Vara finds a new way of seeing from the mountain top

Hiking has always been an activity that I enjoy doing. When I was little I went on several hikes with my family, but always was focused on where I stepped and not necessarily where in the world I was. Hiking here in South Africa has given me a whole new appreciation for exercise. In fact, I feel like I have been working out more than I do normally at home and empowering myself through more reflection. So to start, I hiked Table Mountain which was an incredible experience. Few people can say that they hiked one of the wonders of the world. But more important than that was what I gained from that experience. Being able to look over the city from the top showed me a new perspective of seeing the city and its diversity. Every part of Cape Town is close together yet at the same time so far apart. The separation of race still exists and it is apparent only when you are on the ground interacting with the people. When I look at the city from above I just see a blend of all the suburbs within Cape Town; a blend of all cultures and attitudes. 

Table Mountain was only one experience though and gave me a preliminary idea of how similar the different suburbs in the city are. My next hike was Lion's Head mountain on a full moon. I hiked with a small group and we powered through the trails to get to the top with time to see the sun set. Watching the sun set over the water was like watching the sun set at the tip of the world. There was nothing past the vast ocean and only the moon rising behind me. Being at the top was so peaceful and gave a great opportunity to reflect on my surroundings and my trip in general. Again looking down on the city I saw the main highway lit up in a perfect trail and the smaller suburbs surrounding it with less physical lighting but more distinct energy. When you realize how much time effort and energy people place in their homes despite what they can afford, it is incredible to then see the entire community come together in light; lighting from street lamps, but also lighting from their personalities and diversities that make them unique.