Life with MK: Surfs Up

Today was quite a fun day, and a great way to end my much too short time in Cape Town. I was awoken much earlier than anticipated by numerous texts and a phone call enquiring why I wasn't up yet (it was before 6am when said texts arrived, and only 7:45am when I got the frantic phone call, thanks Mom). So after the phone call I wasn't able to go back to sleep and I started playing with some thing on my computer, freeing up some space for more photos and whatnot. I spent the morning doing not a whole lot as I enjoyed the view from my amazing hotel room and relaxed a bit.

Around 11:45am I set out to walk to Gavin's apartment where Joan is staying since it was less that 1km from my hotel down just one street. I ended up going two blocks too far somehow, but quickly realized it and made it back to where the actual building was. I saw his apartment and met up with Joan and then we left (Gavin left us his car for the day). We headed out of Cape Town to Muizenberg where we were having a 1pm surf lesson! I braved the waters of shark infested False Bay and went for it on the surfing. I really didn't need to pay for the lesson since the waves were small, but it wasn't too expensive at least. It was weird to be surfing there since Muizenberg Beach is literally profiled in every single Shark Week. It is the beach that has the shark spotter up on the hill and I absolutely recognize it, which is so strange. Anyways, we had a great time! After the first hour I went in and switched boards to a smaller board and I have such a great time using a bit shorter board that was easier to use in the waves and easier to maneuver once up. It was a bit less stable, but I still got up a ton.

After surfing we rinsed off and got dressed and stopped at a place to get some sandwiches before heading out again. We drove to near a town called Sommerset West where there is a cheetah outreach place where you can do cheetah encounters. Unfortunately we got there ten minutes before closing and weren't able to actually pet the cheetahs (total bummer), but we still went in and had a look at the awesome animals.

After Cheetah Outreach we tried to find a winery that might be open, but they were all closed so we headed back into Cape Town. Along the N2 to Cape Town you pass some of the townships, which are home to the poorest people in Cape Town. It is crazy to see how these people live. There is so uch more crime and inequality here compared to Uganda, which makes these informal settlements look much worse in context. It is really sad to see. We got back to Cape Town with no problems and I said goodbye to Joan and went back up to my room. I had some things I wanted to get at the shops at the Waterfront, so I took the shuttle over there and got a duffel bag to house all the souvenirs I have accumulated and the present for an M3 I have to bring back to her and I got a few other things as well.

After the Waterfront I came back to the Westin and ordered room service as I packed up my things. I had such delicious food and I am now very happy and full. I also am attempting to wash my underwear very quickly, so hopefully they dry overnight. The bathroom is very warm due to the heated floors so we will see if they are still wet she I wake up, fingers crossed. Now I'm just watching some TV and getting ready for bed. I didn't realize how late it has already gotten, eek!