enroute2010 by Coventry University

en route mARCH 2010

for the adventurous traveller

F R Pull-ou EE t guide

Shang to hai

Coventry Inspires

Miami music

Floridaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine festival celebrates after 25 years

HEALTH TOURISM

Would you travel to get a cheaper operation?

A fresh look at the city that rose from the ashes of war

PLUS

Explore San Francisco Understand Chinese customs and see Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top football stadiums

Contents

COVER STORY Rebuilt after the ravages of war, the city of Coventry is an inspiring blend of old and new page 12

EXPO 2010 All the world is FLORIDA’S FESTIVAL If yours to see – in one place. That’s music is your passion, Florida the attraction of Shanghai’s Expo is the place to be this March

CHINESE CUSTOMS How to avoid an international incident, with our guide to business in China

COVER STORY Exploring Coventry, the English city that rose from the ashes

MEDICAL TOURISM The rights and wrongs of travelling to get a cheaper medical procedure

HOME EXCHANGES For a different kind of holiday, why not swap your home for another?

Thanks to Our advertisers: Coventry School of Art and Design and Coventry University Graduate & CPD Centre; Andrew Noakes,

en route

FOOTBALL STADIUMS Our guide to the European stadiums with the best teams, heritage, and architecture

SAN FRANCISCO The best way to see ‘the foggy city’ is on foot, says Shelly Stevenson

SHANGHAI CITY GUIDE Pull-out guide to Shanghai

MEET THE TEAM

elcome to a new and vibrant travel magazine produced by postgraduate journalism students at Coventry University. Our focus is experiencing new cultures and communities across the globe while enjoying the journey there. en route is for the adventurous traveller looking for alternative ways to experice the world. We have advice about where to go, what to visit and how to get there, plus an indepth travel guide to help you plan your trip – whether it’s an overland trek, adventure tour or a once in a lifetime travel experience. We hope you will get pleasure from reading en route and enjoy your travel experiences. Jennifer Kealy Shelly Stevenson Elnur Kuliev Xi Zhu

THE WORLD IN ONE PLACE

Xi Zhu is your guide to Expo 2010, Shanghai’s peek at the future

All Photos Courtesy of EXPO Offical

hina’s pavilion at the 2010 World Expo is at first glance very obviously a Chinese structure. The China Pavilion is designed with the concept of an “Oriental Crown.” Its main colour is Gugong (Forbidden City) Red which represents the taste and spirit of Chinese culture. The main structure has a distinctive roof, made of traditional dougong or brackets, which has a history dating back more than 2000 years. Dougong was widely used in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-467 BC). After the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the bracket sets became more ornamental than structural when used in palatial structures and important religious buildings. The six-layer, 30-metre-high dougong roof is actually the exhibition area of the Chinese national pavilion. The 56 brackets used in the roof symbolize the 56 ethnic groups in China. The China Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo will be painted in seven shades of red. The new pavilion will be a new

landmark for Shanghai and a legacy for the rest of China, the organizers said. The pavilion will be converted into a museum for Chinese history and culture after the Expo closes in 2010. The World Expo will put on show new concepts, new ideas and new technology. The Expo will be known as the ‘Olympics’ of world economy, science and technology and culture.

UK PAVILION

The British Pavilion was designed by the British Museum. The design was announced at the British Consulate General in Shanghai as early as September 2007. A highlight of the design is described as a “light box” made from 60,000 “antennae” which light up. Each one of these antennae has seeds embeeded inside. Each “antenna” is about 7.5 metres in length, most of that length outside the exhibition hall. They

EXPO FACTS

Location Shanghai, China Duration May 1-Oct 31 Expected Visitors 70m

are made from a transparent acrylic material, with a certain amount of flexibility, able to dance with the wind gently, so that the audience seems to feel the entire exhibition hall is pulsating. The main structure of the pavilion is fixed, and the acrylic antennae are secured into the main structure, so visitors do not need to worry about safety. During the day, sunlight will filter through the antennae to the interior. In the evening, the antennae are lit by a white LED light source. Architect Thomas Heatherwick said it had originally been planned to use coloured light, but so many other pavilions were using colour that it was decided to choose pure white light, to represent “respect for nature.“ Britain does not intend to display at the Expo a

Shanghai Pavilion: CD cases

stereotypical view of the British with bowler hats and umbrellas. Instead, using one of the most basic elements of the natural environment, seeds, they intend to show the impact of biodiversity to man and the United Kingdom.

TURKEY PAVILION

The pavilion looks like an amazing red and beige box with an animal sculpture, inviting visitors to explore a maze of dreams. Every visitor to the pavilion will get a “cat’s eye” stone as a present. The theme is “The Cradle of Civilization”. It was inspired by one of the first known settlements in the world, said Sencar Ozsoy, the Turkish higher commissary, and also derived from settlements called “Catalhoyuk” in Turkish, which were the centre

of advanced culture in the Neolithic period. The first section of the pavilion will take visitors through a journey of time to learn about Turkey’s history. In the middle section, a 360-degree movie will display scenes from the streets of Istanbul to reflect the pride of the city as the European Capital of Culture in 2010. The final section is a symbolic figure of the phoenix to embody aspirations for the future.

