Huge win for me this morning: I am now the only member of the family who has not pooped their pants on the trip. The last man standing. Watch this space.

I didn’t get off scot-free though. I woke up itching from head to toe and covered in hives. I also have a cramp-y stomach so I think we have some sort of virus. It’s less extreme than food poisoning—we feel somewhat okay—but still kept us homebound until the early afternoon. I briefly ducked out to get some anti-histamine meds from the local pharmacy.

Millie’s dream itinerary is “hanging out at home” so she was happy about it. Two people locked inside for her to persuade to play imagination games, what could be better? Nick worked on some trip planning. Yesterday’s Chinese visa applications got rejected so we updated them and reapplied. We started to go crazy at about 3PM and dragged her out to the park.

It was crisp and cold but sunny. We walked along the ocean boardwalk to the same park we went to a couple of days ago. We found a different section to hang out in.

I can’t decide if I am in love with Cape Town or if I dislike it. There are so many things to love (weather, landscape, prices, wine) and so many things to dislike (wealth inequality, unsure if safe, kind of boring?).

She fell and got a minor scrape on her knee, but it was enough to lead to an hour or two of whininess. We left the park and stopped at the slightly rundown but very charming putt-putt golf course. Emotions were all over the place and she was disappointed that she wasn’t good at golf. There was a moment when she threw herself on the ground and screamed that she never wanted to play golf again. We tried to explain the concept of practicing, being young, and not giving up. I once again leaned on the songs of Daniel Tiger as if they are my religion. “Grr, grr, grr out loud. Keep on trying, and you’ll feel proud!” By the end of the game she was coaching me on how to hold the putter. She asked to come back again tomorrow.

We walked back to our apartment and had leftovers from last night and some soup. Once again, not a thrilling day. It feels like we are recharging, and it’s very needed.