cape town in a haze of lens blur and cheap coffee
just stumbled back from cape town with my camera strap permanently embedded in my shoulder. that humidity? it’s like breathing through a wet sponge. i just checked and it’s… 19 degrees that clings to your skin like a shy tourist, hope you like that kind of thing. if you get bored, stellenbosch vineyards are just a short drive away for wine that’ll make you forget your camera settings. someone told me that the v&a waterfront is a must-see, but also that the crowds move slower than expired film. also heard that the best roti in town comes from a stall near the train station where the owner glares at anyone who asks for ketchup.
spent three days chasing light at *boulders beach, trying to frame penguins without getting dive-bombed by their feathered fury. the air’s thick enough to chew, which does wonders for capturing that dreamy, moody vibe you see in travel magazines. or maybe that’s just the sunscreen dripping into my viewfinder. tried shooting at signal hill at dawn but mist rolled in like a drunk ghost - ended up with abstract shots that could be clouds or could be existential dread, you decide. table mountain hiking routes look brutal in person, but the cable car? worth every tourist penny. no shame here.
bo-kaap’s rainbow houses? postcard-perfect until you realize the steepest streets were designed by sadists. my thighs still scream. stumbled into a spice shop where the owner handed me a free sample of rooibos tea and said “this will fix your soul” before shooing me out when i asked for wifi. the city’s a maze of alleyways and hidden murals - woodstock street art is like a neon fever dream. cape town central on yelp will point you to decent coffee, but locals warned me that the real gems are near the old power station where baristas judge your order with silent contempt.
camp’s bay beach at sunset? cliché for a reason. my tripod legs sank into the sand while i waited for golden hour, and some guy tried to sell me seashells that were clearly painted in a garage. the real magic happened at kalk bay* harbor where fishermen yelled at each other in afrikaans and sea gulls fought over scraps. shot until my batteries died, then ate fish and chips so greasy it felt like a lens cleaning session. boulders beach yelp says it’s family-friendly - ignore that. those penguins have attitude.
left with 1,200 blurry photos, three stolen lens caps, and a newfound appreciation for humidity that doesn’t wreck your gear. cape town slaps you in the face with beauty then whispers dark secrets in your ear. already missing the chaos. and the questionable street food. definitely the questionable street food.
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