I also just fixed the timezone. So yes, the previous entry was written at 7am UK time (8am here in South Africa), not some crazy middle-of-the-night time.
I took the opportunity to ask Philippe some questions about life in South Africa since he's been here for significantly longer than me. How do white locals deal with the harassment that tourists have to deal with? They don't walk anywhere. If they must walk then they shout as loud as they can at anyone approaching who looks like trouble. I also wondered what it's like to be black in this kind of environment; Philippe had asked someone with first hand knowledge: they also get scared.
Philippe told me there had been another stabbing last night on the street near our respective hostels. Also, that there had been a "gang war" nearby between Nigerians and South Africans. I also heard details of how his friend was mugged after drawing 1000 rand from the local ATM. I'm concerned.
The trip down to Cape Point was eventful. Fortunately, Philippe is also into photography so he was happy for us to stop the car every few miles to take pictures. We saw baboons, ostriches and even a tortoise in the road. We also saw an unidentifiable thing which may, I suppose, have been some kind of cricket.
Despite what I said about Cape Point, there may be something to the whole "line separating the oceans" rumour. We saw a strange separation waaay along the coast. Could this have been it?
We drove around to Cape of Good Hope (the most south-westerly point of Africa) then stopped at Boulder's Beach on the way home to see some penguins. They are such funny creatures! I watched a pair get up and stroll down a slippery slope to the water; they reminded me of an old married couple, the way they were very cautious of their footing and the one in front kept turning around to make sure the one behind was OK. So cute!
My taxi is booked for the morning. I leave the hostel at 5:30am and fly to Jo'burg at 9:15am before heading on to Hong Kong. Total travel time: way too long. I won't be posting for a little while.
4 comments:
Mr Winter! I've been following your blog day by day.
I saw this and thought of you:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/01/where-the-hell-is-ma.html
Have a great time in Hong Kong, it's far safer than SA.
It's one of the few places I've been outside of Europe and it found it exhausting but excellent.
B
Hey Tom. Interesting article. Why would anyone pay someone to do that? I'd happily do it though if the offer were there!
You're right, Bry. It's so different here. SA is plain scary. The only type of harassment I've experienced here so far is for new shirts, jackets and suits. So long as it's all above board, there ain't nowt too wrong with that!
I LOVE PENGUINS!!!
(inga)
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