UK Pavilion: Wind dancing

USA PAVILION

The USA Pavilion will showcase sustainability, teamwork, health, and struggle and achievements. The US had actually begun efforts to attend the 2010 event in March 2008 when the State Department signed a letter of intent with the USA Pavilion non-profit group, Shanghai Expo 2010 Inc, to raise funds privately for its Expo showcase. Expo 2010 will be a perfect opportunity to highlight US innovation and to share ideas with countries from around the world on ways to create better cities and communities for all our people.

Seeds In “Antennaes”

Japan Pavilion: a Silkworm

Turkey Pavilion: Amazing Red

USA Pavilion: Future City 5

Chinese Customs Westerners can find Chinese customs confusing. Xi Zhu is our guide.

Praise

The attitude of Westerners toward praise can be seen on their faces. Most European and American people welcome being praised, and the correct response in the West is to say, “Thank you.” But in China it is not polite to say thank you when someone offers you praise. Many Chinese people are quite shy, saying ‘thank you’ is a proud act. Instead, to show your humility, you deflect praise by saying: “Just so-so!”, or “not compared to you.” And so on.

being a guest

In the West, whether guest or host, people are very frank. When the guests arrive, the host will ask if they would like a drink. As the evening progresses, the host will press the guests if they would like another drink. In China, this is not the case. Guests always try not to bother the host or to cost the host any money. When the guest is asked if they would care for a drink, the response is, “Please do not bother”. The host asks you out of politeness only.

Modesty

The Chinese consider the virtue of modesty as the highest. They highlight neither their abilities nor their achievements. For example, when giving a speech Chinese Scholars usually begin with, “I am not so learned, I do not know enough to teach you anything.”. At a banquet, the owner of the place, while looking at a table full of various sumptuous dishes would say, “there aren’t enough choices here to eat. I’m afraid I couldn’t make enough. Please feel free to eat what little is there”.

Personal privacy

All photos courtesy of China Tourist Board

In China, people do not care about personal privacy. If you care about someone, you want to know all of their private details. Especially in family and friends one talks about age, martial status, income, work, where you live, your experience, religion, who you voted for in the last election. If you want to be close to a Chinese, you need to be able to talk about private things to demonstrate a relationship. China’s elders often ask young people about their private life in order to show that they care.

Cigarette etiquette

You should always offer cigarettes with the packet open with a few cigarettes popped up with the upper halves bared. Older people and women should be offered a light first. Do not use a match more than twice. If you do not know if a woman smokes, do not pass cigarettes to her. Older people can ask for a light from young people. If a man asks a woman for a light, she does not light his cigarette: she should pass the lighter or unlit matches to him.

Business Cards

Hold your card in both hands facing the other person. Smile, stand and bow as you hand it over then say “My business card, please accept it”. Younger, lower status people, and men, give cards first. Receive a card standing, smiling, hold it with both hands, and if it is your first meeting, read it aloud holding the bottom corners with both hands. Say, “Thank you” and “honoured to have your business card”. If you do not have a business card, apologise to and explain why.

Toasts

When making a toast to another at a dinner, you can symbolically touch glasses. Try to get your glass lower then the others glass to show respect. You can also toast each other by lightly touching the bottom of the glass on the table top if you are too far away to touch glasses. Generally speaking, a toast should be based on age, rank, identity as a sequence of two sides. We must give full consideration to the order of a good toast, clearly defining the order of primary and secondary.

Does where we go for treatment really matter? Are there reasons not to take advantage of the reduced cost of health care overseas, asks Shelly Stevenson

Photo Shelly Stevenson, graphics Andrew Noakes

edical tourism is not new. Since the first person felt unwell, people have travelled to places that could heal. Some of the first places for health tourists were the thermal and mineral waters. One of the most recognised of these places is Spa Belgium. In fact, the name Spa has become the word for health giving mineral water baths. Officially visiting spas to improve health has been part of a doctor’s prescription since the early 1700s. Doctors would recommend various therapeutic baths and to drink the heavily mineralised waters. Medicine has moved on, and so have the facilities. One of the better aspects of this new form of travel, it is no longer just for the wealthy. Many people who have no medical insurance in the United States choose to go to international hospitals for procedures they would otherwise not be able to afford. Television journalist Rebecca Leung explained on American TV about Bryan Bonnewell of Shrevesport Louisiana. He had a heart attack a year and a half ago, causing damage to his heart valves. His doctors told him he needed bypass surgery. Bryan did not have medical insurance, and the surgery would have cost over $100,000. He did not have the money, and felt he could not leave his family in that much debt, so decided not go ahead with the procedure. This was a death sentence for him. His health declined at a rapid rate, and just as he was resigning himself to the hereafter, he discovered an article about the heart specialist surgeons in Bumrundrad Hospital in Thailand. Bryan booked an appointment and had his surgery there. It was by first class surgeons, most trained in Europe or the States, and cost a mere $12,000. He is much better now. Alison Gingell, who is the chairman of NHS Coventry, said: “If people choose to go overseas for treatment, there are several concerns. One of them is the quality of care. How can you be sure you will receive it?” Though there are some very good hospitals all across the third world, there are also many bad hospitals and operations that have had disastrous consequences. A ‘Mexican face lift‘ has been the word for bad plastic surgery for many years in California. But it’s not the country to blame, but the fly-by-night surgeon cashing in the anxious men and women to want to change their looks. There is one group that says it will

