So I did it, dear readers, I emigrated to Cape Town. From Johannesburg. Yes, emigrated, because I feel like I am in a different country here. I hear people talking in the streets and think ‘Ah – some other South Africans around here’ and then realise what a stupid statement that is because I am in South Africa. Candice, you dork.
It’s been a long road and I had to knyp and wingle and wangle for a few months to make the change and the journey – perhaps too much, but that’s all okay now.
Why did I do it? So many people have asked me this question and a multitude of others in the past few months, so let me gather all the questions and answers into one post.
I’ve lived in Joburg most of my life. I’ve done it, I’ve seen it, I got bored. I am by no means putting Joburg down, I just want a change and a different lifestyle – I’m asking Cape Town to give that to me. I don’t understand this rivalry between Cape Town and Joburg, really. They’re two different COUNTRIES, man, right? I don’t appreciate the looks of contempt that I got when announcing my big move. The responses ranged from “I’m so jealous, you’re so lucky” to “Traitor”, “You know the weather’s shit, right?” and “Cape Town people don’t make friends”.
Can I just say a big WTF? Luck has nothing to do with it, my friends. I decided what I wanted and then strategised and worked my butt off to get it. I don’t recall pledging allegiance to a city that no longer makes me happy and correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m sitting here in the warm sunshine while you’re busy swimming through the traffic day in and day out (yeah okay, winter is a different story, but I think you get my drift – it’s what you make of it, really). I also find it difficult to believe that there is a bunch of people out there who don’t want friends. There are Cape Town folk who I am connected to on Twitter who have offered to help me move (who I have never even met), while my Joburg friends are still ‘promising’ to come help me pack 3 months ago.
I digress.
No, I am not running away from anything. No, I did not go through a trauma or have my heart broken by a douchebag. I am running towards a dream and a life that I’ve always wished for. It may not be here, but there is only one way to find out, right?
Hello Cape Town – here’s to a long and fruitful relationship.