Blogs from Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

Heute morgen sind wir nach einem herrlichen Frühstück erst mal los, um unseren platten Reifen reparieren zu lassen. Leider konnte er nicht mehr für 5 Euro geflickt werden, so dass wir uns für 45 EUR einen neuen leisten mussten. Dann sind wir ein wenig durch die Stadt geschlendert, wirklich ein süßes, aber auch sehr schickes Örtchen! Danach ging es zum Patriachen in Le Petit Ferme zur Weinkeller-Führung. John, ein netter Herr mit grau meliertem Haar, hat uns sein erst 1984 erworbenes Weingut nebst Reben und Keller näher gebracht und uns auch direkt aus den Fässern probieren lassen. Verwunderlich ist, dass man hier immer noch den Franzosen nacheifert. Die Weine sind aber alle eine völlig andere Kategorie, auch im Vergleich zu den deutschen Wettbewerbern. Nach der Weinprobe haben wir uns im tollen Garten der Petit Ferme bei ... read more

Der Morgen fing nicht gerade gut an... Regen und grauer Himmel. Trotzdem beschlossen wir heute den kleinen Umweg auf der Route 62 nach Franschhoek zu nehmen, die besonders schön sein soll. Und dies bewahrheitete sich auch. Die Route 62 ist eine traumhafte Strasse durch Gebirge, karge Lanschaften, Steppen und ab und zu wieder ein paar grünen Oasen. Relativ zu beginn jedoch standen wir gerade an einer Baustelle als wir bemerkten, dass wir einen Platten hatten... na super dachten wir. Ich holte erstmal die Kamera raus um das Schlamassel für die Nachwelt festzuhalten. Als ich die Kamera wegpacken wollten, standen auch schon 4 junge Burschen zur Stelle und ohne etwas zu sagen, regelten sie alles binnen wenigen Minuten und schwups war unser Ersatzreifen montiert. Auf so eine Hilfsbereitschaft kann man wohl lange in Deutschland warten... Ohne große ... read more

We have been incredibly fortunate with this Cape Town winter we’ve found ourselves in. It’s gorgeous! This weekend probably hit the peak of my incredulity at this winter weather- I spent all day Saturday in shorts and a t-shirt. Winter wear, indeed. So, Saturday brought a relaxed morning, where I enjoyed some quality quiet time with the couch while Noble and Sarah went to run their errands. Around noon, we hopped in the car and drove out to Cape Point, which we can see from our balcony, but is about an hour+ drive away. It is the southwestern-most tip of Africa, and affords some really nice views of the ocean, beaches, and the lighthouses. Yes, there are two lighthouses, because the first one was built too low and couldn’t actually be seen by the approaching ships! ... read more

I' m back! After recharging my batteries over the holidays I am back in school ready to see what this term has in store for me. But first Donny wants to know how my holiday went ;) Dad and Megan came and we had a blast! Experiencing new things like eating a 3 hour long dinner complete with wine and exotic new foods. We were frequently lost, but that did not stop us from having fun! We saw many different aspects of South Africa from their town ships to the wine vinyards to the megapopolis to the wildlife. The theme among the animals was love. Penguins were in their mating season and there was a mommy and baby rhino pair and Dad, Megan and I were having fun and loving the company. Vacationing with Delite was ... read more

Hmm. It was a mandatory out weekend and I desperately needed time to myself… The natural conclusion is to go to a spa!! The only problem was that I had to reserve a room on short notice. I bit my nails while calling hotel after hotel. Finally, I found an open one. The Lanzerac. It was superb. There a complementary spa treatment, wine tasting, and breakfast. I took advantage of everything. Had a lot of firsts like my first massage, first wine tasting, first time alone in a hotel and first time to eat dinner in a restaurant alone. At first, I won’t lie, eating alone was frightening. By the end of my stay it did not bother me. Friendly people would sometimes start up a conversation about my book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, ... read more

Where are the good ol’ sugary cereals? Where is the air conditioner?? And where are my wheels???? There are a good number of things that I am desperately missing from back home. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, Lucky Charms. Yumm. Sharing is caring! Kellogg get your but into gear and start sending them on over! I cannot seem to get over the fact that people here survive without air conditioners. It baffles me. When is gets really hot in my math class upstairs, we just sit there dying, unable to move, think, or work. A car = freedom. Here there is no car. There is a schedule. Who wants a schedule EVERYDAY? Life needs spontaneity. That has to be what I miss the most from home, my ability to be spontaneous. What have you done recently that ... read more