Racial stereotypes are always dangerous things, aren’t they? But many of us can’t help but resort to them when describing the attributes – or otherwise – of anything from cuisine, fashion, mannerisms, topography or mechanical objects such as cars and motorcycles.
Think about it: could Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Volkswagen hail from anywhere other than Germany? The country’s famous pursuit of engineering and technical excellence is imbued in practically everything its people design or manufacture. Could Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani or Ducati have originated anywhere other than Italy? Passionate, loud, beautiful and far from shy, these machines fly the flag for their country in inimitable style, while Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce, despite having availed themselves of foreign investment money for survival, display a more reserved, resolutely British approach to design. What, though, of the upstart that is McLaren?
McLaren is British through and through. It does, indeed, benefit from GCC money with Bahraini investors, but everything it designs, engineers, develops and builds is UK-centric. And the stereotypical Britishness comes across loud and clear in every level of its operations – evident when you meet some of the people responsible for producing its latest production car, the 650S. Initially a bit backward in coming forward, entirely polite and pleasant, they’re good company over dinner at the car’s international launch venue in Marbella, Spain. But the more you get to talk to them, the more you get to know them and what makes them tick, the more you get to enjoy yourself. It’s a two-way street and a very rewarding process.
And this is reflected perfectly in the 650S. At first acquaintance, it appears a bit clinical and aloof. It fails to excite, with cynics dismissing it as nothing more than a cut ‘n’ shut of a P1 and the outgoing MP4-12C with nothing really new to offer, apart from a nose borrowed from a more exciting and rarer car. They say it’s cold and unapproachable, doesn’t shout enough, doesn’t fire the imagination and is built without passion. And yet, when you get to know it, when you spend quality time with it in a variety of circumstances, you see nothing could be further from the truth. Just like the men and women who build it, the 650S is a riot once you scratch its surface and reveal its true personality.
At first glance, you might agree with the naysayers, in some respects. The MP4-12C was, to some eyes, too bland in its styling, particularly at the sharp end, and McLaren, instead of penning an entirely new design for its replacement, has simply emulated the mental P1’s nose and left the rest as it was. To my eyes, it’s not a complete success and there’s a touch of over-styling going on, despite the company’s insistence that everything looks the way it does because it serves a functional purpose. It’s not beautiful, I think that’s my biggest issue, but it’s definitely unique and distinctive, if nothing else.
When I’ve had the opportunity to drive any MP4-12C (I still think that tongue-twisting nomenclature was a big mistake) I have been absolutely blown away by its capabilities. No matter what your skill levels are behind the wheel of a super sports car, it flatters the driver and actually helps him or her become better at what they do. It’s as comfortable as an S-Class on the road but when you dial in some of its trickery at a track it changes character and practically obliterates anything else, including the best that Maranello can throw in its path. It’s an almost perfect product of decades in the motorsport business and I would own one in a heartbeat.
But the 650S moves things on considerably, despite its somewhat familiar looks from the A-pillars back. Yes, it’s built around the same carbon fibre tub, has the same 3.8-litre, twin turbo V8 engine, and the same seven-speed, twin-clutch gearbox as the 12C, but it genuinely is a massive leap forward, with more than 25 per cent of it entirely new when compared to its still young ancestor.
Unlike the 12C, this new model is available from the outset in both coupé and Spider forms, with the open top model expected to take the lion’s share of sales, especially in the USA but, oddly enough, the same can be said of the UAE, while other countries like Saudi Arabia traditionally prefer the tin-top. That engine has been given new cylinder heads and a power boost (not that it needed it), now pumping out 650hp (hence the name) and the transmission has been worked on, too, to be even more responsive, while the car’s three driving modes have been tweaked to further the driver appeal and it has managed to shed 60kg in the process. On paper, at least, it all looks incredibly positive, especially as McLaren claims its suspension is just as refined and as capable as before.
And what a venue we have at our disposal for testing out McLaren’s claims: Ascari, on the southern tip of Spain – one of my all-time favourite circuits, surrounded by some tremendous public roads that snake around Marbella. The weather could not be more perfect, there’s a selection of cars to try out and they’re all fuelled up with fresh tyres to boot. Oh yes.