Typical Surgical fees

Costs for procedures vary across the world. These are the lastest figures according to The Medical Tourism Association updated July 2009 Surgery Heart Bypass Angioplasty Heart Valve Replacement Hip Replacement Hip Resurfacing Knee Replacement Spinal Fusion Dental Implant Lap Band Breast Implants Rhinoplasty Face Lift Hysterectomy

USA $144,000 $57,000 $170,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $100,000 $2,000-10,000 $30,000 $10,000 $8,000 $15,000 $15,000

Colombia $14,630 $7,106 $10,450 $8,360 $10,500 $7,106 $14,500 $1,672 $6,500 $2,600 $1,677 $3,305 $1,845

Transplants: Kidney Transplant Liver Transplant

Asia $43,550 $134,000

Latin America $30,000 $75,000

regulate the medical tourism industry, the Medical Tourism Association. It is a not for profit association made up of top medical providers, insurance companies, and hospitals whose aim is stated as ‘the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of health care to patients in a global environment’. Where to go for that face lift? Look on http://www.medicaltourismassociation. com for the hospital you need. As part of some hospitals’ surgery, you can opt for a holiday package at a nearby resort as well. If the patient needs to go back to Thailand for follow up visits to the doctor, the airlines offer travel miles to help cover the costs. But even with the flight, hotels, first class care and holiday destinations, the treatment costs significantly less that most first world countries. It all sounds very good, and who does it hurt, anyway? You get that operation that you need, you pay the doctors and hospitals involved, everyone is happy. Not so, says Dr John Lister, Information Director of London Health Emergency. “This might be very good for American’s who need alternative medical treatment, but the average Indian has no chance of getting into the high tech hospitals that are created for medical tourism.” He went on to say that the impact on India is disastrous. “The money spent on these hospitals is a scandal. And the tourists monopolise the doctor’s attention.” The availability of doctors might not be the only problem with travel which has a medical purpose: what happens when the patient gets back home? “The lingering issue for the NHS is if something goes wrong. Then the NHS has to pick up the cost” Ms Gingell continued, “Ask the question, why do I need to go abroad for it? People in Britain have a choice; they

Costa Rica $25,000 $13,000 $30,000 $12,500 $12,000 $11,500 $15,000 $1,000 $8,500 $3,500 $5,500 $5,900 $5,500

India $8,500 $8,500 $1,200 $8,000 $8,000 $7,000 $12,000 $700 $7,500 $4,500 $3,500 $7,000 $5,500

Jordan $10,000 $5,000 $12,000 $8,000 $8,000 $7,000 $10,000 $500 $5,000 $3,000 $2,500 $3,000 $2,500

Mexico $20,000 $16,000 $30,000 $13,125 $12,800 $10,650 $7,000 $910 $8,430 $8,000 $4,165 $7,200 $6,675

Singapore $13,500 $7,500 $13,500 $11,100 $12,100 $10,800 $18,300 $2,900 $12,000 $5,400 $2,700 $4,000 $4,000

Thailand $24,000 $7,000 $22,000 $14,000 $16,000 $12,000 $11,000 $3,000 $12,000 $3,700 $3,400 $6,600 $5,000

United States Up to: $150,000 Up to: $315,000

can have their GP recommend another hospital if they are unhappy.” Ms Gingell also said that for the majority of cases, it is 18 weeks from referral to treatment. “There is no reason to go elsewhere.” For those with socialised medicine there is no need to travel for treatment. But for those who are sadly in a country without it, travel is one of the few options American’s have to get quality care. They are now travelling abroad for their health and it does not look as if it will stop any time in the future. With the average knee operation costing $50,000, it makes sense to find somewhere cheaper. In Colombia the price of the knee procedure is only $7,000. Even with the cost of flights and the outpatient stay at a nearby resort, the overall outlay is much less. But money is not the only issue to consider. “As just an example of why this is not a good idea, India has the lowest public sector spending in the world for medicine, yet it is one of the chosen medical destinations. And who benefits? Not the population.” Dr Lister continued. “This is exploitation.” The western world is used to exploiting others for their comfort, and now it appears that they are exploiting others for health as well. Travelling to third world country that has built first world hospitals to accommodate tourists rather than their own population is setting a dangerous precedence. If we are careful to drink Fair Trade coffee, surely it is also in everyone’s interest to use ‘Fair Trade medicine’. On the other hand, this might be the only option for millions without medical insurance. Why should they be denied the life saving operation even if it is carried out in another country?

“He did not have the money, and felt he could not leave his family in that much debt, so decided not to go ahead with the procedure. This was a death sentence for him”

Korea $24,000 $19,600 $36,000 $16,450 $20,900 $17,800 $17,350 $3400 $9,500 $11,000 $4,000 $3,000 $9,000

10 tips for Treatment Travellers

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.

Check out the reputation of the hospital you are going to. Are the doctors members of any medical association? If it is plastic surgery you are going for, are the surgeons reputable? Anyone can say they are a plastic surgeon, but not everyone can belong to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. There are several Medical Travel agencies now. Look for recommendations of Medical Travel Agencies and see what sort of packages they have. Have a familiarisation tour. These are available at most hospitals. Speak to the patient liaison and ask to speak to a ‘satisfied customer’. Check out the doctors. What sort of reputation do they have? Where were they trained? Make arrangements to go back for your follow-ups. Some hospitals even offer air miles. Ask yourself: why am I travelling for this? Will this significantly improve my life? If there is no need to travel for your procedure, why do it? Count the cost. The cheapest is not necessarily the best, but neither is the most expensive. Investigate. Give yourself time to recover. If you are travelling for an operation, make sure you figure time to rest and let your body recover. Remember there are risks to any operation. Investigate.

