Chiang Mai, Thailand
In 2010, I was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to produce a reality show pilot. After the close of every day’s work, I grabbed a tuktuk and rode to the heart of town — to the night bazaar. It was a vibrant neighborhood of artisans, craftspeople, food-cart vendors, and stall-keepers. The night bazaar was set up each night and broken down every morning. Over the duration of the shoot, I spent several nights bonding with the artists and vendors. Around 4am, done for the night, before they broke down their stalls, they would bring out musical instruments and jam with their neighbors in impromptu sessions. I loved observing that thirty minutes of music. It was a different kind of neighborhood: an impermanent one, there by night and gone by dawn, but a community of support and joy. I felt like it was such a gift to bear witness.
East Rock, New Haven, CT
The East Rock neighborhood in New Haven was my first experience with what Jane Jacob called a “mixed-use space.” Nestled between houses and apartment buildings were locally-owned grocery stores, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, which allowed residents and visitors to mingle throughout the day. It’s a great example of how a small city can be designed to sustain vibrant residential spaces rather than the typical commercial downtown/residential suburb divide. Even though I haven’t lived in East Rock for many years, I still have so many fond memories of living there!
Grantchester, Cambridgeshire, UK
Former village residence of Rupert Brooke (poet) and gathering-place for Bloomsbury authors (Virginia Woolf, EM Forster). To walk there from the south side of Cambridge through Grantchester meadows along the river Cam made me understand why Holst and Vaughan Williams liked walking so much.
Ciutat Vella, Barcelona, Spain
A walk through Ciutat Vella is a feast for the eyes and a symphony for the ears, making it one of my favorite artistic neighborhoods. Amidst the narrow streets are ancient Roman ruins, Gothic palaces, and fantastical Gaudí buildings. The sounds of flamenco performances emerge from hidden courtyards and mingle with Catalan, the official language of the region. No matter the time of day, I find I am swept away by the vibrant and colorful energy of this district.
