Hiya from the Cape!
One of the first South African slang terms I've picked up is "robots". This is what South Africans call traffic lights. The robots. I love this!! On Monday, Emma and I saw a man hit a robot with his Beamer. Slammed right into it as we were crossing a busy road and took it out completely. Then he attempted to drive away with the bumper dragging along and a flat left tire. Everyone just stood around and laughed. In North America, we would rush over and see if the driver was OK, but not here. Yesterday, we went by that same road and the traffic light was still on the ground. Guess it's not that important!
Another slang word I'm becoming fond of is "pleasure" - the common response if you say "thank you" to anyone, even the grocery store clerk.
I've had a good week. Besides the rubbish weather, we've enjoyed a nice, calm pace to life. It hit me today: I am nearing the end of my non-working days. I have not worked full-time since August of 2009, before my Masters' begun. This should be an interesting transition - not only will I be back to a 40 hour work week, but in South Africa no less.
I have started to absorb what is around me day-to-day. It's hard here not to get caught up in the glitz and beauty that is Cape Town; admittedly, I have forgotten at times that I am in Africa. In certain moments I feel like I am in India. The horns, the aggressive driving, the smells of the sewage on the streets, the men lurking on street corners. At other moments, I feel like I am back in the UK. The street signs, the toilets, the large housing estates, the produce. This city is an interesting blend of old and new, Euro and Asia, rich and poor. The birds are ridiculously loud when they squawk, as is the rain when it comes down and hits the roof.
Monday we attempted to go to Robben Island (where Mandela was held prisoner for 28 years) but the weather was too poor so the boats were not running. Instead we explored the Waterfront area, which is full of shops and restaurants. Not very African, more like West Edmonton Mall. I got a glimpse of the World Cup Green Point Stadium nearby, pretty swank. The clouds finally lifted a bit and we saw some of Table Mountain from the balcony of the restaurant we ate lunch at. Gorgeous.
Tuesday we got on a tour bus with 6 others (2 Germans, 1 Danish, 2 Canadians and a Brit) and took a drive out to Stellenbosch, the wine region located about 45 minutes out of Cape Town. We spent the day out there visiting the following four wineries: Fairview, Solms Delta, Tokara and Villiera. They each had their own unique atmosphere and stories. I loved every minute of it - our driver, Bruce, was full of laughs and had some great corny jokes. Such as: "Cape Town is like a baby...always wet or windy". Hee hee. He also had the best music to go along with the drive - very important to me as many of you know. I wrote down quite a few local artists names as a result.
Yesterday was action-packed as the forecast was predicting there would be some sun. (It was right.) We got on a bus early and drove around the entire Cape Town area, stopping for a coffee and walk at Camps Bay. Wow. Stunning place to live. I have a new life ambition to settle in Camps Bay (sorry, Mom). We then ascended Table Mountain - it took about 1.5 hours. There were 5 of us - poor Bernie who just had knee surgery...she was struggling. I will remember a lot of water spraying off the waterfalls and high winds on the climb up. Also, it was quite steep at times. TOTALLY WORTH IT THOUGH!!! The views of the both sides of the mountain (one towards the Camps Bay/12 Apostles side, the other the Cape Town side) were spectacular. I couldn't quite wrap my head around where I was. It's like being on top of the world. Sigh.
Last night we headed out for a truly 'African' meal and to a place called "Mama Africa's". I ate crocodile! It was actually quite nice. The music and vibe in there was sweet....I was grinning a lot and happy to be in the chair I was in.
Big hugs from the girl with poofy, wavy hair and not-so-dry skin,
Brianna
Another slang word I'm becoming fond of is "pleasure" - the common response if you say "thank you" to anyone, even the grocery store clerk.
I've had a good week. Besides the rubbish weather, we've enjoyed a nice, calm pace to life. It hit me today: I am nearing the end of my non-working days. I have not worked full-time since August of 2009, before my Masters' begun. This should be an interesting transition - not only will I be back to a 40 hour work week, but in South Africa no less.
I have started to absorb what is around me day-to-day. It's hard here not to get caught up in the glitz and beauty that is Cape Town; admittedly, I have forgotten at times that I am in Africa. In certain moments I feel like I am in India. The horns, the aggressive driving, the smells of the sewage on the streets, the men lurking on street corners. At other moments, I feel like I am back in the UK. The street signs, the toilets, the large housing estates, the produce. This city is an interesting blend of old and new, Euro and Asia, rich and poor. The birds are ridiculously loud when they squawk, as is the rain when it comes down and hits the roof.
Monday we attempted to go to Robben Island (where Mandela was held prisoner for 28 years) but the weather was too poor so the boats were not running. Instead we explored the Waterfront area, which is full of shops and restaurants. Not very African, more like West Edmonton Mall. I got a glimpse of the World Cup Green Point Stadium nearby, pretty swank. The clouds finally lifted a bit and we saw some of Table Mountain from the balcony of the restaurant we ate lunch at. Gorgeous.
Tuesday we got on a tour bus with 6 others (2 Germans, 1 Danish, 2 Canadians and a Brit) and took a drive out to Stellenbosch, the wine region located about 45 minutes out of Cape Town. We spent the day out there visiting the following four wineries: Fairview, Solms Delta, Tokara and Villiera. They each had their own unique atmosphere and stories. I loved every minute of it - our driver, Bruce, was full of laughs and had some great corny jokes. Such as: "Cape Town is like a baby...always wet or windy". Hee hee. He also had the best music to go along with the drive - very important to me as many of you know. I wrote down quite a few local artists names as a result.
Yesterday was action-packed as the forecast was predicting there would be some sun. (It was right.) We got on a bus early and drove around the entire Cape Town area, stopping for a coffee and walk at Camps Bay. Wow. Stunning place to live. I have a new life ambition to settle in Camps Bay (sorry, Mom). We then ascended Table Mountain - it took about 1.5 hours. There were 5 of us - poor Bernie who just had knee surgery...she was struggling. I will remember a lot of water spraying off the waterfalls and high winds on the climb up. Also, it was quite steep at times. TOTALLY WORTH IT THOUGH!!! The views of the both sides of the mountain (one towards the Camps Bay/12 Apostles side, the other the Cape Town side) were spectacular. I couldn't quite wrap my head around where I was. It's like being on top of the world. Sigh.
Last night we headed out for a truly 'African' meal and to a place called "Mama Africa's". I ate crocodile! It was actually quite nice. The music and vibe in there was sweet....I was grinning a lot and happy to be in the chair I was in.
Big hugs from the girl with poofy, wavy hair and not-so-dry skin,
Brianna
Your descriptions and experiences of Cape Town sound divine. I am sure the scenery is amazing and how wonderful that you have seized this opportunity! It comes across from your words that this is an intriguing city and one to appreciate one day! On to the next part of your journey in Pretoria. So glad you are enjoying this experience to a level of gratitude.
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