Florida Music Fusion Elnur Kuliev previews the biggest happenings of Miami’s Winter Music Conference, now in its 25th Anniversary year.

ubstep originated in the UK in the early 2000s and achieved popularity in the European electronic music industry. However, Louis Posenti and Bill Kelly, founders of Miami’s Winter Music Conference back in 1985, have been reluctant to include it the WMC until this year’s event. WMC 2010, the 25th-anniversary event, will take place on March 23-27 at the Eden Roc Beach Resort and Spa in Miami Beach, Florida. The event, which is expected to attract 70,000 people from 62 countries, includes Skream and Caspa, leading dubstep producers. Also for the first time dubstep DJs will be performing at the ULTRA Festival, which is one of the 506 events happening during WMC. Skream is nominated with his remix of the La Roux track In For The Kill for the best Dubstep/DNB/Jungle category at the International Dance Music Award, which celebrates its 25 birthday together with Winter Music Conference. WMC is recognised as one of the most important events in dance music industry calendar. “I’m on such a high,’’ said Fergie, who will be touring with the (Black Eyed) Peas

Picture courtesy of: Miami & Beach and Amazon.

‘WMC is one of the most important events in the dance music industry calendar’

this summer, at last year’s event. “The Winter Music Conference is so great. People in Miami are on fire. They’re so energetic – we’re having a great time.” He’s not the only fan. “Miami’s probably one of the most important places for dance music, quite simply because of the Winter Music Conference,” says Fedde Le Grand, the producer who released floor-filler Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit in 2006 and Let Me Be Real late in 2009. “You have people from all around the globe, all the different music territories flying in to talk business and of course to party,” Le Grand says. He is expected to be attending, through his name is not being confirmed at the time of writing. But some big names of the electronic music industry will be attending, including Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Martin Solveig, Alex Gaudino and Deadmau5 – together with a great many others. The event itself will be taking place at Eden Roc Beach Resort & Spa which is located at North Beach side of Miami Beach. With all the events and venues taking place in the resort and on surrounding areas of North Beach, expect to sunbathe or swim in the ocean during the day. Your nights will be spent clubbing while seeing top DJ’s performing on location and hearing best and freshest electronic music tunes Attendance to all of this is not cheap, so to expect to pay from a reasonable to ridiculous amount of cash. The events range from $5 to $139.95 if you take the example of cost of the ULTRA music festival which hosts the leading DJ’s in the industry.

ULTRA festival, march 26-27: 26 March Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Passion Pit, The Crystal Method, The Disco Biscuits, Carl Cox, Dirty South, Will.I.Am, Rabbit In The Moon, Infected Mushroom, Plump Djs, Felix Da Housecat, Pretty Lights, Adam Freeland, Green Velvet, Alex Metric, Lotus, Uberzone vs. Bassbin Twins, Dan Black, Evil Nine, Kevens and Afrobeta.

ULTRA artists: Tiesto appears at the ULTRA festival

The best way to see the Winter Music Conference is to get the WMC Badge. This lets you attend any events and any venue in the conference for free. However, the last date to register for the badge is on March 3. It costs $425 if you register right away, but the price rises the longer you wait. The WMC Badge also includes free admission to International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) which is

the artists confirmed 27 March Deadmau5, Groove Armada (live), Carl Cox, Faithless Sound System (live), Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Crookers, Bloody Beetroots (live), Ghostland Observatory, Major Lazer, Bassnectar, Steve Aoki, ATB, Glitch Mob, Diplo, LTJ Bukem, a-trak, Rusko, Banga, Skream, Caspa, and Toddla T.

on March 26, while Caspa appears on March 27.

normally a $100 ticket. IDMA winners are selected through voting on its websites by dance music fans in the different categories of awards such as: Underground Dance Track, Alternative/Rock dance, European DJ, and the Best Radio Station. The nominees include household names such as La Roux (In For The Kill) Basshunter (Every Morning), David

Guetta (When Love Takes Over, Dash) Berlin (Man on the Run), Deadmau5 (Ghosts’n’ Stuff). The voting is now closed, but check websites for a complete list of nominees. In total there 57 categories, including category for technology equipment. Another highlight of the WMC is the ULTRA festival which takes during two days of the conference (26 and 27 March) and already has confirmed list of the leading dance music DJ’s including Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5, Groove Armada, Armin van Buurin, Above & Beyond, ATB and Diplo. In time of printing phase 2 of the confirmed artists list was not released, so expect more big names to be added. The ULTRA tickets cost $139.95, or the VIP tickets are $350.00. In addition excpect parties on Miami streets hosted by DJ’s such as Air London & 8 Bit Records present (23 March),Global Underground Annual All-Star VIP Event at Mynt Lounge (24 March). Those smaller venues have the lesser known artists, but they’re ideal for dedicated fans and those looking for something fresh. Plaza De Funk, Alex M.O.R.P.H , Mark Evans and many others will be there – and if dance music is your thing, you should be there too.

