Buzzing Around The World With Fellette & Doug

Goodbye Cape Town.....

Three days in Cape Town is great, but it could have been more. As the ship pulled out at 6 PM, the Early Sitters slowly trooped down to the dining room. For some it was the first time in three days that we were together again at the table. All had had a great time doing a variety of things in the brief timehere. It was good hearing from those that had been on safari for the first time, and seeing their enthusiasm for the animals and experience in the bush.

For ourselves, we were just plain worn out! Earlier on the last day, we set out with Gail and Jim on a walk to the city. It took us about 3/4 hour. The pleasant thing is that even from a port, we did not pass one panhandler, sleeping body, or ever feel the least bit uncomfortable.

We were on a mission...to find the Craft Market at Green Market. Our fearless navigators soon had us on target. it is about 200 yards square and chock-o-block full of bits and pieces of handiwork from all parts of Africa. Masks from the East coast, stone from Zimbabwe, carvings from everywhere, beadwork, baskets, crochet work, you name it, it is there.

It is more a feast for the eyes than a shopping frenzy. Anybody who has been to Africa will know the feeling. I myself love to mingle and chat with the vendors. All, without exception are very gentle and soft-spoken. We never, ever, felt the pressure to buy from one. Sure, they have a way of making you feel like they are disappointed but that is part of their sales routine. We broke off rom our friends and did a quick browse of the whole area. There must be about 100 small [10 x 10] kiosks. There had been a morning shower so the places were covered in plastic that made it look a little shabby.

After a while, all the kiosks and vendors look the same. When we returned to some for the second time, you could see in their eyes that they recognised you as "a live one", and had a bit more zip in them. We spent more than we should have, doing some bargaining with them and I was then fulfilled! I had done it again, paid their rent for a day or so!

F. who is NOT a shopper, but by now is used to my addiction, surprisingly beckoned me to a stall that had crochet work there.

The woman was from Zimbabwe, which we all know is on the brink of collapse. Zimbabwe is our favourite spot in Africa, [after the Serengeti], we could understand her having to move to where the tourists are even if it meant coming thousands of miles. There was a crochet vest that my lovely had discovered. When F. ever does decide to buy something I always encourage it, it helps to diminsh the affect on the pocket book. F. wore the purchased vest to dinner that night.

Our lamp shade in the cabin is again festooned with necklaces we purchased for little gifts.

Next stop a church nearby, 127 years old for a little sanctuary. An elderly woman came over and greeted us as we rested in the pews. On the way out F., who had brought a bagful of chocolates that we find on our pillows at night, went over and asked if this woman had any grandchildren. We felt inadequate when she said yes, she had over 50! Fellette poured out these little golden gems onto the counter for her even though there wasn't 50. Another nearby "grandmother-looking" woman quickly came over and picked up one and slowly said c h o c o l a t e s?

I suspect they will stop sibling rivalry by carefully keeping them from the children! I asked how she could remember all the birthdays. She responded by saying "Oh, I can't do that any more, and I tell them if they come to visit, bring your own food!"

We had lunch at a nearby sidewalk cafe, again modest prices and great food and ambience. Time for a walk down Long Street for some photography and a long walk back to the ship.

The girls went directly to hit the showers. Jim and I checked out a newly arrived Canadian three masted metal hulled ship that came in that day. We had a long chat and found out about their adventures, 50 or so young people that pay for the experience. It was a real working ship. A really, really working ship. You could use it for a movie set. It was called the Picton Castle from Lunenburgh, Nova Scotia. 13 months around the world!

Next stop to the wine shop, Three bottles for guests in the cabin, [my wine consumption is very modest, seriously], a red, a white, plus a good champagne. $22.00!

Back on board in time for a shower, life boat drill and cast off for Port Elizabeth.

The captain said that we would encounter high seas as we rounded the Cape of Good Hope later in the evening. As usual he delivered the goods, but we arrange things in the cabin and bathroom to avoid breakage. The flower vase with Cape Town protea flower did however fall over on us at dinner and we had to dry out our seven Cape Town postcards!

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 12:22 AM