Hout Harbor

This was a gorgeous harbor with some beautiful boats. This area had, during the apartheid days had been all, rather affluent whites. This is the area where a settlement was built that lowered the property values. No matter that these people are living in total poverty and stand on the street corner hoping to be hired for the day. The going rate for a single day might be 100 Rand which is about $14US. Imagine getting someone to do yard work all day for just $14. Amazing.

At this point in the trip, the guide also explained that the average farm worker might earn R940 per month. That would be less than $140, but he would also be provided accommodations, of what type, I don’t know. (As you might image with the dollar being equivalent to 7 or 8 Rand, South Africa is one of the most economical international programs available these days!)

Back to the harbor . . .
Along the edge of the docks, there was an open air market where a variety of good were sold. This was not at all unlike the Green Market in the center of town. It was interesting that as we approached, the guide explained that the vendors expected us to bargain. He said that the way you could tell if an offer that was not accepted was unreasonable was to walk away. That is, if you walked away and your offer was close, the vendor would pursue you. If they didn’t, you know your offer was too low. It was an interesting process. For example, there was something that I wanted to buy that I was told would cost R80. I hesitated and she quickly lowered it to 70 and then to 60. I had determined that I wanted two, so I offered 80 for two and she declined. Even though I really wanted them, I started to walk away and she quickly followed with a “just for you” acceptance of my offer. I immediately knew that my mother would be so very proud of me!

From there we headed on to our next stop - - Cape Point.