I am writing this from the 30th story of an apartment hotel in Brisbane, packing for a midday flight to Singapore. Outside the sky is clear, the humidity is uncomfortable and there is a burn time 6 minutes advertised in the lobby. Now it is an eight minute walk to the station for the air train, I left my hat at home, have little or no hair left on my head and no chemicals to protect my Northern European skin. I realise this shows our unhealthy obsession with numbers and of course I could just get a taxi but then I would miss out on public transport. Aside from walking this week, I have found my way around the river transport system in Brisbane and used the train and buses in preference to the taxi. I don’t like using taxis for one simple reason: you gain no knowledge of the city you are in.
Its bad enough at the best of times if you travel. Airports, lounges, hotels, meeting rooms and international English blur into a homogenous uniformity. Most of the time you could be anywhere. On the other hand if you use public transport you a chance, however fleeting, to encounter local culture and geography. The meandering Brisbane River adds confusion to its geography, but once you see the patterns from both the pavements and the river, the overall pattern of the city settles on your brain. You meet families on a day out, business people with time between meetings to take a slightly longer route, by any journey on water is more attractive than the city streets. On the train in a few hours time I will hear many accents and see people from all aspects of Brisbane society. If I went around in taxis I would have no sense of how one location relates to another, or the areas change in style and ambiance. To travel is a privilege, a chance to gain a wider understanding of diversity. Using taxis reduces that opportunity, it increases the disconnection that continuous travel creates with normal life,
So, I will walk the eight minutes to the station for the airport train, seeking shade as I go. Pride prevents the use of the knotted handkerchief.
Comments (4)
Dear Dave
As you leave the uncomfortable Brisbane humidity don't forget we have wonderful winters. So you must return for a winter visit and enjoy the river and cooler and crisper environment.
I was at your talk at Suncorp on Tuesday and found it most interesting. I think your work around making sense and the power of stories and narrative is wonderful - the humanisation of organisations is essential and this goes along way to improving that. Having said that I am one of the fluffy bunnies art luddite types you mentioned - although I don't think I'm that bad. I do however think that arts-based learning and processes has a place in organisations on a range of levels and that is what I am researching in my professional doctorate. I would be most interested to hear what your thoughts are on this and whether you have come across any arts-based practices in organisations you felt were or have been successful and could be an interesting model for further development or whether you just think it to be a pile of s...e.
Safe travels
Cathryn
Posted by Cathryn Lloyd | January 31, 2007 4:41 AM
Posted on January 31, 2007 04:41
Dave: I'm totally with you on avoiding taxis and using the bus/transit. I feel that way I actually get to experience a little of the city and get to know it better. I feel safer that way. Which may connect to some deeper truth about easy not always being effective...
Posted by Johnnie Moore | January 31, 2007 7:46 AM
Posted on January 31, 2007 07:46
Hi Dave,
A very familiar story - I use to travel into and out of Brussels or between hotel and work in Brussels via taxi and I found the city the most confusing place on earth. For example, I'd go out with Jonathan Sage and wonder why we'd just occassionally end up in this lovely square (and I could never remember its name) with the lovely buildings. In the end I decided to walk to and from the hotel and work, taking in different routes. In the evening I'd take trams around the city and walk from different places I'd randomly select. And guess what - I got to know the city very well and also to enjoy it. And doing that one does get to see some intereting local characters, pubs, restaurants and just interesting places including an interesting unplanned visit through the red light district near Gare de Noir station, but thats another story.
Yet we live next to healthy people who have to take their car to get to the news agent - its about a 4 minute walk and about a 10 minute drive!
Peter
Posted by Peter Stanbridge | January 31, 2007 10:18 AM
Posted on January 31, 2007 10:18
Dave, what great advice to travelers! When I spent three months in HsinChu, Taiwan, I was assigned a driver who picked me up in the morning, dropped me off at night. Although I enjoyed being able to see the scenery, I really had no idea where I was at any given time. I remembered a few landmarks, but basically it was like sitting in a box while the outside scrolled past.
So everyday after work I set out walking from the hotel, just to see what I could see. Within a few weeks, I knew my immediate surroundings pretty well, and was able to really 'absorb' the cultural experience fully. Really made the stay much, much better!
Posted by Robert Hruzek | January 31, 2007 3:03 PM
Posted on January 31, 2007 15:03