The Cape of Good Hope

Hello, since we spoke to you last we ended our two week guided tour through this most interesting and beautiful country. We've spent the past week in Cape Town, which reminds us of the landscape and climate of the San Francisco Bay Area. We've also been staying with friends, in their homes, so don't feel so much like outsiders or tourists, and we've met so many nice people!

During the dark days of Apartheid, South Africa was one of the world's most despised countries, boycotted by the world. In the 90's when racial segregation was ended, Nelson Mandela urged the majority blacks not to seek revenge, but to work together (and with the white and colored minorities), to build a country of their dreams.

As a result, South Africa is one of the world's most popular countries, a multi-cultural land, mostly efficient and modern, not so much third world. There is reason for optimism (hence the 'good hope'), as the government helps to ease the plight of the poor, and to move more people into the middle classes through education and work opportunities. However, the birth rate is highest among the poorest, and not everybody takes advantage of educational opportunities or has the energy to seek work. As a result, every home has burgler alarms, there are security guards everywhere, and people don't walk the streets at night, but in daytime one can walk almost anywhere safely.

We have two more weeks in Africa, so will travel up to Victoria Falls next week. More travelblog to come...

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