The Pool of Life
Liverpool is the Pool of Life –
Carl Jung
Some of the best cities we have lived in have been ports; Wellington, Barcelona, Dubai and of course, the Mother City. Liverpool, in England’s north west, is no exception.
Like many ports, it has a vibrant history of travellers coming and going, which has left its mark on the city. Artists, writers and playwrights took their talents out into the world but usually returned home to Merseyside.
Liverpool has people from every continent in the world. There are four universities with many international students. Chinatown is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, as well as the biggest Chinese arch outside of China. We went there countless times and marvelled at the many dragons on this immense structure. The arch had been a gift from Shanghai, another port city, twinned with Liverpool.
Living in Liverpool was not something we had planned. After returning to UK from Japan we made a pact. It was agreed; whatever reverse culture shock, however we felt, we would ride it through for at least two years. The plan was apply for jobs, throw lots of balls in the air, see who got an offer and move there. When I secured work in Liverpool, the decision was made. We dropped anchor. We made fabulous friends and indulged in all the diverse music, art and culture of this port city. I worked at the Liverpool Biennial Arts Festival in 2006. Later the city was awarded the status of European Capital of Culture. Our two years became three and then nearly four. Have you ever moved to a place and stayed much longer than planned?
Liverpool was kind to us. It truly is a city for travellers. Everyone had a story. There were lots of big talkers. We were warmly welcomed woollybacks, Southerners who had turned their backs on London in preference for this great city. We lived in Wavertree, or Shake the Bush as Scousers would call it.
Overall, it was a fantastic place to dock for a while, until the travel bug began to bite again.
I often think of Liverpool around this time of year. We were married there in August eleven years ago, just five days before moving to the United Arab Emirates. My husband gave an eloquent speech, thanking the city for its awesomeness and for giving us a home. The Pool of Life.
What’s your favourite port city?
©Maggie M/Mother City Time
Photograph of Penny Lane sign © Karen Rudian
Happy Bank Holiday, I hope you and Kieran are also enjoying a relaxing moment. On Saturday, I visited Portsmouth to go to Victorious festival to see the amazing Neneh Cherry, Billy Bragg, Brian Wilson and Duke Special. I spent three hours touring the Emirates Spinnaker Tower and the Mary Rose museum and was overwhelmed by how cosmopolitan and beautiful Portsmouth is. If I secured work there next year, I would enjoy the heritage and maritime history, the excellent transport links and lively annual festival. So, I would say PORTSMOUTH is my favourite port.
Hi. That festival sounds great…always loved Neneh Cherry. Hope that all your plans come together Becky and you end up in a great city next year. Keep enjoying Mother City Time.