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pennstateuniversitypress · 2 years ago

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Q&A with Stephanie Porras

The author of The First Viral Images: Maerten de Vos, Antwerp Print, and the Early Modern Globe discusses St. Michael the Archangel and how the internet and art from 1600 aren't so different.

Why use the internet to explain artworks made around 1600?

The whole idea for the book started with an offhand comment made at a conference–the idea of a meme going viral was at first a kind of off-the-cuff analogy to this print (St. Michael the Archangel, the book's central case study) that seemed to be copied just about everywhere around 1600. For those of us who spend too much time on the internet, it made sense: a meme gets copied, adapted, reshared, and circulated, creating new variations, combining with other memes, and becoming divorced from its original context. But when I started to think about it, this flippant remark hit on a few things I was particularly interested in–namely, how do new image technologies (in this case, print, or today’s memes) adapt and change as they move between communities of viewers? Reading media studies scholars’ work on internet culture gave me a vocabulary and a framework to analyze the movement of early modern prints–it made me think about gatekeepers and infrastructures of print media and made me question art-historical notions of artistic agency. Now of course, there are lots of ways the sharing of memes on the internet differs from the sixteenth-century circulation of printed images–things happen so quickly now, there is a dematerialization of artistic labor, and the infrastructure of the web is complex in ways that differ from the transoceanic trade of the early modern period. But this analogy helped me see this vast, in some ways undocumented process–the concerted export of printed imagery across the globe by colonial, missionary, and commercial agents, prints that were then copied and recirculated by a whole range of local actors–in a new and hopefully productive way.

Why did you choose these case studies?

My central case study, St. Michael the Archangel, is just a straight-up weird image. This archangel almost always has a sword, but here he doesn’t; he carries a martyr’s palm and has this strange, open, upraised hand. Frankly, this made variants of this image easy to spot. The 1581 painting hangs only a few miles from where one of the later Filipino ivory variants is now held, in Central Mexico, and I think that juxtaposition really compelled me. I started collecting them; for a while, every time I gave a paper it felt like someone in the audience knew another version (in Quito, in Cusco, in Valencia). So I started with that one iconographic image and within a year or two had a sizeable corpus. I am sure there are more out there–in fact, while the book was in press I was able to finally get to Portugal and see a couple more!

So I had this one iconographic image, but I wanted it to speak to a wider phenomenon. So I decided to also include the Evangelicae historiae imagines because it is the most copied thing in the early modern world, and, it turns out, many of the same folks were involved in both projects. Many talented and diligent scholars have done the work of locating and describing a lot of the Imagines copies, so I was able to focus on how the St. Michael images anticipated this kind of movement, arguing that the Jesuits knew and exploited the viral potential of print.

How did this print (the St. Michael, published in Antwerp) end up in Manila?

Well, the print had to be smuggled out of Antwerp first, probably overland with a Flemish book publisher who had ties in Spain. Then it was likely sold in Seville before being taken by missionaries or merchants to New Spain. Once landing in Veracruz, the print would have been taken overland, via Mexico City, to Acapulco before making the 100-day sea voyage to Manila in the cargo of a priest or trader. There are a lot of unknowns in this itinerary, but we do have letters from Jesuit priests thanking their brethren in Seville for sending prints to them. But the better answer is to read my book (particularly the chapter on Manila)!

The First Viral Images: Maerten de Vos, Antwerp Print, and the Early Modern Globe is now available from Penn State University Press. Find more information and order the book here: https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-09283-6.html. Save 30% with discount code NR23.

#Art History #Early Modern #Renaissance #Art #Artwork #St. Michael the Archangel #St. Michael #Antwerp #Manila #1600s art #1600s #Books #New Books #PSU Press

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simplicius-simplicissimus · 1 year ago

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European Itinerary - Europäische Reiseroute - Interrail

Source: Craven, Steven (1985), Boat train at Victoria station, Wikipedia, CC BY-SY 2.0 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boat_train_at_Victoria_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1129401.jpg - Interrailers could always be recognized by their backpacks and train tickets.

Vacations with my parents from the 60s to 80s almost always consisted of visiting friends and family. My family (Danube Swabians on my father's side and Austrians on my mother's side) was spread across Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Germany which was handy: on one hand you were acquainted with someone who understood the local language and mentality (two of my aunts spoke Italian fluently) - and had local knowledge. But on the other hand our trips went only to those countries.

After a short trip with my younger brother to London (we stayed at the bed & breakfast of my father’s cousin...of course) I got more interested in getting to know other European metropolises on my own. A fellow student of mine (a refugee from Afghanistan) made very good experiences with youth hostels: it was affordable, you often met open, like-minded travel enthusiasts with whom you could exchange experiences or even travel a short distance together. Sometimes the contact was even maintained afterwards. So the following was soon clear: European itinerary from metropolis to metropolis, overnight stays in youth hostels and the means of transport of choice was the railway.

In 1972, the so-called Interrail ticket was introduced by many European railway companies. For a certain fixed price (500 DM at the time) you could use the entire European railway network (later many ferry connections were even added) or you were offered train tickets for certain "higher quality connections" at a fairly reduced price. The idea behind it was to enable young people to travel Europe on a small budget and thus to bring Europeans closer together. But maybe the driver was as well: cultures that know each other are less inclined to shoot at each other.

My itinerary at the time: Stuttgart - London - Edinburgh - London - Paris - Madrid - Lisbon - Barcelona - Zurich - Vienna - Milan - Naples/Capri - Rome - Vienna - Stuttgart

Special experiences and encounters that I like to look back on - besides the normal tourist program and the many small things that didn't stick in my memory:

A stimulating conversation with a French about his former student life at the Trocadero fountain in Paris, while his young daughter was splashing in the fountain there. He just wanted to alert me to pickpockets. That's when we got talking. During the conversation he even offered me some of his rose wine, which he had hung into the fountain to cool. Savoir Vivre!

At the Sacre Coeur church, the soothing, evening view over Paris - lying in the grass or sitting on a staircase and listening to the street musicians there.

