Picking Favorites

I noticed a trend in how i pick favorites when it comes to cities:those clusters of land and people, food and fashion, history and modernity, art and culture-each city has its unique share that goes on to define its personality (yes- i do believe that cities have personalities!)
I cant say i am a world traveler at all, but in the last couple of years were marked by a sudden spurt of traveling for me (a spurt that subsided when the economic crisis hit..lol!) and i do have some favorites by now.
So i got to thinking: what made a city tick for me? Was it the history and culture of a city that peeks out on every corner, in every other building or square? Or perhaps its the gastronomical delights that a city offers through a myriad range of cosy eateries, upscale restaurants and street-side cafes that dish out really good food? Could it be the glittering show-windows of high fashion and couture that make my spirits soar? Or could it be the vast range of neighborhoods each begging to be explored for its own merits? And then again-could it be the weather and the walkability factor of a city that i value most?

I realised that in some measure-all of these factors play it out for top score, with varying degrees of importance. and yet-the cities i have loved, adored and would move to in a heartbeat if i could were the ones that were hugely walkable, had fabulous food (i am sorry, but mediocre Indian and Chinese food of Seattle does not score high points for me!) and had huge doses of culture, history and a distinct sense of freedom and liberation that you can only identify as you get closer to the pulse of the city-the spirit that reveals itself more so in the side streets than it does in the oft-trodden touristy lanes.

So when i moved to a more interesting part of the city i live in-a neighborhood that has more for me to explore on foot (even though we have a 2 car garage for our ONE car to sprawl out comfortably in!), that is green every where i look, has a historic old town and wonderful neighborhood restaurants, supports local communities and farmers, and is so beautifully connected by public transport- my heart soared. This may not be New York or Rome or Mumbai or Paris-but yet, its home for now and it ends up meeting my hygeine factors without the price tag of New York or the langauge barrier of Paris or the sizzling heat of Mumbai (could not come up with anything not positive for Rome-that is one perfect city, eh!).

But the love for travel remains. As we put on our global marketing hats, it becomes all the more critical to understand how each individual market is unique, even if we may be selling a global product. There are some things you can learn best about a city's people by being one with them-even if it's just for a weekend or a work-related conference. So the next time you walk into a Starbucks in Amsterdam possibly asking for the same Pike Place brew that you get in Seattle, take time to notice the difference in your experience. Because there will be one!