The first weekend we had here in Cape Town allowed us to see what the culture is really about. While we can read in books or see in pictures what the culture is perceived to be about, the real culture comes through, as it does in America, on the weekends. When people have the time to do whatever they want to do, what do they do? I believe that is most telling about what people value. We woke up early Saturday because we had a full day ahead of us, it was a once a year opportunity we stumbled into for the J&B Met, a horserace and fashion event that is among the most popular summer events in Cape Town. We all were dressed for the occasion and a group of 10 of us, (6 girls, 4 boys) headed to Kenilworth to take place in the festivities. While we were halfway around the world, the activities we were doing were not so foreign to us. The men were dressed up, but clearly not their for the fashion as there were long lines for beer and liquor filled with men anxiously buying as many drinks as they could hold and bitting their fingernails nervously suspecting they might have just bet all of their money away. We had no problem joining in with this behavior, and promptly bought many drinks and placed many bets on horses. The girls were all enticed by the high fashion that was present at the track, including many lavish dresses, fancy hats and outfits that my friend Tripp aptly said "whats with all the lady gaga outfits." It was an incredibly fun time, as we all lost on our bets but had the opportunity to meet locals and other internationals from Europe and Australia, and be outside enjoying life the way the locals chose to spend their weekend. There were over 50,000 people in attendance, and we quickly understood this was South Africa's equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. After power naps to recharge from a long day of drinking and being in the sun, we set our sights on the night scene in Cape Town proper on the well-known Long Street.
Jarret, Bryson, Me and Tripp from left to right, at the J&B Met
Long Street features over 200 bars and clubs in the center of Cape Town, and is just a fifteen to twenty minute cab ride from UCT Campus. We arrived on Long Street and headed for Dubbliner's, a popular Irish pub. The street features balconies on almost every bar, reminiscent of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We enjoyed the indoor/outdoor setting of all of the bars and clubs we visited on Long Street and have become particularly fond of Windhoeck and Castle Lager, two of the more popular South African beers. The streets became crowded around 23:00 and before we knew it we were in the thick of Long Street mingling with Americans, Africans, Europeans and others. I even managed to run into a few Americans I knew from Bowdoin and from Concord, Massachusetts, as well as by coincidence meeting a recent Duke graduate who lives in Cape Town who my friend Liz Walker from Lawrenceville wanted to put me in touch with. Humphrey Bogart's line, "Of all the gin joints in the world..." was all I could think of when running into these people and by coincidence talking to them at a bar. As I have met many people and run into a surprising number of people in Cape Town. The network of friends I have is growing and with so much to do, it is easy to become close friends quickly. The city is not short on happiness, and there is a clear emphasis put on enjoyment.
Sunday, we had the privilege of going on a tour down the Coast headed East. We stopped in townships and met local children, saw numerous sights and Cape Town and headed all the way down to hike around the Cape of Good Hope, which is claimed by some to be the spot where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet. (However its technically a little further east). The sights here are unparalleled, it is one of the most Southern points of Africa and is the rare combination of Oceans and Mountains that is so picturesque.
Cape of Good Hope
By the time we returned from another day long adventure, hiking in the blazing hot sun. We barely had the energy to eat dinner and retire. It has been quite a week since we arrived in Cape Town, already having seen so much, learned so much and met so many people. A stark contrast from America for me, despite the indulgences a feeling of health in South Africa has been present. I have run almost daily up the hills on UCT Campus and worked out on the beautiful Rugby fields on campus. The weather and views give the motivation to be outside and active that New England Winters sometimes lack. I can't believe it has already been a week, I am so fortunate to be on this excursion and know how much so many have sacrificed to make this possible. While I learn the culture I am excited to begin classes at the school and learn more and more about this fascinating place while I'm here. Discovering difference and reconciling different perspectives has been a struggle through the history of mankind, South Africa knows that as well as anywhere, to be able to learn from the past and present here will be an invaluable experience as the world becomes smaller and smaller in the 21st century.
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