Cape Town, South Africa – October 1999

Right in the heart of Cape Town, you’ll find Long Street – my absolute favourite place in this town. It’s a vibrant funky place filled with old bookstores, second hand clothes shops and endless cafes, bars and clubs.

During the day the street is filled with street traders, hectic car watch guys and tourists (Long St has recently become something of a backpackers Mecca).

After dark, however, the vibe changes completely: the street becomes filled with beautiful and interesting looking people moving around between the bars and clubs until the early hours of the morning. And of course, the car watch guys. Never forget the car watch guys.

I’ve spent many, many hours here – just parked off in some cafe drinking coffee, reading or just watching the world go by outside.

Events this Month

Things seem to be somewhat quiet this month, after September’s numerous festivals. The One City festival was fantastic, the Whale Festival in Hermanus I sadly missed, but was apparently a whole lot of fun. Perhaps October is just the calm before the summer storm.

The exception being the Scream Extreme/Table Mountain CableWay Festival on the 1st-3rd October. Haven’t seen too much of it, except on Saturday morning: after a hectic night on the town we headed up the mountain to watch a post clubbing sunrise over the city. This beautiful moment was disturbed by the sight of some seriously crazy people base jumping by the cable car or preparing for the mountain bike challenge.

Nothing like witnessing a few hundred healthy people indulging in strenuous early morning activity, before you’ve even thought of going to bed, to make you feel totally removed from respectable society.

Out on the Town

Flicking through the listings for this month, nothing in particular stood out. But then with so many excellent regular weekly and monthly nights at the clubs its not so important. Check the listings in the Cape Review or just look out for the posters around the bars in town.

There are some fantastic local bands lined up to play this month: look out for Karma, Just Jinger, The Honeymoon Suites, Sons of Trout, and The Usual. Unfortunately I don’t have the listings to hand with the dates…!!!

The Nostalgia Trip

In this, my last article on Cape Town, I wanted to summarize what it is about this town that made me stay so long (way, way too long!). Alas, I find myself constantly distracted by the people around me and the gorgeous view of Table Mountain (well, what I can see of it from here) – all covered in clouds tinted the deepest pink by the sunset.

Perhaps it’s because I’m finally leaving (no, really, I am), that I’m particularly appreciative of just how lovely this place really is. Especially that beautiful half naked man on the balcony across the street….

Mmm where was I? Ahh yes. The year that was…..well kind of arb really. Shall always remember:

Swimming with the penguins at Boulders Beach at sunset whilst drinking cheap champagne.

Paragliding off Signal Hill having (in all innocence) eaten space cakes – I can fly, I can fly!!

Falling in love at sunrise on Muizenberg Beach. Lasted about two weeks as I remember, before moving swiftly into the deepest obsession with someone else a week later (much more fun).

The seemingly endless nights spent just arbing around from bar to bar, doing the same things, talking to the same people. In short, Cape Town nightlife.

And not to forget, the lazy days, the crazy nights, spontaneous road trips up the coast, champagne sunset cruises, abseiling off Table Mountain (how scarey!), my boys and the hectic emotional turmoil, any time spent with Lesley, my friends in general – thank you! Shall miss you all madly.

And just a final point

All this deep thought has reminded me of a somewhat apt old Jewish tale a friend once told me:

A young man, restless with guilt over his strange urges sought advise from a wise old rabbi, who said: ‘Son, you must dress all in black and travel to a city where no-one knows your name. Here, you must indulge those urges and return only at such time when you have found your peace.’

And now that you all know my name, and I’ve come to some kind of exhausted peace, I’ll be off now.

Its just that I’ll miss this place so…..
General Info

Cape Town is beautiful, vibrant and cosmopolitan. Take your time and do it justice….just don’t stay too long!

Geography

Right at the furthest South-Western point of Africa. You’ll recognise it by the big flat mountain in the middle of it all.

Accommodation

Abundant and reasonably priced. Depending on your budget, try:

Just backpacking, or

Hotelogue

Travel info

Abundant and everywhere. A good place to start is:

2000.travel

Transport

From the airport – a lot of hostels will do free pick ups or call the lovely Andre (082) 809 9185 for the shuttle bus.

Around town, Rikki cabs are cute, reasonable and go everywhere. If you can figure out the network then the local minibus taxis go every where and are cheap.

Be warned – the drivers must be buying their licenses.

Good cheap food

Mr Pickwitts on Long St – good food, great vibe and open very late.

Naked (on Kloof, on the square, at the Shack) – wraps, juices, good coffee, nice vibe.

Lolas on Long St – nice food, nice people, late licence.

Bars and Clubs

Just a couple of my favourite hang outs:

The Jam – De Villiers St

live music, relaxed student vibe.

Also, next door:

The Shack pool hall & bar,

206 DJ Bar and

The Blue Lizard internet cafe.

You’ll find me propping up the bar here most nights. Sadly.

Jo’burg – Long St

Very cool and funky bar, open late

Rhythm Divine – Love/Hate this place – but it is just about the only place open at 7am in the morning. Well, the only place without blatant prostitution.

Recommended

Buy a copy of the Cape Review (R4.95) – monthly what’s on guide.

Or check out the Gig Guide.

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