I was in "attack mode," ready to scream and run. The double-decker bus office was still quite far for a high-risk zone for a "little white-skinned woman" like me. Fortunately, I arrived safe and sound, only to be told that it wasn't at this location, but further away; I had to take a taxi to get there and they would call one for me.
There were two white ladies there, older than me, wearing shorts (really!), and they were heading exactly where I had just come from. I forbade them from going, telling them it was too dangerous to venture there. I then realized they wanted to do the same thing as me, so I shared my taxi with them, lucky things, they were staying here for a month! I sat in the front with the driver, the very kind Joseph.
He was super friendly and spoke both English and French. He kindly dropped us off at the other meeting point for the tours. I had signed up for a guided city tour to see the sunset, and I made sure to let everyone know where I was on WhatsApp; it was safer that way.
I had even messaged Andy before leaving my room. I let him know I still existed, that I was doing this trip without him, and I showed him the pretty little room I had found.
Anyway, when I got out of the taxi, Joseph offered to pick me up later. I told him I would likely go for dinner, and he suggested some great restaurants to discover just a few steps away. I just had to send him a message on WhatsApp. It was very nice of him.
I loved my late afternoon in Cape Town. I would move there tomorrow morning those mountains in the heart of the city, the waterfront, those marvelous colors... but once again, I was cold. I had my Lesotho hoodie on, but with my parachute fabric pants, it really wasn't enough. Still, there was no way I wasn't sitting on the second deck! Wow! It was simply sublime. Between Vancouver and Cape Town, I would have a hard time choosing... because here, you have the penguins, the safaris...
We went all the way to the top of the mountain. Since I suffer from vertigo, I stayed leaned over and sent WhatsApp messages to Andy. I was so excited! I sent him photos, then huddled down to keep warm. The view from up there was breathtaking.
I waited in line to buy a hot chocolate only I would do that in South Africa! And to my surprise, it was one of the best hot chocolates I’ve ever had, right after Godiva. The timing of the sunset was perfect; an ideal spot for lovers... but mine wasn't there.
I was disappointed and sad, but I had to face the facts: it was a virtual love with a "je-ne-sais-quoi." After all, I hadn't even really seen him on video on WhatsApp yet. What was I expecting from this guy? Absolutely nothing. I had to face the evidence: he hadn't come. He hadn't made the journey from Somalia to South Africa or Lesotho to see me. That spoke volumes. He still messaged me at the exact time of the sunset... but was I going to settle for so little in my life? No. I was having an excellent trip. I would make a decision when I got back.
For now, it gave me a virtual companion for the journey, and I felt less alone, or perhaps worse...
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