Journey to Cape Town - DAY 2
Gratitude doesn’t send you out shopping to find satisfaction; it comes as a gift rather than a commodity.Robin Wall Kimmerer
After just over 26 hours of flying I arrived in Cape Town on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Quite a long haul to get here, I felt a sense of excitement, gratitude and relief having reached to the hotel.
Cape Town is a beautiful and orderly city, having the famous Table Mountain as the backdrop never get's old. The winds were gusty and that made the sunshine almost disappear into cold winds. I was determinded to walk to the Waterfront to take in the sights and get soomething to eat, despite the winds, the cold and my lack of proper attire - Lesson one - Check the weather forecast especially when you are asked about it.
Hotel Sky is a perfect location, the Waterfront is nearby as well as the Cape Town Conference Centre is literally accross the road.
I ventured out with as much layers as possible to check out the sights and get something to eat, the wind was literlaly pushing me and helping me along. I was determined to cope with it. The walk to the waterfront was refreshing, the sun was setting mixed with the clouds of Table Mountain, made for a postcard photo. I took in a short cultural performance, had a coffee and started venturing back to the hotel. The place was now colder with the wind blowing even harder. I started walking so fast, almost running next thing I remember is me being picked up by two men from off the floor, my hand was bleeding, my lip was busted and my knees were burning. How???
The two kind men asked me if I was ok. If I could walk, but what I thought was the most important question was " What is on your mind, where was your head?" Exactly sir! I said to him, I just wanted to get out of this cold wind. I started hobbling back, blood was dripping. I started looking for a coffee shop or something of the sort to go inside to use the bathroom. I saw one, it was packed as a live band was playing and the people were jam packed and well into it - their hands were up in the air, singing loudly, swaying. I found a spot to get to the bar, grabbed a few napkins and left. My knees wewre throbbingm my hands had multiple cuts and bruises.
I had to have a serious talk with myself - Day 1 you fall? How? At least you can walk, there goes all your plans of running along the waterfront on the morning, then heading to the gym, hiking and on and on. Wait. this could be worse, be grateful that it isn't
I managed to hobble back to the hotel, hoping that I had bandages and some semblance of a first ain in my bags. I just had 2 bandaids. This would have to do at 8pm. My knees and wrists were on fire, the cut on my lip seemed to be less of a problem - more good news. I am willing to take all the good news that I can get at this moment. I patched up one knee and went to bed. I kept talking to myself about acceptance of what is and looking for the gratitude and good, focusing on that rather than feeling sorry for myself.
As the morning dawned, the knew felt a lot better, my wrist though was a hot mess. I have to register and meet the committments of my contract while I am here and I intend to.
Stay tuned...
Peace and Blessings
Akosua's Books
Nyabo (Madam) Why Are You Here?
What Did I Learn Today? Lessons on the Journey to Unconditional Self Love
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