Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Griff is in the French capital, object of great chauvinistic pride and vanity. Although resulting in a mind-boggling traffic mayhem, its street grid largely results from some ambitious planning. It's extremely rich in monuments, yet the Eiffeltower, hated by many celebrities, draws by far most visitors and a clandestine group does much-needed restoration rather then the city services, which concentrate on mundane daily concerns. The rich capital is obsessed with cuisine and fashion.
Wed, Oct 8, 2008
Griff starts his search for the greatest cities in the Big Apple. Some grand public - and private initiative buildings illustrate the city and its (especially super-rich) citizens' typical ambition, often bordering on or becoming megalomania. New York still has the world's largest concentration of skyscrapers, various of which where interned as then world's highest. Even vendor spot licenses illustrate how expensive Cirty surfaces are. Griff joins window-cleaners to get the eerie feel of descending the Empire State Building.
Wed, Oct 15, 2008
In his own capital, Britton Griff starts contemplating how London continuously grew from a new Roman town to Europe's single-most prominent true metropolis. He visits architectural and archaeological remains of its long and eminent past, and mires at quaint traditions, while pointing out some major changes. Several types of center take center stage, such as Buckingham Palace. The City remains the financial heart of Europe, the link between Wall Street and Asia.
Thu, May 6, 2010
Hong Kong, one the world's best natural ports, became one of its busiest and richest cities after the infamous colonial Opium War lead to its 99 years concession by the British, and remains so in the 50 years transition after the Chinese take-over. It's a curious mix of efficient modernity and traditions, including Buddhism, Taoism, feng-shui and other superstition. The luck culture favors gambling and trade. Since the Chinese take-over from colonial Britain in 1997, the two systems coexist and influence each other immensely. The local Cantonese dialect is giving way to continental Mandarin, many Anglosaxon traditions remain, like boy-scouting, albeit in a more Chinese and wealth-oriented form.
Thu, Apr 22, 2010
The eternal city is more than 2,500 years old and Griff has just 24 hours to discover how Rome's inhabitants live in the world's biggest museum. In the process he discovers where Julius Caesar gasped his last, and takes lessons in traffic direction from the city's most elegant policeman.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010
Griff visits Sydney, not the capital but the dominating metropolis of Australia, and its first city since that nation's foundation from a fabulous natural harbor as British penal colony, named after its first governor. It developed into an affluent, suburban society, considered one of the most pleasant cities in the world. Griff experiences many positive aspects and the local, immigrated and commuting Aussies' taste for sports and gambling.