‘Smaller venues have the lesserknown artists, ideal for dedicated fans’

WMC 2010: OUR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL GUIDE Flights

Eden Roc is located 11 miles (18km) from Miami International Airport (MIA) and 25 miles (40km) from Fort Lauderdale (FLL). It 12 miles (19km) from the nearest AmTrak railway station. American Airlines, which is an official provider to the Winter Music Conference 2010, is providing discount flights from 20 March and 30 March. For more details see www.aa.com

Accommodation

Eden Roc Beach Resort and Spa, host of the WMC, will be providing rooms for the WMC delegates with reduced prices. Prices range from $219/ night (standard room) to $959/ night (Bi-Level Bungalow Suite). Other room options are: Oceanview with Balcony ($269/night), Junior Suite ($319/night), King Suite ($349/ night) and Ocean Tower Suite ($799/ night). For more details see www.boldnewedenroc.com

car hire

Avis is an official provider to the WMC 2010, so they’re the perfect place to go if you need a car while you’re in Florida. See www.avis.com for details.

Coventry Inspires Destroyed by war-time bombing, Coventry has been rebuilt into a vibrant 21st-century city. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a must-see, says Jennifer Kealy.

his was once a grey industrial town that was unlikely to feature in anyone’s tourist itinerary. But Coventry, a city once thought of as dull, has seen major developments adding new creativity and inspiration in a modern urban space. The new designs sit seamlessly amongst medieval culture and charm. Today the city presents you with an inspirational journey. This is our guide to getting the most out of a truly spirited city. Even if you here for one night or the long haul, Coventry offers a wide range of activities. The Herbert Art Gallery is one of them. The museum is best known for its exploration of the city’s historic culture. It brings the history and the arts to life for inspiration and enjoyment. I recently paid the museum a visit and was subject to a feeling of remorse. It reminded me of the beauty and art available. As I ventured further into the building an assistant approached me: “Have you been here before?” she said. I was quick to reply “Yeah a few times”. Why did I lie? That was the remorse. She then replied: “Oh good so you know your way round”. I had no idea but I was excited about the idea of getting lost in a museum. As I strolled on taking in the fine art I began to hear a story of truths and secrets. The sculptures became a narrative bringing the museum to life before my eyes. My initial observations of a ghostly decaying building were soon altered, as I became an impressed and somewhat honoured city girl. As I departed and returned to the entrance I could not forget that final feeling. The passion and time that had been entrusted into those art pieces had truly inspired me. A significant desplay in the Herbert Art Gallery was about Lady Godiva. This led me to the Lady Godiva statue in the heart of the city. As I stood next to her monument I began to think about her story – if you are not aware of her tale then let me enlighten you. Lady Godiva was the wife of Leofric the Third, the Earl of Mercia. In the year 1057, Leofric imposed heavy taxes on Coventry’s residents who in effect nearly starved Lady Godiva was aware of the suffering being caused and begged her husband Leofric to lower the taxes. In an attempt to stop her from distressing him about this he promised to reduce the taxes if she rode naked through the streets of the town. He was certian she would never do such a thing, but he had underestimated her determination. With this the lady told the people to stay at home that day and to close their doors and windows. Only one person did not follow her instructions, a tailor called Thomas. He made a hole so

“As I strolled on taking in the fine art I began to hear a story of truths and secrets”

Coventry Transport Museum at night. Opposite: Coventry bridge.

that he could secretly watch the beautiful lady as she passed by. The sight of her body struck Thomas blind: he was the original Peeping Tom. I wondered if I would have been so brave. Her statue signifies challenges in our lives we all should take to achieve our goals. Next time you see the statue maybe you should ask yourself the same questions and accept the challenges to come. Before you depart from the city take a look around the Coventry Transport Museum. The gallery tells a story of the rollercoaster fate of Coventry’s motoring industry through vast displays. It has a completely different approach to the tourist experience, allowing visitors to decide for themselves what the car industry achieved for Coventry. As you walk further in you are introduced to world famous cars including Back to the Future’s DeLorean. Continuing round the corner, you soon becomes enveloped by the past. Before you know it you are plunged in to a world of darkness

“Feelings of sorrow are soon changed to the prosperity of the future”

where there are cobbled streets and the air is musty. You soon realise you are in Coventry during the Blitz, an era that previously escaped me. There are scenes of destruction and the despair of war. This left me feeling uneasy. The feelings are effectively captured through the sound effects and dim lighting. Emotions of sorrow are soon changed to the prosperity of the future as you are introduced to the ‘Chavant Studio’. Within this room you are greeted with sculptures of the futuristic automotive industry. The museum is not just for the car lover but also for anyone interested in Coventry’s inspirational past. The building is filled with excitement and interaction As you depart you will undoubtedly be inspired and have a lasting impression of a powerful city. Coventry’s tale is a journey of invention, embellished with a rich vein of enterprise and opportunity. The history can provide you with valuable insight and the future direction of an up-and-coming city with true beauty and strength.

“Before you know it you are plunged into a world of darkness”

Did you know: l The first car to bear the Jaguar name was made in 1935 and cost £395. Would any of you like to guess how much an original SS 100 would fetch today, even with seven decades of wear and tear? I’ve been advised to start the bidding at a whopping £90,000. l Coventry’s name is believed to derive from “Cofa’s Tree”. This tree grew at a crossroads which later became the site of Coventry Castle and is now Broadgate. So now we shop at that site every day, without even a thought for all that history! l Coventry was the first place a Boneshaker cycle was ever seen in England, brought here by James Starley in 1866. Soon after, he created the Penny Farthing. l Coventry’s motor industry boomed during the 1950s and 1960s and Coventry enjoyed a ‘golden age. l The term, “True as Coventry blue” comes from the cloth dyed in Coventry in the middle ages. This was a colourfast dye that didn’t fade made from oad. This also died the local river sky blue.

