Guittar wizard and the blues festival

This was one of the best festival I've ever been to. If I would have to describe the festival in one word I would have to say that it was intimate. People of all ages sharing the love for music were having a lot of fun in a relaxing atmosphere just outside Cape Town. During the day everything was covered with picnic blankets full of people enjoying their home made treats... But when the night fell, away went the blankets and it was time for some dancing moves...Out of all the artist and bands there was one guy that just blew our minds. For a few minutes I was just standing there with my mouth wide open, trying to comprehend what was happening on stage.:) I never knew guitar was capable of those sounds. Things, the guy was doing to his guitar, I don't think  he does to his girlfriend:)

The night ended by fran pulling some hard core mechanics stuff  in order to start some peoples car. Man, he just put his battery  into their car, started it and took it out again, while the car was still going. Hmmm, I always thought you're not supposed to touch that thing.. eish:)

Bafana Bafana

My first big soccer game... and in SA just after the world cup:) The fact that Bafana Bafana hasn't played a game in Cape Town for the past few years made the match so much more special. Tickets were sold out immediately... SA played against the yanks. The game was part of Mandela challenge, charity event  created in order to raise money towards Nelson Mandela children's  fund...

Even though we (SA) lost, the experience was one of a kind. Africans really take their soccer seriously:) Streets were full of people in yellow jersey days before the match. The actual night of the match was all about the vuvuzelas, dancing and loud disagreements with the umpire. In general people were not bummed about the lost, but  it was obvious that the bafana bafana boys could do much more. It was as if they were afraid to take chances, no one was really ready to take on full responsibility...so it never came to an actual shot at the goal. eish, did they drive me crazy...

Check out a short video capturing the atmosphere:)

Surfin' SA...

Finally....surfing! I wanted to do that ever since my plane landed here in this surfing Mecca. My enthusiasm subsided once I realized that the temperatures were not quite yet in that comfortable range...but that was back in september... Now it really is almost summer here.... and....I got my first wetsuit as a birthday present from Fran:) Thank you Frannie:) So, no more excuses....

I even put aside the "shark factor"  and dove into the water .. The waves were perfect:) And even just being there in the ocean, paddling, catching waves, soaking up the sun was great....that is life:) It is a shame that not every day is like that, sometimes you check the situation on the webcam and the ocean couldn't be more flat...can't wait for the next session...soon. Of course there are other surfing spots but Muizenberg has its advantages: great for beginners, less shark attacks and the water is a bit warmer since a little incy bincy tiny part of indian current somehow finds its way into this bay:)

Now let me explain their "shark alarm system" in a few words. Apparently there is a man, called Rasta (!?), sitting on top of the mountain range surrounding False bay, surveilling the bay with binoculars:) In case he spots a shark (a big shadow in the sea) the flags go up on every beach... There are different flags, one indicating that there is a visible shark, other that there is a shark but they lost a visual...and so on:) Even though it doesn't sound very convincing the system obviously works:) Of course there are some general precautions you should take into consideration...
 

Finding Nemo... in Two Oceans Aquarium

Two thumbs up for the Cape Town Aquarium. They've got some crazy stuff in there. Me and Fran were just like two little kids running around fascinated by everything.  The aquarium has the best of the two oceans, Indian and Atlantic. My favourite tanks were: Finding Nemo and the HUGE tank where they are keeping one of the two forrests in the wolrd.

Silvermine - Heaven Over Cape Flats

Silvermine truly is one of the best climbing spots I've ever been to. The view is just breathtaking. Cape Flats, the part where most of the townships are, is in the palm of your hands. Up here all the troubles of its dwellers seem so far away. A sad thought penetrates my mind...most of those people never get the chance to leave their township let alone hike up the mountain to see the beauty that surrounds them. Once again i realize how lucky I am...

Birthday on Table mountain...done that:)

I really am a lucky bastard. I got the chance to join some truly amazing youngsters on an overnight hike to table mountain. What a birthday present:) The fact that the hike was guided bothered me at first but after a while it turned out to be the best thing ever. Errol the guide explained us everything about the mountain, its flora, rock formations, history. Did you know that there was a railway on top of the mountain that was used to transport materials for the constructions of the dams. Apparently some 200 people lived the top of this mountain in early 19 hundreds. 

Table mountain revealed it self in all its glory. The first day we had an amazing weather, not  even a smallest  breeze, amazing sunshine all day long. But over the night things changed dramatically. In the emprning we woke up to the sounds of wind blowing like mad and hauling around our hut. The look out of the window didn't reveal much since th.. we were in the clouds, the ones i usuallz admire from the bottom. hiking in these conditions waseven more fun. th egood trhing was we had a guide. otherwise it wouldn't be half as fun I reckon.

It was a special day and not only because it was my birthday:) The youngsters from bridging year program are great people, full of life, ideas and ambitions...and man, can some of them cook. Those who know me know that with me love goes through my stomach:)The fiest that we had up on that mountain was just ridiculous. When I close my eyes and reflect on my first birthday in Africa I forget all about the fact that I'm a year older:) A year older but richer for one truly uniqe experience. Thanks guys. Enkosi!

Ivy House connecting people:)

Ivy house is just like a home away from home. A place where crazy people from all over the world seek refugee in this world of ours. At the moment some 8 people live at this address and you won't believe it but we don't need to queue for the bathroom or...imagine that:) Thank God:)

Legendary wheels...

Legend.... that is the right word to use when describing Frans car:) Man, if I ever move down here I'm buying this machine. He could take better care of it though but that would certainly take some personality out of it.

There's no use locking the care since the window is broken. The thing has a secret switch so not everyone can start it. Its full of rubbish and rust. The sound of the engine is music to your ears...

Once the car didn't start.We tried to jump start it...nothing. Fran got a rope, stoped a car and we got a push and we're off to the city. There we just had to park on a slope:) On our way back we pushed off and jumped in a car like a bunch of sleigh drivers....cool runnings in cape town:)