Table Mountain
Cape Town is one of the most naturally beautiful places I have ever been. These pictures do not come close to capturing the true depth of beauty while looking down at Cape Town from Lion’s Head Mountain. This was our first trip out into Cape Town to visit some of the more famous areas. Lion’s Head is part of Table Mountain National Park, and it was packed this particular day with tourists, hikers, and sports enthusiasts. We later took a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, which has a majestic element, and absolutely incredible panoramic view.
I was overwhelmed with this view I must admit, but I kept reminding myself not to get so “caught up” in this visually stunning aspect of Cape Town. Easily, one can come to Cape Town and stay in this particular area with no realization of the stark differences in how people live in this particular area of the city in comparison to the majority of South Africans living outside of this “gated” community. I can see how tourists book a trip to South Africa, take a lot of pictures, and leave still believing this country has followed through with all of it’s promises since 1994. Table Mountain, and the lush scenery—literally hides much of the flat landscape where vast racial and economic disparities reside. While looking out from Table Mountain, you can see the cape flats, which have been referred to fairly accurately as the dumping grounds of apartheid. This is the benefit of taking our course prior to coming to South Africa, because Dr. Fosl provided us with the materials to think more critically and be aware of the deep history that exists in South Africa. The majority of the people who were forcibly removed from their homes, no longer get to appreciate and share this view. Who are the people who share this view now? Do tour companies and travel agents intentionally censor out the cape flats on purpose? So while I soaked in this beautiful view…this visually stunning capitol design, I was aware that there was a deeper meaning for why we came to South Africa. We came to South Africa not just for a view, but also for a diversely innate experience. We are here to make these comparisons, find the contradictions in these landscapes, and try to understand why this has come to be.