Safe and sailing away from Cape Town

Well we are on our way to the Mauritius with classes in progress and looking forward to a day off in two days although I have a lot of class work that will occupy most of my time. So since last post I need update you on what happened the last two nights in Cape Town. The first of the two we went to this really cool club called Hemisphere which was on the 31st floor of one of the downtown sky scrapper that had an amazing view of the city, the bay, as well as our ship. It was really clubby feeling with lots of large comfortable chairs to sit and relax as well as a continuous couch along the windows to sit and look out with a large dance floor around the windows in one of the corners. We had a great time here and hung out with lots of people from the ship as well as made some new friends with locals from Cape Town. I guess I should tell AJs side of the story because I know how the rumors get started and some of you might have already read his blog and told others about it. That night some friends and I had decided to leave the club earlier than others from our group from the ship. So I went down the elevator and out the door to see three or so of the clubs security guards standing there at the entrance of the huge building and we walked across the two lane street that was pretty well lit and got into a taxi and made our way home safely. Let me repeat I got home safely with no worries. When AJ and a friend decided that they were going to leave the club they did the same routine of going outside of the building, but there were some thugs there that had other ideas then of putting him into a taxi. They grabbed him and he was able to see the girl run off, when he was trying to be a gentlemen and make sure she was ok to the best of his ability. Anyways they took his wallet and digital camera and he didn’t fight back. There were South Africans that were there who saw the whole thing and apologized for some of the South African citizens for acting in this matter. And a cab driver offered to take him home, which he did even though he obviously didn’t have any money on him. The main thing to remember here is that AJ is safe. He was a little shaken up to begin with, which is rightfully so. But we both understand that this could of happened anywhere and it does happen frequently in any large city. In this case it was surprising considering the large number of police officers that are usually always around. My belief this time that they weren’t around as much because this particular club was in the business district instead of the tourist areas we generally are in. Anyhow he is safe and that is all that matters.
The next morning we got up and had lunch in the Waterfront area right next to the ship. Then we went to a place called green market square which has a local stadium where they have a huge market on Sundays in the parking lot. They have everything here like wood crafts, clothing, food, even hygiene products like razors and shampoo. It is basically like a first Mondays trades day in Cape Town. After a full day of shopping we came back to the waterfront area and side up to go on a sailboat that evening from 6 to 7:30 on a sunset cruise with some friends. The sunset cruise was a lot of fun, but really really cold, and I even thought that I had dressed warmly for this occasion. It was cool because we went pretty far out towards Robin Island which is the island that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for all of those years. Which they had a tour to the island to tour the prison but it was like $25 and we really never had time. Also during the sunset cruise we were able to get a better idea of exactly how large Cape Town and the “Cape” really is. Think of like a hug “U” or bay it is definitely the largest one I have seen with large building all the way around there is no telling how many miles it runs for. Finally we pulled into the harbor after dark so it was cool getting to see both the city and the harbor at night from the sailboat from that angel especially after getting to see the opposite view from the 31st floor of the downtown building the night before.
After the sunset cruise we made our way to a sports bar to have dinner and watch a soccer game before we had to be back on the ship at 9pm. It was kind of funny because AJ and I both had the Texas Steak which was around a 10oz sirloin steak with a fried egg on top served with French fires and steamed vegetables. I don’t know I have never had anything like it that had been called a Texas Steak before. We were able to make it on the ship by 9pm even though there was a really long line as usual because they were searching everyone’s bags. And I soon there after went to bed to try and be fresh for my classes at 7am today.
In one word I thought that I would originally call Cape Town/South Africa wine, just as I had called Brazil food, and Venezuela passion. But I don’t think that I could do that to Cape Town/South Africa so I will do it in three ideas. Cape Town/South Africa has great natural beauty, people, and wine!!! It is a city that can’t be missed in your lifetime and one that definitely needs more than a week to explore.
As I look forward to Mauritius an island that has been described to me by South Africans as better than Tahiti or the most beautiful island on earth I am very excited about the future. For those of you still reading this I got an email from Mom and Dad saying that they are safe and not in danger so don’t worry for those of you who know what I am talking about. God Bless!

Chad