Signal Hill: o que há por perto, como chegar e quando ir · 2026

Rravik18 de jun. de 2009Ler

THE OLD GUARD Don't take this as an ad. Although... what (as the Ukrainians would say) is the point of hiding it! For me, this is just a monumental event! Sylvester Stallone is making a new movie, "The Expendables"! It will be damn interesting to watch. Although in such cases, there is always a fear of being disappointed. On the other hand, Stallone has never let my expectations down in recent years. On the contrary! He did everything even better than I could have imagined. Therefore, I trust him and will go to any movie he makes, with any plot and cast. AND WITH SUCH A CAST!!! Even Arnold Schwarzenegger will make an exception for Sylvester, returning to the movies! And yet, for more than five years, since he became Governor of California, he hasn't acted in a single movie. What's remarkable is that he will play himself — the California governor. The film will be about an attempt by a group of mercenaries to stage a coup in a Latin American country. The director and screenwriter of the film is Stallone himself. He will also play one of the main roles. The project also features Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and Forest Whitaker. Just a constellation of actors! LATEST EVENTS Alexey left on a ship on February 19th. At one o'clock in the afternoon, he called to say goodbye, reporting that the "Akademik Fyodorov" would pass by Sea Point in about ten minutes. I went out to the shore to see them off. They were already at a fairly distant range from us, and I, of course, could not make out the people on board. However, I still waved goodbye to them, wishing them a good voyage. On Friday, Kirill and I planned to go to a beautiful place. Not long ago, he went to the mountains at night by car with some work colleagues. They were at a certain pond there, which, according to Kirill, is extremely nice. And from where a stunning view of the city opens up. — I was blown away when I was there! — Kirill said enthusiastically. — I didn't know there was such a cool place here! Kirill said that we would surely find this pond on our own. Before our trip, I told Kristina about it, and she expressed a desire to go with us. And so, on Friday, from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon, we wandered around Signal Hill, trying to find this mysterious place, which is strange because I hadn't seen it before, having climbed three mountains already and not seeing this pond from the side, from above, or from below. Our efforts to find the pond were unsuccessful, which puzzled Kirill the most — our Susanin. However, we weren't too upset, because we had a good time anyway, in each other's company. And in the evening of the same day, Kirill and I went to an outdoor pool — the very one where a party was held by SASTS for Christmas, which I didn't make it to. Remember my story about that? We spent about three hours there: swimming, sunbathing, talking about this and that... When suddenly... — Good day! — An elderly man sitting nearby addressed us, having listened to our conversation and realized that we were speaking Russian. I have long since stopped being surprised to meet compatriots abroad. And Kirill often meets Slavic tourists at the Waterfront. — Hello! — We greeted him. We chatted, after which we were surprised to discover that the grandfather was French! And his Russian was learned, and only a little bit. Nevertheless, he spoke clearly, without any accent. That's why we mistook him for a fellow countryman in the first minutes of the conversation. — And what are you doing here? — We asked him. — It's cold for me in France in the winter! Every winter I come to Cape Town and live here for three months. — Great! And do you need a visa for this? — No. Bought a ticket, and just go! — Cool! And we, for now, need one! We told him about ourselves. It was very interesting to talk to him and so unusual to meet a Frenchman in South Africa who speaks Russian. He said that he had flown to Moscow several times in his time. On

Rravik18 de jun. de 2009Ler

MY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY A few days later, on my birthday, Ira, Makhmud, and I went to the top of Signal Hill. There is a beautiful paved road leading all the way to the summit. We had a little picnic, getting comfortable on the grass. I had brought an impossible amount of food to eat in one day. It was just assumed that Stas, Kristina, and Kirill would be there too. But for various reasons, they didn't come. They couldn't make it. But I wasn't offended. Just a little disappointed, perhaps. But that's okay! We had a great time even with just the three of us. It was hot, +35°C. For the first time in my life, I celebrated my birthday in the summer! On a hot, sunny day! I received a lot of congratulatory messages on my mobile. From local friends and from back home in Russia. Other friends and relatives sent greetings over the Internet, sent cards, poems, and so on. In general, it was very, very nice to see, read, and receive all of it! In the evening, I suggested going to the movies. We agreed to call each other after nine. But at seven, I laid down for five minutes and slept like the dead for twelve and a half hours straight. That's what happens when you come home from work in the morning and only get about three hours of sleep. THE HEAT It started from the beginning of February. Now I clearly feel it: I am in Africa! I bought two chocolate bars and put them in my pocket. Fifteen minutes later, I felt them melting. Both of them melted!!! I took a bottle of cold water, and after about twenty minutes, it was practically boiling. Sweat is pouring off me in buckets. It's a shame to wear new clothes—they fade in the sun in an instant. The ocean seemed cool before... Now: it doesn't matter, as long as I can cool off! For a week it was thirty to thirty-five, and today it's forty! Now this is what I call Africa! Summer! The heat! Before it was just twenty-five, twenty-five. What kind of Africa is that?! Not serious at all! And now, THE VIBE!!! Off to swim!!! Hooray!!! February 07, 2009

