Revisiting the V & A Waterfront

Monday was a beautiful day. I arrived a little more than 48 hours ago and I can feel the fuzzy-headedness induced by jet lag beginning to fade away. Although I only had about four hours of sleep, I felt it would be remiss to allow the day to pass without taking full advantage of it. I had learned from friends that minibus taxis run along Main Road in Sea Point, a block from where I stay, and that it can take me to the Victoria and Andrew Waterfront in ten minutes for five rands (about 80 cents). I decide to venture out and reconnect with one of my favorite old haunts.

As I approach, it appears I am going in through an entrance I have not been through before. But I am comforted because it is an entrance to one of my favorite parts of the waterfont: the Red Shed Craft Market. However, as I approach this entrance looks a bit like a back entrance. I study it for quite some time as I approach the building. It is next to the receiving area, but there is a sign that says “no deliveries here”. But still, I don’t see anybody walking in or out. Above the door is a big sign that says “ENTRANCE”. I’m thinking to myself that this may not be a good idea; it doesn’t really look like an entrance. But my alternative is an entrance all the way around the building, and the jet lag has made me lazy. Besides, the door says “ENTRANCE”… so it must be ok.

Finally I reach the building. Standing before me are two very large sliding glass doors. I tug on the left door. Nothing. I tug again and still nothing. I look inside the oversized doors and see three men inside. They are watching me. I then deliberately look up at the sign above to confirm that this is indeed an entrance. Then, I give it a hard jerk to the left, throwing some muscle into it. Ah-ha- it slides open with a jerk. I feel triumphant over the giant doors.

Immediately as I slide the door open there is a jerk and then a very loud sound of metal hitting cement. Oh Crap! The door suddenly stops and the sound of metal ringing after bouncing on the hard cement fills the air. The three men, now directly in front of me about fifteen feet continue to stare. The sound seemed to echo through the warehouse-style craft market. I look down and I had clearly dislodged a metal rod that was placed between the doors to lock it. The metal rod, which continues to lay ringing on the floor, apparently was supposed to be in a metal-lined hole in the cement floor where then two metal loops on top of the rod held in place a large lock. The lock wasn’t on, but the metal loops had been place over protruding metal on the door. Ummmm… I’m pretty sure this isn’t an entrance.

The men still stared, looking incredulous, as I giggled and said “oops!”. I tried to engage their stare in attempt to point out the humor of the situation. I had no luck. The stares only hardened. I started talking to myself, providing step by step instructions on what to do next. That is what I usually what I do when I am nervous and in situations like that. “Okay, let’s put that metal rod thingy in the hole”. “Alright, now let’s close the door.” I look up and the men’s glares bore into me.

It was at that point that I decided it was a futile effort to recover. I grab my purse, stand straight up and head towards the men, which at this point is the only way out. I walk as deliberately and purposefully as I possibly can. I pass the men, not stopping to explain. I turned the corner of the market walkway and don’t stop until I am well around the corner out of sight. I head directly out of the Red Shed Craft Market and straight to the waterfront. There people are buzzing everywhere. I walk into the square and hear the wonderful tunes of a marimba band. I sit down and take a breath and soak in the sounds and smells of one of my favorite places in Cape Town. I do love this place.