Fade alone

How can I see what lies beyond the waterfall? Is the sky actually blue behind the thick black clouds? Why is this road so hazy and indefinite? Why is the shadow always black even if there are colors on the inside? Does it reflect the inner ugliness or the beauty of universal unity? Does it really exist or is it just an uncertain imagination of my fading memory? Is it the memory or me that fades? Is this the last phase? Why cant I remember?

There is so much to recall. So much to live for. So much color - all over, all around and yet, the shadow remains black and eternally dark.

Seasons sigh me, years try me. Life is a fairy tale - this as well as that - abstract and dishonest. Death is authentic, tangible and trustworthy.

Today, no companion in sight. I fade alone ...........................................

South Africa

Day 1
A 10 hour flight was really tiring to get to Cape Town. The good part however, was emirates airlines and the ICE entertainment system. I must say, although expensive, Emirates is a really good option when traveling long distances. For a tall pole-like structure like myself, leg room is never enough, but there were enough movies and programs to keep me entertained.
When I walked to the exit doors of the aircraft, the cool breeze on my face reminded me that I was NOT in Dubai. The fresh clean air refreshed my lungs and I started breathing a new life. My happiness however, was short lived. After getting in the bus to be transferred to the terminal I checked my bag and did not find my passport. I was not shocked, or depressed or thinking where did it go. I was ashamed of myself that after traveling so much around the world I still managed to lose my passport. Got off the bus (which meant I had to stand in immigration line for 45 minutes because I was the last in the queue) and asked the security to check the seat pockets. And wholaaaa it was there. I must say I was praying all through.

Cape Town:
First Impression
Very Scenic – the locals may not feel the same way (or they probably do and I am not aware of it) but Cape Town is actually a beautiful city. Surrounded by mountains (Table Mountain being the most prominent) and the ocean it is the ideal place for a peaceful holiday or retired life. One could just sit on a bench near the beach drive and admire the sun dying in the ocean on one side and Table mountain on the other with people walking and jogging all around.
Crime is a big problem in South Africa. Cape Town however, is a touch better. If you read too many blogs or reviews about a city you tend to believe what people write without giving consideration to the fact that every person’s experience is different. I was a bit scared (to be honest) when walking on the streets with people staring at you. I have worked at gas stations and have never seen a sign-board saying: “Keys to the safe are not kept on site”. But, it was ok.

Day 2
Table Mountain (Disappointment):
I took a cab to Cable Mountain to find out that the Cable Car was closed because it was too windy. Bloddy hell. It was however, a beautiful day. It was sunny with a bit of wind. Perfect for anything a human/animal heart desired. Disappointed, I headed to the V&A waterfront (kinda like the Dubai Marina, only bigger) and took a ferry to the Robben Island.
Robben Island:
The Alcatraz of South Africa. When the people of “NO COLOR” ruled South Africa, this was a place for political prisoners (actually it was a maximum security prison before that and a whole bunch of history which can be found on Wikipedia). Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in this prison on this Island. It is 7-14 kms from Cape Town. I was like “why didn’t the prisoners just swim?”. I realized soon that Cape Town is famous for Great White Sharks.
The ride on the ferry was worth the bumps. A u-turn look towards the city gives a breath taking view of the Table Mountain guarding the city. After arriving on the island the guide took us on a bus ride through the Island. Later we were taken around the prison by an ex-prisoner. He (pity, but I don’t remember his name) was in the prison for 5 years. He was 16 when he came to the prison. Some of his experiences:
- There were prisoners on the Island aged 13 to 65.
- Many prisoners were brought to the Island even if they mentioned the name of an anti-apartheid movement
- The prisoner (guide) during interrogation was put on a seat with his hands tight behind and two guys stretching his legs sideways
- His tongue was pulled with tongs. At nights he would feel he would choke to death and his ears were filled with infection
- Tubes were inserted through his male organs.
- One day instead of serving porridge, they were served bread, beans and rice. Most of them waited to see if this was a game as they did not believe their eyes. Finally, as humans, they gave in and had as much as they could eat. The beans had something that caused diarrhea. The cells did not have toilets but clay pots. They slept in their own feces for days. Finally the guards were kind enough and gave them a bath - with a fire hose.
- The only thing that made them going after all the humiliation and pain was Nelson Mandela and the dream of a country where all humans black or white, color or no color would live together without any racism.

