We survived the horrific winds last night. There is still some wind this morning, but not nearly what it was yesterday. This hotel, the Cape Sun, has a nice buffet each morning, but we sure miss our beautiful setting by the pool.
Today we went to the Zenzele Training and Development Center. This is a non profit school for basic job training. They teach sewing, carpentry, and welding. They teach a limited number of students each session. There were approximately eight students in each class. The sessions last eight weeks -- seven weeks of skills and one week of business management. The school then gives the students follow-up counseling in setting up their own businesses.
This seems like a drop in the bucket when there are so many people living in poverty, without education, and no skills for a job. But if they can train 145 people a year to support their families, that’s a start.
We had a free afternoon and went in lots of different directions. Some of us headed for the Waterfront, a couple went to a Nia dance class, and others just took the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Late afternoon five of us took the tram to the top of Table Mountain for a hike. The panoramic view was breathtaking. Table Mountain is the escarpment that we have enjoyed out our window in the hotel. There were signs that indicated we should listen for the hooter. We were hiking and heard an air raid siren. We figured out that was a hooter. The winds had gotten so strong, they were evacuating the mountain top. It was a little scary going up in the gondola without the wind. Thinking about the ride down in gale force winds was a little frightening. Obviously, we made it back just fine.
This was another free night to enjoy the local restaurants. Several were at the Waterfront enjoying the Greek restaurant. Others went to a fun restaurant called the Codfather. There was no menu. You simply went up to the meat counter, picked out your fish, and they prepared it for you. Talk about blind faith -- ordering in a foreign country, no menu, and no prices. We aren’t still there washing dishes, so all is good.