Since its launch in 2011, McLaren has sold more than 3,000 MP4-12Cs – a real success, despite industry rumours that it was struggling to find buyers, and the Middle East has really taken to it, with owners totally keyed into McLaren’s racing heritage. And there’s no reason to assume the 650S will be any less successful, but here, on this technically challenging and quite dangerous track, I should be able to get a real feel for the differences between it and a car I fell in love with within seconds of driving it.
Audibly it’s more exciting (a common criticism of the 12C), even at tickover, with a deeper, more menacing boom instead of the rather anodyne soundtrack of its forebear. The interior is practically identical, although there’s a greater prevalence of Alcantara trim (it’s lighter than leather and nice and grippy when you’re really getting on the gas), which is actually comforting as there’s nothing to get familiar with, meaning we can just get out there.
Even with a pro-driver at my side, the complexity of Ascari is still intimidating. There’s barely a straight section, instead it’s a snaking ribbon of tarmac that weaves through beautiful countryside, with blind crests, chicanes, corners tighter than a bull terrier’s jawbone and very little run-off if you get things wrong. With 650 horses being channelled through the rear wheels only, this is perhaps not the ideal venue – last time I was here I spent hours hooning around in the rather more playful Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, but this is a very different beast. But I need not fear, because the McLaren turns out to be an exceptionally brilliant performer in every respect.
Listen to the instructor and you won’t go far wrong – that’s the mantra I live by when driving on any racing circuit, and over the years it has served me and the cars I’ve driven well. Today is no different.
Immediately, the 650S shines more brilliantly than the 12C. By any standard, it is a stupendously fast car – put the hammer down and it’s as though a supernatural being has pressed an index finger on its rump and pushed it into another dimension. Turbos are brilliant when they’re as finely tuned as this. But it’s the brakes that really set themselves apart as so much better than before. No matter how fast I push it, the 650S stops just as well. It also steers and shifts gears better than before – we’re talking small steps here, obviously, but the cohesive whole represents a marked overall improvement in the way this car sounds, goes, feels and stops. It really does behave like the most civilised race car imaginable and I’d better stop while I’m ahead.
Because the danger is that, when a car is this capable and addictive on a track, you’re always wanting to get in an extra lap. And that is normally when accidents happen. So I stop and have some lunch at Ascari’s equally brilliant restaurant before heading out for a few hours on the roads in the Spider.
The roof remains open for the duration and it proves to be a delightfully vocal performer. See a gap in the traffic, drop to third, nail the throttle and hold on tight while the McLaren dispatches absolutely everything in front of it, as though every other road user is at a standstill, all the while screaming its head off. Yes, this is much more electrifying than the 12C, fabulous though that car always will be.
It’s when I reach a series of lengthy tunnels that I really get to hear what’s going on – particularly when it’s just bare rock above my head. Slow down upon entry, even down to a speed where second gear is appropriate, allow the other traffic to disappear into the distance and, once again, open the taps. What happens then is just extraordinary – a nape-tingling roar accompanied by time-warping power delivery. In a flash, I’m right behind the traffic I’d let go just seconds before and those mighty brakes make the car stop with breathtaking efficiency. The Spider, it turns out, is an even more engaging car to drive quickly than the closed coupé. It looks nicer, too.
When I get back to the hotel, I hand the car over to McLaren’s PR director, Wayne Bruce (affectionately known to us hacks as Manbat) and immediately feel a tinge of regret. Nose job aside, this is a quantum leap – the car the MP4-12C could have, would have been, had McLaren spent more time developing it.
But it’s here now and, while my knees are knocking thanks to the way it drives, the competition should be quaking in its boots. After last week’s Jaguar F-Type drive, the McLaren 650S proves beyond a doubt that Britain is firing on all cylinders. What a relief.
khackett@thenational.ae
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
THE%20SPECS
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Company%20profile
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%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
if you go
More on animal trafficking
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Company%C2%A0profile
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MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1 (Hudson-Odoi 90 1')
Manchester City 3 (Gundogan 18', Foden 21', De Bruyne 34')
Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
RESULTS
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Meshakel, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Gervais, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Global Heat, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Firnas, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
Winner Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Winner Wasim, Mickael Barzalona, Ismail Mohammed.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
RESULTS
1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Blown by Wind, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh72,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Obeyaan, Adrie de Vries, Mujeeb Rehman
4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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