I saw Nelson Mandela’s cell. Restrooms are bigger in size.

I found some reasons and a lot of disappointment on my way back – reasons behind all the racism in the country and to a large extent around the world; disappointment because nothing has changed. Those who actually struggled had a peaceful agenda. Others have just misunderstood it.

Cape Point:
I took a taxi to Cape Point - the extreme southwestern point of Africa. Again, it is extremely scenic. The taxi driver was from Bangladesh and it was nice chatting to him. He charged me a bomb for the ride because this place was an hour and a half from the city (why am I complaining?). But it was worth it. As you walk up the mountain the scenes around are just heavenly. This is also the place where the two oceans Atlantic (cold) and Indian (warm) meet but this is questionable. However, this place is thought to have created many problems for sailors in the past.

Day 3
Shark Diving:
As a kid if you have ever watched JAWS, you would know how scary this can get. I was face to face with them. False Bay in Cape Town has hundreds of White Sharks. And yes, they are scary. One of them actually held onto the diving cage. They fly (literally) out of the water to eat the seals (who are stupid to live around the area where there is nothing in sight but water and sharks). I forgot to take pills for sea sickness and suffered quite a bit because of that.

Day 5
Table Mountain:
Finally I got the chance to go to the Table Mountain. I was really disappointed with the short Cable Car ride though. It lasted for only 3-5 minutes – unlike the somewhat scary Cable Car ride in Langkawi, Malaysia. It was however worth going up there and taking a look at the city. I was told (and I read on many websites as well) that a jacket is needed. My hands and face were not really happy with the decision of taking only a sweater.

Day 6
Two Oceans Aquarium:
I only went to the aquarium on the last day because I had nothing else to do.

Day 7
Flight to Jo’Burg.
The worst flight of my life. I was reciting the “kalma” all through. The night before a plane had crashed in Madrid and I was following the news. I have been through bumpy and turbulent flights but this 2-hour flight was turbulent all through. At times the flight would get smooth and the “kalma” would stop but then within a few seconds turbulence would come back and so would the “kalma” (I mean if I was going to die I’d rather die with a chance to go to heaven then no chance at all). The food tray fell off from the table and there was an announcement made for oxygen masks (which was good and bad – good because oxygen mask was not needed and the announcement was stupid; bad because what if they were needed and it had malfunctioned?). In any case this was the worse flight of my life. I was not even listening to music.

Car Rent:
I booked a car online to be picked up from Jo’Burg without having an international driving license. I must say after the bumpy flight I was lucky all through. Not only did they give me a car by simply looking at my US driving license (which was going to expire in 5 days) they gave me a car I was not expecting – Mercedes C180. I had booked a basic automatic car which normally is a Toyota corolla or KIA but like I said “I felt lucky”. Driving on the right-side for the first time of my life was a bit weird in the beginning but then it was my lucky day. I got directions to Sun city (Pilansberg National Park was close to it) and bid goodbye to one of the most crime ridden cities in the world. I must say it was very unusual because I was driving on the wrong side of the road (to me it is wrong), on the wrong side of the car, in a car I was not expecting, with directions to a city I had never been to but I still felt I would reach the destination without hassles. I felt a bit lost numerous times because the sign boards are not clearly marked but I reached Pilanesberg without any issues.

Day 8
Pilanesberg:
Pilansberg National Park is one of the best places for private safari in South Africa with ample Big 5 (South Africa is famous for the BIG FIVE - Rhinoceros, Leopard, Cape buffalo, Elephant and Lion) all around the park. The hotel I was staying in is located just outside the entrance to the park. The room was great with a sliding door at the back that led to the outside with a great view.
I went for a full day safari. I must say the experience was mixed. Good because I got a chance to see animals in their natural habitat and not on Discovery Channel; disappointed because I did not see all of the Big 5. I did not see any Lions, Leopards or the Buffalo. On the other hand I had a Cheetah – to eat. It was served in the hotel as a delicacy at dinner time. Needless to say it did tickle my palate in the most absurd and nasty way possible.

Sun City:
I am out of words here. It is such an experience to walk through the City of the Lost Palace hotel and see the beautiful domes and pillars from the outside and a gigantic dining area for high tea on the inside. This is the place where many beauty pageants take place. All I saw were kids and families though. No models.