My trip to Cape Town was a long time coming. Part of plans for many years; the last attempt about four years ago, during a time when the city was counting down to day zero, when usable water was to run out. To not add to the burden, I cancelled.
There has been permanent water restrictions since as their reservoir is building back up from a historic drought. It was in the 70% range full when I was there.
I loved my time there and have added the city to my "return each year" list. Stayed a couple of blocks from the ocean in Sea Point and joined the many people on the seaside promenade getting their daily exercise. The scenary was breathtaking and the sheer number of active people, inspiring. I easily clocked 15 - 20 km a day.
What I didn't realize was their reliance on coal for electricity. Load shedding was the worst ever this year. After about 9 days, I started to feel irritation in my nose and throat, similar to what I had experienced in Bangkok and Kampala previously due to pollution.
Otherwise, the high standard of living (for some), the quality of the food, service, is in sharp contrast to the weak underlying infrastructure. Should the day come when sustainable solutions to water and power are found, that city would be unstoppable. Just follow their Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis (and the City of Cape) on Twitter and you'll see what I mean. Him and his team are simply doing an incredible job.
