Sheffield is a city full of beautiful contrasts.
Many people see Sheffield sense of pessimism and melancholy, a fatalistic impression from the film the Full Monty: a rusted industrial town that no longer shines. So when I firstly arrived in the city I was truly surprised by its multiple shades of green and blue. Only the entangled tram rail occasionally reminds me of its metallic past.
Fu Rong Jie (Water Lily Street) in Jinan
Almost every city has its own collection of “street specialities”, but more than often, the best of street food are hidden in old allies instead of showcased along shining and new major road. A trip to those allies can be not only a great treat but also a fantastic way to learn more about the city and its characteristics. The Fu Rong Street (Water Lily Street) in Jinan is such a place from which one can get a good feel about the city in all façade. The Street used to function as the administrative, financial, commercial and cultural centre of the historical Jinan City. However, after the founding of PRC and rapid expansion of the city, it was abandoned to be etched by time and nature until the last decade, when the Jinan government renovated the street and promoted it as a food street.
I have lived in Jinan for five years, and I always have more grudge than gratitude toward the city—the lethal winter and tragic summer, the constant spitting action, the flood and springs of filthy water, the noise fireworks on every Sunday morning, the car emission (walking on the street of Jinan in peak hour is like sticking your nose to the pipe of a huge truck when it starts)…
But every city has its charisma, so does Jinan.It is a reversed version of Princess Fiona, a ghastly ogress in the day, but a fair lady at night—when the sun sets, the city light itself up by lights—but in no way by the bold, grand, harsh and colourful light that lights up the entire sky, but by small, amber lamps, here and there, in a very conservative and simplistic manner. In the cozy light dominated by a tone of amber-yellow, Jinan people take their daily post-dinner stroll to the park, go to
their night time street BBQ plus draft beer, or simply sit on some random steps waving their fans. In particular, men, either with apparent six packs or equally apparent stomach fat, like to go topless, bathing in the cool summer breeze, regardless of their physical attractiveness. It is a admirable confidence in our age when so many men are using eyeliners on a daily base.
Chloe Chen 