Mis-Adventures

Someone asked me the other day what my favorite part about being in South Africa was. Without hesitation I said, “Looking at Table Mountain daily”. It just never seems to get old. That said, I have been unable to climb this landmark yet and after 6 full weeks, I feel the mountain is starting to mock me a bit, especially after this weekend’s many mis-adventures.

After a very sunny and bright Friday out in Stellenbosch at a gorgeous wine estate for a management retreat and workshop, the weekend weather turned quite gloomy. On Saturday that was most welcomed because I needed a day to recover from a very full week of work and UWC events. But this morning, I was ready for a good adventure.

I woke up to the familiar sound of rain on our glass roof but while eating breakfast it cleared up and we were feeling optimistic about the day. So, with much of the house busy with homework, Gill and I were determined to take advantage and climb the mountain.

We packed our lunch and headed out the door. After a roller-coaster-esq taxi drive, we made it to the base of the mountain and we looked up at the lingering cloud, locally called the table cloth, over the rock and thought, it must be cold up there and marched bravely along the road to start our ascent.

This lasted about 5 minutes when we ran into some locals who discouraged our attempt. We listened to their wisdom, but it was the rain that fell about 2 minutes later that sealed the deal on our waiting to climb. We found shelter in the tourist shops near the cable-car station where we saw a sign that read: Gale Force Winds-Cable Car closed. The final straw.

Having just paid for a taxi up, we were not about to crawl back into another cab. So we hitched hiked down the mountain with two German girls about our age. They were very nice and we rode with them in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the Athlon cooling tours that were scheduled for demolition-a significant event for locals as it will change the skyline a bit.

We made our way to Signal Hill to watch, only to be told that they had fallen 5 minutes early and were already down. The only thing here to happen before its scheduled time. Standing in the rain, made this news even more disappointing. Nonetheless, we got back into the car and were dropped off at the local taxi station.

Unwilling to call it quits and determined to have an adventure (and stay out of the house for an hour or two) we walked to Charley’s Bakery—known for delicious cupcakes and baked goods—only to discover it was closed…it is Sunday afterall. Once we were there, it down poured. We decided better to be wet and get home than get even colder than we already were.

So we walked quickly back towards the station, took a bus home and promptly took warm showers and had some tea. That is where I am at currently. Tucked under many blankets writing the afternoon away in sweats, drinking tea and listening to familiar music.

Despite the many mis-adventures today, it is a fun story. Though, I will say that after being defeated by the Mountain, I cannot look at it the same and it continues to stare at me and mock me even more. I can; however, guarantee that it will be conquered by the end of the semester!