Mountains and Milkshakes

5/8/09
Today was such a gorgeous day that Jamie and decided to hike Lion’s Head after work. After a super long and demanding week, I came home and fell asleep almost immediately. We were calling a cab to the base of the mountain just after 3pm. Lion’s head is the peak of a long double-humped (fairly small) mountain. The other hump is aptly named “Lion’s Rump”. The actual “head” of the mountain is mostly rock. After a winding dirt trail that brings all the way around the mountain, the remaining climb is chains, ladders and (simple) rock climbing. It was perfectly challenging. The big difference I’ve noted between hiking here and at home in NH is that the mountains here are bare, providing beautiful panoramic views of the city and beaches below. It is absolutely breathtaking and I never tire of the views of the cliffs and crashing waves.

In the evening, a bunch of us went for dinner at Royales on Long St. Royales is famous for their burgers and chips (french fries). They offer a choice of regular, wedge and sweet potato fries. OR for the indecisive types (like myself) you can order a mixture of all three! The burger I ordered was veal blended with basil and cheeses. Everything was delicious, per usual. Lastly, we all ordered milkshakes to go. Also delicious..between us there was a chocolate-coconut, a milo (type of choc) and banana, smarties (similar to m&m’s), oreo and choc-banana-peanut butter. We were all happily satiated walking home.

LESSON #17: MOUNTAIN VIEWS ARE THE BEST MAPS…I have acclimated myself to Cape Town best by climbing its mountains and examining the city. It’s a city map “in the flesh”. Each new view shows me a new street, connection, or short cut to my favorite places.

British:
Pull = kiss (I pulled so-and-so last night)