TripAdvisor.com describes mini-taxis as being “notoriously unroadworth (little or no brakes, worn out steering, no lights, etc) and the drivers have absolutely no regard for the rules of the road.” But what do they know. We decided to hale a mini-taxi to go to the city center for a day anyways. (No worries, we screened the vehicle by selecting ones with nice seats, which, of course, translates to good brakes and lights). The trip was 7.00 Rand each way per person (a little less than a dollar). That’s ONE dollar people for a 30 min. taxi ride. Who says the dollar is depreciating? Let’s continue this little tangent regarding the value of a dollar. What can you get for $235.00 a month or $7.50 a day in the U.S.A? In South Africa, that is a FULL TIME nanny or housekeeper! Someone to make your bed, sweep your floors and have dinner made and ready when you get home (keep in mind that labor is cheap here, but not food. A loaf of bread is still 3 bucks). We might just move here.
Minibuses lined up to pickup passengers
Though a Rand is more affordable than a dollar, we were determined not to be a victim of tourist price inflation. We decided to venture our trip light: jeans, t-shirts, backpack, and ball cap. No purse, scarf, or ipod. Standing in front of a BP, we flagged down a mini bus. It slowed down and I walked over to the driver’s side, “How much to City Station?” The driver waved us inside. “How much?”, I repeated. The driver gave me an answer, accompanied with a hard shake of his head back and forth in annoyance. We, anxiously, crawled into the vehicle and the taxi took off. I used the backing of a seat to shield myself as I carefully counted out 12.00 Rand in coins.
Cape Town City Centre - station is at middle right of photo
The faire was paid and we whispered back and forth until we arrived at the city station. The mini-taxi pulled into a busy station, filled with mini vans lined bumper to bumper. We were the last two to get out of the vehicle. The driver turned and faced us. His hand waving in the air, he asked “Where are you guys going?” Who? Us? You mean the two tourists who are trying not to standout? What gave us away? Was it because I have blue eyes and she has brown eyes? Or was it our hair? In any case, we told him the “Flower Shop” and he directed us to go straight and cross a steel bridge. From there we should ask for further directions. After surveying the route per his instructions, I realized that he was directing us to go directly through a shanty town (picture a cluster of small tin roof shacks lined side-by-side accompanied with “sketchy” men leaning against wooden booths). Reluctantly we began our trek towards the bridge. A pungent aroma…more of a foul odor, drowned us as we walked deeper into the tin roof neighborhood. It was a concoction of urine meets car exhaust, an invigorating smell. Welcome to the City Center!
Hold onto your backpack, camera, wallet, purse, and woman
After making it to the city, we spent the first hour having hot coco (made with real chocolate for 6.00 Rand) with Anh’s friend from undergrad, Amanda. She gave us quick instructions on how to get home, where to explore, and how to bargain shop. We gave her 4 boxes of Mac & Cheese (with real cheese not the powder) and 2 lbs of Twizlers candy. I have never seen someone so excited over Mac & Cheese and Twizlers. She squeeled with delight (like Alex on Trivia night), jumped up from her chair, ran around the table, and gave me a hug. I never knew it was so easy to make a woman who has “everything” so happy. Throughout the rest of the get together, she clutched the bag of items to her chest like a pink-assed baboon clinging to a banana. Then she was off to rehearsal for a Don Giovanni performance (opera), which we will go see on Saturday.
The cafe where we had our hot coco with Amanda
The shopping district seemed endless. It was not the conventional American mall district where a fixed price was set to every item. Instead, we played tug-a-war with the merchant on the prices of bracelets, necklaces, and random carvings. What to get for friends and family? A few more trips to town will be necessary to gather enough of the African experience to share with everyone at home.
One of the many street shops downtown (always begin bargaining at least 30% below asking price)
What have we here? An agate stone bracelet and a wooden bead bracelet
While shopping we got a sample of some Cape Town tunes we thought we would share with you:
Imagine listening to these songs while browsing through the aisles of beadworks, carvings, and crafts.
3 comments:
You are too funny! I look forward to tuning in for the continuing adventures you two will encounter. Love keeping up on what you are doing. Take care. Love ya, Mom K
I find it funny that you have comments posted by "anonymous", yet she signs it Mom K. Guess she's not really trying to be anonymous, is she? Sorry Aunt D...gotta tease. Maybe the next time you're at grandmas we'll get you a user name/blogger name for ya. How does "wild&wolley_in_windy-wyoming" sound? We'll work on it.
Gotta say...you guys are braver than me. The one pic looked like a pretty rough side of town. I think I'd have stayed near the shops and cafe. Lovin the blog and keepin up on your happenings. When you get back, you'll have to teach me how to do a blog page. Love the "Gentle Giant" tune you put in the last blog...those are things you'll need to show me how to do.
Hows the Dr. Pepper withdrawls? I'll drink on for ya tonight. Take care, be safe and we'll check in later...Patrick D
oooh, you are so brave. i'd be hesistant to even get in the mini bus! and then to walk through the shady area- i hope the cocoa was worth it! ps- i should have given you $$ to stock up on those fabulous bracelets.... you should get a bunch and sell them out here, you'd have lots of buyers
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