Same country, different vibe.

This may sound snooty, but the Cape seems so much more civilized that KwaZulu Natal. I don’t know what other word to use.

Yes, the inherent South Africa problems of unemployment and the huge financial divide, the security issues etc. are here but it seems like (and I’ve only been here for 10 days, so this is definitely first impressions) that things still work. The streets around here are clean, with trash not as visible as in KZN. The people are very friendly, but they are in KZN too, or at least the people I’ve had any dealings with.

But here, it’s just has a whole different vibe. I can walk out the door and go for a walk. Kids (of all colors) play in the streets after school. I like it! But I know I wouldn’t like the winters which can be bitterly cold, and I think I have probably done enough of that to last a life time! Of course, the actual city of Cape Town is probably a whole different deal, as I have been out in the country, where life is definitely slower.

In fact, you could call it it “Africa Time,” not “Island Time.”

Living Like a Local

What I have tried to do is just “live” here, not as a tourist but as a resident. I think it’s the only way to discover if things will work for me or not. So I haven’t been doing tourist things, just working and hanging out with Biff and Sammy, the little Borgi, who is such good company.

We went to the antique car auction preview in Stellenbosch. There are always cars of some sort involved in outings with Biff. Afterwards, we made the rounds into areas I had never been, picking up and dropping off parts for the cars he is working on, one a lovely e-type Jag!

His workshop is out on an apple and pear orchard, so driving to it a real treat! Especially in his 1948 Morgan which is not built for off-roading. We had a fun little excursion when we went to the “beach” at Theewaterskloof Dam in the Morgan. Sammy loved it. Sat on my lap, head resting on the door and ears blowing in the wind. The beach is lovely; white sand, driftwood and sand dunes but bordered by orchards and mountains.

On Saturday, I did my first ParkRun. For those who don’t know what it is, check it out here. I’d never heard of it before but it is a worldwide phenomenon. And fun! Biff was a volunteer so I took Sammy and we walked (I don’t run) the 5k. The course started in a lovely, private park with a stream-fed swimming pool and tap to fill bottles of crystal clear spring water. We walked through the forest, across a rickety bridge and up onto a farm road. Proteas growing out of the rocky banks and steep and rugged cliffs above. Amazing rock formations and minor streams to cross.

The funny part is, the next day I got an email with my results! And I was first in my age group!!! I might have been the only woman in that group, but still, I placed!

After the walk, we went to a little, local farmers market. The Colored ladies were cooking vetkoek (a batter cake cooked hot oil) and filled with curry. Delicious breakfast. There wasn’t a lot of stuff on offer, but supporting the locals is important.

We dropped Sammy at home and went on to the steampunk-styled Elgin Railway Market, an enormous space filled with dozens of food and craft vendors - and a Gin Bar! Interesting and local distillery, which I will go to next time I am down here. The private steam train does a round trip from Cape Town on weekends and I think it would be a really fun day trip.

And tomorrow I head back to Ashburton - without going wine tasting in South Africa’s wine country.

Saving it for next time!

The photos below (not in any order!) - the flowers on the way to Wilderer Gin; the beach at Theewaterskloof Dam, no clothes dryer! The Morgan, surrounds in Villiersdorp, cars on auction (eat your heart out, Bill Perka) windows cleaned at the gas station, coffee stop in Franchoek and the vineyards looking from the pass, Park Run, Elgin Railway Market, cemetery near the house, running repairs on the Morgan, Sammy…