So if you’re either wondering where I’ve been or wondering why San Francisco has seemed so pleasant over the last month, here’s a quick recap of my activities.

After being awake for 5 days desperately trying to buy all the gear I’d need, sell my old motorcycle, sell my car, pack my bags, move into a storage unit, move out of the closet-sized (well, closet) that the gentlemen of 427 Union so kindly let me crash in temporarily, I dashed off to SFO in a blazing rented-Hyundai-colored blur…

…and I was promptly pulled over by the CHP on the Bay Bridge.

One ticket for an “unsafe lane change” later, (Really? REALLY? Come ON! What a effing crock!) I arrived with minutes to spare at SFO. 36 sleepless hours and three flights later I arrived in Cape Town. After one sleepless night in the world’s loudest hostel, I was taken in by Caroline, a friend of a friend working in Cape Town for a year who just so happens to live in possibly the nicest apartment in the whole city.

Here’s the view from her balcony. Rough life.

In the time based out her apartment in Clifton, I’ve pretty much done everything there is to “do” from a tourist perspective, including

• Hiking Table Mountain
• Hiking Lion’s head - (an amazing view as you can see)
• 
• Wine tasting in Stellenbosch (Waterford Estate chocolate and wine pairing is highly recommended)
• Seen the Stormers (Cape Town’s representative Super 14 Rugby team) win two games to secure a spot in the semi’s
• Taken the obligatory tourist shot in front of the sign at the Cape of Good Hope
• Stayed out until 5AM on Long Street on multiple evenings
• Played a phenomenal flip-cup game with a bunch of “slightly older” folks (there is some serious hidden talent among the AARP set, I’m telling you. Just kidding!)
• Met a dozen awesome people and some very special people who I hope to stay in touch with
• Visited Robben Island and the District Six Museum and saw the brutal remnants of apartheid
• Learned basic (intermediate soon I hope) French (which is going to be essential in West Africa) from a very understanding South African French teacher (you sort out the adjectives)

I’ve stayed significantly longer in Cape Town than I had originally planned, mostly due to how awesome Caroline (who’s apartment I’m squatting in) is. But, like a rescued dog from a shelter, I’ve stuck around way too long, have grown bothersome, and just won’t stop making messes everywhere. It’s time to be moving on and starting the adventure.

So I’m taking off and heading north either to Johannesburg with a detour to Madagascar or the Western Coast of South Africa. Still haven’t decided yet, and may not decided until I hop on the bike with all my gear.

Stay tuned - either check back daily for updates or subscribe using the links at the top right.

-Matt

Originally written at Caroline’s Clifton apartment.