The youth hostel in London's Holland Park was next to an open-air stage on which operas were performed in the summer: your favorite lecture and, incidentally, Verdi's Nabucco for free. In this youth hostel I also met the German, who then spontaneously traveled to Edinburgh with me. I learned from him how you can easily identify Germans abroad: by their Birkenstock sandals!

In the youth hostel in Vienna I met a German who traveled to Vienna for a week every year to attend classical concerts there. A casual chat about music ensued. I think it was also his tip to visit the pavilion in Vienna's „Stadtgarten“ (public park) where the small, local orchestra regularly performed old Viennese tunes: Viennese waltzes by Strauss or Lanner - with a Viennese Melange coffee and maybe a piece of cake in the associated cafe. Mental journey back to the Imperial Austro-Hungarian era of Vienna.

In the youth hostel in Cascais (nearby Lisbon), numerous conversations with the Romanian roommate about life in general and his life as a guest worker in Portugal in particular. Stories that life writes.

Die Urlaube mit meinen Eltern von den 60igern bis 80igern bestanden fast immer auch aus dem Besuch von Freunden und Familie. Meine Familie (Donauschwaben väterlicherseits und Österreicher mütterlicherseits) war über Österreich, der Schweiz, Italien und Deutschland verstreut, was ganz praktisch war: einerseits war man mit jemandem bekannt, der die lokale Sprache und Mentalität verstand (zwei Tanten von mir sprachen fliessend italienisch) - sowie Ortskenntnisse besass. Andererseits gingen unsere Reisen deshalb eben auch nur in diese Länder.

Nach einem Kurztrip mit meinem jüngeren Bruder nach London (wir übernachteten im Bed & Breakfast vom Cousin meines Vaters….natürlich) bekam ich mehr Lust darauf, weitere europäische Metropolen auf eigene Faust kennenzulernen. Ein Kommilitone von mir (ein Flüchtling aus Afghanistan) hatte sehr gute Erfahrungen mit Jugendherbergen gemacht: es war erschwinglich, man traf oft offene, gleichgesinnte Reiseverrückte, mit denen man Erfahrungen austauschen oder sogar ein kurzes Stück zusammen reisen konnte. Manchmal ergab sich sogar ein Kontakt, der danach noch gepflegt wurde. Also stand bald folgendes fest: Europäische Reiseroute von Metropole zu Metropole, Übernachtung in Jugendherbergen und das Fortbewegungsmittel der Wahl war die Eisenbahn.

In 1972 wurde von vielen europäischen Eisenbahngesellschaften das sogenannte Interrail-Ticket eingeführt. Man konnte für einen bestimmten Festpreis (damals 500 DM) das komplette europäische Eisenbahnnetz nutzen (später kamen sogar viele Fährverbindungen hinzu) oder man bekam Bahn-Tickets für bestimmte „höherwertige Verbindungen“ ziemlich vergünstigt angeboten. Die Idee dahinter war, es jungen Menschen zu ermöglichen, Europa mit kleinem Budget zu bereisen und damit Europäer enger zusammenzuführen. Vielleicht war der Treiber aber auch: Kulturen, die sich kennen, neigen weniger dazu, aufeinander zu schiessen.

Meine damalige Reiseroute: Stuttgart - London - Edinburgh - London - Paris - Madrid - Lissabon - Barcelona - Zürich - Wien - Mailand - Neapel - Rom - Wien - Stuttgart

Erlebnisse und Begegnungen, an die ich mich gern zurückerinnere - neben dem touristischen Programm und den vielen kleinen Dingen, die nicht so im Gedächtnis haften geblieben sind:

Ein anregendes Gespräch mit einem Franzosen über sein früheres Studentenleben am Trocadero-Brunnen in Paris, während dessen seine kleine Tochter dort im Brunnen planschte. Er hatte mich nur auf Taschendiebe aufmerksam machen wollen. Dabei kamen wir ins Gespräch. Er bot mir sogar im Lauf des Gesprächs von seinem Rose-Wein an, den er zur Kühlung in den Brunnen gehängt hatte. Savoir Vivre!

An der Sacre-Coeur-Kirche der beruhigende, abendliche Blick über Paris - im Gras liegend oder auf einer Treppe sitzend und dabei den dortigen Strassenmusikanten lauschend.

Die Jugendherberge in Londons Holland Park lag neben einer Freilicht-Bühne, auf der im Sommer Opern aufgeführt wurden: deine Lieblingslektüre und nebenbei umsonst Verdi‘s Nabucco. In dieser Jugendherberge traf ich auch den Deutschen, der dann kurzentschlossen mit mir nach Edinburgh gereist ist. Von ihm habe ich dann auch erfahren, wie man leicht Deutsche im Ausland identifizieren kann: an den Birkenstock-Sandalen!

In der Jugendherberge in Wien traf ich einen Deutschen, der jedes Jahr eine Woche nach Wien reiste, um dort klassische Konzerte zu besuchen. Es kam zu einem zwanglosen Plausch über Musik. Ich glaube, es war auch sein Tipp, den Pavillon im Wiener Stadtgarten zu besuchen, wo das kleine, lokale Orchester regelmässig alte Wiener Weisen aufgeführte: Wiener Walzer von Strauss oder Lanner - dazu eine Wiener Melange und vielleicht ein Stück Kuchen im dazugehörigen Cafe. Mentale Reise in die K.u.K.-Zeit Wiens.

In der Jugendherberge in Cascais (nahe Lissabon) zahlreiche Gespräche mit dem rumänischen Mitbewohner meines Zimmers über das Leben im Allgemeinen und speziell sein Leben als Gastarbeiter in Portugal. Geschichten, die das Leben so schreibt.

