Pavement special

Two years ago I packed my suitcases - lots of 'em - and trekked across the great Sir Lowry's Pass, leaving the small town of Caledon (that's Caledon, not Canada) behind to make my mark in The Big City. 'Crossing over to the dark side' was the reaction etched on many a face when I'd announced: I'm going to Cape Town. 

Hold on to your bag at all times, our neighbour advised. Don't walk outside after 3pm in the afternoon, the local grocer added. And most importantly, do not go ANYWHERE without pepper spray - there are rapists/muggers/serial killers/hijackers/taxi drivers behind every third - no, make that second lamppost, waiting to grab you by the ankle. And don't put that spray in your bag, Missy! No-ho! Keep it in your hand! Your fist! How else are you going to get to it when you get lost in one of those ridiculously oversized supermarkets and a rapist/mugger/serial killer/hijacker/tax driver attacks you in the fresh produce section?!

Needless to say, there are many misconceptions in small towns about The Big City. But the same goes for Cape Town: Americans might think lions roam the streets of Africa, but you'd be surprised how many Capetonians are under the impression that every little girl on the Platteland wears a kappie and that mothers boil bathwater in a rusty old kettle on the woodstove.

So, as a city-country pavement special, I am dedicating this blog to all Capetonians and Plattelanders, correcting some of the many misconceptions and stereotypes about the 'us' on this side of the mountain that have rooted themselves in the minds of 'the others' on that side. I'm sure we all have an adventure to share or a tip on surviving traffic, taxi drivers, crowds as well as surviving the lack of traffic, taxi drivers and crowds. So whether you're Capetonian, Plattelander or a mixed breed like me, let's all jump on this li'l bandwagon and make a few trips back-and-forth over Sir Lowry's Pass.

Oh, and yes City-slickers, we do have internet on the Platteland.

*Platteland = countryside; brimming with tiny towns with weird names you'll never hear on the news or weather. Blink and you miss 'em.