The Best of Both Worlds

There is a competition in the works for my affection happening right now and it is quite heated; on one side there is the beguiling Rio de Janeiro and on the other the exquisite Cape Town. I am falling hard for the Cape Town and surrounding areas. Both cities have what I am attracted to the most and that is Mountains and ocean in co-existence.

I really could live in Cape Town and walk out of my front door or back door or side door and see a gorgeous view. Some have said it reminds them of San Francisco area because of the mountains and coastline, as well as, the numerous vineyards. Guess what faithful readers?…I have answered the gauntlet and climbed on the horse and driven where many have driven before. I, Cherise, have driven (extensively I might add as you will see) on the wrong side of the road. I own the road. You can be proud and I bow in light of your applause. Thank you, thank you.

You may ask why I am here although through the slideshow you may gain the impression that it is all play and no work. Do not be deceived, there is much sweat on my brow. I am working with one of our clinical research sites in implementing and/or improving quality systems (if you must ask).

But enough of work, I have thus far travelled by foot to Kirstenbosh National Botanical Gardens which are beautiful and right at Table Mountain. By car, there was the visit to see the African Peguins, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope and the Chapman’s Peak Drive (there was a bike race during the weekend with 42,000 participants—can we say wow?!). One of the most amazing sites on my drive was to see clear blue skies and oceans on the east coast transition to thick dense fog on the west coast (talk about moody). They say that is where all the weather comes in to Cape Town.

Discovering the local language is always a fun activity on a trip. People are extremely friendly here—I asked directions (yes I got slightly lost) from a South African woman and not only did she direct me to turn left and through the robots (traffic lights) and I would see the milestones (signs) for the road I needed, but she also wondered if I would like her cell phone in case I had any questions (would not happen in the states). She then said “Cheers” and went on her way. How nice is that? I also learned that a barbeque is a “braai” and when people have helped you the say a “pleasure”.

What I am finding as I travel is that I am beginning to be a collector of things. You get kind of overwhelmed by souvenir possibilities and never quite do well with getting rid of them or picking the right ones. I have now started to be strategic in my shopping and consider my limited luggage space and funds. For me, I am collecting unique scarves, dresses, earrings, and rings. In addition, I am collecting postcards (which I am sending out), ornaments for my cousin and earrings for another cousin. Some items will be added along the way as I get more specific requests (hint, hint!).

I am also collecting other things that are not necessarily tangible like quotes, watching rugby at Irish pubs (Ireland lost), and finding running routes in each country visited. Here are two quotes I have found thus far (one from Barcelona and one from Cape Town):

¨ “The rapturous, wild and ineffable pleasure of drinking at somebody else’s expense” Henry Sambrooke Leigh (on a hotel coaster) [Barcelona, Spain]

¨ “Een gast brengt altyd vreugde aan is't niet by't komen, dan by 't gaan” Unknown –translates roughly “A guest brings always joy in is not by the coming, then by the going” (also in a hotel on a tapestry on the wall) [Cape Town, South Africa]

Until I write again, “Cheers!”