The Nascent Cloud

I live a magical part of the world. I live where the mountains kiss the sea; where cultures collide, sometimes with tragic and other times with beautiful, consequences; where clouds are born. I live next to the mountain range which begins at Table Mountain, which is the striking mountain that borders Cape Town. Its unmistakable table-flat top has become the city’s unmistakable landmark. Often on Table Mountain is what is referred to as the ‘table cloth’ or the mountains ‘blanket’. I learned that the scientific name for this is orographic clouds. They are created when the wind is quickly directed laterally up the steep mountain, causing clouds to form quickly as moisture condenses as it gains altitude and temperatures drop. Clouds lay there, concealing the top of the mountain, but just beneath the top the clouds will dissipate, leaving the rest of the mountain clear from miles.

I, however, live on the southern part of this mountain range, the Cape Peninsula. The Cape Peninsula extends into the Atlantic Ocean for nearly fifty miles; at its end are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Here exists a stunning combination of mountains and sea and the south-western tip of Africa, a mere 120 miles from the southernmost tip of Africa (Cape Agulhas) and where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It is here that I have witnessed clouds being born. I don’t understand why it happens just above Muizenberg Mountain, but I do know that as the mountains and sea collect warmth from the sun, warm moist air collects. As more air amasses, it will rise until it collides with air cold enough to condense the moisture into a cloud.

I bear witness to this creation. And it is amazing. I will look into the air and see a stream of clouds moving in the direction of the wind. As I watch, the formation of clouds will gracefully creep over the mountains. I think of finding images of animals and other objects, but it continues to stretch, getting fuller and thicker as it moves through the sky. It’s analogous to the clown pulling handkerchiefs from his sleeve, just as it appears impossible for more to come- seemingly from nowhere- the clown pulls another twenty out. Literally the clouds form right in front of my eyes, seemingly from nowhere, but as the clown demonstrates, and science proves, there is more going on than meets the eye.