First the city must have a good feel. Hard to explain this one, but some cities feel great from the moment you arrive till the moment you leave. The kind of city you want to return to even when you've just been. There are lots of these places but they are not every stop on your journey... Gautemala city was not one of these places, even though I had a good time there, the city never felt great and when I decided to leave I remember thinking distinctly that the feel of the city was part of it.
After that it was a list of things that seem silly but I know matter to my sense of calm. A coffee shop with good lighting and decent coffee. A chinese restaurant that I like. Some sort of chain fast food. A movie theater.
Then there was the it would be cool if- though for me some of this plays into the feel of a city. It would be cool if there was an abundance of street art. A history to the place. Friendly people and cultural exhibits of some sort. Green space and somewhere with natural water. A progressive scene, liberal politics etc.
Those things are really unique to a place, for instance Rio de Janeiro had a to. Of street art but I didn't like the style all the time.
Ciudad del Este in paraguay had a big lake with walking paths, and several big parks but I would not choose to live there.
Do it's really the mix of things that make a place.
The last few days I've been in San Cristobal de las Casas and this morning I arrived in Oaxaca. Both of these places would make my list, though really they aren't all that much alike.
Both cities have a historic touristy area and a more modern though not always better looking local area. The centers have historic churches, big squares with music and street performers, art sellers etc. Both have pedestrian areas with restaurants, galleries and coffee shops. Both have markets both for tourists and locals. But both cities despite their obvious Mexican background, kind of look and feel nothing alike...
And yet they are both awesome.
Here are some pictures.
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