#johannesburg

#johannesburg

Johannesburg, known to locals simply as Joburg, has long been dubbed Egoli, which means "the city of gold" in Zulu. The moniker comes from the gold mines that made it the wealthiest metropolis in Africa. But in spring, in October, the avenues turn purple and the city of gold becomes the city of amethyst. You walk in a sea of violet blooms that cover the sidewalks, and the canopy of tree branches above is a purple haze.

My fiancé and I had planned our dream summer honeymoon: We'd explore South Africa's beautiful Cape, driving along the picturesque Garden Route, before returning through the Kalahari Desert. There was just one problem, though. First, we needed to get married - and we didn't actually have a wedding date. At the time, we were living in his hometown of Johannesburg, but we were eager to return to the United States and start our new life together as a married couple.