Cape Town Sucks?

The history: I came across a reader letter published on IOL about just how awful Cape Town is. You can imagine how quickly that comment box closed but I couldn't resist a little back swing and follow through. The letter was written by sworn Durbanite Anne Stevens. I decided to enter into a little onscreen "dialogue" with Ms Stevens who, by her own admission wants to take her toys and go home. Go home then. You go girl.

Anne:
Cape Town sucks.
This may be a harsh judgment of the bedrock of South African history, but with one reluctant foot on the tip of the continent, its extremities in the water and heart yearning for Europe, this is hardly an African city.
Fuelled by tourist dollars, pounds and euros, it sets itself apart from the rest of the country with a hauteur that is infuriating.
"Oh, but we've got The Mountain," a Capetonian remarked recently when mildly reminded that Durban has good beaches and warmer water.

Capetonian:
Let me tell you what you’ve been missing while toiling away here in the mountainous, unfriendly, dollar and pound-fat city of Cape Town. I was fortunate enough to take an extended trip to Durban and KZN and I will say this…Durban does have good beaches and warmer water. But Cape Town's beaches are better (ask Hollywood baby) and your warm water? Filthy. Must be part of the regional charm, a bit like our mountain.

Anne:
The traffic has always been horrendous. But with the city gearing up for the 2010 World Cup and a new public transport system, it has become a nightmare.
Rush "hour" is actually a five-hour daily ordeal, morning and evening. Traffic grinds to a halt, lanes magically disappear.

Capetonian:
You complain about traffic in Cape Town? I dare you to find your way around the streets of Durban named at least three times over. Luckily, there's red tape over void that are no longer applicable. Yeah, Garmins are no match for your municipality. And I could have been hallucinating on the thick cocktail of humid air and pollution but for the life of me…I sat in traffic. MMMmmm, great memory let me tell you, 40 degrees in the shade. Good times.

Anne:
Then there's the weather. Cold is one thing, rain is another. Cold and rain together, punctuated by howling gales, make for a hellish winter. After one week in Cape Town spent alternately aquaplaning on busy roads and staying inside to avoid the wind, I returned to Durban very thankful.

Capetonian:
Believe me Anne, we were grateful too when you returned to Durbs. Durban...where you can choke on the air, sweat in a fridge, never have decent hair and get rained on so badly that pedestrians start to pair off and wait for Noah and his life raft. Yes, it rains and gets cold in Cape Town, but you know what they say about people who complain about the weather? They're the same people who complain about traffic and spend most of their free time planning what they'll do with the money when they win the lottery.

Anne:
And so I told friends, who looked at me strangely. "You didn't like Cape Town?" they said with horror.
Which brings me to another thing.
Why does everyone regard this as the Holy Grail of South African cities? Am I the only person in the world who doesn't want to spend a lot of time there?

Capetonian:
To answer your question Anne, yes, you're the only one who doesn't want to live in Cape Town. Medic!

Anne:
"Oh, Anne is the only person who lives in Durban by choice," I once heard someone say.
Then my cousins returned recently from two weeks at an upmarket timeshare, armed with a list that proved Cape Town was better than Durban.
Okay, I agree with some points. Cape Town doesn't have Michael Sutcliffe; the verges are usually clean; and someone does try to fix broken traffic lights and fill potholes.

Capetonian:
Let's not skim over this one Anne. I've travelled a bit and loved everywhere I've been to but do you know what my first thought was when I drove into the city of Durban? Depressing, dilapidated, disorganised. It was sad. Durban has passed its expiry date and now all that's left is the glory of yester year and a sadness that comes standard with the litter, the hoards of starving refugees and the danger associated with a place that doesn't seem to mind much that things are falling down around them. You don't mind that? sounds like you're right at home.

And let's be clear about the potholes...I have travelled almost every inch of KZN and although there weren’t any cars for kilometres(no traffic in those parts – air punch Anne), there were so many potholes, summer rain and mud that there were times we thought that "rural" meant “you’re on your own if anything goes down.”

Anne:
And the restaurants...
I would venture that, by and large, they are not only characterised by indifferent service, but overpriced and over-hyped grub. Getting an honest meal for your rand is difficult.
It reminds me of that old adage that the better the view, the worse the food.
Which also affects the price of accommodation, permanent or otherwise. If you have a view of the mountain or the sea, you have to have lots of lolly.
Move away from the upper-class areas with their beautiful old trees and commanding outlook, and you get some fairly dreary, dingy suburbs.

Capetonian:
Anne, I have to question your rose coloured specs? Where they bought in a station market at Durban Central? Consider prescription. A decent meal for your rands? Dingy suburbs? People in glass houses sweetie...
Perhaps you're not schooled in global cuisine, Cape Town has some of the best food in the world. And I didn’t get that from one of those touristy magazines. No, no, I’ve tried it myself. I can't remember too many great meals in Durbs, but rest assured - if I did, I would have said so. Maybe you should learn to appreciate things before you criticise them?

