Take Me Back to Cape Town
A week ago today I was headed to the airport around 6 pm CST to hop on a flight to London and from there head to Cape Town, South Africa. Having booked this trip about eight months prior through Travel Noire, it did not become real that I was even going until the very moment I stepped off the plane in Cape Town. With much anticipation I didn't really know what to expect and thankfully I truly cannot complain about any aspect of this trip.
We stayed at the beautiful Alphen Boutique Hotel in Cape Town. The property in person is just as breathtaking if not more than any images you will discover online. My first impression upon walking into my suite was pure glee. I was met with a note to my roommate and I wishing us a wonderful stay. Shout out to Shaye, my roomie and future travel buddy. The personal touches throughout the trip didn't end there. On my birthday I received a phone call from the front desk wishing me happy birthday and Haley, one of the managers, gifted me with a birthday cake as well. Needless to say the service was just as impeccable as the views throughout our stay.
The adventures on this trip were nothing short of worthwhile and my travel companions and I owe it to Siviwe, our tour guide turned friend, because of his authentic and genuine spirit throughout the trip. Thanks to him we not only learned a great deal of history about South Africa but also about the present day challenges that still exist. With all that we learned I am certain that each and every one of us walked away inspired and with a full heart.
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My favorite part of the trip was walking through the streets of Langa, Cape Town, the oldest township in Cape Town. From the smells of food being cooked to visiting children at an after school program, its almost as if time stopped for a few hours. I was reminded that day of the importance of keeping traditions alive in my own family and the significance of seeking truth in a world that often times feeds us only what it wants us to know. From eating at the table of locals to soaking in our surroundings, this trip is something I will never forget.
We were also able to visit the following places:
Stellenbosch Vineyards (Spier Winery and Graff Estate)
Robben Island - My birthday happened to fall on our free day and I decided to visit Robben Island.
Cooking Class hosted by Jade De Waal
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I have fallen in love with Cape Town. The spirit and resilience of the people, the culture, and the political and racial challenges still present today are all things that resonated with me and have given me much to ponder over. The friendships I made on this trip were certainly the icing on the cake. To meet women from all over and share memories we will never forget is simply priceless. We laughed together. We learned together. We experienced a new place together. I'm grateful to have met each and every person on this trip and if I am lucky I'll create more memories with them again. The pictures you see here were taken by "Q," a photographer based in Johannesburg, who accompanied us on our trip. She's amazing by the way and we enjoyed learning from her as well.
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I'm already planning my next trip to Cape Town in my head but in the meantime I am forever in love and eager to learn as much as possible about South Africa until I visit again.
K R Y S T L E
