From the Intern’s Desk: My First Weeks in Cape Town

Hello South Africa!

My first few weeks in South Africa have already been full of surprises and new experiences. First off, one thing I quickly learned is that people here love their rugby, and honestly, the energy is contagious. Even more than that, I’ve been struck by how friendly and welcoming people are, which makes settling in here feel so much easier and a lot more enjoyable. On top of that, in such a short time, I’ve already made some awesome friends who have made my time here even more fun and memorable.

Getting to Know Cape Town

The weather has been amazing, with warm, sunny days that make it almost impossible to stay inside. So, whenever I’m out of the office, I’ve been exploring as much as I can. One of my favorite spots so far is the Company’s Garden. It’s not just a pretty park; it’s actually the oldest garden in South Africa, planted back in the 1650s to grow food for passing ships on their way around the Cape. Today, it’s a green escape in the middle of the city, full of huge trees, and the friendliest squirrels you’ll ever meet. I’ve already lost count of how many times I’ve walked through it, and yes... I may have spent a little too much time following the squirrels around, trying to get the perfect photo.

A Day Around Cape Town

One of my favorite days so far was spent together with Jonas, where we explored Cape Town from morning until evening. Jonas and I started our adventure at the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest colonial building still standing in South Africa. This castle is shaped like a pentagon, with each corner designed as a bastion for cannons to defend against attacks from any direction, even though it was never actually attacked. We wandered along the thick walls, checked out the old cannons, and peeked into the colorful ceremonial rooms. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and the viewpoint from the castle walls gave us a perfect look at the city below.

Afterwards, we made our way to the V&A Waterfront, one of Cape Town’s liveliest spots. From there, we went on a duck boat tour, which is both a boat and a bus in one, and cruised around the harbor. We learned about the old shipyards, the trading life of the city, and how the harbor has grown into the place it is today. We even spotted some seals relaxing on the docks, completely unconcerned with all the people around. Back on land, we wandered through the V&A Waterfront and caught some street performers singing and dancing.

Exploring Cape Town One Bite at a Time

On weekends, I’ve been checking out Cape Town’s markets, and the two I’ve visited so far are the Old Biscuit Mill and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. The Old Biscuit Mill was once an old biscuit factory, and is now buzzing with local designers, artists, and food stalls that make it impossible to leave hungry. It’s the kind of place where you go in for “just a look” and somehow end up trying way too much food because everything smells and looks so good.

The Oranjezicht City Farm Market, on the other hand, feels like stepping into a cozy little village by the sea. It has this vintage, laid-back feeling with stalls filled with fresh produce, homemade breads, flowers, and street food from every corner of the world. There’s live music playing, people sitting on hay bales or long wooden tables, and it’s the kind of spot where you enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food.

Seals, Salsa, and Seaside Walks

I’ve also spent time strolling along the Sea Point promenade and the V&A Waterfront, where I even spotted a few seals playing in the water by the harbor. And a totally unexpected highlight so far has been learning how to dance salsa, something I never thought I’d try, but it turned out to be so much fun.

Cape Town Already Feels Like Home

What I love most about Cape Town so far is the atmosphere, and the open-minded culture is so vibrant and full of life. Every day feels like a chance to learn something new, whether it’s about the city’s history, its people, or just the way of life here. These first weeks have been an adventure in the best way, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time here has in store.