-Simplicius Simplicissimus

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desperately0seeking · 2 years ago

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10.08.2022

THEY SAY THEY EXPECT TO BE IN PARIS BY TOMORROW

Up until the idea was tabled by Tom and Louis, I’d thought that I would not visit Paris on this particular trip of mine. My mental to do list once in Paris, a list long in the making, was so vast that I wanted to be fully prepared before going, wielding a detailed itinerary blending all the things I admired, or have stewed over, about Paris. I’d negotiated to start work at the end of August, giving myself almost a month buffer between my booked travel and deadline to be settled in a room in London. As Tom and Louis were to leave for Portugal in mid August I supposed that if I spent this whole time in Paris I could attempt to do all the things I wanted to do in Paris, while applying for rooms across the channel in London. Our airbnb’s weren’t booked until a few days after our arrival so we were held hostage in a St Christopher’s hostel on Canal Saint Martin. As a result, I'd found myself in Paris without much of a plan or idea what I was going to do there, a worrying sensation indeed. To remedy this I left the posse on the first day to spend some time at the library to get my duck confits in a row. I can't stand using a mobile when browsing the internet, and I was in the mood to browse, so I would need to use the library computers. Upon arrival I was told that I wasn't allowed to use the computers until after 5, so I had to kill time walking around the library’s exhibitions. I’d learnt that Voltaire’s heart was kept at the Paris library so I was happy to go and visit this to kill time. My second bout of bad news was thus delivered as I was informed the room that holds this is under renovation and will be reopening in September. There was an exhibition on astrology, a subject which to me is dry as dirt, however it had two world globes gifted to Louis XIV. Made in 1683, the spheric painting capture’s Australia’s north and west coast with some likeness, however the entire east coast appears as a smudged afterthought, a land unknown and without interest.

I left the library at sunset and walked along the Seine to the accommodation. I knew if I kept along the river I'd get to the centre of Paris and then I'd cross and get the metro a few stops. The river was lined with people drinking, dining and dancing, and the evening was warm and lively. I passed Ile Saint Louis, and then Ile de la Cité where I saw the great cathedral in her scaffoldic shawl. I crossed over at Pont de Carrousel and settled by the museum to watch the sunset. I used my dear trick of starting a conversation with a member of the public by asking for a lighter, something that had yielded excellent results of late. The same could not be said for this time around, however, as my french was too weak for them to understand: reduced to repeating ‘feu’ (fire) a few times then abandoning words and making the lighter hand gesture instead. My cigarette was lit but my new friendships were extinguished, and after the sun went home I did too.

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v171 · 2 years ago

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So we got back from our 10 day Portugal vacation on Monday. It was a really, really wonderful time. I wasn't sure what to expect not knowing much about Portugal beforehand, but I was so taken by the diverse beauty of the entire country. We went all over, from Lisbon > Sintra > Coimbra > Porto > Douro Valley > Marvão > Lisbon, and making several stops between destinations.

This is probably a very American take, but what really stuck out to me was how well preserved the old ass cathedrals, castles, and palaces are. I'm used to seeing excavated artifacts and ruins where the splendor of the original thing has been lost to time and nature. But it was so interesting to see a castle built in the 1200s that still had intricate detail in the carvings and paintings, simply because it has been maintained ever since its creation.

I had a semblance of an idea of what the food would be like, but I was very surprised about how cheap it was. Even eating at "nice" restaurants would net us a bill of about 40 euro, and that included wine, appetizers, and desserts. The food was also delicious and I don't think I had a single bad meal the entire trip (looking at you, Ireland..)

I was also not prepared for how hilly and mountainous the entire country was. At every location we probably walked uphill for several miles. We initially had a few hiking trips in parks on our itinerary, but we quickly scrapped them after hiking up our fourth hill in the middle of Lisbon.

I took about 800 photos, but I'll share one photo per day of our trip.

Carmo Convent, Lisbon I know I JUST said that everything was really well-preserved, but this was a really fascinating "preserved" convent that was ruined by a massive earthquake in 1755.

Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon This was a massive Monastery with extremely detailed carvings absolutely everywhere.

Sintra National Palace, Sintra Sintra was an extremely beautiful place, and I have SO many wonderful photos from it. The Painted Palace, the Moorish Ruins, the grounds... it was all very stunning. It was hard to pick just one photo.

Unfinished Chapel of Batalha Monastery, Bahalha This was a stop on the way to Coimbra and one of my favorite churches we stopped at. The whole place was beautiful, but I loved the unfinished chapel (which was unfinished after both the commissioner and the architect died) and how it was exposed to the sky.

Coimbra skyline, Coimbra We stayed at the top of a tiny little hotel at the very top of a mountain, near Coimbra University that had an excellent view of Coimbra from both sides. This was probably my favorite hotel we stayed at because it had so much character. Fun fact, all college students in Portugal have to wear capes! Not to be a millennial, but walking around the university made you feel like you were at hogwarts.

Clérigos Tower, Porto We ended up going to the top of this tower which had excellent views of the city of Porto, but was probably the most claustrophobic and cramped climb the entire trip.

Founder of Portugal Dom Afonso Henriques, Guimaraes This is one of the more unique excursions we went on because it was much much older than the rest of what we saw. We got to see a true medieval palace and castle created by the "founders" of Portugal (Portugal was already inhabited by the Moorish Muslims) when the Christians "founded" it.

Douro Valley vineyards, Douro Valley We went to wine country, where Port wine is made in the Douro Valley. This was probably the most visually stunning location we went to with picturesque rolling hills covered in grape vines and olive trees fat with olives. We also went to Port wine tasting which was terrible.

Marvão, Marvão We ventured all the way to the eastern part of the country, on the top of a mountain in the walled city of Marvão. This also had stunning views, with the sunnier side of the above picture (left) being Spain, and the hillier side (right) being the green, rolling mountains of Portugal.

Church of St. Francis, Evora This was our final day and our final stop. We went to see the chapel of bones located in the church of St. Francis. I was surprisingly uncomfortable in the chapel of bones, not because it was gross, but it just felt so disrespectful. I ultimately didn't take any pictures of it. They also had a museum of nativity scenes which was honestly camp.

We flew out the following day back home! It was such an amazing trip and I can't recommend it enough!

#portugal #vacation

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my-camino · 2 years ago

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...Aaand we’re back!

Three years and a global pandemic later, I’m dusting off this old blog in preparation for our next journey along the Camino de Santiago!

