I’m afraid these Cape Town updates are going to be quite boring. No big hikes, no lion hunts, and no 9000-year-old ruins. Just lots of hanging out and getting shit done.

This first shit to do today was to apply for our China visas. We probably sound like the least organized travelers ever, and we may just be. I emailed the Chinese consulate in Cape Town from Amsterdam to ask if it would be possible to get them in person when we are here, and they replied to my very detailed email with “yes”. Not the most confidence-inspiring answer, but better than “no”? The consulate is open for exactly 4 hours per week, 2 on Tuesday morning and 2 on Thursday morning. Today we spent hours filling out the extensive application ahead of tomorrow. They were denied but we don’t know why. So tomorrow we are going in person to shoot our shot, or at least get confirmation around what is or isn’t possible. Wish us luck.

While Nick and I filled out forms, Millie watched Rio. After that was done, she worked on her book. The plot is starting to sound familiar…

She could draw for hours, and it seems to be one of the only things that will get her to sit still for longer than 30 seconds. I kept looking over at her and thinking “weren’t you just a baby??”

It was gray, cold, and rainy all day so we didn’t mind the very lazy morning inside. Hard to believe so much of the world is summery right now while we’re in Winter.

At about 2 we put on our raincoats and headed back to the V&A waterfront area that we visited last night. Nick went to get a haircut while I brought Millie to an indoor playground thing. Usually she is pretty trepidatious at these things, so I was pleasantly surprised when she ran right in and started exploring.

Once she was done exploring we walked to the all to re-up some art supplies and to meet up with Nick.

We had dinner again at the Time Out market since it was right there and we were feeling lazy. We came home and set up some scavenger hunts for each other. Millie turns into the Kristen Wiig character from SNL who can’t handle surprises during these. Her whole body turns into one big grin as she anticipates the final clue being found.

See you tomorrow for what I expect will be a disappointing visit to the Chinese Consulate.