As I sit here on day 5 (since departure) – with another yummy home-cooked breakfast in my belly, and the sounds of so many exotic birds as my morning soundtrack – I am grateful. It’s another gorgeous day in the Western Cape, and I can’t believe I’m really here.

To catch you up, days 1 through 4 were a whirlwind. I left snowy Vancouver on the evening of March 27th and flew for 14 hours to Dubai. Surprise! It wasn’t snowing there. After a refreshing shower and a change into some lighter clothing, I enjoyed a Moet mimosa in the lounge before boarding my next flight: a 9 hour jaunt to my final destination. The trip took 28 hours in total, which was only made bearable by flying business class and making good use of the lounges along the way. This is one occasion where the splurge was most definitely worth it. Thank you Aeroplan points!!

I arrived at Cape Town airport just before noon on day 3. Lucky for me, it was uncomfortably hot and there were about 200 people already in the customs line. It wasn’t my favourite experience, but I made it through without mishap. First stamp in my new passport – check! I then booked an Uber, and dragged all my luggage to the pick-up spot. Or did I? Long story short, me and my driver Sam eventually found one another. Friendly and patient, Sam was the first South African I met, and he set the bar high. He gave me a running tour throughout the drive, and taught me to say hello in Afrikaans (Goeie dag!) and Xhosa (Molo, unjani?). Some of you are laughing right now because I’m famous for bonding with my Uber drivers…

Wait, let me backtrack for a second. The first South African I really met was on the plane. A lovely lady named Fatima from Jo-burg (as the cool kids say). She sent me a link to join the Socially Gathering group that her friend in Cape Town is part of. Their Instagram bio says: Supportive female community. A space for you to feel less alone. Bless Fatima’s heart, she also sent me a link for e-bike rentals that I’ll never use. But ya, first impressions confirmed; South Africans are very lovely people.

Anyway, Sam dropped me at the Point B Guest House, where I am staying until I get my Remote Year apartment tomorrow. This place is magical. It’s run by a group of the warmest, funniest ladies; and they sure make a good breakfast! Thank goodness for that as I have been on a one-meal-per-day diet so far. Also the PURO fairtrade coffee they serve me is super strong and delicious.

So Point B has turned out to be the perfect place to land and begin finding my footing in Cape Town. I think today I am almost adjusted to local time, having slept for 8 hours the last two nights🤞. Samantha, one of the fabulous Point B ladies, is my new best friend; and her adorable 7-year-old niece made me the sweetest note:

There is also a hilarious family (3 generations) from Finland staying here with me, and that has added to the experience. Yes, my friends, I DO have to talk to all the random strangers🤪. I will actually be a bit sad to leave here tomorrow because I feel like I’m part of the family now. Although the mosquito that shares my bedroom will not be missed…

Speaking of which, between the bites and the sunburn, I have experienced some minor struggles. As positive as I am determined to be, sometimes things will go slightly awry. But while I am currently itchy and lobster-y, I remain steadfast in my good cheer. Today will be an indoor day😁.

In case you’re wondering, the story of the sunburn is as follows: yesterday I set out at 11am to find the ocean. My friend Samantha told me if I walked through Green Point Park I would find the Promenade on the other side, and that I could walk along the water all the way to Sea Point. She wasn’t wrong, but I had no idea how far away Sea Point was…

So I started out walking through the park, with a slight diversion to see DHL stadium up close. The park was a wonder, with so many walking paths and fields and parks and ponds to explore. Locals were everywhere, enjoying the day in large groups, or walking dogs or jogging. Everyone had a smile when we made eye contact – this place is so darn friendly!

After strolling around the park for about half an hour, I emerged on the other side, and the Atlantic Ocean was right there in front of me! I snapped way too many photos, had a little moment of gratitude, then started walking the promenade toward Sea Point. Yes it was sunny, but the wind made it seem deceptively mild. And I WAS walking with my back to the sun…

Not until I returned to my hotel did I have any inkling of how clueless I had been (was it Cher who said on Fridays we turn pink?). Anyway, the face staring back at me was NOT fetch. *Apologies for misusing Mean Girls references. Now, I am normally a very diligent sunscreener – many of you know this about me. And especially with my face. But I haven’t located my sunscreen yet (trying not to unpack until I get to my apartment), and I thought I could get away with just an hour or so of late summer/early fall sun exposure. Lesson learned. THE. HARD. WAY. Can’t wait to meet all my new remote friends tomorrow looking like Clifford the Short Red Dog.

On the bright side, the promenade was breathtaking. Listening to the waves crashing – while taking in all the people and buildings and art installations – had me lost in my own little world. I also had a great South African Pop Essentials playlist going quietly in one ear. By the time I made it to Sea Point I had walked 8kms (in not-the-best shoes), and almost 2 hours had passed. Still no clue at this point that I had become a lobster.

Next, I wandered up to Mojo Market and strolled through all the little shops there for a bit. I sat and had a cold beverage and people-watched. This is definitely a place I’d like to return to with friends. Across the street I found a wine store and wandered the aisles for a while, as I like to do on occasion. Then I made my way to Checkers and picked up a bottle of Durbanville Hills Chenin Blanc (under $6!!), along with some crackers, grapes, and nuts for snacking/pairing.

By this time it was after 3pm, so I gave my sore, tired, unwittingly over-sunned body a break and took an Uber back to Point B. There, I soaked my feet in the pool for a bit, taking time to just BE. Ahhhhh, the pure bliss of it (despite the aforementioned ailments).

Tomorrow I join my Remote Year group and things will get busier, so who knows when I will write again. As mentioned, I promise nothing😁.

Until then, life is good (Die lewe is goed).

TL