Derrick, and entered a South African gray, I explained the other day that "in Cape Town we are all strangers from around the world". This is an argument used especially whites and blacks who do not share because it basically amounts to saying that this country was invented when it came Riebeeck of the Dutch group, in 1652, and his army of growers of lettuce. The concept is important for the country's racial problems, and that if blacks were not before, whites can claim this land as their own. There is a whole war books and theories on this issue.
But I do what I want to talk about is the multiculturalism of this city that meant Derrick. One of the most mixed up with which I have encountered throughout the world and with a tradition of openness such as that experienced in the District Six, a neighborhood that opposed the apartheid regime until it was demolished by bulldozers of the regime could not consent to white, blacks and mestizos living together.
The truth is that the existing mix of many nationalities now adds a fun and interesting to the city. Here came the Dutch, those who followed the French, German and English (I speak of Europe). Then, from Asia was significant emigration, especially India, China and Malaysia. From Africa, with the advent of democracy, Congolese have landed here, angoleños, mozambiqueños, Zimbabweans .., en of fortune. And from the Western world lost a herd of backpackers with dreadlocks, wicks and sandals. ¿Resultado? A strong cultural and religious mix that makes the city more attractive. Or, inside, many ethnic and racial tensions, but for me it is an opportunity to meet different cultures.
Those houses where descendants of slaves settled Asian, today is a different neighborhood built in this multicultural city
I, eg, I have a synagogue to ten meters from my balcony. I can not explain the joy that I believe in your heart when the cantor begins (officiant prayers) to encourage the public and 30 seconds later I have a concert in my house just when I'm writing on the terrace. But, I love seeing them together at the door. I see men with yarmulkes (gorrro) and women and children come from different parts of the city. I served as an incentive to learn about their culture.
Then, center, not far away, is the beautiful district of Bo-Kaap and beautiful colored houses. Known as the Malay Quarter, is the area of ??Muslims. Those houses where descendants of slaves settled Asian, today is a different neighborhood built in this multicultural city. Smells like pepper and clove that is sold in small shops that dot the area. No problem, without tension. Its steep cobbled streets are picturesque when the sun explodes colors.
And, course, There are also Catholic and Protestant churches throughout the city. It is between these two religious groups where religious conflict is strongest in the city. Real hatred sown during the Anglo-Boer wars and the first conquests. I intend to try to understand this problem more, but it is not easy here people I spoke to their ideologies or beliefs. A friend from Guatemala who has been here seven years, eg, I explained that he had a girlfriend with whom the relationship was impossible because her family could not accept that he was Catholic. "For Protestants, the Pope is almost the Devil", I said.
All Cape Town, in this area, is integrated. It is as if in this corner of the world all this mix, though distant between them and full of economic and racial problems and explain some other time, is culturally accepted.
I love that part innocent African unreal. Part of its essence, of the decolonization process, when they believed that only the new democracy would make them rich and prosperous as they were their former masters.
But perhaps the best thing for me is to talk to taxi drivers. Many are coming from other African countries. The other day I caught a hilarious Angolan which I had taken last year. The guy dies of laughter throughout, giving continuous hits the wheel with every laugh. Natasa recognizes us and my. “I go back to Angola ", explains. Takes thirteen years in the city, but returns home. "It is better to go to Angola now. Have found many diamonds. What are you going to do? "I'm going to be a businessman", He answers. ¿Cuáles? “Distintos negocios”, insists. Will you be a millionaire? “Sí, sí…eso”, repeated between raucous laughter. "Remember me when you're rich", tell. “Claro, sure ... give me your email and are in contact "and return to Descojonado.
I love that part innocent African unreal. Part of its essence, of the decolonization process, when they believed that only the new democracy would make them rich and prosperous as they were their former masters. The golden dream of money, to have business opportunities in many cases end in nothing. I remember in Zambia a driver I dissected the country and the excellence of the Chinese, Indians, zimbabuenses, South Africans for every type of business. After 20 minutes of theoretical asked: And you? The man looks at me and says: “No, we are not worth for business. Worth to work, on to direct ", and was so quiet. "But it's your country, must do so prosperous ", le spit. "We like to live calm and enjoy life", I replied and started to laugh and explain their various lovers, what you want your grandchildren, what he likes bringing his large family ...
Finally, Cape Town Backpackers area arrived from the U.S., Europe and Japan. It is also a city which has much of Colombia and Brazil to learn English. Of course, is full of Chinese (are the ones colonizing Africa). In the Chinese restaurant below my house there yesterday and had everything ready for Chinese New Year. All full of cardboard hanging rabbits everywhere (is the year of the rabbit in China). «Will there be a party tomorrow (was Wednesday)?», wonder. “Sí, a big party. we have everything busy ", I said a black waiter than we have done coleguillas. “Vaya, I would have liked to come ". "Let me look", I answered the waiter. After a while see a China with a blue book that weighing six kilos. "I've got one table". “Ok, What will they do at the party, what is the menu?”, tell. The chick looks at me confused and I said "nothing", glancing cardboard rabbits were hung everywhere.
I love this part of Cape Town.
