Just Outside of Cape-Town — the world according to bob

Jan 27

Jan 27 Just Outside of Cape-Town

The “Viking Sky” is an exact replica of the “Viking Sea” we sailed on three years ago and just as wonderful. All the nice things we said about our earlier experience apply.

South African cities are at once more developed and more impoverished than we expected. Our first look is, perforce, the ship terminals where we dock. These are some of the busiest in the world, given their location halfway to everywhere. We see big factories assembling most of the world’s left-hand-drive versions of a dozen automobile brands (Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota, etc.) These are mainly for export but you see new cars filling holes in local city traffic, too. Ships loaded with coal, sugar, timber and other bulk export products are bow-to-stern with container vessels piled seven stories above the deck. It is all very modern and bustling.

However, the unemployed (over 50%) are everywhere, as are serious barriers with coils of razor-ribbon and electric fences around what were nice neighborhood homes and places of business. The older downtown areas are crumbling with commerce taking place on the sidewalk .... a pile of mis-matched boots and shoes here, a jumble of used blue jeans and T-shirts there, a pushcart of fruits and vegetables ..... all in front of abandoned storefronts with bright political posters stuck to the windows. South Africa has 24 political parties promising everything from “Healthcare as good as Canada!” to “Electricity on every single day!” A bright spot are the children in neat school uniforms that are the same throughout all South Africa whether the kids are paying full price or nothing for schooling. Education is a big priority. Our excursions into the countryside show us a welcome view of African life well away from the cities. Happy people living close to their land.

Hey Dad, I’m trying to track you guys and can’t find the Viking Sky in SA… (look at all the Marine vessels out there! xo.k)