From top to bottom: Glass Bridge at night capturing the Transport Museum. Bottom: Herbert Art Museum and on the right Lady Herbert’s garden.

Pictures courtesy of CV1 tourist information

Exchange your home for a different kind of holiday

Shelly Stevenson reports on the latest holiday trend ouse exchanges are the new way to have an economical, and interesting holiday. There are several websites dedicated to those who wish to stay in someone else’s home, rather than a hotel. They exchange their own home in their county of residents for the privilege.It is a very simple concept, and it works very well. There are many different websites that focus on house exchanges. Find the website that best covers the area you want to visit. Home Exchange Vacation (www. homexchangevacation.com) is a good start. The Guardian also has its own home exchange website at www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk. For a exchange website that sounds like it has it all, try Global Home Exchange (www.4homex.com). It’s not a very complicated process. First, register the home you wish to exchange. Depending on the website, it will

Stay in the house of your dreams – if only for a week. Photo courtesy of Andrew Noakes

take about 10 minutes. Usually there is a place for all of your contact details, and a page for your property details. Next, choose where you would like to go. The home exchange website will not always have the destination you have in mind, but keep looking. Once you have found a place you want to see, the next step is to contact the owner. You can either email them direct, most websites have this, or you can contact them through the home exchange site. A good thing to do is to ask for a phone number and speak to the person you want to exchange with directly. It helps to have made contact.

Then, go! Leave your house keys with a designated person, or make secure arrangements via the exchange site. One of the main questions about house exchange is, Is it safe to exchange my house with someone I haven’t met yet? Yes, it is, but the main thing to do is to get to know the person you are exchanging with. Some people have several chats on the phone before the exchange. According to Home Exchange Vacation, many people exchange photographs and videos of their family and home before they make final arrangements. “A home exchange is built on trust, and the mutual respect of each other’s property makes home exchange successful.” People always ask, is my house good enough for home exchange? Your place might be just the thing someone is looking for. Not everyone wants a palace; some want a city centre flat. What is the main benefit of a house exchange? You get to know someone new who is interested in travel.

Superstadiums: football aren Camp Nou Spain’s Camp Nou, which translates as new field, is the largest stadium in Europe with capacity of 98,787. Built in 1957, Camp Nou got its name in 2000. Its previous name, Estadi del FC Barcelona, was changed to Camp Nou by the demand of football supporters. The stadium also contains the museum of the club, which material of Barcelona’s achievements. All respected fans should visit it.

Wembley Stadium In late 2006, British football population was losing its patience as it became known that Wembley would not be completed, Before it was due to open in March 2007, questions if it would be done started circulating and the public’s opinion became wary. Today, Wembley is a jewel of all stadiums in England, with the FA being the sole owner of the stadium. The oldest domestic cup final plays there every year.

Stade de France

Stade de France was opened in 1988, and became one of the main stadiums of Europe with a capacity of 81,338. It hosts national games and the French cup. In addition to this, the stadium holds a special place in French fans’ hearts because this is where their team won the World Cup in 1998. More recently it’s known for the ‘hand of God’ by Thierry Henry against the Republic of Ireland.

They’re more than just sports grounds, fan of the Beautiful Game should

San Siro

San Siro is a stadium jointly used by both AC Milan and Internazionale. This does not usually cause any problems. However, it is a problem in the UEFA Champions League because according to the competition rules two teams cannot play in the same stadium during the course of the same week. San Siro is destined to host great games bringing celebrity footballers to the ground.

Luzhniki Stadium

Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium has two main facts making it unique from other stadiums listed. Firstly, the stadium is located in the Olympic complex and was the main venue of 1980 Moscow Olympics. Secondly, the stadium has artificial grass, which is known as FieldTurf. Luzhniki is home to two Russian clubs from different divisions. They are Spartak (premier league) and Torpedo lower division.

the 10 greatest as in Europe Amsterdam Arena

The Amsterdam Arena, which has capacity of 51,128, was opened in 1996 by Queen Beatrix. The stadium is used primarily for football, but also featured American football games between 1996 until 2007, when the NFL world tour was still in fashion. The Amsterdam Arena also hosted some of the Euro 2000 and 1998 Champions league finals. This is the best stadium in Holland.

Sukru Saracoglu

they are the superstadiums that every d visit. Elnur Kuliev explains why.

Allianz Arena

Munich’s Allianz Arena hosts two teams from different leagues. One is Bayern Munich the Bundesliga competitor and the other is TSV-1860 Munchen. TSV competes in the second divison of Bundesliga. However, what makes the stadium special is the change of colours. As you drive past Allianz you see it light up either red, white or blue to represent the teams playing.

Estadio da Ruz

Lisbon’s Estadio Da Ruz, is known as the stadium of light. Lisbon’s people themselves refer to the city of light. But unfortunately this stadium does not vibrantly light up at night in the way that the spectacular Allianz Arena can. Since opening in 2003, Benfica saw great football results. It has hosted numerous games in the Euro 2004, including first major trophy win by Greece V Portugal.

