Well, as you can read above, my experience in Namibia was one for the books. I loved it. As amazing as it was, however, it seemed that the second that Namibia disappeared from the horizon out the ship, our next port took the forefront in our mind: CAPE TOWN.
Tomorrow morning at 0800 we arrive in Cape Town, South Africa. A town steeped in history, Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is situated along a peninsula that stretches just west of the Cape of Good Hope, the southern-most point in Africa. Cape Town is also the future site of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, so you can imagine what type of effect the games will have on the city.
We spent the day today preparing for CT, sitting through cultural and logistical pre-port. Through it all, we can tell that CT is still deep within trying to oust itself from its past. With its first democratic elections only 14 years ago, the results of Apartheid are still prevalent. Blacks are still highly underrepresented, and problems with the education system lead many educated professionals to leave the country, known as ex-patriots, or ‘expats’. HIV is also a common problem, though less so than in Namibia. As our dean put it this morning, though, every country has its problems, and none should be judged for trying to overcome them. As always, I hope to keep an ear to the ground to compare what we’ve talked about with what is actually seen.
As far as ports are concerned, this one will probably be the most beautiful- that is the area immediately outside the ship. CT is situated on the coast, nestled within 3 mountains, the biggest and most famous of which is Table Mountain- which I plan to scale on Friday. It’s called this because fog often sits on it’s flat top, looking like a tablecloth on a kitchen table. Immediately outside the ship is a beautiful waterfront complete with shops, restaurants and travelers necessities. Most of the time we port in industrial marinas, so this will be a welcome relief.
With my 5 days in Cape Town, I plan to do it all. Here’s my sched for now:
Wed: Explore the port area in the morning, then do a SAS trip at 1330- “exploring a south African township.”Townships are empovershed areas where previously disenfranchised blacks live. They are supposed to be unbelievable to the eyes of privelaged people like myself. I am both excited and nervous for what I’ll see. At night, I plan to explore Cape Town’s many restaurants and its nightlife
Thurs: 0800- SAS trip called “Apartheid in Cape Town”This is a 10-hour trip that will take us to all of the important historical landmarks in Cape Town including the District Six museum and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for over 30 years.
Friday: 0900- climb table mountain with friends. After, we plan to take Chapman’s Peak Drive (google it, it’s an insane road cut through a mountain) to Hout Bay to enjoy authentic South African food while looking across a bay at the skyline (tres cute). Then an SAS trip to a township for an evening BBQ.
Saturday: Wine tasting tour in the vineyards outside of Cape Town, traveling for the day to Camp’s Bay. After that, possibly meeting up with a family friend who may be hosting me/friends for dinner.
Sunday: Scuba Dive, tour the city of Cape Town before leaving that night late.
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It should be a great few days. And I’m looking forward to it. As always on land, feel free to call me, I will have my cell with me. My blog should be updated mostly daily, as I’ll return to the ship each night. If it’s not, fear not, I’ll catch you up in the next few days.
Thanks for all of your emails. I can’t wait to hear from you tomorrow.
Love from S. Africa!
Greg.
P.S. Anonymous, thanks for your compliment. Please email me at GMLessans@semesteratsea.net. I’d love to know your connection to the SAS program.
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