Rravik15 de jun. de 2009Ler

Vitya arrived. Stas and I met a Bulgarian taxi driver at a department store the other day, and yesterday, December 31st, 2008, I went with him to pick up Vitya. Oleg, the taxi driver, turned on what he called "patriotic" songs. Actually, I don't like "chanson" or "blatnyak," but the guy wanted to do something nice for me, and I appreciated that. — How long have you been here? — I asked him on the way. — Eleven years! Oleg worked as a cook and a waiter, but for the last two years, he's been a taxi driver. — You see, when I first arrived here, I immediately got a job at the "Moskva" restaurant. There used to be one in Cape Town, you know? — I've heard of it. But I think it closed a long time ago, right? — Yeah! I worked there as a cook for a year. That's where I learned to speak Russian! I laughed. — You came to South Africa and the first thing you did was learn Russian?! — Well! Actually, I don't like America or Europe! I'm much more interested in Russia and Asia. For a whole year, I only spoke Russian! — That's cool! Amazing! — I don't listen to music with English-speaking lyrics at all! After I left the Moskva restaurant, I got a job at another place, and I would play my own music on a tape recorder at work. At first, everyone asked me why my songs weren't in English but in some unknown languages? But after a month, they started to love it and began copying the tapes! I show people that there are many good songs! And even without listening to American stuff, you can find many good songs! Both Russian and any others. American stuff isn't a panacea! You can live without it and be quite happy. Right?! We picked up Vitya and went home. I called Katya, and we agreed to meet near Camps Bay, by the beach. Someone told Katya that there would be a mega light show there by the shore. Katyushka, Irinka, and Ira's boyfriend, Mahmoud, were at the movies, then they picked us up (Mahmoud had a car), and we headed to the beach. No one was planning to put on a show there, but it was beautiful anyway, everything was lit up, and we had stocked up on food, cola, and champagne. We spread a blanket on the grass, sat in a circle, and hung out there for about three hours, until eleven. We ate, drank, congratulated everyone, and I spent all the money on my phone again, sending SMS to Russia and to people here. I congratulated friends and relatives back home: "From the old year (it was still 2008 for us, but 2009 for them) to the New Year, from summer to winter, from Africa to Russia." Then we went to the Waterfront, where everyone went their separate ways. Katya went to James; they were planning to drive to the top of Signal Hill to watch the fireworks. Ira and Mahmoud also had some romantic plans, and we stayed at the Waterfront, where everything was lit up, music was playing everywhere, and crowds of people were bustling about. By the way, it was warm, about 25 degrees Celsius. We didn't manage to visit Kirill at work; it was crowded, he was working, and Sveta, his girlfriend, was there with him. By the way, she arrived on the 24th, and they threw a cool barbecue on the 26th. It was me, Stas with Anshen, and Kirill's local friends and colleagues. Vitya and I moved from place to place. Everything around was lit up, the trees were covered in garlands. To be honest, New Year's here isn't as beautiful as it always is back home, and in many ways, it's more modest. But I liked everything. I wasn't being picky or difficult. The whole port was surrounded by people, everyone was waiting for the light show. MIDNIGHT STRUCK People shouted joyfully from all sides. And I shouted too! Someone nearby uncorked champagne, it sprayed everyone around, and a few drops got on us too. AND THEN BOOM!!! The first volleys of FIREWORKS. And after them, more and more. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Joyful shouts, congratulations, happiness! Happy New Year! May it bring us all only joy! We tried to get to Kirill again, but it didn't work out. We went for a walk through the "Victoria Wharf

