Never stop exploring.
Friday afternoon the internet connection (of all or most of Cape Town) went out!... and for the remainder of the weekend there was no signal, but have no fear! There is much much more to Cape Town than the internet. It really makes you realize how dependent we are on the internet for things much more than just Facebook. It really wasn't terrible, just a bit of an annoyance. Other than enjoying the beautiful surroundings, I was also able to finish Cradle to Cradle, and now have started reading Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer. I'm only 30 pages in, and already it is quite an interesting, yet also terrifying chain of events.
But back to Cape Town! Friday night was full of good beer and a good movie: The Great Gatsby. The same theatre (the Labia) which hosted Forest in Focus also screens current movies, and for incredibly cheap as well! Compared to the price at home, at least $10, our movie ticket cost only $4. Before the movie, we had dinner at Van Hunks and I had a delicious red ale.
Quills Karoo Red Ale
The Great Gatsby was really good, very interesting- a very modern interpretation of the 1920s, but also very cool. It was a nice, chill evening.
Saturday we were planning to take the train out of town, since the predicted weather was rain, rain rain. Fortunately when we woke up it wasn't pouring.. yet. We had some breakfast around 9:30, and decided to head off to Woodstock area where a large market, called the Old Biscuit Mill. Woodstock is a cool area of town, relatively a 30 minute walk from the city center where we live, and with the downpour we decided it would be best to cab. But the market was really nice, even with the rain, another fun open space with lots of clothes, shops, coffee and a market full of produce and beer.
The Old Biscuit Mill
The main market area: clothing, accessories, crafts galore!
Walking down Woodstock to find a rainbow!
Woodstock street art
Street art of the decades
After the market, we walked our way (in rain and sunshine) back to the city center, where we grabbed some lunch at Zula cafe on Long Street. Woodstock got the best of us, and by the time we got back to the city center, it would have been too late to make a day trip on the train. For another day! I really enjoyed the scene at Woodstock, and definitely would like to return before I leave Cape Town. It seems they have markets all around, and even though they may be completely full of (mostly American) tourists, they are still a great experience and atmosphere for all. Saturday night, we had dinner at Masola Dosa, an indian restaurant where I had Thali, which is a mixed plate of various curries, all VERY delicious. You can really find any type of cuisine around Cape Town, you just have to wander into the right areas, but they are never really too hard to find.
Sunday was the day to be a tourist! I took the big red bus, which can take you through the city, or along the coast, and I took the latter. Me, my big camera and my tourist guide hopped on the top of the two decker bus and cruised outside of the city. Luckily it was a very sunny day, but the drive made it quite chilly.
On our way out of town! Devil's Peak and a bit of Table Mountain
The glorious mountains and University of Cape Town campus, beautiful!
Haut bay panorama
Market down on the waterfront! A good way to end the trip.
You know I can't resist
It was an amazing Sunday morning and afternoon, which ended with the second night of Forest in Focus at the local Labia Theatre. This night was just as successful as Thursday night, and watching the films once again was great. Our final screening is Tuesday night, and Touchwood, the band from Platbos is playing, which is SUPER exciting. I learned this morning they actually started because of Greenpop. One event the band that was scheduled to play fell through, and so Greenpop asked them to try to put something together. Who knew that would spark a musical journey for the three girls and a guy, who have absolutely incredible music. Youtube Touchwood and check it out for yourself!
I can't believe time is dwindling before me, I have just over three weeks to go! I am so grateful for this experience, and I intend to make the absolute best of these days, weekends, hours and minutes last!
So far I have already climbed Table Mountain, Lion's Head, went to sunrise at Signal Hill, went on the giant red tour bus, went to Platbos Forest for two weekends of Reforest Festivals, gone wining and dining, discovered beer, coffee, and many new ideas and happenings at Greenpop, and also the whole of Cape Town. No matter what the future weeks of weather has in store for me, I intend to see as much as I possibly can.
“Never stop exploring.”