Imagine standing on a bridge that stretches across a massive gorge. 710 feet below, a river snakes its way into the Indian Ocean--which is visible in the distance. Now imagine standing on the edge, looking down, taking a deep breath, and leaping off... Besides being the highlight of my life, this experience was also the highlight of my time in South Africa.
But yet again, I'm getting ahead of myself. Cape Town is by far the most beautiful city I've ever seen. On the day we arrived, I got up at 4am to watch us pull into port. The entire coastline was ablaze with lights from buildings, lighthouses, and a giant ferris wheel that rests on the coast. The Explorer docked right smack-dab in the middle of downtown. I ate breakfast on Deck 6 while enjoying a view of the city and Table Mountain--the gargantuan rock that dominates the landscape. A friend asked me what my plans were for the day. I pointed to the top of Table and said, "that". The hike consisted of walking up stone stairs for three hours. They weren't kidding when they named it Table Mountain--the top is almost completely flat. The view from the top is indescribable. Turquoise ocean nestles against the entire city of Cape Town. We enjoyed a few beers on top before taking the tramway back down into the city. We got down just in time to see the clouds roll over the mountain. They look like a wave slowly crashing over the hill. The locals refer to this almost daily event as the "tablecloth". My pictures are great, but nothing can compare to seeing it for yourself. I suggest everyone should add it to their bucket list.
Cape Town is a city of contrast. The immediate port area is white and shiny--an when I say white I don't mean only the buildings. Racism is still very much alive in South Africa. The era of apartheid was not that long ago at all. While the separation might not be legal anymore, it still exists both socially and economically. About 20% of the population lives in high rise apartments and mansions. They drive top of the line cars and make at least six figures annually. A ten minute drive out of the city allows one to see the true colors of South Africa. The rest of the country lives in massive shantytowns called townships. Shacks are pieced together with sheets of aluminum and wood. I've never seen such opulence back right up against extreme poverty. South Africa is a place that is hard to wrap your head around, and Cape Town is equally crazy. The city has both the highest crime rate and HIV/Aids rate in the world. Neighborhoods are separated into black, white, and "colored" (a term for lighter brown skinned people--like Muslims, or me). These terms are not taboo like they are in the States, the people identify themselves with these names and never think twice. It was a shock to be asked what it was like to be "colored" and live in America.
Besides dealing with some latent racism and heartbreaking poverty, my time in South Africa was amazing. The nightlife was great--just as in every other port. Basically, if you are twenty-something years old you can go anywhere and have the time of your life--so my advice to all of you is to get out and go, anyplace will do. Speaking of amazing times, my bungy jump was hands down the craziest and greatest thing that I have ever done. A six hour bus ride brought me to Bloukrans bridge, the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere and the tallest bungy bridge in the world. I have wanted to bungy ever since I was little, and I finally had the chance to do it. The jump was freeing to say the least. I felt everything melt away, all the worries from my past, present and future--and then I jumped. I fell for 6 seconds and reached terminal velocity at around 120 mph. Two weeks later and I still can't stop smiling. The next day, I went cage diving with great white sharks. I know--my life sucks. The rest of my time was spent shopping and raging in Cape Town. None of us wanted to leave and we all dreaded the seven day trip to Mauritius. Although, once we got there we forgot all about it...
But yet again, I'm getting ahead of myself. Cape Town is by far the most beautiful city I've ever seen. On the day we arrived, I got up at 4am to watch us pull into port. The entire coastline was ablaze with lights from buildings, lighthouses, and a giant ferris wheel that rests on the coast. The Explorer docked right smack-dab in the middle of downtown. I ate breakfast on Deck 6 while enjoying a view of the city and Table Mountain--the gargantuan rock that dominates the landscape. A friend asked me what my plans were for the day. I pointed to the top of Table and said, "that". The hike consisted of walking up stone stairs for three hours. They weren't kidding when they named it Table Mountain--the top is almost completely flat. The view from the top is indescribable. Turquoise ocean nestles against the entire city of Cape Town. We enjoyed a few beers on top before taking the tramway back down into the city. We got down just in time to see the clouds roll over the mountain. They look like a wave slowly crashing over the hill. The locals refer to this almost daily event as the "tablecloth". My pictures are great, but nothing can compare to seeing it for yourself. I suggest everyone should add it to their bucket list.
Cape Town is a city of contrast. The immediate port area is white and shiny--an when I say white I don't mean only the buildings. Racism is still very much alive in South Africa. The era of apartheid was not that long ago at all. While the separation might not be legal anymore, it still exists both socially and economically. About 20% of the population lives in high rise apartments and mansions. They drive top of the line cars and make at least six figures annually. A ten minute drive out of the city allows one to see the true colors of South Africa. The rest of the country lives in massive shantytowns called townships. Shacks are pieced together with sheets of aluminum and wood. I've never seen such opulence back right up against extreme poverty. South Africa is a place that is hard to wrap your head around, and Cape Town is equally crazy. The city has both the highest crime rate and HIV/Aids rate in the world. Neighborhoods are separated into black, white, and "colored" (a term for lighter brown skinned people--like Muslims, or me). These terms are not taboo like they are in the States, the people identify themselves with these names and never think twice. It was a shock to be asked what it was like to be "colored" and live in America.
Besides dealing with some latent racism and heartbreaking poverty, my time in South Africa was amazing. The nightlife was great--just as in every other port. Basically, if you are twenty-something years old you can go anywhere and have the time of your life--so my advice to all of you is to get out and go, anyplace will do. Speaking of amazing times, my bungy jump was hands down the craziest and greatest thing that I have ever done. A six hour bus ride brought me to Bloukrans bridge, the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere and the tallest bungy bridge in the world. I have wanted to bungy ever since I was little, and I finally had the chance to do it. The jump was freeing to say the least. I felt everything melt away, all the worries from my past, present and future--and then I jumped. I fell for 6 seconds and reached terminal velocity at around 120 mph. Two weeks later and I still can't stop smiling. The next day, I went cage diving with great white sharks. I know--my life sucks. The rest of my time was spent shopping and raging in Cape Town. None of us wanted to leave and we all dreaded the seven day trip to Mauritius. Although, once we got there we forgot all about it...
Ross! I love your blog. I am so envious of you right now! BUT I am going to Cape Town for THREE WEEKS! In April, so I really want to talk to you about it!! Shoot me a facebook message or something when you have time. It looks like you are having great adventures, living life the right way for sure! Talk to you soon!
ReplyDelete-Jenny (Morris haha)
PS You have some good writing skills =)