Rravik15 de jun. de 2009Ler

Ira left for Egypt almost a week ago to relax and meet up with her mom. Stas and Kirill were working, so the four of us—Nick, Katya, Kristina, and I—were planning to climb the mountain. But Kristina was out partying with friends until late last night and didn't get home until 5:30 AM. And Katya got moody, saying the summit was covered in clouds and visibility would be poor. In the end, Nick and I set off to conquer it on our own. It's interesting, I write "summit in the clouds"... What can one understand from that phrase? After all, summits veiled in clouds over different mountains in different parts of the world look different. For example, on the Perya or Kruglytsa mountains in Taganay, Zlatoust—our Ural mountains, which are not inferior in height to many local ones—I have never seen such a "summit in the clouds" as I often observe on Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and the Twelve Apostles mountains (in the photo on the right). Ours are... somehow different. Not better, not worse, but in their own way. And how is it here? Every time I manage to see this miracle, I associate it with a giant paw made of clouds. This paw is often below the summit. The cloud drifts, crashes into the mountain, rises, rounds it, sliding down a bit with a light but viscous mass—to the altitude from which it drifted—and, as if nothing happened, continues to move on. An incredible sight! Today I conquered the third summit in the city, after the 350-meter Signal Hill and the 670-meter Lion’s Head. We climbed the multi-peaked one, and to the highest of its peaks, Devil’s Peak. A kilometer into the sky! To tell the truth, I expected less from this mountain. People don't climb here as often as they do on Lion’s Head and, especially, on Table Mountain—the highest, most beautiful, popular, and, finally, the most civilized mountain in these parts. They say there is even a restaurant at its summit. And to get to the top—the only one among local mountains—you can go up, and then come down, by funicular, in a cable car. I think that's exciting! Why haven't I been there yet? you might ask. I'm savoring the pleasure! I'm saving the sweetest for "later"! I plan to go up there with Vitka when he arrives in January, if everything works out with his visa. My invitation reached him, he bought his plane tickets, now all that's left is to send the documents to Moscow, to the embassy, and wait for the visa. Back to Devil’s Peak: the road was tiring and long. Even after driving to the very foot of it, we spent seven hours on the ascent and descent!!! My muscles still ache, my legs and even my shoulders (I carried a backpack with water and food on them) are sore! In order: Nick picked us up with Katya in Sea Point, we bypassed the center and left the car in the parking lot at the Cecil Rhodes memorial. The memorial is beautiful. Who is Cecil Rhodes? I surely mentioned him while describing Kirill's story about Kimberley. This man made his living searching for diamonds, and the mining in the Big Hole was already completely finished under his leadership. Cecil Rhodes owned many lands in the country, including in Cape Town. The university and surrounding areas belonged to him. After his death, Rhodes bequeathed his wealth and lands to the state. He would certainly have become a national hero here if he had black skin. But as it is... well, everyone knows and remembers him anyway. At the memorial, Katya and I parted ways. She said she wouldn't go up the mountain, called James, and asked him to pick her up. And Nick and I set off on our journey. There was almost no mood for it until we reached the summit. Climbing was hard and not very interesting. As it turned out, the interesting part was waiting for us at the top. We didn't even take any photos until we climbed up. What surprised me was that from the highest point we even saw the "Cape of Good Hope"! I never thought you could see it from the center of Cape Town, from one of the mountains! Nick even declared that, in his taste,

Rravik15 de jun. de 2009Ler

CHAPTER ONE. BEFORE I KNEW… "Do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love." J.K. Rowling. September 22, 2008. Hello, everyone! Glad to see those who are glad to see me! "So THAT'S IT: It doesn't get to me! It never gets to me, if ANYTHING," as the song goes. I would never advise my friend Uncle Tyoma to come to South Africa — to Cape Town. He would die here. From delight. Because the mountains here are just... wow!!! "Lion’s Head" (670 meters), the mountain on the left with the peak. To the right of Lion’s Head is Signal Hill (350 meters), which got its name from the cannon standing at its foot, firing from Monday to Friday at noon. Table Mountain (1086 meters), from the center to the right — a dozen mountain peaks called the "Twelve Apostles." Their height is about a kilometer. It is 18:30 local time now. That means it's 8:30 PM in Moscow and 10:30 PM in Chelyabinsk. The day is hot, the night is very cold — such is, apparently, the South African spring. They say it's the height of summer here in December and January. Today we had a walking tour of Cape Town and a meeting with the program organizers. Everything went interestingly. The only thing that was a bit stressful: my head was spinning because I had to force it to work wildly all the time, trying to understand what was being said. Sometimes I succeeded. No, of course, I understand — the guides talk a bit too much, and the SASTC people (organizers) too, but still — when will I finally start speaking English normally?! A personal thank you to Mr. Dragunkin — a mega-guy, whose audio course helped me master at least some grammar. Thanks to him, I understand a little and even speak. If I happen (actually) to understand what is being said to me, or what I am being asked, and manage to answer myself, even if relatively primitively, BUT I succeed — it's pleasant. People! If you are planning to go to Africa or any other English-speaking country in the near future — don't be as lazy as I am. Learn English! Well, and how did I get here, and in general? I'm walking around today and thinking, "What was I waiting for so long? Why didn't I come here sooner? It's stunning here!" If anyone doesn't know — Cape Town was founded about 350 years ago. The first settlements, it's not hard to guess — were built by Europeans. The Dutch, the British, and maybe someone else (too lazy to look at the guidebook again, I read it about a month and a half ago and didn't even finish it). It must be precisely why it looks a bit like a modern English city (especially with its churches and left-hand traffic). It reminds me a bit of Europe, with its good roads. Also, South Africa is very similar to Russia (strangely enough). Especially to "seaside" Russia. And another feeling... as if you are at home. And this is tens of thousands of kilometers from Chelyabinsk! And South Africa is similar to Russia in prices — well, exactly the same as ours. This is especially pleasant for me — having seen that prices in Europe and the USA are very different from ours, they are even significantly more expensive than Moscow ones, let alone Chelyabinsk. The city of Cape Town is located at the foot of the 1086-meter ↑ "Table Mountain". I flew with Emirates airlines with a layover in Dubai. I liked the flight. These airlines are, of course, not British, but very, very decent. On the display, I read: flight time — five hours to Dubai; and another ten — to Cape Town. The distance, if you add up both flights, judging by the display, came to about 50,000 kilometers. The altitude was about 11,400 meters, and we reached speeds of up to 930 km/h. For those who don't know much about this — that's a lot, high, and fast. However, large Boeings always fly with such indicators. I spent the night at Dubai airport (in my opinion, it's not as luxurious as in Moscow or London, but still "up to standard"). And you can get enough sleep on the soft benches, especially considering that I only had carry-on lugga