The Last Ditch by Tom Paine

THE LAST DITCH

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My first new city for a while

Published by Tom

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Beijing Official Website International – eBeijing.gov.cn.

Kaajing1 Travel becomes boring when you are used to it, but a new city is always exciting. I am in Beijing (still known to the French and Russians as Pekin) for the first time at an event which may prove to be a blogger's nightmare. It could provide exciting stuff to talk about, which I won't be able to blog about because (a) it's to do with work and (b) it involves politicians from two countries (Russia and China) that I do not write about as a matter of principle.

Let's hope it's boring, or I shall burst.

Two of the few Chinese characters I can recognise after 8 lessons are those which make up the city's name, so I am taking childish delight in recognising them everywhere (e.g. on the taxis).

I plan to live here at some point in the next 5 years, so my first visit is particularly interesting. So far (see photo) it passed one of my tests for a real city during the drive from the airport. Scale, a certain grubby reality and a lively culinary scene are among the others. It undoubtedly has the first and I shall report on the others as my researches continue.

What, gentle reader, are your tests for a "real" city?

12 responses to “My first new city for a while”

  1. Navigator Avatar
    Navigator

    I always have a fondest for cities that have trams, which reminds me of my birthplace, Melbourne!!

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  2. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    Have you been to Shanghi? I much prefer it – that is a “real” city out of blade runner. Beiging reminds me of US mall buildings.

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  3. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    I am moving to live in Shanghai shortly and have visited a few times. I will be there next week apartment-hunting. Let me give Beijing a chance. I haven’t left the hotel yet!

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  4. Moggsy Avatar
    Moggsy

    When I first visit a place it seems different from when I am more used to it. To me it is so strong a feeling that sometimes it is almost like an actual different place, when I compare what I experienced first.
    I wonder why that is? I wonder sometimes if you don’t see (take in/understand) stuff the same way when you are used to it and that accounts for it. Like a mental short cut that saves time? So later you pay more attention to changes where first time you just take it all in fresh?
    Cities have personality, a sense of purpose.

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  5. JMB Avatar
    JMB

    Well Vittoria could get TLC in Beijing if she were to accompany you.:) Watch out for bicyclists or is that a long gone stereotype?
    Lots of money being made in China these days. They have to spend it on something other than US treasury bills. Why not a Maserati or a Ferrari?

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  6. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    A test match cricket ground.

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  7. Ellee Avatar
    Ellee

    What a wonderful experience for you.
    I like warmth and kindness in people, that is what I would be seeking.

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  8. jameshigham Avatar
    jameshigham

    Ah, so this is not the actual move yet then? By the way, I dedicated tonight’s listening to you. 🙂

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  9. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    I kid you not, I have seen very few bicycles. Katie Melua needs a new lyric; “There are nine million Volkswagen taxicabs in Beijing” perhaps? I have also seen Range Rovers (go, British exports!!) and other exotica.
    For reasons too complicated to explain, I had to find my own way back today and my few words of Mandarin came in handy (though they ran out embarrassingly quickly).
    The taxi driver confessed that he didn’t know where the hotel was and (while I shrugged helplessly) called a help desk from his mobile while driving past a policeman. Thank goodness there are no stupid laws about using phones while you drive here.

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  10. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    Desirable, I admit, but a test most cities in the world would fail.

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  11. Tom Paine Avatar
    Tom Paine

    Those qualities are to be found everywhere, Ellee, in my experience – as are their opposites. The Chinese seem more tolerant of language learners than some nations I could mention. My teacher warned me that they would laugh at my mistakes, but that it would be innocent enjoyment – not malice – and that I should join in or they would be upset that they caused offence. That seems a large burden to put on an embarrassed middle-aged man talking like a toddler, to be honest.

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  12. Fay Levoir Avatar
    Fay Levoir

    I love a city on water ideally as a constant landmark almost all roads lead to.
    Limassol, Cyprus is a prime example Vancouver, Canada springs to mind as another wonderful city by water.
    It has to have all my favourite fast food restaurants and if it has an outback Steakhouse I am in heaven.
    I love Savannahs squares and Atlanta’s vibe.
    I love an old town to explore.
    My favourite town would have a cultural centre and be close to an international airport. It would be sunny.
    I would like mountains an hour drive away and plenty of public parks 🙂
    Uptown NYC is pretty cool.
    I love interesting shops selling books and chocolates and I like a place people smile and nod to you as you walk by. 🙂

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Tom is a retired international lawyer. He was a partner in a City of London law firm and spent almost twenty years abroad serving clients from all over the world.

Returning to London on retirement in 2011, he was dismayed to discover how much liberty had been lost in the UK while he was away.

He’s a classical liberal (libertarian, if you must) who, like his illustrious namesake, considers that

“…government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one.”

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