April 14

The weather today called for rain, so we planned it as an indoor museum day. However, the weatherman must have been looking at his instruments, not out the window. It was another beautiful day, little wind, temperatures in the low 20s and glorious sunshine. Nevertheless we were both very keen to have our taste lof the museums here.

We started at the waterfront again with the first stop at iFix, a counter where a new battery for Gila's phone could be installed. During the wait, Shelley took us to a wonderful place for breakfast called tasha's. The decor was bright and airy, white tables and umbrellas. Inside empty clay pots hung upside down from the ceiling. Again, the food and the service were outstanding. 

After we picked up Gila's phone we headed to the diamond museum. The name of the place was Shimanski's. Not only was it a museum but it was also a diamond retailer.in order tone a receptionist, guide or salesperson you have to be drop dead beautiful. They all wear a uniform that consisted of a grey pin striped blazer, a crisp white shirt and a dark, straight skirt. At first we were taken through a large room lined with photographs of the history of diamond mining in South Africa. As well, there were crystal models to show the different stages in cutting the facets of a diamond.

However, we were more interested in seeing the the process as it was happening. Needless to say the security was very tight. The diamond cutters worked behind glass and we were constantly under the supervision of a guide. Every display case was locked. Watching the diamond cutters was fascinating. The diamond cutter held a diamond in a special holder. To cut a facet he put the edge of the diamond against a diamond cutting wheel for a micro second before examining the stone under a loupe and repeating the process once again. It is long painstaking work. From there we moved into the showroom. It was literally dazzling. Shelley actually picked out the engagement ring and wedding band she would like Daniel to buy for her. All the information including the price as well. He cannot go wrong unless he loses the piece of paper.

Our next stop was the Jewish Museum. As one would expect, there was a security check and X-rays of bags that were being brought in. The museum is actually a complex. The first building was the Garden Synagogue  built in 1856. It still has a practising congregation of about 900 people. The building looks very much like the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, except for the stained glass windows. There are a few rose windows with a mogan David in the centre. The windows in the sanctuary are only two years old and were designed by a congregant who is also a doctor. He has left an incredible legacy for this congregation. There are twelve windows in all, six on each side. Each window represents a holiday. Shabbat Lag B'omer and Tubishvat are included. 

From there we moved on to the main museum. It tells the complete story of the Jews in South Africa and the prejudice held by the East Indian Company. It included a walk through model of an African shtetl. We didn't spend much time there because I was eager to get to the Holocaust museum where I knew there was a picture of my dad. The docent was not sure if we could see the exhibit because a round of load shedding was expected. When I explained why it was important to see it, someone ran to get a flashlight and the door was unlocked for us. Knowing the picture is there is totally different from seeing it in person. It brought me to tears. Gila had never met my father, but had seen photographs of him. She was able to find the picture of my father without any help.  One of the museum administrators came with a camera and photographed me pointing to my dad's picture. I told her a little more of his story and that we had already sent. She was going to check it but we will stay in touch. The story of my dad is only the second family they have of all 600 photos and they will now be using it in their educational program. I was thankful that Gila and Shelley indulged me. I had a look at the rest of the display and it was done in an interesting manner, comparing Nazism to Apartheid.

After not too quick a snack in the cafe, we headed to the National Gallery. Except for an installation called the Refusal of Time, the exhibit was entirely underwhelming. The only impressive part was one room where group quilts told the African legends about death and the sun, stars and moon. Layers of cloth were used in some places to provide more depth. I would have loved to photograph it but no photos were allowed.

The Natural History Museum was on the other side of the park, called the Company Garden because it was within the East India Company buildings. From there we could also see the back of the Garden synagogue we had visited. By the time we reached the museum, there were only twenty-five minutes left before closing and the staff let us in without the fees. It is a fabulous museum that shows the animal life in South Africa. The whale hall is most interesting as the skeletons of a variety of whales are hung from the ceiling. Our museum rush had tired us out and we sat enjoying the garden for a while before finding a place to eat. 




We went back to the waterfront for dinner at Quay Four, seafood once again. This meal was fabulous. I had a combination of langoustine, prawns and mussels that was just as good as the meal we had at Willoughby's except not quite as expensive. Shelley and Gila had problems with the custard part of the amarula brûlée. I didn't. Gila made hers more palatable with a shot of amarula. Wise move.

Shelley drove us home just after nine. Another very full day.