Staying in Cape Town During my Dissertation Writing
Settling
in Cape Town
In February 2015, I travelled to Cape Town for the
tenth time. The purpose of my visit was to finalise my dissertation writing for
my studies at the University of Cape Town. I had been working on my
dissertation since 2012 and needed to bring it to a conclusion. I thus needed a
quiet environment, ready access to my supervisor and access to physical learning
resources and electronic resources. On the first night, I spent a night at
Bohemia Backpackers Lodge in Observatory. For the next three nights I rented a
room for a Zambian national in Kenilworth. It was interesting to travel to
campus using train. It was much faster than using taxis (minibuses in Zambia).
Search for
accommodation
In my search for suitable accommodation my next stop
was Off the Wall Backpackers Lodge. The lodge was clean and comfortable. I
intended to spend only one night but ended staying for three nights. I made
some friends there from India, Zambia and South Africa. By the time I was
leaving, I was almost reluctant to leave. Through sharing my quest for suitable
accommodation to write my dissertation with my fellow lodgers at the lodge, I
was advised to try one of the UCT residences. By God’s grace, I was able to
find some space at Forest Hill staff flats.
Cavendish Square Mall
Forest
Hill
It is said location matters. I found the location of
Forest Hill suitable in many senses. Firstly it was close to campus as it was
about 15 minutes walk or one could use the university shuttle services. Forest
Hill was also adjacent to the Main Road and thus close to shops and eating
places. In addition, the hostels had a computer lab and a laundry room with
washing machines. A very ideal location indeed! Forest Hill hostels are in
Mowbray, a residential in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.
Newlands in Southern Suburbs
Southern
Suburbs
All
the four residential areas that I stayed in are in an area which is called
Southern Suburbs. The suburbs lie to the Southeast of the slopes of Table
Mountain within rich valleys and vast plains. In general this area is
identified as being the more affluent of the Cape Town Metropolis' sections and
includes the city's most expensive residential neighbourhoods. It is home to
renown shopping malls like Cavendish Square, Kenilworth Centre Mall, and Access
Park. It is also known for renown academic institutions like: University of
Cape Town, Rustenburg Girls, Rondebosch Boys Secondary School and Wynberg Girls
School. The Suburbs have state of the art sporting fields used for horse-racing
and rugby. It is also known for the state-of-the art Baxter Theatre where many concerts and drama shows are performed. Lastly, but not the least the Southern Suburbs house the Groote Schuur Hospital where Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant in the world.
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