This day was a whirlwind of experiences as my hosts took me around Cape Town, showing me its famous white beaches and breathtaking sights. But amid the beauty, life paused for a moment when I encountered an elderly couple on the street, their shared joy striking a deep chord within me.
The day had begun peacefully enough. I enjoyed a morning breakfast at the Saasveld Lodge, where Ludo Van Oostende and his wife, Juanita, had kindly arranged my stay for the night. From my room, I was treated to a stunning view of central Cape Town as the sun climbed the sky, casting light over the city and the imposing Table Mountain. The mountain, with its flat top resembling a wave frozen in time, seemed almost poised to envelop the city—a thrilling and humbling sight.
Ludo was eager, almost too eager, to show me around his city. His enthusiasm was infectious as he drove us through the neck of Table Mountain to the popular Camps Bay. There, Juanita and I strolled along the pristine white beach, though I quickly regretted my decision to dip my toes in the icy water. South Africa’s coastline is bordered by two oceans: the cold Atlantic on the west side and the warmer Indian Ocean to the east. Where these two meet near Cape Town, the water temperature is notably cooler — something I felt immediately!
We stopped at the Sandbar for sodas, soaking in the sunshine while catching up on the latest world news. The day was warm, but the water’s chill was a constant reminder of the proximity to the South Pole. After leaving Camps Bay, we continued along the coastline, passing through the affluent areas of Three Anchor Bay and Mouille Point before arriving at the Waterfront of Cape Town. These neighborhoods, with their luxurious apartments, rival those of Marbella, Saint-Tropez, or San Remo in terms of wealth and exclusivity.
We took a leisurely walk down Long Street, a beautifully preserved Victorian thoroughfare lined with backpacker lodges, internet cafés, and cozy coffee shops. Ludo treated me to lunch at Trisha’s, a small but popular tavern in the city center, where we enjoyed a hearty chicken curry.
After lunch, Ludo dropped me off at the Newspaper House, home to the Cape Argus newspaper, where I had an appointment for an interview. The process of entering any building in South Africa can be tedious, with multiple layers of security to navigate, but it’s all part of the experience. Eventually, I sat down with Lauren, a reporter who was eager to learn about my journey. Our conversation flowed easily, and by the end, she even suggested inviting me to her home for a traditional South African meal—a delightful prospect!
Reuniting with Ludo afterward, we headed back to the Waterfront, where he intended to buy me a ticket to visit Robben Island—a place steeped in history, having served as a site of banishment and imprisonment for over 400 years. Unfortunately, the last boat of the day had already departed, so he purchased a ticket for the 11 a.m. ferry the next morning instead.
As we wandered around the Waterfront, a bustling area filled with malls, restaurants, and theaters, I had a moment that will stay with me for a long time. A street band was playing lively jazz music, and suddenly, all activity ceased as an elderly couple began to dance. Motorcyclists pulled over, pedestrians stopped in their tracks, and everyone was captivated by the simple, yet profound, display of love and joy shared by the couple. It was as if time had paused, and for a brief moment, everyone was united in admiration of this beautiful scene. I can only hope that, if I reach that age, I’ll be dancing to street music on a boulevard somewhere too.
As the afternoon drew to a close, we returned to Ludo and Juanita’s apartment, where I took a nap on a borrowed mattress laid out on the empty living room floor. That evening, we dined at a Nando’s restaurant, enjoying their famously spicy chicken.
However, the pleasant atmosphere of the day soon gave way to tension. Ludo’s conversation style, which I had noticed the night before, became increasingly aggressive. He is deeply passionate and intense in his speech, often to the point of making those around him uncomfortable. A seemingly trivial discussion about Mr. Delivery, a service that delivers meals, escalated quickly. Ludo dismissed it as a brainless convenience, while I merely pointed out that if such a service exists, there must be demand for it.
What should have been a minor disagreement spiraled out of control. Ludo’s forceful responses to my comments felt increasingly insulting, as if my opinions were utterly ridiculous. At one point, my frustration boiled over, and I slammed my glass on the table to get his attention.
“Listen to me, Ludo!” I exclaimed. “There’s absolutely no reason to get so worked up over something as trivial as Mr. Delivery. If you can’t accept my opinion, or anyone else’s, without getting aggressive, then we have a problem. This is no way to treat a guest.”
Ludo was taken aback and seemed genuinely confused by my reaction. I stepped outside to cool off with a cigarette, needing a moment to collect myself. When I returned, Ludo admitted that he tends to be an aggressive talker, though he insisted he doesn’t mean it that way. “It’s just how I am,” he said.
“But why do you make such a big deal out of any comment that contradicts your opinion?” I asked. He looked at me, perhaps realizing for the first time the impact of his behavior. “You don’t let us finish our thoughts before jumping in, and it’s making this evening unpleasant. I feel like I can’t say anything without it turning into a heated debate over nothing.”
Juanita spoke to him as well, urging him to tone down his approach. Ludo, frustrated with the world, mused about living on a remote island to escape it all. I told him that while he’s entitled to his opinions, he also needs to respect those of others. “That’s how communication works,” I said.
After our conversation, Ludo seemed to understand that not everyone approaches life with the same intensity he does. We both learned something that night: he realized the importance of respecting others’ perspectives, and I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of human interaction.
In the end, we reached an understanding, and the tension eased. Ludo agreed to be more mindful of how his words affect others, and I appreciated the chance to see a different side of him.
Exhausted from the day’s events, I fell asleep on the mattress in their living room, ready to face another day in this remarkable city. Tomorrow, I’ll visit Robben Island, and I expect it will be an overwhelming experience in its own right.
Good night, Tamboerskloof!
Ramon.
