How many other cities do you know which have been bestowed with as many names as Cape Town?
The Cape of Good Hope, The Fairest Cape, The Cape of Sweet Waters, The Mother City, The Cape of Storms, Le Cap……to name just a few!
And to locals, it has another unusual nickname – SLAAPSTAD or SLAPSTAD! These descriptions are in Afrikaans words, a language unique to South Africa and derived from the Dutch who brought their language and their culture to the Cape in 1652. Translated these words mean literally “The Sleepy City” or “The Laid-back City”.
Capetonians (as they call themselves) have long been criticised for their slower pace of life. The opposite is true of New York being known as “the city that never sleeps”. The people, and businesses, in the Cape appear to move at their own pace, and thus it has been given its various names!
These names has been considered rather unflattering in a time when we have been taught that time is money, success comes from long hours and exhaustion is the expected price one has to pay. But perhaps its is not a curse but a virtue to live in a city with a different pace and value system?
What a pleasure it is to live in a city with a different speed and value system? People from all parts of the world complain of being overworked and tired. More rest, more sleep and finding a life-balance is what many dream of.
When you are blessed to live in a beautiful city at the tip of Africa, where the two largest oceans of the world meet, surely there are more important things to do than working yourself to death and always being time driven?
The Cape has so much more to offer!
There are mountains to climb….wines to be tasted…..delicious local flavours to savour….. beautiful bathing beaches …..romantic sunsets over the great Atlantic to witness and our delicious local wines and champagnes to drink….and most importantly time to be spend with our families and the people we love.
What makes the Cape operate at such a different energy level and resonance?
Could it be because of the ideal Feng Shui conditions created by the position of the mountain and the sea?
Could it be that the strongest winds, called The Cape Doctor, at times blow fiercely and clear the the pollution and the cleanse the energy?
Could it be the fact that people originally descended from Africa and that for some it still feels like coming home?
Or perhaps it could be the fact that most of Table Mountain is around 520 million years old and made of Granite and healing Quartz Crystal and is listed as one of the 12 spiritual energy centres of the world and for many considered a place of healing.
Whatever it is, this city operates on its own unique time and energy level.
Originally founded by the Dutch as a food and water station to feed and rest the weary sailors en route from Europe to The Far East and back, it is today as it has always been, a city that welcomes its visitors. Today many visitors decide to stay and call it home.
If you are like adventurers and sailors of old, tired and in need of a place to rest, rejuvenate and restore your energy and soul, then a warm welcome is a part of what this vibrant city has to offer.
Although Africa is not for everyone, perhaps the Fairest Cape is calling your heart? You never know, you might fall in love with our city?
Come rest your weary body and soul, SLAAPSTAD awaits you………
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