Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

It had been a terrific day to date. We had spent several hours between Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Rasheed told us we would be driving on the "other side" of the mountain back to Cape Town, and if the drive was a spectacular as the drive down, I could hardly wait.

More sights along the way, most of which were taken from inside the moving van. Sometimes, if he could do so safely, Rasheed would stop so we could get better pictures. Actually, the others had basically stopped taking and was relying on me to share the ones I had


The clouds "sitting" on top of Table Mountain....

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa


The mountains are gorgeous....




We were about pulling off here for a ladies' "pit stop"


Apologies for the harsh sunlight; however, I needed to get a pic of this.

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

Apologies for the delayed update; my academic responsibilities got in the way.

In the same vicinity of the ladies' "pit stop"





Back on the road again. More sights...


If you look closely at the bottom of the green patch, there are fences. These are there to stop boulders from rolling down the side of the mountain and smashing vehicles.


More fences here as well...

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

The rock formations were beautiful. Driving through we were left in awe of the sheer beauty of the environs.

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

We were now at a placed called Chapman's Peak where Rasheed parked the vehicle so we could get out and experience the wonder.



Further down the road...

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa


Round-abouts are fairly common,,,

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

<span style="font-style: italic">Back in Cape Town...</span>



The thing about spending time in a place is getting the chance to know someone new. As mentioned earlier, I often find these one-on-one connections a highpoint on my journeys. Meeting Rasheed was another treasured experience. Shy but respectful, it took him a while to &quot;warm up&quot; to his Canadian passengers but as we got to know each other and especially after the experience with the baboons, he had become quite relaxed. He was 26, from Malawi, and had not seen his family for quite some time. The lack of employment opportunities had forced him to leave his country for South Africa where after doing whatever jobs he could find, he had managed to save enough to buy the van he was driving.

As we talked, sometimes alone and other times with the group, the thing that struck me was his sense of purpose. He had clear goals and very clear ideas how to achieve them. Instead of blaming his lot in life on racism, oppression, or whatever else, he had enough maturity to realize that life did not owe him anything and that if he was going to get ahead in life, he would have to take whatever opportunities were available to him. It was clear that he had very strong family ties and that his father's influence was a big factor in his life. Whatever he did, one of the goals was to ensure his parents would be proud of the choices he made.

Our two youngest females were in awe of him; not in a way that would suggest they would want to stay in Africa but primarily because they found his maturity and the fact that at his age he had his own little business very refreshing. It did not hurt also that they thought he was cute.

As we pulled into our hotel's parking area and parked, we bade Rasheed our goodbyes. The ladies were busily taking pictures with him and we paid him over and above his fee for the day. Not only had he earned it but we just wanted to encourage him. It had been a terrific day but now we were tired. Time to just go up to my room and chill.

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

After an uneventful rest of the evening / night, we were up early as today the rest of the group got to meet John. After breakfast we walked over to the Garden and sure enough he was there, on time, as agreed - this time feeding birds and socializing with people he seemed familiar with. Of course, knowing a little about him it was possible that these people were total strangers. We exchanged pleasantries, got the introductions done, and we were on our way. The others would get their own &quot;tour&quot; of the Garden and I would get a chance to explore other areas while John was busy with the rest, showing them what I had already seen. It didn't surprise me that he was chatting and treating everyone like he had known them for ever; as if we were all long lost relatives having a happy reunion.








There were statutes of some prominent South Africans scattered through the Garden.

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa


British empire builder and prime minister of what was then Cape Colony (1890-96). By his will he established the Rhodes scholarships at Oxford (1902).

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa






To say I love this would be an understatement...


WW 1 memorial for fallen artillery officers.

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa






The dude said he was Jesus...

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

<span style="font-style: italic">Outside the Garden....</span>




Office building...


On the City Hall building...

[Compry]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

I am really enjoying your report and pics. Can't say that's how I imagined South Africa. I'm scheduled to go there in April 2013, God's willing. Can't wait.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChurchDude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">


The dude said he was Jesus...

[/IMG] </div></div>

Now, this guy...did he walk on water?

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

<span style="font-weight: bold">Compray:</span> From what I could tell, it depends on where in SA you go. In my mind, Cape Town would be like going to Montego Bay / Ocho Rios and Jo'burg like going into Kingston. Whereas I felt very safe in Cape Town, I did not feel as safe in parts of Jo'burg, especially in Soweto.

As for the dude, what can I say? Jesus did show himself before he walked on water so maybe this dude had similar intentions?

[Diplomat]

Re: Cape Town, Jo'burg - South Africa

<span style="font-style: italic">Around Mandela Square...</span>







By this time we had covered almost two hours and it was time to head back to the hotel. From what I could tell, the others were enjoying their experiences with John who was the consummate tour guide. We doubled back across what for me was now familiar grounds during which time I put away the camera just to enjoy the last several minutes with this fine man.

Not surprisingly, the ladies asked far more personal questions than I did but their intentions were good. John invited the questions and from what I could tell, he answered them candidly. As he shared with them the same hopes and dreams he had shared with me the day before, for a while I was lost in my own thoughts. I recalled something one of my spiritual mothers shared with me while I was still in my teens. She said, to the effect, &quot;Life is like a wheel; sometimes you are one your head, sometimes your side, and other times you are every which way except where you need to be. But as long as the wheel keeps turning, it is just a matter of time before you will land on your feet.&quot; Over the years I have experienced the truth of her wisdom; today I looked at John and wished that for him.

We got back to the hotel and after &quot;taking care&quot; of John, we shared our hugs and goodbyes. He had left a lasting impression on all of us; a reflection of the biblical truth that a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. In his own way, and in the absence of material possessions, he had found true happiness. If only the rest of us, with all our toys and things, could be that blessed.