Sight Seeing on the Peninsula

Day 4

Today was a day of sight seeing. We drove all around the peninsula of Cape Town, and one cannot begin to describe its beauty. Sadly, I am unable to describe it in words it was so breathtaking. However, I can clearly describe the bit of culture shock I endured at the market this morning. I hardly learned to barter at a stand the day before and thus did not want to fully participate, yet was thrown into the lion’s den in the morning. If you merely stop at a stand for three seconds, one better be prepared to be persuaded. It was hard just wanting to browse and not wanting to offend. When I eventually tried to bargain for a bag but didn’t want it at the going price, a sales woman latched onto my arm, trying to convince me to ask for money from my friend. I did not want to forcibly remove her arm, but could not get away. Thus, I was being torn between the woman and my friend. It was quite alarming that she did not let me go for about five minutes, since I could just not bring myself to forcibly say “NO!” Thus, bartering may be put into the hands of others in the future, as I was deeply rattled.

On a better note, the scenery was phenomenal and my fellow study abroad friends amazing. For dinner, we had a Gatsby – which is a sort of a large sub. It had spicy chicken, lettuce, French fries, and a sauce. It was enormous, but delicious. Everything here seems to have fries… or chips as they call them here. The other day we had a chip roll – literally a French fry sub. Everything I have tried so far, apart from the ProNutro has been wonderful. Not exactly a home cooked meal, but good nonetheless :D Keep on bringing on the South African ways!