Here are some foods you should consider trying while in South Africa. First up is a Pepperdew. It’s a tomato come chilli hybrid that we eat on pizza, in salads or mixed into a dip. It has a slight bite from the chilli mixed with the sweetness of tomatoes.
Other foods to try if you get the chance are a Potjie (little pot) which is a whole meal slow cooked in a cast iron pot on a fire. Maybe consider ostrich meat which is very low in fat? Try it as a steak or sausage.
Rusks are a sort of not too sweet, chunky biscuit that we dunk in tea and eat soggy. It’s not rude to do that here and it tastes a lot nicer that it sounds.
We call a barbecue a braai. A braai is a weekend institution and most weekends on a sunny day the aroma of meat on a fire pervades the suburbs.
A bredie is a stew and we have one called Waterblommetjie Bredie. Little waterflower stew. They taste much like green beans.
You could also try pap or umngqusho and gravy. I can’t pronounce umngqusho, it’s full of clicks in Xhosa. Just say nush and people will understand you. Pap is usually served crumbly and similar to polenta. Umsgqusho is a sticky bean and corn side dish that we eat as others do mash potato. I buy it ready-made in a can at the local supermarket. Happy tasting!
The night life in Cape Town pretty much happens down Long Street.
By day, Long Street, which as it happens is a very long street, is a bevy of cafes, trendy boutiques, curios, vintage and antique shops.
But at night, Long Street really comes alive. Clubs, pubs, restaurants and bars all vie for business.
One of my favourites is Zula Bar and their C.O.M.E. or Comedy on Monday Evenings. You can learn so much about the collective culture of people from stand up comedy. Find out who the line up is on their web page.
The Waterfront, Green Point, Waterkant area and sections of the city also have nocturnal activities. From the usual to the unusual. Drum cafes, jazz bars, art classes, theatre, ballet, art film houses, circuses and cocktail bars. Trawl the Time Out on-line guide. Cape Town is a featured city. Click here Time Out Cape Town.
The fixtures for 2010 Soccer World Cup to be played at Cape Town stadium, formerly known as Green Point stadium are:-
Friday 11 June – Uruguay vs France
Monday 14 June – Italy vs Paraguay
Friday 18 June – England vs Algeria
Monday 21 June – Korea vs Portugal
Thursday 24 June – Netherlands vs Cameroon
Tuesday 29 June – Spain vs ?
Saturday 3 July – Quarter Final
Tuesday 6 July – Semi Final
I do sometimes wish they wouldn’t change place names so regularly in South Africa. These days I can’t be sure I know the places being talked about because there are so many new names. You need a new map or you could find the old place names don’t correspond to the current road signs. Fortunately it’s less of a problem in the Western Cape Province.
The global recession has hit some countries hard. While we are not immune to the effects of the economic downturn, we’re not suffering quite as badly as some. There are many reasons.
One reason is we have a stable banking system. There are acts in place to protect us from borrowing money we cant afford to repay. We have been lucky that our banks have not collapsed as has occurred in some parts of the world.
We are a mineral rich region. South Africa exports a variety of produce from gold, diamonds and minerals to wine, fruit and vegetables.
Another reason is that we are an emerging economy and the standard of living for many is still not as high as some parts of the world.
Our currency also makes us an excellent value destination for tourists and shoppers. Tourism is a major source of revenue here. Visitors can experience a safari holiday with game, a sun and powder beach holiday or a wine farm and gourmet food meander. Scenic drives taking in regions such as Route 62 or the Garden Route provide visitors with a chance to experience breathtaking natural beauty and our warm hospitality.
OK today’s blog is a shameless attempt to promote our B and B as well as Green Point. Find us here – Cape Coast Views. It’s also an attempt to put myself and blog in context. The picture is taken from our B and B. In light of yesterday’s comments, our guests will be able to walk to the stadium.
This blog is mainly about what goes on in this small space and is intended for visitors to Green Point and the neighbouring suburbs. You can see how close we are to all the action. One can do mountains, beaches, night life, boat rides, whale watches and a whole lot of stuff without having to move too far away from here.
The traditional Big Five must-sees in Cape Town are: – Robben Island; Table Mountain; Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point and The Winelands.
If you are on a short visit and don’t have time to do it all then a city break is probably the best way to take in as much as possible. Find our B and B at www.capecoastviews.co.za
Our local City Council newspaper tells us that for the duration of 2010 Soccer World Cup some roads leading to the city will be closed. And on match days no public parking will be permissible at and around Cape Town stadium.
That means those who have booked hired cars and staying in the city – might have a problem. They are not alone. Those of us who have been living here all these years – also have a problem.
In the meantime the first of 43 custom built buses for the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system have arrived. Mini bus and regular taxis will be subject to the rules and will have difficulty getting about. The only option is going to be the planned public transport or walking. In the picture is the depot for the IRT bus in Green Point. It’s almost ready. I believe up north in Jozi they have already rolled out their IRT.
