The City of Moderation
Have you ever heard of a city, moderate size to U.S. standard, where the silence of the night is not being disturbed by the whining noise of the ambulance and police sirens but by the cackling sounds of the geese, ducks, or other birds probably talking to each other where and what to eat for breakfast? It makes you wonder what cases are they having in their emergency rooms. Ever heard of a city where you can stroll along downtown area at 1:00 A.M. and have no fear of being mugged? You don't even have to look over your shoulder. Try doing it in the U.S. like in downtown New York. You'd be taking a lot of risk even here in Petersburg and in Richmond, Virginia. You'll be lucky to be able to go home with your shirt and shoes on and still have enough money for a taxi.

Ever heard of a city where people in the middle of the night and in the wee hours of the morning are just having fun, drinking beers and other drinks, then find their way home? At least I haven't seen a person falling into the river. Ever heard of a city where people walking in opposite direction would stop to allow you to take picture and not block your way? Ever heard of a city where people mind their own business and yet ready and willing to help if asked?

Ever heard of a city where you give a tip to a taxi driver and he'll have a hard time holding himself from hugging and kissing you as if he could not thank you enough. If you haven't heard of such city, then you've heard it now. It's Bristol, England.

Bristol is a city of moderation where people go about their business like nobody's business. It's a peaceful community in which wherever you go, you just feel safe. No one would stare at you probably because everyone has enough in their mind to bother someone else's business. And yet people are courteous and respectful. When I arrived at the bus station, I had a hard time using the pay phone because I did not know what coin to drop and what numbers to dial but someone helped me through it. The service is great everywhere. Their buses run on schedule and arrive on schedule. If you're late by just one minute, then you are one minute too late.

If there is any drawback, it's the weather. Except for the rain, the weather was pleasant. When it rained, it poured, and it did intermittently during the afternoon of the wedding day.

We were a little late for the wedding mainly because of the rain. Then the rain stopped as fast as it came pouring in while we're on our way to the wedding reception. The clouds remained threatening though but no rain came pouring back.

Most of the buildings in Bristol are old but are preserved well for its historic significance. The architectural designs are mostly Victorian and of course modern ones in others. The building where the movie, Chicken Run, was made doesn't look anything more than a warehouse. Bristol reminds you of some parts of Boston. Like in the U.S., Bristol keeps up with technology and is connected all over the world the way other cities are. So many people are carrying cell phone like it's part of their wallet. They "don't leave home without it." It seems.

I can definitely recommend Bristol, England to include in your itinerary when you tour Europe one day. I just love to stroll in the night in downtown area without the worry or concern of being harmed.