Day two was an opportunity to see some of the sites around Capetown with the firm focus on “being a traveler, not a tourist”. Often people can get caught up trying to get the perfect photo or see every sight, that they forget to be in the moment and be aware of what they are experiencing.  So with that in mind and a packed lunch in our bags we began our adventure for the day heading to Hout Bay and visiting Seal Island.  Along the way we were able to see the segregation of the townships and witnessed the affects of the significant unemployment problem that South Africa is facing with people lining roads to ask for daily work.

The coastline south of Capetown is spectacular and we drove from Hout Bay to Simon’s Town further along the peninsula to make our second stop at the penguin colony.  We didn’t have to go very far before we saw two African Penguins who hadescaped and were crossing the roads on their own adventure.  The boardwalk allowed us to go down to the beach where we were able to see many more penguins enjoying the beach sun baking or going for a swim!

From there we continued south to Cape Point, the south-western point of Africa.  More wildlife for us to see which included some ostriches, antelope from afar and the cheeky baboon.  Where else but in Africa would you see a baboon taking a ride on a visitor’s car!  Arriving at the Cape of Good Hope we took the obligatory photo in front of the sign before heading up the small mountain for a better view. To the east we could see our next destination which was the Cape’s lighthouse where we also took the long inclined paved walk to the top.

Returning home to our guesthouse, we drove through some more affluent areas which were in stark contrast to the townships which we passed on our way out from the airport.  Our final challenge for the day was again in line with our “be a traveller” focus. The minimum monthly wage in SA is R3500 ($350A)  and there is 28% unemployment so the staff/student challenge was to eat dinner for less than R50.  Driving on our way to the Waterfront we once agin were reminded of the intrigue of Africa where one minute we are behind a red shiny Ferrari and the next we are behind a vehicle that had a cheetah in the back!

Whilst the challenge was not impossible it was restrictive in the choices that we could make.  We were all successful, however it took more time and effort. Some chose meals that they would not have first chosen, others were resourceful and pooled their money, whilst others showed initiative and looked for other options than the easy to find.

In our end of day reflections, students were able to identify a way that they had attempted to be less of a tourist and how this had helped them have a richer experience.

Today was an opportunity to recognise the differences in how people live in SA. Tomorrow we get to experience this more closely as we begin our service component by visiting Langa township and Capetown United Football Club.

Mr Thomas