In just 20 days, we will board a flight bound for Lisbon, Portugal—the first stopping point on an exciting (albeit much shorter) trek on the Caminho Português (Portuguese Way).

It’s still hard to believe this is really happening. When I started this blog 9 years ago (yikes!), I had no idea what an impact the Camino would have on my life. Since then, I’ve walked across Spain... twice. I spent half a year in Pamplona, living like a real Spaniard and traveling to dozens of countries. I graduated college, moved to a new city thousands of miles from home, and got my dream job. Each one of these decisions was directly influenced by my time on the Camino.

Now, I’m about to go back to the place where it all started. And I couldn’t be happier.

This will be a relatively brief trip but I’m determined to make the most of it. I plan on posting to this blog daily (hopefully I follow through on that promise this time around!)

As always, thanks for reading e bom caminho!

Click here to view our full itinerary.

#camino de santiago #camino portugues #caminho #camino #el camino de santiago #travel #pilgrimage #lisboa #lisbon #porto #oporto #portugal #spain #santiago de compostela

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yonohihu-blog · 5 years ago

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Visas For Tourists into the US and Canada

Visas For Tourists to the US and Canada

You'll be asked to have a Slovak Republic Visa before it's possible to travel for a stay up to 90 days to Slovakia. You don't need to acquire a long-term visa if you are seeing a holiday of up to 3 weeks Slovakia for a formal company or college conference, or transit through the country for a function.

You'll need to obtain a visa in advance of your planned travel date. It's possible to apply for this visa online however it is always a good idea to apply in person as your visa application cans affect.

The processing period for every visa is about two weeks. Not over six, although you are able to obtain more than 1 visa.

A few of the states that can require visas for tourists visiting the United States are Visa Waiver nations. This means that there is traveling to the US a person able to pay a visit to with another Schengen member state. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Persons travelling on an international trip with no family or personal possessions in tow can obtain a visa . Business travelers should use to get a visa, business visas are valid for a certain period of time and can not be extended as.

You will need to have a passport that is very clear and paid if applying for a tourist visa. You will also need to ensure you are able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while you are in the nation, to show that you are the head of household and to supply evidence that you're employed.

You should also present a valid identification card (issued by the Central Statistical Office), proof of residency, a bank statement, and a minimum of five thousand dollars in money or charge. In addition, you will need to provide itinerary confirmation and a return ticket for the flight home, and air carrier's and the airline fees should be prepaid.

In the event the excursion is currently connecting flight, you'll have to purchase your ticket beforehand. Your passport will be checked upon entry, if you are traveling directly from another country into the US, and your non refundable ticket will be issued at the airport.

Your Visa can qualify for a day or a few hours. If you are visiting with the US, you can get your visa within 24 hours.

When applying for a visa in the US, you must be prepared to present all of the following records, which are usually required for visa applications: your passport, valid and current photo identification, a photocopy of your birth certificate, and a recent photocopy of your latest government-issued photo identification. It is also a fantastic idea if you plan to attend school in the United 21, to bring your student ID.

When applying for a visa in the UK, you'll have to bring your passport along with the following documents: a copy of your passport, your national id card, your certificate of registration of birth, evidence of identity, your birth certificate, and a current passport photo. You will also need to get a health certificate, if you're in an EU country. The document requirement may differ if you are applying for a visa for transit or one journey through the country.

These are some of the visa requirements that will need to be met when visiting Canada or the USA. Travelling through countries with higher crime rates or those require additional documentation to meet the criteria or may postpone your visa approval.

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geopsych · 6 years ago

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Hey, I know this isn’t a commercial blog and I don’t intend to turn it into one, but I am helping to put together this tour for a small tour agency, as I’ve mentioned before. I told them I think there is a big enough demographic of people who write fantasy, do fantasy art, and people like dungeon masters, all of whom need creative ideas, that we could get people for a tour catering to them. (Of course people who are none of those things but are interested in the places we’ll visit or who just want to find a way to rekindle their imaginations will also be welcome.) I am going to list some of the kinds of places we’ll visit again. If you are kind of interested, and think you might want to do this tour to Portugal in the first half of November, could you let me know? Also, if you know anyone you think might be interested, I would be grateful if you would pass it along to them. 1. A tour through a big cave where Neanderthals once lived and where there is art on the walls from humans 30,000+ years ago. 2. A few ancient megalithic sites.

3. A chapel lined with real bones and skulls.

4. Roman ruins, at least one temple and probably a tower, much of which is still standing.

5. A medieval town in the mountains that once belonged to the Templars and where some of the stone houses are built under and around huge boulders.

6. Ancient rock art along a river.

7. A boat trip on a river surrounded by hills covered with terraces planted with vineyards, plus visits to a couple wineries.

8. Stone remains of a hilltop Iron Age Celtic settlement that were later taken over by Romans.

9. A walled garden begun in the 600s, later taken over and tended for a couple centuries by monks, planted with local and exotic plants from around the world including tree ferns. One of the gates still shows a ban on women entering it, declared by a Pope a long time ago. (You can enter it now. Don’t worry!) 10. A palace built for a king who was assassinated and which was soon turned into a hotel. We would stay in it one or two nights.

11. A visit to one of the westernmost points of Europe, on the eastern shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

12. A sanctuary for the Iberian wolf, a rare species, containing wolves that for one reason or another can’t be released into the wild. 13. At least one performance by a Celtic “ritual folk” band there.

14. A huge Templar castle that includes within it an elaborate round church built on the model of the Dome on the Rock. 15. Several other castle towns that once guarded a border and saw several wars a long time ago.

