What's your favorite city?
That's Oaxaca, as seen from Monte Alban, which, for the sake of argument, and because I love it, I named as my favorite city Monday night. I was starting, and didn't want to choose a place that would be the same as anyone else's favorite at the Eurocentric table.
I was the only non-architect, designer or architectural historian at the table, too. I clinked my glass and began the game, citing the great colonial Mexican city I used often to visit when in graduate school for its beauty and its zocalo, the central square where everyone in town comes to stroll each night.
Then Liz, an architect, said London, where she lived for years as a student, for its walkable charm and historic fabric. Phoebe, an architect, said Paris, -- where, hey, she lived as a student. Martin, a movie designer, said Tivoli, north of Rome, where he studied Hadrian's Villa. Stefanos, an architect, said Rome, where he also studied. Gloria, an urbanist and author, said, with glee, "Cities in general! New York! Everywhere! They're sexy!" She recalled the joy Minneapolis brought when as a rural Wisconsin girl she would visit with her family. Leon, an architect, said Lucca, the Tuscan town famous for its Renaissance walls.
What's your favorite city in the world, and why? What could we learn from it here?
Comments
Paris.
What we can learn: their preservation and innovative re-use of historic architecture is superb.
Posted by: Petrea Burchard | November 20, 2009 5:54 PM
Barcelona is my favorite city in all the world for its incredible history, its location in Catalunya, the Liceu (one of the greatest opera houses anywhere), Roman ruins, Montjuic, ancient Montserrat Monastery carved into the side of a mountain, the bustling yet elegant La Rambla where one can amble from the center of the city to the Mediterranean, the cultured populace, the Catalan language, the Pyrenees just up the road a piece, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and so much more.
As for architecture, the Barri Gothic (the Gothic quarter) is stunning with buildings dating back to the 10th century and a history that goes back 2,000 years to the Romans.
Of course Antoni Gaudí's works, including Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and La Pedrera, are iconic. I pinch myself as I recall my time in each of these precious places.
The Frank Gehry structure at the port is mesmerizing. When it reflects the sun it reminds one of a fish shimmering in the clear waters of the sea just steps away.
Adaptive re-use is in play beautifully in the paradores -- former castles that are now hotels.
Can you tell I love this city? I go every few years and can't stay away for too long.
Posted by: Ann Erdman | November 21, 2009 9:39 PM
You've got me wanting to go to Oaxaca and Barcelona. My favorites are Rome, because there are layers and layers of history, and London, ditto.
Posted by: Bellis | November 22, 2009 8:16 PM
I live in my favorite city. My favorite city to visit is probably New York. You can get the best of pretty much any city in the world there, along with good public transit, some fabulous architecture, top entertainment and restaurants, great museums, unparalleled parks, and genuine excitement. After four days, I'm ready to come home, though.
Paul
Posted by: Paul | November 23, 2009 12:51 PM
Thanks to all above and looking for more: I realize I forgot in my original post to include Barbara, an architectural historian, who chose Rotterdam, whose pedestrian and historical delights she extolled, and then was challenged on them by the opinionated others at the table, who said the whole place was blown up by Nazi bombing in the war and has never been the same.
Point well taken above, Paul: for some of us, Pasadena is indeed our favorite city already. OK: favorite city to travel to, even for slightly MORE than four days. I lived in Manhattan for a year and barely broke its fabuloso surface ... Larry
Posted by: larry | November 23, 2009 4:44 PM
Toronto.
Village upon village defined by ethnicity, gender i.d., and culture.
Surprises everywhere.
Great shopping.
Lots of trees.
A giant university at the center.
It's Pasadena times ten, or more.
Posted by: Christopher Davidson | November 23, 2009 9:55 PM
Dun Chaoin (Dunquin), Co. Kerry, Ireland.
Westernmost point on the Dingle Peninsula.
Gaelic culture, Gallarus Oratory, Conor Pass,Great Blasket Islands, Peig Sayers, and Duck Races.