Anyone who has genuine knowledge about Istanbul’s Sukru Saracoglu is aware of the rivalry between the three main teams in Turkey. Undoubtedly, when it comes to the best stadiums in Turkey, Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu beats Galatasaray and Besiktas hands down. My advice for visitors is be wary of talking about Sukrus wins with another fan: you can expect to be his best friend for at least 90 minutes...

Celtic Park

Celtic Park opened in 1888 when several leading football clubs were not yet born. The stadium saw the rise and fall of the Celtics and some memorable games. Those matches were mainly between its rivals Glasgow Rangers. Its architecture has a traditional and nostalgic feel to it. It is built with red bricks, in which the name of stadium appears. It is sometimes referred to by Celtic fans as paradise.

Drifting through the foggy city Shelly Stevenson tours San Francisco, the foggy city, taking in street markets, visiting the sea dogs and contemplating a Japanese tea garden.

From left to right: the Japanese Tea garden, the “Painted Ladies” victorian houses, a San Francisco Cable car, Sea lions at Pier 39 photos courtesy GoCalifornia

an Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities on the West Coast. With its steep hills and views over the bay, the city is a green jewel in the dryness of California. In fact, its former name, Yerba Buena, means green grass. The San Francisco Bay Area has its own microclimate. California can reach 100°F, but the Bay Area can be just 70°F thanks to San Francisco’s own natural air conditioning, the ever-present fog. Fog is a very Northern California thing, arriving almost every morning to slow travellers. In the country this tule fog rises from the ground when it’s damp and warm, blanketing the land with a thick grey covering. But when the fog comes in from the bay, it fills the city with a thick, cottonlike blanket of white. The very best way to see San Francisco is by cable car and on foot. There is a chance to see things that you might miss when travelling by car. Often missed are the rows of ‘painted ladies’ – lovely wooden Victorian houses. Some owners are so proud of their house’s Victorian pedigree, they consult with specialist house stylists if they wish to change the colour of the building. San Francisco is fortunate that the houses survived the 1906 earthquate. To start the tour of San Francisco, take a Cable Car (a tram in any other city) to Fisherman’s Wharf – hang off the side if you like. The trams do not travel faster than 30mph, but children are not allowed to hang on the sides.

At Fisherman’s Wharf there are shops, piers for cruise ships, and some of the most amazing food you will ever eat. A specialty of the city is a bowl made of sourdough bread filled with clam chowder. Or the real San Francisco treat, the Dungeness Crab – in season, caught and boiled in huge cauldrons right by the side of the wharf. That and a hunk of San Francisco Sour Dough French bread and you have heaven. While you are wandering around the wharf, make sure you stop and see the sealions at Pier 39. An enormous colony took up residence in 1989 and never left. You can see these social, fish-eating ‘sea dogs’ up close. The next stop should be Ghiardelli Square – the place of chocolate! The company that named the square was founded in 1852 and is America’s number one chocolate company. Have a taste, then South East to North Beach. This is the Little Italy of the city, populated by immigrants from the early 20th century. And Italy is all about good food and good coffee, so enjoy the lovely sidewalk cafés along Colombus Avenue. From there, head for China Town passing Washington Square, a small park established in 1848. As San Francisco columnist Herb Caen remarked, the funny thing about Washington Square, is that there is no

square and the monument in the park is of Benjamin Franklin, not Washington. It is one of the most beautiful places to see on your way through. There is one historical monument along the way for Juana Briones. She was an extraordinary woman, a landowner and businesswoman in the late 18th century. She gave birth to 11 children and in her spare time was a humanitarian. She set broken bones, helped the diseased people around her and fed the poor. On your way out of North Beach stop at the Liguria Bakery, making fresh focaccia since 1911. But get there early – after they run out, they close shop. From there, head towards the gates of China Town. San Francisco has the largest Chinese settlement outside of China. It is also one of the oldest in the US. Originally the Chinese came to West Coast to help build the Pacific railroad in the 19th Century. During the 1849 Gold Rush many set up businesses caring for the prospectors and brought more of their families over. In some areas of Chinatown English is not spoken. It is wonderful place to try genuine Chinese food, and to shop at the many import markets supporting the community. Traditional Chinese craftsmen also make inlaid boxes, stone seals, lanterns and clothing. And finally, to the Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden. It is the oldest Japanese park in the United States, opening in 1894. Going into the park is a bit like stepping into Japan, with its koi-filled pools, humpedback bridges and cherry blossoms, this is a lovely place to spend the day. You must stop and have a cup of the interestingly scented jasmine tea. The gardens are filled with quiet areas. This is a perfect place for serene contemplation. Next month, we leave San Francisco and travel north up Highway 1 to Washington to find the best places to stop and whale watch. We will investigate the sea food restaurants along the way, and stop to taste the the states’ own sparkling wine, Korbel Champagne.

‘Fog is a very Northern Californian thing... it fills the city with a thick, cottonlike blanket of white’

MINI GUIDE TO SHANGHAI Edited by Xi Zhu

Places to Visit Easton Pearl Television Tower

Ticket fee: 70 RMB/PP The Easton Pearl Television Tower is set in the Shanghai Pudong along the Huangpu River. The Tower was established in 1st Oct 1994. The height of the tower is 468 meter. At that time, it was the highest building in Asia and third in the world. 11 different size balls be compose together to create this tower. And the Shanghai international news centre is set in this tower. Hot line: 02158791888

Century Park

was established during 1403 to 1424. In the history, the temple has been destroyed lots of times, but be rebuilt after the People Republic China established. It attracts huge believers and visitors come to visit every day. Furthermore, in the temple, it also supplies lots of delicious Shanghai traditional food and snacks.

