Cape Town, the lively

For those who already follow me, and if you have already read my previous articles then you know that I tell you this every time, and yet it is so true, where to start? I don't think I have ever discovered a city as cosmopolitan as Cape Town can be. Lots of neighborhoods, lots of nationalities, lots of languages, lots of restaurants from all over the world, and especially lots of people who never sleep. There you have it, colors and life, that's how I want to introduce you to this wonderful place.

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If you've ever heard of South Africa then you'll probably know about the famous Table Mountain, which dominates the city with its straight shape, and it's true that its climb is worth the detour. There are a number of routes of varying difficulty, but reaching the top will definitely reward you because it's the highest viewpoint in the city. And if you prefer not to tire yourself out there's always the cable car, but it's not cheap! Personally I'd rather tell you about the other mountains that adorned my horizon during the time I spent here. Let's start with Signal Hill, it's certainly the most popular viewpoint in the city, perhaps because it's accessible by car, the view overlooks the ocean and the sunset, and you can also see the famous Robben Island. But don't plan on returning too early because the access road is always saturated with cars on the way down! That being said, my favorite will always be Lion's Head. A short walk of about 45 minutes, a bit sporty, but really worth it. You will be amazed all along the way, these are all the districts of the city that you will discover little by little and all in an unparalleled light. From the city center to Clifton and Camps Bay you will eventually reach the summit to discover a 360 ° view of Cape Town bathed in sunshine. I think there is nothing more to add.

Every person who visits Cape Town leaves with their own favorite neighborhood in the city, because each one has its own atmosphere and personality. What if I started by telling you about CBD, the city center, this neighborhood that can be found in all major cities, with its skyscrapers and restaurants. Located in the heart of Cape Town, it is the ideal neighborhood for walking and discovering the history of the city. I advise you to start your journey from Company Garden, the garden has always been in the same place since the founding of the city by the Dutch in 1652. You can then walk through the streets of the center, passing through Green Market Square or Church Square, which still houses a small monument paying tribute to the slaves who helped build the city. And if you like walking, I advise you to continue your wanderings towards my favorite neighborhood. Bo-Kapp is the Muslim quarter of the city but also the most colorful! There you can discover small mosques and especially the famous multi-colored houses that recall the culture of slaves from India who once lived in the neighborhood. Because yes, Bo-Kaap before becoming a posh corner of the city was previously reserved for slaves. And I should point out that the majority of slaves who contributed to the founding of Cape Town came from the colonies of South Asia, notably transported by the East India Company. And for your lunch break, I recommend the Charles Café, this intimate and warm guesthouse will offer you a breathtaking view of the city and they make the best eggs Benedict I have ever eaten!

There are so many places I would like to tell you about… Let’s continue with the heavenly neighborhoods that line the ocean and the beautiful beaches of the region. The ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon with friends is the Clifton sandbanks, one, two, three and four considered some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. I spent my very first evening there, only a few hours after getting off the plane, and the sunset that night remains one of the most beautiful of my life.

There is one thing that is essential in Cape Town, which becomes an art of living when you spend time in this city, it is the rooftops. You will find dozens of them in the four corners of the city, on the roofs of large hotels or simply in restaurants or small cozy bars. The Tjing Tjing for example is a well-kept secret in the attic of an old building. You will have the opportunity to taste unique cocktails created by a mixology artist in the middle of the original solid wood beams. I could give you lots of addresses of this kind, the 14 stories in the center offers you a breathtaking view of Bo-Kaap and Lion's Head. But my preference will always go to the Baptiste, because the view up there gives you an incomparable emotion, the first time, and the others even after. Camps Bay, the rich district par excellence, luxury villas and big cars, it is in this setting that you will find the Baptiste, the entrance is well hidden but there will always be someone to show you the way. I have always been impressed by the power that mountain ranges can give off, not surprising when you were born in the Alps. But imagine what you feel when a mountain range literally throws itself into the ocean at the end of the world. It is one of the most breathtaking images that I have had the chance to discover in my life, and yet believe me I have seen beautiful things. So here is an address that we put in our little papers, ocean, sunset, mountains and a Spritz, all at the end of the world.

