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Somehow, it is strange to write about such an interesting event when it had already been 4 months ago. It is astounishing how fast the memories vanish. Even more interesting would be the answer to the question: Did my attitudes and associations to the Republic of South Africa change just because I forgot about some experiences and aspects?
Even such an amazing event, I would even say unique experience like the symposium on sustainable forestry vanish like "dust in the wind". The maybe most interesting thing is: Now, sitting in my new room in the souterrain of this house near Freiburg, enjoying a cup of Badish Chardonnay, this country seems to be so normal that I even wonder what really would be worth mentioning.
But after all, thanks to modern digital technics, I have a lot of photos, which can refresh my memories about South Africa.
Let me just tell you a few words about a very nice flight to South Africa. Did you ever fly "Air Emirates"? You definitely should! The company immediately became my 2nd-much beloved airline. Very modern Boeings (type 777), DUBAI from the airplane (unbelievable - the Emirates have gone crazy!!!). Midnight in Dubai - 36 degrees.
And Iraq from out of the window of the airplane. What a confusing scene - you look on your screen before your eyes and see: Oh, Bazra must be just on the right side. You look out of the window - and there is this city you've heard of so many times in news.
OK, Air Emirates is fine, but BA might even be better. We missed a flight, and got seats in business class instead. First time business class - you feel the difference.
And finally, Franz and me arrived in Cape Town.
But however, this is not what this entry shall be about!
First of all, what does a tourist do after having arrived at his destination? Do some sightseeing. It turned out that we were just common tourists. Only... it was not recommended. Cape Town is not such a dangerous city like Johannesburg, but anyway, we heard the following recommendations by the owner of the hostel we stayed in (in the centre of the city):
* When you leave the house at night, don't go to the right, only to the left. The right side is not safe
* Stay only on the main road, don't go on side roads.
Yes... That's eally not a very pleasant feeling, agreed? What is freedom good for when it will cost your health? This feeling never left us again during the following 3 weeks. And the worst: You'll find out that you have some maybe racist thoughts: Black people on the street increases your alterness. Terrible!
So, we did not see much of cape Town on the first evening, but at least, I ate a crocodile. Everything seemed to turn out OK, but however a little bit uneasy - until Franz got to know a real local celebrity in a discotheque in the main street - a singer. She decided to drive us around the following day. So, the next morning, we met again and finally made the sightseeing to cape Town. And of course, we had to see the End of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope.
Summary:
* First impressions about crime
* We made friends with a VIP who drove us around
* We were at the end of Africa
And hey, please read about Cape Town, then Table Mountain and Robben Island (the place where Nelson mandela was kept in prison! This is an "excellent" article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town
The Water Front - the historical centre of Cape Town
The Cape is to my left
Finis Africae
View to the North
Cape Town at night - by my colleague Jozef Svetlik
