【英文版】
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Whenever I visit England, I could appreciate anything from medieval cathedrals to modern skyscrapers, from historic museums to fishing villages. This just showed that England is a spectacular tribute to the strength and flexibility of tradition. I explored grand manors and royal castles steeped in history, and also discovered a few cutting-edge art galleries, innovative cultural scenes, and bustling trendy shops. But when I visited the town of Birmingham, I witnessed another completely different side of England.
Birmingham is England’s second biggest city but is often overlooked by visitors and even by the residents of other parts of the country. It is located approximately 120 miles northwest of London. Many people are attracted by the glossy images of London and the ancient charm of Edinburgh. But as a foreign visitor, some of Birmingham’s finest attractions are especially interesting to me.
It is great to see that the city’s image is finally changing. From quirky shopping districts, beautiful art galleries, to the downright unusual, there are so many unique and exciting spots that have emerged in and around the city.
Brummies, as residents call themselves, like to talk about their city’s cool vibe and increasing sophistication. With lots of old and new buildings, as well as numerous industrial developments, plus a labyrinthine road system that slices through neighborhoods, to explore England’s second largest city can be a challenge. Tour guides usually discourage foreign visitors to sightsee in Birmingham on foot.
When I had time to walk around the city, I discovered pockets of striking Georgian and Victorian architecture, a network of enticing canals, troves of art, plenty of good restaurants, and a few rapidly emerging cultural hotspots, like Digbeth.
I could sense the optimism among the locals whom I had a chance to talk to. When I inquired of them about their feelings concerning Birmingham’s outlook, a few of them expressed enthusiasm about the city’s future. They said, “Birmingham’s best years might be just around the corner with the proposed HS2. In a decade or so this fantastic high-speed rail line will make the journey time to and from London in just 45 minutes and is expected to bring a rush of new blood and energy to the city.”
Whenever I travel to a town I had never been before, it reminded me of how African people describe their experience of venturing into a new place. In Africa, to go on “safari,” which is the Swahili word for “journey”, is to leave the comfort and safety of civilization to venture into the wilderness.
During my trip, each day in a strange place brings me a heightened awareness of how wonderful it is just to see the sun set in the evening and rise again in the morning.
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