Old Water village

Ticket fee: 80 RMB/PP There are lots of small village set along the river and stream in the south of the Yangzi River, in China, people call them â&#x20AC;&#x153;river south aqua villageâ&#x20AC;?. In the north edge of Shanghai, there are several water villages. The special contraction

structure and nice view attract the traveller come from every corner from the world. Lots of photographers come to these water villages.

Movie Paradise

Ticket fee: 50 RMB/PP The Paradise is established by Shanghai Movie Group Company. It occupies 800 square kilometres. The investment to build this Movie Paradise was around 1.5 billion RMB, about US$0.7 billion. It shows the old Shanghai city in 1930s. More than 30 films were made in this movie paradise. It is a good representation of the old Shanghai city. Lots of super stars left their footprint in this movie paradise.

All Fhotos Courtesy Of TUCOO

Ticket fee: 10 RMB/PP The Century Park set in the heart of Pudong, it is a culture center. It is the largest nature character urban park. The park has large area of grass, forest and lake as the subjects. It shows the amalgamation of Easton garden art and nature. The park has several different themes, including country field garden, views garden, lakeside garden, forest garden, bird protection garden, international garden and mini golf area. Every day the park management office range different events to attract visitors come from all over the world. Hot line: 02138760588

Old City Temple

Ticket fee: 15 RMB/PP Shanghai Old City Temple is the main representation of the Chinese Taoism. It 21

Places to Eat & Drink Xiang Yang Fishing Harbor

Cuisine: Ningbo Region: Putuo Address: 608 Macao Road Transportation: Bus: 19 Hours: 11:00-14:00 17:00-22:00 Xiang Yang Fishing Harbor is known among Ningbo locals for its Ningbo seafood and pleasant dining hall. Creative Shanghainese, Jiangsu and Guangdong dishes are also available.

Shanghai No. 1 Restaurant

Cuisine: Shanghainese Region: Luwan Address: 3rd Floor, Haixing Plaza, 1 South Ruijin Road Transportation: Metro Line 9 (Dapu Bridge); Bus: 43, 104, 128, 853, 869 Hours: 11:00--16:00 17:00--22:00 Shanghai No. 1 Restaurant is rich in old Shanghai charm with its antiqued furnishings and decorations. The restaurant specializes in classic and creative Shanghainese cuisine, which strives to be light and flavorful instead of oily and heavily seasoned like traditional local dishes.

Chuan Guo Romance Hot Pot Restaurant Cuisine: Hot Pot Region: Pudong Address: 8th Floor, Hua Run Times Square, 500 Zhangyang Road Transportation: Metro Line 9 (Shangcheng Road); Bus: 119, 584, 783, 787, 792, 985. Hours: 11:00--22:00 Chuan Guo Romance is one of the first high-end Sichuan restaurants in Shang hai. It also offers opportunities to sample traditional “hot pot” and Guangdong and Shanghainese Cuisine alongside its 22

Sichuan dishes. Inside, the restaurant’s decor retains a sense of simple elegance, creating an environment unlike traditional Sichuan restaurants.

Nan Xiang Steamed Buns Cuisine: Snack Region: Huangpu Address: 85 Yuyuan Road (beside Jiuqu Bridge) Transportation: Bus Lines: 11, 64 ,66, 126, 920, 921, 932 Hours: 8:30--19:00 Nanxiang is a renowned and longestablished snack restaurant near the Jade Garden. Dishes are perfect for sharing among small groups of 2-3 people. The small steamed buns are the house specialty and are famous for their thin skin and flavorful meat fillings. The cheap snacks are tremendously popular

and given the heavily-trafficked area, it is not unusual to see a line of people waiting outside. The main dining hall and private rooms are located on the second floor.

Places to stay Broadway Mansions Hotel

Address: 20 North Suzhou Road, Shanghai PC: 200080 Tel: +86 21 63246260 Fax: +86 21 63241565 E-mail: service@ broadwaymansions.com Web: www.broadwaymansions.com Broadway Mansions Hotel was built in 1934 by British merchant. The hotel offers 253 luxurious, comfortable and spacious guest rooms, which was characterized by classicism as well as vintage style decoration. The banquet halls on the 17th, 18th and 19th floors are the best place to have a bird`s eye view of the best of the city. In the evening, the Bund and Pudong Lu Jiazui area provides a gorgeous night scene.

Crowne Plaza Lake Malaren

Address: 6655 Hutai Road, Shanghai PC: 201908 Tel: +86 21 5659088 Fax: +86 21 56590136 E-mail: reservations@ crowneplazamalaren.com. Web www.crowneplaza.com A exclusive resort property in Shanghai northern suburbs, featuring golf course view and natural scenery from all well appointed 274 guest rooms and suites. Being only 45 minutes drive from Puxi City Center the resorts offers an array of indoor & outdoor leisure facilities, positioning itself as the ideal destination for MICE and team building events, weddings and city breakaways.

Design & Visual Arts Industrial Design Media & Communication Performing Arts Coventry School of Art & Design Coventry University Priory Street Coventry CV1 5FB +44 (0) 24 7688 8248 afuture.ad@coventry.ac.uk www.coventry.ac.uk/csad

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