And more. It’s an experiment doing this tour, and if we don’t get enough interest, it won’t happen. Most tours take you to the usual tourist places. This will miss most of those and concentrate on places that would appeal to fantasy lovers, and people interested in the layers of time and history that affect places. It is my idea that there is a market for a tour like this, appealing to people who are looking for something other than skipping around to all the regular tourist spots. I’ve done a lot of research to find places I would include if it were my dream tour. The final itinerary and the price are just being worked on now, but if you message me, I will be able to let you know when they become available. I apologize for using this space for this. I just feel that Tumblr is full of interesting people who might enjoy something like this, and this is the only way I know how to get in touch. Thank you! 💚

#fantasy tour #dungeons and dragons #questions welcome #send me an ask

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stilltravels · 6 months ago

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Interested in sipping and savoring at the Madeira Wine Festival in Portugal from August 25th to September 15th? You’ll enjoy traditional grape treading, lively street parades, and exquisite wine tastings. It's a feast for the senses within a breathtaking landscape. DM me. #MadeiraWine #PortugalTravel #MadeiraEvents #VisitMadeira

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nekojitachan · 6 years ago

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59. this year my family has decided we’re celebrating the holidays on a cruise and you’re the cute bartender who teases me for mourning the lack of snow, andreil?

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HATFORDS (so AU)

*******

Abram gave Jamie an incredulous look when she showed up at his flat with the news that Aunt Miriam had booked a Portugal river cruise for the family over the holidays. “Why?” he asked for what had to be the fourth time. “Doesn’t she understand that there’s work and-”

“It’s because of work that she did it,” Jamie said as she stepped out of his closet with one of his suitcases. “This way you and Uncle Stuart aren’t too busy with stuff to attend the family dinner or even take a break, nor Henry off in Edinburgh like last year.”

“So she traps us together on a boat,” Abram said as he wandered off to fetch a bottle of wine - no, wait, gin would be better. Jamie trailed after him, a bemused grin on her face when she saw him fetch the bottle. “Traps us on a boat with Ally.”

That wiped away Jamie’s smile and made her fetch another glass, which she motioned for him to pour gin into, along with a splash of lime juice. “All right, perhaps it’s not one of Mum’s best ideas but it won’t be too bad.” She sighed when Abram scoffed at that statement. “I’ll help you throw the git overboard if he causes trouble?”

He had a few swallows of the rather strong gin gimlet while he considered the offer. “Can we weigh him down first?”

“Hmm… sadly, no. Mum at least would probably object, possibly Dad, too.”

Dammit, he supposed his aunt and uncle were somewhat attached the pain in the ass, and would have to settle for the thought of Ally swallowing copious amounts of river water and looking like a drowned rat.

Abram spent the days leading up to the cruise working frantically on everything in his inbox, on clearing out as much he could before Aunt Miriam’s ‘no work unless absolutely vital to the organization’ moratorium came into effect. He didn’t know what he was going to do during the ten day cruise when he was used to just spending a day or two on the holidays at best.

He was eternally grateful for his aunt and uncles in taking him in, in providing him sanctuary when his mother had worked up the courage to send him away after his father had broken his left arm and left him covered with cuts for ‘interrupting’ an important meeting - he’d been little more than six years old at the time, and already bore several scars from his father’s ‘lessons’, including one from an iron on his shoulders. His mother had finally reached her breaking point, at least in regards to the abuse directed his way, and he’d been on a plane the next day, confused and doing his best to hide his fear while he traveled with a stranger (an old Hatford associate) to London.

His mother hadn’t lasted long after that act of defiance, which the Hatfords had made sure Nathan Wesninski had paid for, and Abram had never forgotten the debt he owed his mother for ensuring he escaped that house of fear and pain, nor her family for taking him in. He loved Stuart for giving him a real home at last, as well as Uncle Will, Aunt Miriam and his cousins… he just wish they’d leave him alone to do his job.

“Don’t look so glum,” Bren said as the enforcer drove him to the airport, where he’d catch a flight to Lisbon for the first part of the cruise. “You’ll see some pretty things, enjoy some good food and drinks, and bring back a bunch of stupid shite for us, right? Just try not to kill anyone during your holiday and surprise us all.”

Abram glared at his bodyguard/friend through the rear-view mirror. “Very funny. Just for that, no souvenirs for you.”

“Okay, go ahead and kill someone,” Bren sulked. “Don’t want you to be all grumpy when you don’t get to be stabby.” He laughed when Abram made a rude gesture. “Least I don’t have to be the one to clean it up this time!”

Abram wished Bren a happy holiday with his girlfriend (part of the reason the man was staying behind in London while Davis, Cal and Liz were tagging along to help watch over the family), then checked in and joined the rest of the family in the VIP lounge; it was odd to be flying for personal reasons and not business for once.

He had a glass of wine while waiting for the flight and chatted with Stuart, Henry and Liz while Jamie seemed to be stuck with keeping Ally under control. They kept their discussion general, about the changes to the itinerary they planned over the next week and a half (Abram loved his aunt, but there was only so much ‘tourist’ stuff he could do) until it was time to board the plane.

Ally kept leaning over his seat to ask Abram for pick-up lines in Portuguese, until Aunt Miriam used that particular tone of voice of hers to make him sit back down and behave, at which point in time Abram pulled out his tablet and watched a movie in Russian (passable, but a good excuse to keep his headphones in and ignore everyone else).

It was a short drive to the hotel where they were staying for the first day; Abram had been to Lisbon twice before so he only left his room when Jamie dragged him out for some drinks and snacks, rarely able to refuse her anything. He had to admit that it was an enjoyable few hours, watching the way that his cousin drew men’s attention, the confident yet not cruel way she turned them down, content to spend the time with him.

“Some of them are interested in you,” she pointed out. “Still no interest?”

“Still no interest.” He knew his cousins hoped that he’d find someone to date one day, that his uncles and aunt worried about him, but after what had happened to his mother and the Walker syndicate’s attempt to ‘sweeten’ him up that time… no, he was fine. He’d never had more than a passing interest in anyone, male or female, and was best on his own.

“You need to live more, Ram,” Jamie told him. “Do more than translate and look after the family.” When he gave her a blank stare for that statement, she sighed and shook her head. “Okay, I won’t bring it up for the rest of the year.”

“Lucky me,” he said, the words loaded with sarcasm since that wasn’t much of a reprieve and she knew it.

The next day was spent touring the city during the first half, then they finally got on the boat so they could set sail on the river to Porto. At least Aunt Miriam had booked them the largest rooms that the boat had, so Abram had a small bedroom and a sitting area, as well as a balcony and private bath.