You go on and on about how rude and unfriendly we all are. Capetonians might be hostile, but we’re allowed one flaw. And Durbanites are friendly? Is that the parallel you’re drawing. That’s a bit ambitious Anne and untrue. Your attitude is decidedly unfriendly and hostile, that doesn't inspire another trip to KZN for me. Perhaps you should have been an ambassador for your province, rather than a bitter, whiny misery. What do you have to say about the residents of Joburg I wonder? Sounds to me like you wanted the royal treatment while you were here. The Old Biscuit Mill didn’t roll out a red carpet at your arrival? I’ll get onto them immediately.

Anne, come now. You admit to taking crime ridden and dirty Durban over Cape Town? Please, be our guest. You can hate Cape Town as much as you want, you're one of the few and do you know why? Cause Cape Town rocks.

Take it or leave it Anne. That’s the sentiment. We don’t need your type, we’ve got the mountain. Bru.

Should you ever change your mind and grace us Anne, get Tourism Radio in your car, we'll show you what you've been missing.

The Good Guide

Travel has become one of the most coveted experiences for young and old from all over the world. The youngsters are travelling even more than before thanks to accessibility, international work opportunities and the very fashionable "gap year" that's taken over denim as the thing that has outlasted ever-changing trends of the modern world. So, it goes without saying that there are plenty of young, inexperienced travellers taking to the world. I found this guide on IOL Travel that highlights some tips for young or first time travellers...

Make absolutely sure that all your documentation is correct. I've personally booked a flight the wrong way round and had to buy a whole new ticket!!! Check and check again!

Remember, that many countries insist that you have two empty pages in your passport before they will let you enter. Make sure your passport still has enough space and that it is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into a country.

Remember to take out an international driver's licence. And know the road rules in the country you're in. Cars coming towards you? You're in the wrong lane for that country.

Always have a credit card on you. To travel without a credit card is foolish. I personally never leave home without one.

Make sure that there is enough money in your account so that you can buy a ticket to get out of a country should there be a problem. We're thinking wars here.

A cash card is also essential as it enables you to draw small amounts of cash in a foreign country when you need it. Very useful and sometimes cheaper than drawing off a credit card. You should always have multiple sources of money.

Never travel with large sums of money.

Travel and medical insurance is essential for everyone these days. Youngsters might think they will never get sick. It's a myth.

If you are a young person travelling for the first time, it might be an idea to link up with a tour especially designed for youth travellers. This is a good idea, if you're spending two months in a country, spend the first week or even a couple of days on an actual tour to get familiar with local customs and make better "traveller" decisions.

If you are travelling with a backpack, make sure you buy the correct one for you. You are the one who is going to be lugging it around and it must fit comfortably. (Don't I know it).
You do not want to purchase a pack that feels awkward. Try it in the store and ask that it be filled so that you can feel what it will be like when laden with your gear.

Go the youth hostel route rather than camping. There are youth hostels throughout Africa and in virtually every country worldwide. There are also lots of options with regards to hostels, there are even some four and five star options as well as "green" hostels that operate like a commune.

Youth hostels are where you will meet other young people and make good friendships. They are also the places to gather useful information that will stand you in good stead.

If a youth hostel has a lock-up facility, use it. And check that every flap on your backpack is locked.

Take along a basic medicine kit that includes one broad-spectrum antibiotic. I carry a first aid kit and fortunately have never had to use it, still rather safe than sorry. You never know when you might need it and going to a doctor in a foreign country can be expensive and inconvenient, especially if you are in the countryside.

Don't take packages from other people unless you have seen what is inside. No one wants to land up in a precarious situation, see below.

Drug smuggling is rampant and you must be vigilant at all times. In some countries, possession of narcotics means the death sentence at worst or a lengthy stay in gaol at best. Steer clear of all drugs.

If you are female, travel with a friend because it is safer. Single woman travelling alone can land in terrible trouble. There are thousands of cases on file to verify this. You do not want to find yourself in a vulnerable position.

Always look neat and clean when passing through border posts or flying in and out of a country. If you look respectable, chances are you will get through borders more easily.

Always keep your passport and money on you. Unless you have a really safe lock-up place.

Don't trust strangers you have just met. There are a lot of nice young people out there, but there are also plenty of scumbags on the prowl.

Travelling by bus is or train is often a cheap and safer option to hitch-hiking.
It used to be safe to hitch on South African roads - no longer. Don't even think about it.

If you are travelling to a foreign country, make sure that you have the details of the South African embassy or consulate in that country written down. Carry it in an accessible place.

When packing for your trip, discard half the things you want to take. You will need the minimum amount of clothing (unless going to a cold country in winter). Good waterproofs are essential.

Get as much information as you can about your destination before you go. It's easy. Just go onto the Internet and type in a few key words. Or use www.hummba.com's service, you can upload and download information straight to your mobile phone. You can also use the site to upload you own experiences to share with your friends!

Finally, attractions between young people are natural. Should you get intimately involved, always use protection.

There you have it, thanks to IOL, some tips for young travellers.