Cape Town was a turning point in my life. Even though I've lived abroad before, I've never learned so much about myself as I did during those summer days. I met some wonderful people from all over the world and I met some not so wonderful people as well. I got some of the prejudice, my father installed in me as a child, killed (though he still claims he's merely being a realist!) and others confirmed. But thats a story for another time...Some of the things that changed for me, was how some of things I saw and experienced affected me.
I was lucky enough to have a sort of mentor in South Africa who recommended attractions to see, who introduced me to the local norms and traditions and warned where not to go. Melanie, a charming young Irish woman in her prime, had been living in Cape Town herself for a number of years with her family, so i used her knowlegde quite a bit. She recommended that I go see The Old Biscuit Mill Marked that takes place every Saturday in Woodstuck (no, dont think festival, think small part of Cape Town) where local people, store owners, vendors and generally just people get together and create this amazing atmosphere.
The Mill is home for day and night markets where you can find everything from designer stores, to delicious food stalls to workshops to cozy cafe's. They literally have everything the heart desires and it is such an amazing experience. However! Its also a very popylar event, so it is often very crowded.
One of the first time I went, we took the train. Its not exactly recommended by many people, but the locals I asked told me that it was perfectly safe to take the train as long as you buy a 1st class ticket and as you can see, they're not very expensive...
This is the first class. Very...decorated....but nevertheless. The seats are clean and the windows open easily.
The first time I was at the market, I went with a bunch of Americans who had been out the night before, but I quickly discovered that people with hangovers really are quite the bores at such events. I happened to run into my favorite Canadian friend Avishka, who was just as game for exploring everything as I was, and then we were off!
The market had everything! At some point, our bodies demanded a break and nourishment, so we bought some nice and 'freshly squeezed and blended!' fruit juice (as the vendor kept yelling) as well as some delicious crepes!
You have to bring cash as ATMs are very limited and some of the stalls dont accept creditcards. I think I used every single dime on me, but I was a very happy, although admitted broke, woman by the end of the day! :) We elebrated the day with some delicious Rooibos Icetea with mint in it...Im drooling just thinking about that drink! It was the perfect way to end the day. If you happened to have nothing to do on a saturday in Cape Town, GO! Take a cab! Or the Train! Or walk! You wont regret the experience! I went many saturdays!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Another tressure Melanie recommended was a cafe/restaurant which quickly became my favorite one! Rick's Cafe is decorated as Rick's cafe from the movie 'Casablanca' from 1942 and if you haven't seen that movie yet, you and I have nothing more to talk about! Go see it! There's something for both gender, Go rent or even better, buy it! Gogogogogo!!!!
Casablanca being a city in Morocco, the Cafe is of course Moroccan inspired and specializes in Moroccan food. (But many other delicious dishes as well) The Cafe has this brilliant terrace outside with an amazing view where you can sit outside and work on your tan while enjoying a drink, and the atmosphere is just lovely. I went there many times with a colleague, friends, even on several dates. It quickly became my favorite hangout place.
My friend Gosia and I went there for a 'quick drink' but ended up quite hammered because the drinks were simply that good and that cheap! I also had my favorite dish I've had in life there.
The dish was named 'Seafood Tagine "Zarzuela style" ' which consisted of prawns, limefish, calmari, mussels, olives, peppers, tomatoes, safron, almonds, white wine, served with brilliant Seederberg Sauvignon Blanc from Paarl. Heck, im geting hungry just thinking about that dish! I've tried to make it myself, but it never quite meassures up to the first time I had it! :)
I truly to miss Rick's Cafe and when I go back to Cape Town, Im definately going back there!!!
So thank you Melanie whereever you are now, for giving me the best meal I've ever had!
To be continued in Part 3
No comments:
Post a Comment