He spent part of the first afternoon exploring the ship, making sure he knew as much of it as possible (old habits from work, from needing to know the exits to everywhere and places to hide in case the job went pear-shaped), then met up with everyone for dinner. As Bren had said, the food was good and there were several bottles of wine to go along with it, although he only had two glasses; he enjoyed watching his family relax, in hearing Uncle Will and Stuart retell stories from their childhood, to watch Jamie and Henry and even Ally laugh.

Cal and Liz made sure that everyone got back to their rooms safely, though Stuart asked Abram to join him at one of the bars, where he ordered a gin gimlet and a whisky for them. “I wish your mother was here for this,” he said after the bartender, a young man with blond hair who appeared even shorter than Abram’s 5′3″ height, served them their drinks. “She’s the only thing missing.” He raised his glass in a toast. “To Mary.”

“To Mary,” Abram echoed as he clinked their glasses together, his throat tight as he thought about his mother. “Though she’d complain about wasting all this money when we could have just stayed at home.”

Stuart snorted at that, to the point that he almost spilled his drink. “Damn right she would, unless it was her idea in the first place.” He shook his head and stared at Abram with something resembling nostalgia. “You’re so much like her, you know?” That surprised Abram because from what he could tell, he took after his detested father with his pale blue eyes and auburn hair, even down to most of his facial features - what he had inherited from his mother was the Hatfords’ lack of height and slim build. “There’s days when I think she sent you to me so I’d be plagued by her all over again.” Now his expression was pure fondness.

“I try my best,” Abram admitted, the words rough as he thought about how he did do his best not to let his uncle down.

“I know, kiddo.” Stuart reached out to ruffle his hair; Abram caught the bartender gazing at them and had to wonder what the man thought of their conversation.

Fortunately it took a more mundane turn after that, with them joking about what to get Bren and the others for souvenirs, and after one more drink they retired to their respective rooms. Abram found himself returning to the bar often, either to get out of his room or to join one or more of his cousins, or for an after-dinner drink with Stuart. Most of the time, the handsome bartender with the intent hazel eyes was there, to the point that he’d have a gin gimlet ready for Abram soon after he arrived.

It was when they’d reached Régua that Abram sat down at the bar alone, his mood sour as he thought about ‘celebrating’ Christmas Eve with his family in another couple of hours. “Aren’t you supposed to be wandering around some palace,” the bartender - Andrew - asked as he set down the gin gimlet.

“I’m not really in the mood for that,” Abram confessed as he stirred the drink with the plastic stick. “For pretending to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’, or dealing with Ally asking me yet again for pick-up lines I don’t even know, or smiling for my aunt when I’m bored out of my bloody mind.” He let out a weary sigh before he picked up the drink and drained most of it in one go. “And I’m bloody sick of all this sun,” he added on to the growing list before he set the glass down on the immaculate bar. “I want to be back in London, or at least Aunt Miriam could have picked a place with snow. I miss snow - what’s the point of a holiday trip when there’s no snow? Why can’t we be at some chalet or something?” Then he thought about it for a moment. “Except I don’t like skiing, I suppose. Might be worth it, though, to shove Ally off a mountain.” Oops, he probably shouldn’t have said that in front of Andrew.

Except there was the slightest of quirks to the left corner of Andrew’s mouth as he wiped at the already clean bar. “Of course you’d whine about such a thing. I don’t like snow, though I agree with you on shoving your one cousin off a cliff.”

“Hmm.” Abram finished his drink then indicated he wanted another one. “You’re American, what are you doing working a cruise like this?” That had been bothering him the last few days, and if Andrew was willing to talk…. “Sorry, if that’s a personal question.”

Andrew shrugged then surprised Abram by pouring another drink - a whisky, neat - which appeared to be for him. “My cousin lives in Germany and after I graduated university, I decided to stay with him for a while. Was looking for a job and since I knew bartending and German, this was a good fit.” He paused to toss back the drink, his attention never wavering from Abram. “I don’t usually work this cruise, I stick with German ones, but I was asked to fill in.”

“I’m glad you did,” Abram said, and for some reason he felt his cheeks heat up. “Uhm, I mean… you do a very good job?” Why did that come out as a squeak?

Andrew continued to regard him for several seconds then motioned to the ignored gin gimlet in front of Abram, which he’d been neglecting. “What do you mean by not knowing any pick-up lines? I’ve heard you speak Portuguese and it sounds rather fluent to me.”

Abram had to wait until he finished swallowing to answer. “Ah, it’s just… I don’t pick people up? People don’t hit on me?” Did that make sense?

“I find that difficult to believe,” Andrew said as he looked Abram up and down; usually Abram found the gesture insulting, but right then… right then he felt his cheeks heat up again.

“I just, haven’t been interested in people before,” he tried to explain. “No one stands out to me.”

“No one?” Andrew continued to gaze at him until Abram had to duck his head and finish his drink.

“Ah… no, not usually.”

It was quiet for about a minute or two, during which Andrew cleaned their glasses and Abram attempted to figure out what was going on. “You live in London?” Andrew finally asked.

“Yes.” Abram smiled, the expression a bit lopsided. “Though I do travel a lot for work.” He hoped that Andrew didn’t ask him about his ‘job’.

All the other man did was nod. “Yes, so do I.”

It was quiet again after that, with Andrew off to pour drinks for some other guests and Abram answering texts from Jamie and Stuart on his phone. He was about to leave when another gin gimlet was set down in front of him. “I have a day off soon,” Andrew told him. “When we dock at Salamanca. Could use an interpreter.” He didn’t say anything else, just stared at Abram as if daring him to do something.

Abram found himself smiling as he picked up the drink. “I’ve been told I’m a very good interpreter, as it happens to stand.”

Andrew nodded once then left to deal with more guests, which left Abram to finish his drink (it probably should be his last one if he didn’t want to embarrass himself at dinner). Even as he left the bar, the smile lingered on his lips, his foul mood from earlier utterly vanquished.

