Johannesburg

Firstly, it is difficult to find a computer here. So that's why I've been incommunicado.

The accommodation is serviceable, the hospital is large, the city has a range of standards.

The city does not appear to have a centre. It used to, but it was abandoned when it became the biggest crime district. There are areas for going out which you must drive to (and drive home again in an almost-straight line) and areas for living in, none of which are near us: we have Hillbrow which is marked on the map I was given on arrival with a big red X as a no-go area. Leaving the campus on foot is both ill-advised and pointless as there's nothing nearby. The city is covered with trees. Looking out of the windows it resembles a forest, and indeed satellites apparently register it as such. Much more is difficult to say about the city because nobody seems to want to look at it: there are malls which are safe and that's about it. You can't just go out for a walk like I've done in every other place I've ever visited.

The accommodation is pretty basic but acceptable. There are loads of elective students here, coming and going, although currently there are five from UCL which was a surprise. The roof (12th floor) is accessible if you know where to find the door and we've had a couple of barbecues up there. You get a panoramic view of the city which is great, and the regular evening thunderstorm makes it more interesting, watching the lightning hit the tower blocks around and the sky darken in minutes.