Trip Story chengdu 2: A reader-digest-style story

cctv.com 06-01-2004 14:55

Most city people struggle in a love/hate relationship with the city we call it home: nerve-racking traffic jam meets accelerative schedule; monstrously growing city that is somehow still hard to find one's own hideout. Need take a deep breath? You never know how much of the misty air inhaled is contained by exhaust gas... Are you truly living in a city and loving it, Everyday? Be proud, you are one of the lucky few. Are you a Chengdu local, sorry, you are simply one of the millions.

It is really refreshing for me to see how Chengdu locals take pride in their city, believing in it as being "china's most livable city", yes, it is not merely an assumption, it has been reassured by UN with its HABITAT best practice awards for improving the living environment around Funan river.

It all started in a very "reader's digest story" style: in 1981, after one 鈥揹ay- long case study to Funan river, city' mother river, some primary school students sent a letter to the mayor appealing to monitor the pollution of the river and launching a campaign for keeping it clean. They received a hand-written letter from the mayor in reply, and a decade long campaign launched right after. For the most part, the project was conducted by volunteering local residents. Today's Funan River, with clean water, green lawns and open parks, is acclaimed a green necklace around the neck of Chengdu. Areas along the river are the best place for an after-dinner walk, or a morning jogging, or having a cup of afternoon tea.

I couldn't help thinking of those kids who wrote the letter when I was roaming along FUNAN RIVER. They should be at their 30's by now, probably some of them were also strolling by me while their kids toddling around鈥

Like what you will see in Chengdu 2, Chengdu people learned to make peace with their own city. Not without struggles, twists and turns. Making efforts to change what are hatable, preserving what is lovable and taking full credit to enjoy it.

More reflective thoughts? Well, see how individual voices asking for a change can turn into? Maybe we all can stop complaining for a change, and taking more ownership in the community and having more faith in individual input instead. Just TRY to toddle forward and embrace the city like as if it is "the most lovable", yes, when it comes to the city we live, it is very much a "love what you have" attitude we need foster and better off with...

(P.S. yes, you can tell, I really like Chengdu, the city and the people. And, have to admit, I perhaps have read too much reader's digest and became a copycat of it hopelessly...)

Editor:Zhang  Source:CCTV.com