Tobogganing in Cape Town

Yesterday I visited Cool Runnings in Bellville, Cape Town for the first time. I have known of the existence of the steel version of the sport for some time, but have never given it a try.
What a blast!!
There is a 821m steel half-pipe that twists itself down a Bellville hill that sends you careening down on cleverly designed bob sleds. The sleds and pulley system (that gets you up the 429m worth of hill with no effort) was actually designed and in 1976 and 1978 respectively and there are now over 300 sites all over the world. It'easy to see why, the systme is simple ... and fun!
Sitting on the lift going up the hill, there as a great feeling of anticipation as you watch others speeding down the pipe and once you get to the top, the easy to use sled design allows you to enjoy the ride at a pace you desire ... or the person in front of you does.
The premises is extremely well managed and the staff helpful and I appreciated the system of transferrable tickets, something very refreshing. What this means is the tickets you purchase that are valid for multiple rides, remain valid for future days should you not use them all on the day of purchase, and can be given to others to use. This makes what initially seems as an expensive afternoon's entertainment suddenly becomes very, very reasonable.

Links :

• Website
• Facebook Group
  

Cool Runnings

Oops, there goes the Cape Town 27Dinner!!

While a Wiki page is great for collaborative efforts, sometimes there can be a downfall.

Like tonight, when a user, seemingly in error, managed to delete the Cape Town 27Dinner page when adding here name to the list of attendees.

I hope Dave and the boys can get hit an UNDO key somewhere ... I was too scared to touch anything.

My Perfect City

Accelerate Cape Town has initiated the "My Perfect City Challenge." [For more information check out the post @ Your Group of Web AddiCT(s).

This got me thinking. Obviously the perfect city does not, will not and cannot exist. For me though the criteria for the perfect city is quite simple. The perfect city would be a place that is so impressively amazing that I would consider leaving Cape Town to live there.

It would need to have a diverse population with a cultural mix which would allow me to experience food, entertainment and interact with individuals from the four corners of the globe. These same individuals would despite their roots being from other cities/countries/continents, have their hearts firmly set in this city. Be proud citizens of their adopted home.
As tempting as it would be to dream up a city that would have all citizens living a equally prosperous life, my perfect city would have a varied economic demographic. I believe this diversity creates an environment of diversity, creativity and entrepreneurship, enabling it to become the centre for innovation.
Geographically the city would, in my superficial opinion need to be on the coast, and not too far from the tropics this will keep the climate relatively moderate. The inhabitants would all be appreciative of their piece of the globe and maintain the environment with a sense of pride, ensuring that future generations too will be able to enjoy the environmental gifts currently being enjoyed. It is also important that the city offers some extraordinary natural phenomenon. That will ensure a steady flow of visitors to the city and ensure that it remains a desirable place to stay.
Again, let's keep away from what is assumed a given when dreaming about the transport system of this city. No, I don't want impressive highways, tramways or highspeed railways ... necessarily. The routes would be pleasurable to use. Looking out the windows of whatever the mode of transport being used would be an experience in itself. No tunnel walls flying past, but a view of the city's vistas, fellow dweller's lifestyles and natural beauty. Allowing the inhabitants to use the commute as an unwinding mechanism.
The work culture of the city would be one of innovation and service. The importance of free and extended family time would be inculcated into the fibre of all those involved in the
industries of the city. Things would happen ... when they should.

Cape Town could well become this city. There's not a heck of a lot listed above that's not attainable, I don't think. Incidently, you will have noticed the absence of comment on crime. That's because in the perfect city, that would be a non-issue.

What do you think? I am sure there's a whole load more that can be dreamt up. Have your say, comment or blog your dreams.

[Update : This post has been entered in the My Perfect City Challenge. Click here to give it your rating THEN click here and enter yourself, it's a great excuse to dream]