City Life
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The Crowded City
Every city is different, not just from its historical origins, but also the very manner in which it presents itself to the world. The people within are different too: subtle changes in fashion; accents and regional dialects; awareness of local history; acceptance of outsiders. The list might go on for several pages, if we put our minds to it, and not just from the things that we see as long-time residents or regular visitors, but also the characteristics which remain in the minds of those who come as tourists, no matter how briefly....
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It Isn’t All Tourism
When I visit a new town or city, I tend to spend hours just wandering round the streets randomly, looking at the people, the shops, the architecture, the little things which come together to make a community within a city centre. I note the people standing in front of churches and museums, town halls, ornate buildings with a long history which contribute to the whole atmosphere, posing with their cameras or, more often, their mobile telephones to either capture memories, or to prove they were there. I see people consulting maps and tourist guides, going from one well-worn area to another, queuing up at museums, pushing heavy doors open to…
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Waking To Destruction.
It is not as bad as I had expected. Ten years ago, walking out of my house in another, smaller, city on New Year's Day, I would be confronted by the debris of celebration littering the road, the pavement, the front of my house. There would be the remains of fireworks shot into the air, or exploded at ground level; empty drinks bottles and cans (prior to them being refundable); paper and other debris connected to the fireworks, such as the packaging.
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Braunschweig: Small Change
It's the same as with any other large or medium sized city the world over; we cannot seem to overcome the housing problem, get those who need help the help that they need; overcome our own instincts to just look away.
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Friendship
It doesn't matter where you are, the signs are clear: friends out together. Two people, sharing time and experiences. It is said that women can hold far better friendships to one another than men can, but with the caveat that each has its own level, its own expectations, and often its own gender specifics.
