Number one: the taste of old Guangzhou. One is captured by the sense of smell, and the other is felt by intoxicated in a unique atmosphere.
After entering Liwan District, Guangzhou, it seems that I have traveled through time in an instant and returned to those yellowed old photos. Liwan, commonly known as Xiguan, is named after Litchi Bay and has the reputation of "one bay is green, and litchi on both sides is red". It is one of the third districts in Guangzhou. During the Ming Dynasty, it was already an important port for foreign trade and cultural exchange in China. During the Qing Dynasty, it was the only foreign trade window in China 100 years, and it was the seat of the famous foreign trade port Line 13.
The lush trees on both sides of the road are green, and the vigorous green and gray buildings are desperately woven together. The trees on both sides embraced each other, forming a thick shade. Behind the big tree are two rows of buildings with Lingnan flavor, which have formed a unique architectural style through the wisdom of architects in previous dynasties. Gray brick walls are simply stacked together, and square columns are regularly supported. Most buildings are open spaces, with terraces, verandahs and halls, which move people's activities into nature. There is a semi-closed corridor in the building, which not only blocks the rain, but also consciously combines man and nature, giving people a sense of freedom and openness. There were exquisite hollowed-out carvings and statues on the balconies of once wealthy families. Many buildings have been abandoned, and some buildings are hung with stone tablets "built in the late Qing Dynasty and protected by cultural and architectural heritage". Through the mottled paper, I can see that the corridor inside has been swept by time. I wonder if there is a love-hate relationship or a businessman's past.
During the nap time, there were not many people in the street, only sporadic tourists strolled in the shade with mobile phones to find their destination, and occasionally people stopped to take pictures. The air is sultry and slightly wet, the warm breath permeates the pores, and the sunshine melts into the air warmly. Several old people and women sat by the roadside chatting and basking in the sun with cattail fans. Time seems to stand still here, and I can't help slowing down when I stand in the meantime.
The most lively is the old street. The smell of food all over the street makes you step into the store involuntarily. Passing a "Mingji rice rolls", the guests were packed. The shop is not big, and the location depends on grabbing. It is said that as early as the end of the Qing Dynasty, rice rolls's cries could be heard on the streets of Guangzhou. Due to the large sales volume in the morning market, most stores are in short supply, and people often queue up to buy food. I heard my little brother calling out our brand in Cantonese, and three plates of rice rolls were served, which were fragrant, bright, smooth and delicious. Barbecued pork, beef and shrimp are full and juicy. In Guangdong, rice rolls is a very common neighborhood food, which is cheap and delicious, suitable for all ages and well known to all women and children.
I always think that food is a good medicine to comfort people. Only when food is not classified and defined by the secular can it truly become the sky above people's heads. Every kind of food is the inheritance of the folk wisdom of the working people.
Sitting on the street of old Guangzhou with a strong street flavor, sitting on a wooden stool in the sunlight reflected by the old buildings in Lingnan, blowing the afternoon wind and tasting the taste of old Guangzhou on the tip of the tongue, it has been embedded in every corner here with the passage of time, and the warm inclusiveness gradually soothes my tired heart.
Chapter 2: Hello, Guangzhou, it is not easy to keep a quiet and calm in this noisy and impetuous city.
Until now, I still insist that "a spoonful of drinks, a spoonful of food and a man" is the life I want. However, the seemingly minimum requirements have become the greatest luxury. Perhaps, in this city, no one will be satisfied with such a life. Therefore, no one can understand my pursuit.
A friend said that what you want is Tao Yuanming's emotion and life. Maybe Guangzhou is not for you. Yes, I once wavered, but after wandering around for several years, I found that I was even more at a loss after leaving this city that didn't suit me. So, I have to drop everything and start over.
Maybe life is so strange. You always waste too much time and too much youth on people who are not suitable for you, either at work or in the city. And when you suddenly wake up, you can't live without that person, or that job, or that city. As a friend of mine who has worked hard in Guangzhou for many years said, in fact, Guangzhou is not suitable for most people, although she is very tolerant.
Yes, like the revolution in the 1920s, many hot-blooded young people rushed to Guangzhou with their youth, blood and hormones wasted. Finally, I have no money, no skills, no family and no business. I will go back to my hometown, find a blind date and start over.
However, just like the successors of the revolution, there are always more and more people who yearn for Guangzhou. One to one, the vitality of Guangzhou has been achieved, and the appearance of you and me has been lost.
Of course, because of their persistence in their ideals, many of them stayed and finally made some achievements. It is wise to leave; The rest may be more of an art of compromise.