Homeless and Happy: Sore Knees And Soul Searching

On our flight from Port Elizabeth back to Cape Town, we had to carry our bags out to the plane and climb stairs to board. Then in Cape Town we climbed down the stairs at the back of the plane, walked a few yards, and then climbed back up to use the passage into the airport. All this to say, Sheelagh's knees have completely given in since our return to CT. In fact, she spent our days there in the hotel. So, what you will see are my efforts on a hop on hop off bus tour in which the driver does not slow down and the vehicle rocks. Not in a good way.

This was a typical street scene in our neighbourhood. It was fine to walk here during the day if there were other people around. Quieter streets were not advised. And definitely not at night.

I boarded the bus here and we left the city on a large circular route that took us south from the down town, past the university, and the large hospital where Christian Barnard performed the world's first heart transplant.

Then looping around to the east and the sea side area called Hout Bay, we passed through some of the few remaining areas of natural forest around CT. There are efforts under way to bring the native growth back.

This was the location of the last racial conflicts before the time of apartheid and Nelson Mandela. The indigenous residents tried to negotiate, but were told either give up their land or face a bloody battle. They gave up their land.

In the town of Hout Bay, there have been for decades, large, wealthy family homes with horse barns and jumping arenas. The black residents were moved to 4 areas to live so that they could work in the homes and barns of the wealthy. They were given next to no rights, aside from working there. The horses lived in much better conditions than the people. The horse barns are still there.

I got off in Hout Bay and had a look around. There were rather run down fish and chip shops, trinkets galore, (that could be a name of a floozy) and fish cleaning plants.

This is the dock for the fishing fleet.

The seals say, "Hello".

This fellow crawled ashore for a snooze.

As we moved back up along the coast toward CT again, we passed glorious white sand beaches and hugely expensive hotels. Most were well over $1000. CAD a night.

Continuing north along the coast, you pass mega houses, all gated and fenced in a manner that scream, "KEEP OUT".

The economic disparity that we speak of today, is starkly evident here. There are these places here, and out toward the airport, there are miles of shack communities that are tied together bits of corrugated iron and bits of wood.

Nelson Mandela is much revered here by the progressive community.

This is Robben Island where Mandela spent 18 years in prison. It is a short boat ride away from down town CT.

He was the first black head of state here. There are fridge magnets with the Mandela quote, " Here, we go the prison first, and then become President."

It is not easy to understand this place. The whites came here and took it over and subjugated the blacks to generations of horrible treatment. Mandela lead the blacks out of that and into a state of democratically elected black control. And now you hear stories of corruption and violence that make most people wonder how it will all end. The country is economically on its back.

The tour circled Table Mountain, the world famous landmark of Cape Town.