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There are cities; where the streets seem likely the same,the breeze reminds you of other city, and the people are merely different. But there, in those kinds of cities, something tickle your senses almost to the depth. The passer by with their languages, gestures and emotional faces, footprints and traces – or even only the smell of the iron fences. Most of times, even without realizing it – we tend to find the originality of things – and places. Advertised architecture which became a mere tourism like the particular history of the old city, gothic churches – oriental mosques – some unthinkable temples – exotic palaces or genocide plazas. Others would prefer the grandiose culinary journey of home-made typical dish in the region, or products. All the mixture of the land, people, the culture abide and the wave of time delicately shapes a wide variety of the gestures of the city.
There are cities; where the streets seem likely the same,the breeze reminds you of other city, and the people are merely different. But there, in those kinds of cities, something tickle your senses almost to the depth. The passer by with their languages, gestures and emotional faces, footprints and traces – or even only the smell of the iron fences. Most of times, even without realizing it – we tend to find the originality of things – and places. Advertised architecture which became a mere tourism like the particular history of the old city, gothic churches – oriental mosques – some unthinkable temples – exotic palaces or genocide plazas. Others would prefer the grandiose culinary journey of home-made typical dish in the region, or products. All the mixture of the land, people, the culture abide and the wave of time delicately shapes a wide variety of the gestures of the city.
Sits in the Northern Pyrenees, Bordeaux bears in its skin – a nice gesture of Southern France and a delicate beauty of the mountainous terrain. The city itself nicely depicted by the collide spaces between the new over the old ones. As the tourism industry bursts all over the globe, sidewalks and streets as well as pedestal kiosk or little chapel in the city becomes attractions on various way. People walk out from the central station – with suitcases and maps; clicking cameras along the skateboard park, and families posed in between La Porte Cailhau. The old buildings with their façade facing the river, stretches along the way – providing a nice photographic view fits for postcards and travel journey. But out of all the excitement of tourism and commodification; its blood, is the taste of grape – runs in its vein through every organ to its heart; where the seeds burst and the wine flows in the River Garonne.
First bite: Bordeaux is astringent. A familiar, yet somehow strange taste arises in the first impression. The similarity, and yet a different ambience come from the bustling people around and across the streets, pedestal and the alley-ways. Men and women, girls and boys – with winter clothes up to their necks and the joyful smile of holiday. Rock and asphalt, bricks and mortar. Gothic churches and steel structures, small alleys and boulevards. Pizzerias and Kebab Places, bars, cafes and restaurants. Over them all, a sunny – yet freezing breeze completed the scene.
Second sensation: Bordeaux is crunchy, and sweet – with a little lemony sting and a bit of honey scent. Not only seduce you to discover more, the facades and building blocks offer a nice scene in a typical European screen. Nice little shops, pattiseries with smell of croissant intact, lines in the boulevard, and bouquets in the florists intertwined altogether. All of those create a rather pleasant sentiment, even if the sewage still smells putrid, the cigarettes butts decorate the pedestal, and the smoky residues clouded the streets.
Third role: Bordeaux has couple of seeds in the center. The touristic center offers the grandiose antique structures together with shops and tempting gastronomic sprays. Street signs and tram stops pointed on landmarks, a particular guide to each group of people from across the globe, or those backpackers who wander without map. The eye-catching colorful macaroons and nicely round kouignettes decorate the window displays; completed with the chocolate fondue fountain next to it. The aroma itself, supplied by the lining pattiseries, bistros, and chocolatiers – indulge you with the perfect combination of spice, butter on warm croissant, frozen sugar, nutty biscuits and intoxicating chocolate. Those very rich surroundings are like the grape seeds which you can’t taste at once – but create another entrance for another time.
The bursts of the heart: Bordeaux is wine. Flowing like the river Garonne which defines the city geographical status, wine is what defines the heart of Bordeaux. Enveloped, and surrounded by the vineyard regions, one could breathe the wine in the air – even for those who don’t drink wine. The true artistic flavor densely permeates; with the chateaus and their vineyards, bottles in the cellars, a whole dictionary abound. From broadly range of red wine to some type of white, rose or sparkling; spiced, fruity, or nutty; light, warm, or bold and elegant – such a splendor nature wrapped in bottles. Serves in typical glasses with their typical texture and color, one can see wine everywhere on the tables of restaurants, bistros, and cafes all around the city. While more beers being served in most of European city today, it’s really like another kind of story. A story – a book with free pages to write on. Bordeaux – is one of those cities where everything seems merely different, and yet tickles the senses.
Barcelona, March 2011