Posted by: Roberta | December 1, 2009 1:28 AM
San Francisco!! Where Europe and Asia meet California. I have lived in New York, London, Jerusalem and spent lots of time in Innsbruck, Athens and Istanbul, visited countless other cities here and abroad, but my heart really belongs in San Francisco where a short electric trolley ride will allow you have both pork buns and cannoli for lunch when you work in the city's financial district. I'm getting hungry just thinking of all the great restaurants, fancy and simple, that are so accessible in that great city. Good thing it's dinner time right now. Bon appetit!
Posted by: Ridge Tolbert | December 1, 2009 7:20 PM
Traverse City, MI
Northern Michigan facing Grand Traverse Bay emptying into Lake Michigan, surrounded by woods of Hemingway, dunes of Sleeping Bears, rivers and islands of Manitou, full of Michiganas who drive up from Detroit.
Home of smoked fish, cherry capital of the USA, once home of a dozen used bookstores and Cherry County Playhouse where I saw my first musical Bye Bye Birdie
Posted by: rosebudz | December 1, 2009 7:32 PM
Certainly, people have storybook romantic fantasies about Barcelona, and Paris, and Rio, and so on and so on...mostly inspired by skylines, drinking wine, eating pastries, and enjoying 300 thread sheets at a nice hotel.
Many left wingers such as Larry Wilson exist in a parallel utopian universe inside their heads, as opposed to residing in the real world.
Nonetheless, a little escapism is necessary for every human being to carry on.
Ultimately, so much of the rest of the world actually prefers to live in American cities. That's why they move here.
Posted by: Tiny Tim | December 4, 2009 3:23 PM
We find it amusing that Larry Wilson is making a decision based on not wanting to be perceived as "Eurocentric."
Then again, with Larry, reality is never as important as perception.
In other words, his favorite city is actually in Europe, but his ego requires that he name another city in a different part of the world, in order to appear unique.
God forbid Larry should even name an American city. He loves America so much, that he chooses to live in America.
Larry is the guy who actually IS Eurocentric.
He's always touting France and the rest of the stale Old Europe "thinkers" as the arbiters of what is "right" and what is "wrong."
When it comes to the health care issue, Larry says we need to be like France. When it comes to international decisions, Larry is often very conscious about "what the Europeans think" about what America does or doesn't do.
He often believes the USA needs to do what the elitists among the UN say we should do.
When it comes to handing out Nobel Prizes, Larry says we need to recognize the inherent wisdom of the Nobel Committee.
Larry even roots for France in the World Cup.
Well, Larry, one thing's for sure. You are truly unique !
Posted by: Large Marge | December 5, 2009 1:16 PM
The italian hilltown/Republic of San Marino,Italy, for its retrograde provincialism and charming uniforms.
Posted by: former Seattleite | December 7, 2009 12:15 PM
Havana is my favorite city. It is a bustling, vibrant city of culture, music, food, tolerance, and different points of view.
Some people like to criticize Cuba for its alleged poverty, but that is simply propaganda by Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. The truth is, Cubans have a very high standard of living, and a high per capita income.
Posted by: Carrot Top | December 8, 2009 12:55 PM
Ich hab echt noch niemals gelesen davon, trotzdem mal interessant.
Posted by: Norma Barribeau | January 19, 2010 6:43 PM
Ich Selbst habe darüber erst mal was gelesen, sehr interessantes Thema. Ich komme wieder.
Posted by: Lashaunda Bourne | January 20, 2010 7:50 PM
Wo die Suchmaschine mich den ganzen Tag hinfuehrt :) Tolle Page, ich werde wieder kommen.
Posted by: Jamila Locey | January 21, 2010 10:48 AM
It is funny to find out how many different blogs the internet has about this subject! I don't know if I'll have to come back, but it's awesome to know I found the one that provides a little useful information if this ever comes up for me another time.
Posted by: funwebproducts spyware | January 23, 2010 7:54 PM
Wo Google mich den lieben Tag hinbringt :) Tolle Page, ich werde wieder vorbeischauen.
Posted by: Pasty Keplin | January 30, 2010 2:35 AM