<p>- Lots of skateparks to explore. Take a group uber to manage cost of getting out - most are a 20 minute drive or so. Edenvale (DIY), Germiston (huge snake run and deep bowl), YBF (street, a bit farther away), and Boogaloos (transition and street) are a few to check out. </p>

<p>- There are lots of tours and museums. The Curiocity Backpackers can help you make a plan. </p>

<p>- This inner city tour of the notorious Ponte City apartment building and neighbourhood of Hillbrow is a little pricey but pretty incredible: <a href="https://www.dlalanje.org/tours/cultural-tour/20">https://www.dlalanje.org/tours/cultural-tour/20</a></p>

<p> </p>

<p>Talia</p>

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