Hull Journal: 03 / 04 / 2007; 1633BST

I have been out and had a good wander round the city centre. The generic city centre. The same shops. The same divisions of people. As I turned a corner I found the Tourist Information Centre. Entering with the simple hope of finding a simple fold-out map of the city of Hull, I came away with an array of pamphlets and leaflets; I was also surprised by the modernity of the centre. The first leaflets were about steam railways for Paul. I think we have all been to the National Railway Museum, but I picked that one up anyway.

I could not find what I wanted! Then I noticed another display of pamphlets, but these were more general. I asked the gentleman behind the counter the quickest way to Wilberforce House. As he was giving directions I saw all the Wilberforce leaflets had pride of place on the front counter.

Banners hang from every lamp post. You notice them as you walk. You notice people noticing them as you walk. I can see three from my dirty window: "Pride. Freedom. Belief. Change."

I have also gained admiration for the simplicity offered by New York's grid system. There, you have to walk just a single block and you know where you are going and where you should be going. Here, it is all down to luck. If you do not have a good map. I am off to the bar for a pint of Guinness and a studying of the acquired literature.

Yours, wherever you may be,
Daniel C. Wright