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 |   ON THE WRITE PATH: travel journal for Around-the-World in 2015, 16, 18. |
  I may never go back. The glare into the back of my head cannot be unseen. The screech of Akrikaans on the graffitied train1 from Simon's Town cannot be unheard. And my smeller no longer can catch the faint fragrance of protea2. Plus, the penguins didn't show up. I spent my birthday at Kirstenbosch Garden. Marveled at the beauty of the fynbos3, a narrow-leaf plant kingdom of it's own. Took a picture of Oliver4, a 150 year old rescued olive tree, now a bonsai, and wondered who'll rescue me and my wrinkles. I even had my picture taken by a friendly group. And there's the rub. They were not the only friendly people. The bookseller at Wordsworth5, a lady under the oaks in The Company's Gardens6, a man on the main drag, Long Street7... all friendly... but there was a scent of hostility hanging in the air... most everywhere. I got to see a seal being fed at Hout Bay on the line of the hop-on hop-off bus8 and the brightly painted homes in Bo-kaap 9. I even ventured around windy Table Top10 taking the rotating cable car ascending and descending like an alien ship11 with a magnificent view of the city12. It was enough. There's little reason to return. I know no one there and made no connections. Cape Town is a beautiful place. It has one of the most scenic backdrops of any city in the world1314. But for me it's about people and culture and there are at least 20 places in Africa I'd like to visit before I'm too old. Translation sung by Doris Day and Frankie Lane circa 1952. A nice article: http://africanaromatics.com/oh-sugarbush-how-sweet-you-are-me/ 2.532 Footnotes |
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