Perhaps Aunt Miriam’s idea had been a good one after all.

He still hoped to be able to throw Ally overboard before they returned to Porto, though.

*******

I couldn’t see Andrew teasing Abram THAT much, sorry. Not when they don’t know each other too well yet.

So this is an Armies AU? Something like that. My head hurts.

#nekojitachanfics #andreil #neil josten #except he's abram here #andrew minyard #aftg #winter holiday prompt #i really abuse poor ally don't i #hatfords

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almstrsndsfris-blog · 5 years ago

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Beach Holidays in Kenya What You Should Know

Making a trip to any holiday destination in the world with youngsters will be challenging, particularly if your core focus is to rejuvenate. This should not nonetheless be an issue for those who select a seashore that's family-pleasant like Diani at the South coast of Mombasa city in Kenya. There are completely different actions that visiting youngsters can have interaction in because the dad and mom get on a regular basis to unwind and enjoy their time.

Most mother and father on vacation with their kids normally fear about the security of the youngsters, which is guaranteed in Diani even when you find yourself not keeping track of them. With expert youngsters attendants and entertainers, your children's security is assured as they're stored engaged as long as you might deem acceptable. Swimming in the Indian Ocean has proven to be probably the most fulfilling actions for youths. Those who are yet to grasp the art are educated and supplied specialized attention. Moreover, the water on the seaside aspect is shallow and the coral reefs checks violent waves. Alternatively, they'll use the swimming pools, most lodges and resorts supply these facilities at no further price.

Many of the actions and video games for children are designed to suit specific ages. Enjoying with the pristine white sand, making creative and creative things of their very own selections and interests is among the most beneficial for youngsters below 5 the place they use their very own palms and a few basic sticks. Additionally, the kids can engage in treasure hunting and a reward is given to the kid who ultimately finds the treasure, which might be things like seashells or some rare rocks. In case your youngsters love hide and seek, they sure will love this recreation while in Diani.

Children are also asked to make buildings of their very own decisions like vehicles or boasts. They will use the sand to do this. As a lot as they are kept busy, their creativity can also be enhanced to make sure that they grasp widespread ideas nicely. They could even be asked to carry out some tasks in teams to boost their team spirit and admire group working.

Lastly, to those who love animals, a ride on a camel will definitely thrill them, particularly if it is their very first time to see the animal, depart alone being provided a trip on its back. Other Diani beach games like volleyball are also Beach Holidays in Kenya out there and to contain the youngsters extra, generally, the kids decide the actions for themselves. This way, your youngsters get the attention they need and deserve as mum and dad get all the time to enjoy the vacation in fashion.

When you've got been discovering it somewhat troublesome to decide between taking a soothing and indulging beach vacation or going wild and adventurous on a safari journey, then let me make that decision very easy for you, as there's nothing to cease you from combining the two. The truth is, the tourism trade in wild and delightful places like Kenya has developed Almasi Tours & Safaris over time with a rising development towards providing twin-centre bundle holidays to Kenya, where vacationers get the most effective of each worlds: the wilderness and the seashore. With extra vacationers considering visiting Africa, the mixture of those two elements makes such a holiday one that you'll never forget for the remainder of your life.

So, to start with, for those who're enthusiastic about taking twin-centre or multi-centre Kenya holidays you'll want to be staying in a nice resort mendacity on the shores of the Indian Ocean, in Mombassa, Kenya's second most vital metropolis. That is the place you might nicely decide to spend the first a part of your Click here for Social Profile vacation and there are a good number of beautiful beachfront hotel properties to choose properties on this space. Many offer handy all-inclusive packages and the standard of the quality of meals and service at these resorts is commonly greater than what you may find in lots of different worldwide destinations.

Then for the second half or the trip (or when you choose you can make it the first, it's completely as much as and how you wish to construct your Kenya vacation), it is time to enjoy a memorable Kenyan safari and there are actually some national parks positioned very close to Mombassa, so you will not should journey a great distance from the seashore to enjoy the wildest of sceneries. These national preserves embrace Tsavo West, Tsavo East and Aruba Dam, a very fashionable place to go to in case you are eager to spot as many indigenous species of animals to this part of the world as doable. It's at all times advisable to book a good safari which is fully escorted by knowledgeable and extremely-educated guide. You by no means fairly know what can be around the corner out within the bush and a guide will give you a significantly better probability of spotting the famous 'Massive 5' (buffalo, leopard, elephant, lion and rhinoceros.

Nothing can actually prepare you for what Kenya to offer. Rolling plains, plentiful wildlife and beautiful beach holidays make for excellent safari and seaside holidays. Kenya has an extended established safari vacation market and you can be rest assured that what Kenya does no find out about safaris shouldn't be value understanding.

Some of the spectacular sights to witness is the annual Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara Nationwide Park. That is when 1000's of Wildebeest make the treacherous journey south to Tanzania in the hunt for richer food sources and to have their young. It's a nice and historical journey and one which many will not return from. One of the best time to visit the Masai Mara is from July to Mid-August when the Wildebeest cross the Mara River. September is also a very good month as tens of millions of Wildebeest decent the plains of the Masai.

Many safaris embody the Masai Mara Nationwide Park in their itinerary and it's simple to see why. As well as the Wildebeest the Masai Mara is house to Elephants, Buffalo, Leopard, Lions and the extraordinarily uncommon Black Rhino. Cheetahs have a repute for climbing on safari automobiles and stand up close and personal with its occupants. Chicken lovers are also in for a treat. The Masai Mara is residence to the Kori Buzzard, the world's heaviest flying hen, in addition to Vultures, Storks, and 9 forms of Sunbird.

Africa probably does not spring to mind as the primary destination you'll choose when planning a seashore vacation, however there are a lot of great causes to give it a attempt. Cape Town in South Africa has up till recently always been "the" destination to go to when you wished to go to Africa and benefit from the seashore in addition to all the other great things that solely this nice continent has to offer. Now there are new kids on the block and locations like Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, Mombasa in Kenya and The Gambia have really come in to their very own each offering their very own unique promoting factors and flavour of Africa however all nice beach vacation locations.

