My documentary was the main focus of this week. I made some serious headway in getting in touch with the sources I need and got to perform my second interview ever. Of course, I had a lot of fun on the side as well. I wrapped up my camping trip in Die Dam, browsed the southern coast, visited more beaches, went wine tasting in Constantia, and did more filming from Signal Hill.
There’s not as much exciting stuff to write about this week relative to other weeks because I spent a lot of time sitting on my computer. Making an interview happen can be quite daunting. I spend a lot of time writing emails to the organizations I want to talk to, drafting up proposals and interview questions to send them. Once I’m in touch with the proper people, it becomes a game of finding out who is best to speak to on camera, when they’re available, where they’re located, etc. Most of my attempts either get no response or peter out without constant reinforcement on my part.
However, I got my second interview (with Lourens Leeuwner) this week. I’ll leave the details of the interview for my film, but if you’re curious about the type of research he works on check out this page on the Endangered Wildlife Trust website.
We said goodbye to Tia this week, her last day was Thursday and she flew home on Sunday. We had a lunch with all the Kalahari employees on Woodbridge Island and had some ice cream on Blouberg beach as well.
As for fun stuff, I got to meet some new penguins on the way back from Die Dam. Walking around Hermanus on Sunday morning was very pleasant too, it’s a safe and small community fairly well removed from the business of Cape Town. I also explored Green Point Park for the first time, which is a pretty large chunk of Green Point filled with grass, pathways, ponds, wetlands, and local flaura. Friday evening I made another time lapse from Signal Hill looking down into the Cape Town CBD at sunset. Abby left this week as well, and for her and Tia’s last evening we all got together and went out to Long Street.
VAC took us to Constantia to do some wine tasting this week too. We visited two vineyards, one that was very upscale and famous and the other off the beaten path and a bit more gritty. I liked the gritty one better.
March 19th
Highlights
- Waking up on the beach in Die Dam
- Sunrise from my tent
- Walking Die Dam beach
- Visiting penguins on the road home
- Browsing around Hermanus farmers markets and shops
- Breakfast in Hermanus
- Getting blocked on the highway by a forest fire
March 21st
Highlights
- Watching a cop learn how to ride a segway
March 22nd
Highlights
- Tia’s last day at work
- Lunch on Woodbridge Island at Maestro’s
- Ice cream on Blouberg beach
March 23rd
Highlights
- Walking about downtown Cape Town
- Meeting with Green Cape
- Relaxing in Green Point Park
March 24th
Highlights
- Morning visit to Kirstenbosch Research Center
- Interview with the renewable energy project manager at the Endangered Wildlife Trust
- VAC wine tasting in Constantia
March 25th
Highlights
- Sunset picnic from Signal Hill with Abby
- Abby’s last night in Cape Town
- Time lapsing the downtown during sunset
