First Day On My Own In Cape Town

Hello to all,
Today was the first day I spent alone in Cape Town and it was very relaxed and interesting.  I didn't really do any of the "touristy" things but I had a ball.  I got up late again because I am still fighting jet lag.  I am still awake at 2 or 3 in the morning and then when I do sleep, I can't wake up. 
After a slow start I headed to the Waterfront to do some shopping.  I didn't buy anything because I quickly figured out that the waterfront in not the place to get any bargains.  The rand is the currency here and it is about 7.5 rand to the dollar.  I want to buy an African Caftan.  The colors and fabrics and prints are wonderful and creative.  I know what you fashionistas are saying.... Come on Kiki....a Caftan...really?  But I want one.  Hey, if it's good enough for Hillary....
What I really love about traveling is to get a peek into the lives of the people who live in the country you are visiting.  It is much more interesting to me than standing in line to see "the sights" that everyone else wants to see. 
Today, I met two women who were amazing. The first was Monique. She is from India but has lived here for 25 years. She works in a shop that is considered a fair trade shop to empower African women. Everything sold is split 50/50 with the women who make the goods. Hand woven fabrics that are the most beautiful I have ever seen. She told me her life story in about thirty minutes. She is on her third partner as each man she has loved has died. I can't imagine what that would be like. Yet, she is strong and kind and full of life and love. An inspiration. The second woman was called Suzanne, although that is her taken name and not her African name. Her name is difficult to pronounce (even though I tried and failed) so she just uses an English name. She is from Uganda and is quite beautiful. Here is her picture.


I asked her what life in Uganda was like and she said it was good.  She said, "I can't promise you that a petty thief would not come up to you and yank your necklace off ( I couldn't promise that wouldn't happen in the States) but generally she said the people are kind and as soon as they meet you and know you are a visitor they would welcome you and show you all around and worry if you were comfortable and had enough to eat.  They would invite you home and cook for you if you wanted.  When I asked about the political climate she said it was stable and that they had peace.  She asked how you could complain about that.  Is there corruption?  Isn't there always,she answered.  She said they have free elections (although she admitted they cheat) but said he keeps winning.  He attributes his wins to the women's vote because he fancies himself a ladies man.  All in all she thought it was OK because the people were happy and that was all that mattered.  She also thought it was safer in Uganda than in Cape Town which I found interesting.  She has lived here for three years and has only gone out at night once.  While in the taxi, some men got in and one put his arm around her. She told him to "Sit fairly well" which I guess means mind your manners and he flipped out on her. He started yelling, "Who are you to tell me to sit fairly well?  Are you my Mother?  Are you my sister?  Don't you know that I can follow you and kill you?  She said he kept on and on escalating his anger until she feared for her life.  In the end she apologized to him and he finally left her alone and got out of the cab.  The driver did nothing to help her.  She said it made her sick to apologize to him but she believed he would kill her.  In her head she was saying "who are you to put your arm around me and treat me like this while her voice was saying "I'm sorry".  She says the justice system is very corrupt and even if you murder someone you can be  bonded out for 500 rand.  Then you just disappear.  No one comes to look for you.  She said the police are unwilling to get involved because they know these hoodlums will be out in two days and then they will look for the policeman who arrested them and maybe kill him.  This is a very beautiful country but a dangerous one, especially at night.   It is not like any of my other adventures.  I look down when I walk the city streets and don't make eye contact.  I would not take public transportation like I have in every other country I have visited.  I would not go out alone at night.  Rick Steves (my favorite travel author) says that the best part of traveling is not what you see or what you eat or what you do but what you learn about the places and the people you visit.  He says we all need to become citizens of the world and not just of the country we live in,  Here, here!

When I got back to the Hotel, Bob was here and waiting with a nice glass of South African wine.  He is in heaven.  The wine here is quite good and very reasonable.  We decided to have dinner here at the hotel since his stress level was through the roof from driving in rush hour traffic.  The driving on the other side of the road is making him nuts! 

THE FOLLOWING IS FOR THE "FOODIES" IN THE GROUP
The food couldn't have been better.  The menu was exotic and wonderful.  We started with Smoked Springbok wrapped around pears simmered in red wine.  It was served on bitter greens with a raspberry reduction and shaved Parmesan cheese.  Oh my!! It was one of the finest things I have ever eaten. If you don't know what Springbok is here is a picture.( Chrissy will never speak to me again ).

For the main course Bob had Venison marinated in Bulgogi on stir fried vegetables, crisp egg noodles and tempura fried scallions. Sounded great but later we found out that the venison is really Kudu. If you don't know what that is here is a picture.

I tried some and it was delicious.  Very tender and not strong like our venison. Wonderful,really.

 
I had Grilled Ostrich fillet with cape lentil samoosas, a spicy chakalaka sauce and finished with a sweet grilled banana. Need I say more? If you have never tried Ostrich and you get the opportunity, go for it. Possibly the most tender meat I have ever tasted. You can cut it with a fork. Have a look. Yum!
 

For dessert Bob got the macadamia nut chocolate spring rolls with white chocolate ice cream and Mandarin sections. Eat your heart out chocoholics in the crowd! 

His was good but mine was outstanding. I had Cape Melva pudding, which is not pudding at all. It is a very moist, spongy cake that is better than any cake I have ever had.  It came with roobios and gooseberry ice cream. I am still in afterglow :))  The entire meal including wine was $68.00 American.  Can you believe it?

Well, that was today and now off to bed to try to sleep for a change.  Bob has been asleep for hours.  I swear that man could sleep standing up.  Well, good for him.  Is my jealousy showing?  I am not sure what tomorrow brings but whatever it is I will report it all right her.  Goodnight to you all from the other side of the world.  Here is what I am seeing.

PS  I miss you all and would love an email from any of you. (Thanks to Dannie, Mary Ellen, Shirley, Amy and Tony for yours)