Destination Beijing is a dream come true

It was 2003. A very dear friend, who also happened to be a colleague, was telling me about this trade fair happening in her neighborhood in Kolkata, India, where many countries had set up their kiosks. An hour later, we were there and the first thing we spotted was the China pavilion. We saw little else, choosing to spend the limited time we had browsing through the displays from a country that fascinated us both. Finally, we headed to work, each carrying a box of five miniature Chinese vases and myriad other knickknacks. Given our far-from-generous salaries in those days, we had spent a fortune that afternoon. But the logic was that we probably would never get to visit China, so at least we would have something from that country as a consolation.

Cut to 2023. The same dear friend now lives in Shanghai, having moved there in 2007. And I live in Beijing, having moved here a little more than three months ago.

Places have a way of working out for me. From the time I was a kid, there were three places I wanted to visit above all else — Vienna, Istanbul and Beijing. Don't ask me why. I just did. The first I managed as a 40th birthday treat, but it was a bit of a disappointment. I found Vienna cold, in every sense. Istanbul followed a few years later. My then editor had noticed my Blue Mosque screen saver and was amused by my obsession. I am forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me to visit Istanbul. It was everything that I thought it would be, and more.