One of the more apparent causes to select someplace on the African continent is to enjoy the seaside in the course of the European winter, breaking up your winter and escaping the summer time holiday rush. How usually as of late will we hear of strikes at airports throughout the summer time peak vacation period, delaying thousands and thousands of holidaymakers and destroying their few weeks away from work? Escape the rush and journey out of the peak season.

Cape City in South Africa remains to be essentially the most refined beach vacation vacation spot in Africa, with the unbelievable backdrop of Desk Mountain, wonderful accommodation options and a number of the best restaurants in the world it might be a wonderful place to visit even without the seashore. On prime of which you can additionally take pleasure in the best wines and scenery of South Africa on the Backyard Route, which stretches from Mossel Bay to the Storms River within the Western Cape.

There are ten nature reserves in the area in addition to unique marine reserves, home to comfortable coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a bunch of different marine life.

Combing golf with a seashore holiday has all the time been fashionable in places like Spain and Portugal, South Africa and the Cape Region have a number of the greatest Golf programs on this planet, now you may mix a beach, golf and safari vacation, there is nowhere in Europe that may boast that!

What concerning the beaches? Cape Town has some wonderful beaches, False Bay with the lengthy sandy seashore which extends from Gordon's Bay to Muizenberg and consists of Boulders Beach and Simon's Town. The Atlantic Seaboard along the West (Atlantic) side Read our Blog Here of the Cape Peninsula with well known seashores including Sandy Bay, Clifton Camps Bay, Scarborough and Kommetjie. The West Coast, running Northwards from Cape City with the windy circumstances make these seashores standard for browsing and kite-surfing.

An vital level to notice is the sea in False Bay is about 6 degrees https://almasitoursandsafaris.com/ hotter than the Atlantic Seaboard and the West Coast!

On the down side, Cape City is the furthest level in Africa you'll be able to travel to from Europe, so expect a protracted flight as talked Wikipedia Here about above the water is usually a little chilly after which it is in all probability one of the costlier destinations in Africa.

Kenya, in all probability best recognized for it's wildlife safaris on the Masai Mara but also has loads to offer in the way in which of beach holidays on the shoreline near Mombasa. Town of Mombasa is a "real" bustling African metropolis and there is in stark distinction to the sophistication of Cape City. There are however many nice locations to eat to sample some extra traditional African food as well as those catering to western palates. The Outdated city is also well price visiting and Fort Jesus, a Portuguese fort built in 1593 by order of King Philip II of Spain, to protect the Outdated Port of Mombasa, Kenya. It was built in the shape of a man and was given the identify of Jesus as a non secular reference.

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sadisweetomi · 3 years ago

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Executive ImpactTips from a digital nomad

TOKYO

Over recent decades, technology has overhauled the way we work—and the ongoing transformation shows no signs of slowing down.

One clear example is the rise of digital nomads who use telecommunications to remotely do tasks that traditionally have taken place in a single, stationary workplace.

While this style seems to run counter to Japan’s traditional work culture, digital nomads or those taking inspiration from their approach are beginning to appear.

One example is Helen Iwata, president of business communications consultancy Sasuga Communications K.K. and author of "Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu" (Work Techniques in English). In June, she spoke about digital nomads at the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s ninth Small is Great event.

Building a business

Iwata typically works from her home or a coworking space. She has used online services to build a business where a large portion of work could be done from almost anywhere. In addition to a training room in Ginza where she holds classes in person, the firm’s offerings include webinars, a newsletter, a blog and an online course that can be done remotely.

But, more than simply offering work freedom, these online services have transformed Iwata’s business, which she founded after having worked for 10 years as communications manager at McKinsey & Company. Iwata aims to help 2,020 people create successful communication habits by 2020.

“I’m a digital nomad who’s going nowhere, because I’m mostly in Japan, apart from the occasional business trip overseas or going back to the UK and visiting family, but I’m going everywhere because my business has been doing great”, said Iwata.

Sasuga! Communications wasn’t always an online-focused business, however. Initially, training was delivered face-to-face. “I really was not a tech person at all”, she explained.

Iwata started to deliver courses online when she realised the Internet’s potential for her business. That came after she discovered The Freedom Plan by Natalie Sisson, a digital nomad and entrepreneur. Iwata then took one of her courses. “It was a great learning experience”, she said. “That’s how I got into this idea [of doing an online business]”.

For Iwata, online courses are an option with potential in Japan. They offer the chance to earn residual or passive income: money that continues to be generated even after the initial work has been completed.

“You’ve got to do something to make sure that income is coming in”, said Iwata, pointing out that the courses generate other income streams rather than those solely from the income of delivering training, for example.

Iwata’s course is automated; course materials are sent to students who work at their own pace. She oversees a Facebook group for course participants, on which they can ask questions and receive help, both from Iwata and classmates. The level of attention, however, is greatly reduced compared with that required were she delivering the course in person.

Tools of the trade

Underpinning this work is a range of software and online tools that allows Iwata to run the firm remotely. Some items, such as Google Calendar and PayPal, are already fixtures in many people’s lives; more specialised programmes and tools, such as GoToWebinar (web conferencing), WordPress (web content management), Buffer (social media scheduling), Trello (project management) and MailChimp (email marketing campaigns) help with the creation, facilitation, promotion and management of products.

Iwata’s story shows that the rise of digital nomads in one place can assist nomads elsewhere. She outsources work worldwide, from the Philippines to Portugal to South Korea. “Some people really struggle to get their head round this—that my assistant is not sitting next to me”, she said.

Some event attendees asked what being a digital nomad involves and suggested other tools that could be used in this work. TripIt (travel itinerary), SoundCloud (audio platform), Fiverr (digital services marketplace), Upwork (freelance sourcing), Slack (messaging app) and Insightly (project management) were among those identified.

When asked how she has managed the transition to an online business, Iwata said, “It’s just on-going—always pushing out of your comfort zone and doing something new. That’s what I’m always telling people to do as well”.

#sadisweetomi

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