If you are reading this, you must already know that Kip and I have moved to Cape Town, South Africa for the next six months. I am going to use this blog to keep our friends and family who are interested in our life abroad updated on what’s happening with the newly minted Morlots. You can assume these posts are always written by me, Buckley, but I am hoping I can sweet talk Kip in to guest blogging sometime.
March 19, 2015
It’s VERY early on Thursday morning and both of us have been awake since 2:50 AM. Hello, Jet Lag! Since waking up, I have successfully finished a book, unsuccessfully downloaded a new one, and scrolled through the last 3 days on Twitter. I have apparently been taking the internet for granted. Here, everything you do online is measured by how much data you use and even if you pay for more data, whatever you are trying to upload might not happen… ever. I am crossing my fingers this post will eventually see the light of day.
Yesterday (Wednesday, March 18th) was our first full day as residents of the Mother City. Henri, our relocation specialist, told me they call Cape Town the “Mother City” because everything takes nine months. Noted.
Henri and I spent yesterday checking out many different apartments. All completely livable but three were standouts. One is a penthouse which takes up the entire top floor of the building. It has 360 views and a private pool but there is a catch. The appliances have not been updated since the 1970s and the bathrooms could use a Joan Rivers amount of work. You also have to buy electricity in advance, which involves going to the local grocer with your 15 digit electric code and prepaying for the month. If this is anything like the wonderful prepaid internet I am enjoying right now, this apartment might be out.
Kip is going to join Henri and me on Friday to check out the three or four best options so we can make a final decision together. I cannot take the pressure of making the decision and then hearing for the next six months, “you picked it!”
Before I join Henri again this afternoon, I am having tea with five other expat wives. I think tea with the wives is a common thing and I’m happy for the companionship. I can’t wait to hear their experiences living in Cape Town. I believe a few of them have been here for years. Oh wise ones. Maybe they can give me some intel regarding this internet situation. Can you guys tell I am a little worried about my connection to the rest of the world?!
As you might have put together, we are apartmentless which means we are living at the Southern Sun hotel until the first of the month. I learned yesterday that our lobby was used as the Pakistani hotel lobby in the most recent season of Homeland. Saul and Carrie have a big meet up here and for some reason it gives me comfort knowing they are fighting fake terrorism from this very lobby. America! Other than its great antiterrorism history, the hotel offers a free breakfast buffet every morning. This buffet is the official end of any lingering wedding diet weight loss I was enjoying. More croissants please!
You guys are now officially caught up on our lives in Cape Town. Stay tuned for the apartment search conclusion.
ElephantsAbroad 