Company Gardens and Bo-Kaap

Sorry this post has taken so long…it is from a while ago. I haven’t updated mostly due to internet being down and super slow all the time and also due to how busy I’ve been the past few weeks. Will continue to be for the next two and a half…and then its home! Can’t believe it.

Written May 19, 2012: 

This past Wednesday (May 16) began as a really good day! Four of us took the shared taxis (something I should have explained by now but have failed to) downtown to the station. From there we walked to the Company’s Gardens, which are basically just beautiful gardens in the middle of the city. Part of them is open all the time, which consists of just paved sidewalks with beautiful trees and grass around them, but one section is open only at certain times of the day and is filled with beautiful flowers, trees, fountains, and gorgeous buildings though I have no idea what is inside of them. The rose garden was undoubtedly the most beautiful part…offering an amazing view of Table Mountain from below.

See for yourself:

 After the gardens we headed uphill to Bo-Kaap. As I understand it, Bo-Kaap is the name of the Cape Malay Quarter of Cape Town. The community is the hub of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town, but apparently now has become more multi-cultural. It is known for its beautiful architecture, brightly colored urban homes, and cobble stone streets. There are many Mosques in the area (mostly Muslim culture) which are also very beautiful, all of which seem to be green. I have heard from others, but I think it is speculation, that all mosques in South Africa are painted green. I have no idea why that is or why that would be, but I haven’t seen a Mosque that is not green so it might be the case…and I think that’s kind of interesting.

This is what Bo-Kaap looks like. Makes me want to paint my house a bright color, or just live here one day!

After walking around and snapping pictures of the beautiful and colorful Bo-Kaap we found a place to stop for lunch. It was called the Africa Café, and it was a beautiful little place with so much character, color, and amazing art. The menu had many options including organic, gluten or wheat free, vegan, and raw, which was very interesting and still quite delicious. I really love places like that committed to health and to meeting the needs of customer’s different dietary needs, whether it be a life choice or a health restriction. I also had to restrict myself from buying all of the hand painted pottery and dishes being sold in the gift shop…I am such a sucker for those things, but I truly didn’t need them and I truly have bought way to much to take home already!

Unfortunately the rest of the day was just as eventful, but not in the best way. After visiting Green Market Square we headed home, and I began to feel pretty bad with a headache and neck pain that have been following me around for the past week and a half. Eventually it was too much and I decided to go to the hospital. Fortunately a friend went with me and one of our program advisors drove us there. They just gave me pain meds and fortunately I was able to sleep through the night. I am not feeling 100% better unfortunately, the neck pain is still lingering, but I did get a full night sleep, some medicine from the hospital, and a note for missing school and late assignments, which is helpful. Not to mention that I can now cross “going to a South African hospital” off my bucket list, though that was one I never hoped to accomplish!

I know I have some catching up to do with events from the past week but the good news is I am starting to feel better and am catching up on my schoolwork! Don’t want to worry anyone…and if you’re wondering…23 days til I come home. I am beyond cold here now that it is winter and we have no heat nor are we well equipped with warm clothes, and I am getting quite excited for the idea of summer time and home! But I have 22 amazing days left ahead of me that I am going to live to the fullest, and 20 roommates that I am going to miss like crazy once I am gone! Hopefully I’ll catch up a little more soon!

Peace and love!