Week Four: Localizing

         After week four I’m realizing I need to slow my consumption of fun activities and food – for the sake of my wallet. The exchange rate works heavily in my favor to the point eating out two times a day is about the same cost as buying groceries and cooking for myself in the U.S., but I find myself going just absolutely crazy because of that. The first month feels fairly justified, like I’m in vacation mode, but I think I aught to slow down a bit.

         Sunset from the top of Lion’s Head was unforgettable. The Tablecloth clouds poured over the 12 Apostles and Table Mountain, turning purple then blue as it got darker. There was a huge crowd of people up there until the minute the sun passed the horizon, and we enjoyed the high spirits by playing music on the way down. VAC also had their first culture series where we learn about South African food, music, history, language, etc.

         I went to another cricket game as well, another between South Africa and Sri Lanka. It was a super close game and Sri Lanka ended up just barely winning. VAC took us on a big tour of wineries on Friday where I felt as classy as could be learning about the proper pairings of cheese, nuts, and meat with different wines. I was mostly focused on drinking the wine, I even bought a bottle, but the rest was nice too.

         I’ve been improving a lot driving manual. I went just about the whole week without stalling, letting me run errands anytime I want. I drove over to Sea Point and spent the afternoon walking about and getting a haircut at a salon recommended to me by local expert Craig Hung. That same evening I met up with Chelsea, Dustin, Sarah, and Marcella on the Waterfront.

January 22

Highlights

  • Cooking for myself for once
  • Hiking Lion’s Head
  • Watching sunset from the peak
  • Hiking down in the dark

January 23

Highlights

  • VAC culture series on South Africa

January 24

Highlights

January 25

Highlights

  • Vienna sausage lunch at work
  • Cricket game round 2
  • South Africa VS Sri Lanka at Newlands Stadium

January 26

Highlights

  • Lunch with new filmmakers
  • Browsing Orms camera store and figuring out the gear I need

January 27

Highlights

  • Wine tasting with VAC
  • Goats everywhere
  • Spraying wine all over my face

January 28

Highlights

  • Breakfast at Cocoa Wah Wah
  • Haircut at Treat Haribar in Sea Point
  • Hipster wrap at Nü
  • Walking Sea Point and the Waterfront
  • Snacks and drinks at the Cape Union restaurant