a bright day trip to Cape Town – no Robben Island

Today, 29 oktober, I went into Cape Town on my own. I had a nice day. I went to Waterfront to see if I could go to Robben Island, but they are booked full until Monday November 7. That means I won’t be able to go there, but I don’t mind, for quite a few reason’s actually…
Next to the counter where they sell the tickets there was a merchandise shop, and I had promised myself to get the book The Long Walk To Freedom (the autobiography of Nelson Mandela). That was something I really wanted to buy in South Africa, so I did. I also looked at the other merch, and it is getting too much, too commercial, like it’s a nice day out. I looked at the photobooks from Robben Island, and I saw the cell in there (so I have seen it), and I have actually bought that book too, because there is a lot of info in it, about how the Portugese used that island as a prison first (somewhere in 1529 or so – don’t feel like looking that up right now). And after the Portugese, it were the Dutch who put there prisoners there from their colonies. I saw a picture of the entrance of the prison, with a lot of tourists on it. That actually changed my mind. I don’t want to go there. I don’t want to be in a mass of tourists, all getting the same pictures, and the same short story of the history. I don’t want it to be exploited like that. It doesn’t feel right. I also thought about all those other men (and maybe women too) who were there, faced the same regime, but nobody cares about them, and I know how that feels, to be one of the average people in the other cells. It is not nice towards them, to all look at the same cell.
And even besides that, they have now painted the entire cell, it doesn’t look the same anymore. Now it looks like it were maintained, well, I know better than that. I think, by being into the forensic (prison) ward at Valkenberg, I have got a much clearer view on how Mandela must have been treated, and how poor and harsh the circumstances were. That tourist-attraction isn’t in the spirit. And like Mandela says: a country can best be judged on how it treats the lowest. I have seen the present forensic prison ward, which is probably more Mandela-like, than that tourist park on Robben Island. And I’m sure Mandela has walked on the roads in Cape Town where I have been walking, and I’m sure he has been in the Cape Town Conference Centre, probably given a speech there (more than once I suppose). I already stood on the same ground, and it gave an extra dimension to my poster presentation at the World Conference. And we drove past Portismore prison, which isn’t exploited but still in use. Basically that is more real, so to say. I think that going to Robben Island wouldn’t add any real value. I have seen so many cells already, all still in use (making them more real). And I know what it is like to be confined. I get the other dimension. I don’t have to have been there to get the image. I think going there would have made me sick, I probably couldn’t bear to see the industry around it. So I bought the autobiography and a picture book, and I also bought a replica of the original key of the cell (because I couldn’t get in.. haha, irony!). I think this is the best way for me.

Anyway, I have been to Waterfront, and then to Green market square, and then back to Waterfront again because the rest was closed. I had nice fish and chips while watching the harbour. Many boats and birds, blue sky, nice people. I saw a lot of street artists, dancing, singing, and several bands. It was nice.
And I had some travel experiences today. This morning I took a train to Cape Town, which was really entertaining. First a guy was playing saxophone in the carriage, and then afterwards 3 young guys came in. They looked a bit like rappers, but then they started to spread the word of the Lord, with passion and energy, stamping on the floor, shouting, teaching us to get rid of the dark sides and just believe that there is hope for the hopeless and so on. The guys were really passionate, and then they took care of a girl who obviously had some inner trouble. They stood with her, sending positive prayers and getting the nasty things out of here. The girl cried and they gave her blessings. A woman held her firmly. Half of the carriage was engaged in this spontaneous healing ceremony, so filled with compassion and unity, love and care. I liked it. I felt it in the air, such an enormous power of Good, it was great to witness that. It gave a special vibe, open hearted, it was actually good and positive.
On my way back I missed the train. I thought they would depart until 10 or so, but that was misinformation. At 19.45 the last train had already departed, so I went to the busses. But the busses don’t go all the way to Plumstead, so there was no public transport anymore. And I couldn’t call Annie because her phone was flat, so I send a message on the internet from an internetcafe, to explain. I asked a police officer how to get to Plumstead at 20.30, and they said a taxi would be best. The police officer started to flirt with me, and at that point I knew I wouldn’t just take a taxi from the streets. So I had one more drink at Long Street, and I walked to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, where I stayed last week, to ask them if they could arrange a taxi for me. They did, and a very nice taxi driver took me home for a fair price. And while driving we had an amazing conversation, quite spiritual, it was like a special gift to be in a car with him, ending my day trip so nicely. Even when I arrived I stayed in the car talking with him. Inspiring it was. I have met quite some nice and interesting people today. It was a great day again. Very relaxing and inspiring.
When I got home, Annie had rented a movie, the BangBang-Club. It was another true story from apartheid times. I have seen Skin as well, and another one, of which I have forgotten the name (it was about a white extremist family). All very intriguing, because of the reality of violence and war.
It was a nice day again. Cape Town is great.