People often ask me what are the culinary specialties that I have had the opportunity to discover during my travels, well I have good news for you, in Cape Town you don't need to choose because there aren't really any! The only real specialty here is the Braai, this traditional South African barbecue which turns out to be more of a local way of life than a real endemic recipe. No, here we eat everything, everywhere and especially at any time, the real tradition is the famous food courts which bring together dozens of cuisines from all over Africa and even the world. You will find them everywhere in the city but I still recommend the Mojo Market in the See Point district. It is one of the largest in the city and above all you will be able to discover many talented local artists because there is also an open stage there. And since I decided to tell you my little secrets I will also tell you another of my little papers. One of those that only locals know and that has this gift that I love so much, that of bringing together people from all walks of life in the same place. The Woodstock district is in some ways the Brooklyn of Cape Town, the kind of popular district that artists and social networks have made trendy over the years. Neighborgoods Market is in my opinion the concentration of all the identities of Cape Town gathered in an old biscuit factory. Street food, music, art, street art, fashion and good vibes dotted with all the nationalities and social classes of the city. If you want to bring back a souvenir, you will not find more local and above all these are unique pieces, not mass produced.

Art galleries. I have always thought that they are a great way to discover the local history of a city and a country. Because they are the visual representation of local beliefs, of how artists feel and conceive their city and their heritage. Cape Town is full of them, modern, abstract or traditional African art, it is the landscape of an entire continent gathered in a few shapes and colors.

But there is another place in town that brings together all the personalities and influences of Cape Town, it is the famous Long Street. This street that crosses the city center is the heart of the city and especially the liveliest place at night. Because Cape Town is also a party capital, you will find the craziest bars, clubs and clandestine nightclubs in the city to dance until the end of the night. Surrounded by the unique architecture of this street, similar to that of New Orleans, which reminds you that the French are also part of the history of the tip of Africa.

There is one last district, not the least unmissable, that I still have to tell you about, because it is the one that we see on all the postcards. Waterfront, the former docs district has now been rehabilitated into a modern and dynamic center of life. It is home to craft shops, restaurants, a shopping center and an outdoor stage that regularly hosts events and artists. It is also home to the largest contemporary art museum in Africa. And even if you are not into culture, I assure you that the building is worth the detour because it is located in the old grain silos. Waterfront is the ideal place to come and stroll on the weekend and enjoy a lunch on a terrace by the water, but be careful, you might get a visit from a sea lion who would love to steal your sushi!

How can I talk to you about South Africa without talking to you about Madiba? Did you know that the nickname of the "father of the nation" is actually the name of the Xhosa ethnic clan to which Nelson Mandela belonged? I could tell you a lot about this great man, but since we're talking about Waterfront, I'll just tell you that it's also the starting point for the excursion that goes to Robben Island. The prison island where he spent 18 years of his life in a two-square-meter cell that you can visit today. There are even former inmates who tell you about their lives there, and what I can tell you is that it puts your ideas back in place.

All these things, Apartheid, poverty, these are things that were not talked about. Things that the world didn't give a damn about because it wasn't about the West, these atrocious things that were happening while we were busy sending men to walk on the moon. I might talk to you about all that in a future article on South Africa, its history and what it brought to the world. What I personally remember about Mandela is how big the hearts of men can be, and how humble we feel in front of a man who spent more than 30 years of his life in prison in the name of freedom. A man who despite this still found the strength to forgive his tormentors, the strength to believe in a better world and especially in the love of men.

“Home is where the heart is”

There is one last thing I would like to tell you. Social networks that talk about travel like mine often show dream places, beauty and happiness, but discovering a country is not only that. In each country there is a downside and here in Africa there are often people who lack everything and who sometimes sleep outside, children who do not play. But I met an extraordinary person here, a person who gives her time and love to help and bring love around her. I had a dream experience here and I will mainly show you landscapes, but before that I would like to thank my friend Yvette and her association @ujamaasolidarity1 which works every day to improve the lives of people in need. Thank you for everything you do, thank you for welcoming me into your family as if you had always known me.

So if you've read this article to the end, take a minute to discover this association, take the time to give a little something, because here, a little something for you, it makes a big difference.