Hi Everyone,
Nine of us climbed to the top of Table Mountain this morning---two and a half hours (for me--the students were faster by at least a half hour) straight up. The clouds burned off by the time we started (9:30 AM) and we had amazing views all the way up: the town center enclosed in the so-called city bowl; the harbor; our neighborhood, called Bo-Kaap (we could see the characteristic pastel colored houses); Green Point; and some of the townships. From the base of the cable car, where we started our walk, the town seemed far below. Then, from the top, we felt the true height of the mountain (I don't know the exact height---somewhere around one kilometer or 3 thousand something feet I believe). After about two hours, you get to a plateau---and then there's another easier walk to the flat top. The sea is on all sides. Some people say that from the top of Table Mountain, because of its unique location, you can see the curve of the earth. We took the cable car down. My legs are still sore (four hours later).
Carla and I went to the South Africa National Gallery on Saturday and saw a photography exhibit by Santu Mofukeng. It happened to be the opening and everyone at the exhibit got invited for champagne and plates of cheeses, olives, sandwiches. Santu was signing autographs and people were flocking around him. His photos cover a wide range of subjects and geographies---from camps at Auschwitz, to NY trains, his brother's life ( and death from AIDS), the Czech Republic, etc. Great museum, exhibit, and great luck to happen upon the opening. Tim and Lindsy went on Sunday and loved the photos, too.
The SA National Museum is near the residence of the president and the Company's Gardens, landscaped greens with flowers, palms, and other tropical plants. My third visit to Cape Town, but this is the first time I saw this area.
Most of the students went to the Obz Fest on Saturday night---an open air music festival about 5 k from the city center. They said there were about 2000 people, some great bands, street vendors, dancing. Very fun.
We hope the weather will continue to be wonderful since we're going on the ferry tomorrow to Robben Island and to wine country on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday, the Cape of Good Hope.
Meanwhile, we are still doing last classes. We have a couple of exams and last papers. People are planning their days after the semester ends---either staying around Cape Town or following the Garden route to Durban. Carla and I are planning to go to Lesotho and Swaziland---maybe Mozambique.
More soon. Thanks for the mail. Take care,
Betty