Lunchtime chat with a retired UK tourist couple who visited the whole of South Africa. (She delighted that I am South African) She: South Africa, you lucky fish! Its such a beautiful country. The mountains and the seas. We just love South Africa. We were there in 2012. Me: Yes, it is a lovely country. Where about did you visit during your stay in South Africa? She: Cape Town, the Garden Route, the winelands, Robben Island and ... (Turning to her hubby to jolt her memory). And love, whats the name of the nature park. (Old snowball perks up) Him: Kruger Park. That was two days just before flying out of Johannesburg. Me: Oh excellent! So youve got to see how much Cape Town differs from Johannesburg? She: We got an overview about Johannesburg from our tour operator but we didnt leave O R Tambo. We were told that it is quite dangerous. (He shows off his wisdom) Him: We are generally very streetwise and adventurous but at our age, Cape Town is more of a holiday destination, dont you agree? Me: Well, I suppose we all have our own ways of deciding whats adventurous. I love big busy cities. I dont like small cities at all even though I live in a tiny city. (She gets diplomatic) She: youre right! Big and busy cities are always more adventurous. And oh ... Believe you me ... If we were ten younger we would have spent more time in a South African township. (She turns to hubby for approval) dont you agree, love? (He nods with hesitant approval) She: But not with his legs anymore. His feet dont take too well from walking on those rough cobblestones. (Him all defensive) Him: My feet are just fine, honey! She: No, theyre not! (Me feeling the need to prevent him from putting his foot in her mouth) Me: On your next visit to South Africa maybe you should go to Soweto. In Soweto the streets are tarred. Soweto doesnt have cobble-stoned streets. (She pulls out a beaded key-ring from her handbag) She: Oh, Ive got to show you this. We bought this at the Waterfront. We were told it is from So Where Toe. Isnt it just pretty? Me: It is pretty. She: Its made by a womens self-help group. Thats so innovative, isnt it! Me: Its great that youve supported township crafters. She: We were told that the womens group is located near the Nelson Mandela house in So Where To. Every time that I see a photograph of Nelson Mandela, I feel so good that I have a part of him in my handbag. Do you know this womens group? (Me trying to be intelligent) Me: Yes, I do. Its probably the womens group from Vilikazi Street. (Old grumpy wakes up) Him: Thats the famous street where Desmond Tutu was his neighbour, honey. You remember the photograph we saw of the Mandela house in Vilikazi Street? Me: Its very popular site for tourists visiting Soweto. (By now Im Very curious) So, the cobble-stoned streets in the township that you visited was that in Khayalitsha or Gugulethu? She: No, we went to the township in the Malay Quarter. Beyond the colorful row of houses that face the city, it does become a bit tacky but it is a lot less shacky than what we were expecting. (My face turns into every colour of the Cape Town rainbow. Table Mountain suddenly sits like a lump in my throat. I must visit Cape Town, I think, as we dig into our meals.)
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:51:46 +0000