BS: London, best City in the world?

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 02:25 PM

As a Londoner, who left as soon as I could. When I go back, I find that it gets more ugly every time. The interesting buildings, with history are being buried by architecture that has no common theme, other than trying to be more ill-pleasing to the eye than the next one.

There are still some fine trees however. I feel very sorry for them.

Las Vegas is the best city. You can see the best bits from everywhere else and as a city it does not take itself seriously. For good very reason..........

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: C-flat
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 12:56 PM

I visit London a couple of times a year and always enjoy what's on offer. It's a great city with an inexhaustable supply of historical sites, museums, galleries, music venues and restaurants.
Having just returned from a holiday in the U.S.A. I was amazed at how good the Americans are when it comes to handling visitors.
For friendliness and good service you can't beat them!
On my return to England I was confronted with the usual abrupt responses from rail staff, unsanitary toilet facilities (which require an entrance fee!) and the, already mentioned, litter.
We have many tremendous assets here in the U.K. that delight many thousands of tourists each year but I think we could learn a trick or two in the way we treat our guests.
A city can only be as great as it's people.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Micca
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 11:48 AM

I have lived in London for about 40 years,( sadly I may have to move soon due to circumstances beyond my control) and so I am used to it, but I get to "see" it agin through others eyes when visitors (many from here) come to stay and we get to show them around. I will put some pix of Joe Offers visit up when I get 5 mins
I have visited many cities in my time both as a sailor and otherwise , and I have enjoyed and retain happy memories of some of those mentioned above
Toronto...Really nice place, friendly and helpful people, good public transport
Barcelona,.. I too like Catalans and Catalonia, we were guests of a community near Barcelona and therefore had Local guides when we were there!!
Amsterdam. Many visits over 30 years... real nice place, and it has a wonderful street market on the Waterlooplein

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:33 AM

to be honest *shudder* the word "city" makes me want to avoid a place like the plague. a couple of hours is my max comfort level. Less if I have to drive while in the city.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:29 AM

Have been to London, very impressive, so is Paris, Old Quebec City is quaint, Montreal is very high on my list but I also settled in Toronto, It's not any better than the rest just different. Have never been to New York yet but that will change soon. Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York and Belfast are not as impressive as some others but have lots going for them. I imagine I will love New York.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: GUEST,Bagpuss
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:27 AM

My favourite city outside the UK is Barcelona. I love the Gaudi architecture, I love wiling away the hours watching people on La Rambla with a cup of xocolata amb churros, I love the tapas bars, I love the sound of the Catalan language.

What is it about your favourite city that makes you love it so much?

Within the UK, I love Newcastle and Glasgow, but we are always biased towards where we grew up and where we went to university.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:13 AM

I always wanted to settle in the city that had the most for ME.

Grew up in Montreal....lots of atmosphere, but I don't go to strip clubs, and I've lost most of my French.

Spent some time in Amsterdam....love the Galleries, never did much dope.

New York.....simply LOVED it! Couldn't afford it then, couldn't now.

London......loved it. Came very close to moving there in the early seventies....but didn't for some reason.

Toronto. Has a little bit of each of the above.....so I settled here. Guess I was more conservative than I thought.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:11 AM

No, it's Manchester

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Peg
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:01 AM

I love London. I have noticed an enomrous increase in litter in recent years however and this is heartbreaking. Have noticed it in smaller towns in England, too.

re: the trash, well it seems to me that every city (and town and village and hamlet) in the world is aiming to fill itself with trash these days...it is a HORRIBLE problem in Boston. Absolutely disgusting. People throw trash everywhere, even when there is a trash can right there...when I go hiking in Franklin Park I usually fill as many carrier bags as I find lying around; one day last week I must have picked up thirty pounds of trash (I found a coiuple of BIG bagsd while I was walking). Frederic law Olmsted must be turning in his grave...or crying.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: DMcG
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 09:41 AM

MMario: when you suggested Jerusalem as the most action packed city, you may well be right, but its probably not what Red Eye had in mind.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 09:35 AM

why should there be a 'best' city...or song...or cola...or guitarist? 'Best' lists usually end up being simply the 'most famous'

San Francisco, Buenos Aries, Damascus and Paris might be high on any list. They all have unique character and sights.

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 09:07 AM

Didn't get chance to go into Westminster Abbey because they were charging £6!!!

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 09:03 AM

What about Rome, Jeruselam, Thebes?

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: Stu
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 08:58 AM

I've been to London many times (and am going again soon), but last year went to New York for the first time, fulfilling a childhood dream. Had dinner atop the WTC a week before the attack.

NY (specifically Manhattan) has to be the greatest city in the world. It seems to encompass the best and worst that modern man has acheived. Although it doesn't have the historical buildings of London it does have a vision and depth of imagination that is inspiring to say the least. To see midtown lit up with the Empire State in red, white and blue from Windows on the World was one of the greatest moments in my life.

For English cities with history, try York. To me, London represents the British Empire with all its grandiosity and pomp whilst York represents the history of the ordinary people of England , from pre-roman to present day.

Of course, all this is simply my opinion, and you know what they say about those!

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: kendall
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 08:40 AM

Agreed. As an historian, I was very impressed with London. Westminster Abbey is beyond description, but, the litter , well...

Subject: RE: BS: London, best City in the world?
From: DMcG
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 08:11 AM

Well, it must be fairly high up the list. Pity we seem to be aiming for the most litter-filled as well.

Subject: London, best City in the world?
From: Red Eye
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 07:54 AM

Just got back from a week in London. Took my two children to all the tourist attractions, Buck Pal, Downing St etc, etc. Whilst doing the rounds it hit me that this city must be the most historic and action packed city in the world. A little bit expensive at times but none the less, breathtaking. Agree?