20 for 20: French Dog Whisperer Adrien Macera
In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we're profiling 20 movers and shakers who, much like The Beijinger, have called the capital home for 20 years or more.
Adrien Macera is a French national who arrived in 1994 with his parents – but never left. He currently runs Diddy’s Hood, a boarding and training facility for dogs in Shunyi.
What brought you to Beijing, and when?
Winter 1994, early morning, my parents, sisters, and I landed at capital airport T2. We witnessed the same Buddha/Great Wall mural coming down the escalator that still stands there today. Out the hall, sunny but crisp-cold! A first major contrast arriving from Cairo. On the road to the Sheraton Great Wall Hotel, we spotted a total of five cars on the highway – there were no privately-owned cars back then. I remember anything outside the 4th Ring Road was proper countryside! There were cornfields right where Lido is now. My parents were on a three-year contract, but it turns out I’m still here.
What were some of your first impressions of the city?
Beijing had a whole different feel in the '90s. As a kid, I remember mostly bicycles everywhere, lots of tanghulu (candied hawthorn fruit on a skewer), photos with local homeboys would be the daily grind. The classic frozen Houhai, cold winds at the Summer Palace. But also traveling to remote areas like Pingyao would immerse you in a different world.
Then came the '00s, and the city opened up as I grew into [my] teenage spirit. The freedom and safety that Beijing offered made it the best playground for me. Skateboading with the local scene, partying with the laowais, zooming around on two wheels, thrillz! These were the fun years. Beijing was free and innocent.
By 2010 the city became more uptight, and I moved out to a loft on the outskirts to fulfill my pet pig’s dreams – her name was Cochon, and we ran Black Bridge Motorcycles. I became more of a hermit, working on bikes, supported by a really nice community. Beijing actually has a great underground scene.
When that chapter ended, I moved out to Shunyi to focus on developing a one-stop doggy delight for Beijing pups. Settled and steady, at 35 years old and already living like a happy grandpa.
Name your three favorite places in the city.
Wanfu BBQ (Marufuku) in Maizidian – I love their food and staff! Rosewood Hotel for a staycation with a small dog. The classic Liangma River stroll. Beijing by night, cruising through downtown with some good tunes brings out lots of good feels and memories.
As for exploring, downtown has become mundane for me. I’d say rent a car, drive out of town, and explore your surroundings – there are great mountain hikes and scenery up north. Inner Mongolia has beautiful fields – and a trip to the beach is only two hours out.
What’s one piece of advice you have for relatively recent arrivals?
Reach out to the locals, show your enthusiasm and they’ll be super willing to greet you. Their different philosophies and habits helps broaden our ways of thinking. Once you get into their circle you will become family. That is one thing I really love about China.
READ: 20 for 20: Musician Jess Meider
Images courtesy of Adrien Macera
