Several years ago while talking with a South African who was visiting SeattIe I suggested she see Mount Rainier because, after all, South Africa doesn't really have mountains. She looked at me incredulously. She commented that South Africa has beautiful mountains. And it does. But it is interesting how different they are from the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, which accounts for at least some of my ignorance.
The mountains of the Pacific Northwest are striking and majestic. They are a sight to behold as they ascend high into the sky. They have gorgeous, pointed, snow-tipped caps. On the other hand, South African mountains are old and eroded by centuries of wind and weather. They wore but wise. They have a presence that is steadfast and enduring, so indicative of human life here.
In Cape Town you are surrounded by them. No matter where you are, the mountain is there. It is amazing. I am mesmerized each and every day by them. They don’t present themselves with the grand beauty of the Cascades or the Olympics, but they have an air of erudition. It reminds me how beauty, even of the same build, can take so many forms.
Having grown up in Seattle, I had the same view of "real mountains" as you did. It was an eye-opener to me when I saw the Appalachian mountains for the first time - they are an extremely ancient range and well-worn by numerous ice ages, but real mountains nonetheless!
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