#all of their cities etc are a perfect blend of water and land
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All I can think about today is Aaneachans, I say as if it’s some burden.
So I’m thinking more about some basic physical traits. I am making them humanoid to make my life easier but evolved from seals rather than primates. I’m thinking Aaneach is primarily water with no continents, only islands. (Maybe there was a supercontinent that broke up and/or drowned, but that would be millions of years ago.) Which is why I was thinking they’d retain the sealcoat. However . . . I also think the whole species has a strong seafaring tradition. It’s the only way to travel. Seals can make long migrations across the sea, but for the great journeys I’m envisioning, it makes sense for them to build boats.
So although they still spend a lot of time in the water, they’re adapting to significant time on land and boats. Which means they might not keep those sealcoats, just as they don’t keep the seal whiskers. It won’t be as advantageous as they adapt to spend more time out of the water. I do think they’d keep the seal eyes, a layer of blubber, and develop webbed fingers + toes. I am considering that they maintain oil production though. It’s just that instead of oily fur, they have oily skin. Which I guess is more froglike? I’ll look into it but some kind of secretion would make swimming more efficient.
#OOC / HOLLY.#MOBILE.#I’ll write up a proper post when I get home#it’s all coming together.gif#fun fact they’re also carnivores#however they’ve domesticated very few land dwelling creatures#(except perhaos birds that were historically useful for communication and other purposes)#perhaps*#but they have domesticated a lot of aquatic creatures#all of their cities etc are a perfect blend of water and land#even their space ships are designed to carry water reservoirs and to partially flood#Aaneachans need their water#lol they could probably thwart most boarding parties by just flooding the ship
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Nations and Nature
Nations represent both the Land and the People. They cannot live without having a population to represent, just as they cannot survive if they have no Land to claim as their own. They are, after all, strange beings that are part nature and part human.
But what else does nature affect a Nation? We know the Land grants the Nation their semi-immortality, knowledge of their history and the innate ability to sense other Nations crossing their Land. But there's also the little things, such as:
Knowing the flora: Since Nations represent nature, they have the ability to recognize local plants and flowers. By focusing on a plant, they get a general idea of what it is: name, time of bloom, benefits, etc. It's one of the reasons they have vast knowledge of natural medicine. Having a green thumb is a given.
Disney princess syndrome: Like plants, Nations have an affinity with the local wildlife. They don't talk to animals by any means, but Nations have a calming presence that puts them at ease up to a certain point. They share the Land, they coexist as long as they don't disturb each other. A wildlife photographer would be a perfect career for a Nation.
Finding water: While nature can be harsh and merciless, the Land is a Nation's home. They can't get lost in their Land, especially since they always know where their Heart, the capital, is at all times. But if they're far from civilization, it's instinct to find the closest water source. It's a bit harder if a Nation is in another Land, but possible if they focus enough, or even if Nature deems you worthy of its help.
Give me shelter: Similar to finding water, Nations have no problem looking for shelter. They're excellent survivalists and quite resourceful thanks to their knowledge of the flora and fauna. For baby/young nations, Nature has a soft spot for them, mostly because it sees them as little saplings, and will guide a Nation toward the safest place (a leaf flying in one direction, a rock falling to catch their attention, an animal blocking their path, etc). In fact, young Nations have an easier time blending in and hiding when surrounded by nature.
Get out: In times of war and conflict, a Nation in another Land will get a feeling of unease when entering a forest or traversing a mountain. Nature does not recognize you as their Nation, and it will let you know. After all, invading a Nation's land is akin to breaking into someone's house. So, if you find yourself more prone to stumble over a rock, or find the wild berries a bit more bitter, or suddenly find your food invaded by ants, well, that's just Nature telling you to get lost.
Touching grass: It's a known fact that Nations love being close to nature, whether it be by going hiking, swimming in a lake, camping, etc. Walking barefoot on natural ground feels amazing; a sense of peace washes over a Nation when connecting directly with their Land. It's why most Nations don't like spending too much time in big cities. Walking on asphalt, roads and man-made parks just feels off to them.
Gentle repose: If a Nation dies while surrounded by nature, it will keep the Nation safe from the elements until they come back to life (branches curving to protect them from the rain, covering the body in vines/roots/leaves, keeping the critters away from them, etc). However, if a Nation dies for good, if it's truly a Fade, then Nature will reclaim the Nation back into the Land, leaving a patch of flowers as a reminder of who laid there.
More headcanons
#nations are weird guys#hetalia headcanon#hetalia#aph nations#it's been a while since I did a headcanon post lol#one time the UK bros played hide and seek in a park with baby North#they couldn't find him for almost an hour cuz he was so well hidden behind a bush#and the tree behind him had 'coincidently' curved its branches over him to help
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Discover the Best Domestic Tours in India with IRCTC Tourism
Are you searching for the perfect getaway to explore the cultural and natural wonders of India? Whether you're seeking spiritual experiences, historical exploration, or scenic beauty, IRCTC Tourism offers an array of domestic tours in India tailored to your preferences. From the bustling capital of Delhi to the serene shores of Puri, there’s a journey waiting for everyone.
Why Choose IRCTC for Domestic Tours?
To travel around India you need not to confuse yourself with uncountable choices. Simply choose IRCTC Tourism and experience one of the most comfortable ways of travelling. Domestic tours in India are for all types of tourists no matter whether they are a bachelor or a family looking for a family friendly relaxing vacation destination, etc. An itinerary detailed to the last minute, quality accommodation, meals and transportation makes travelling easier, so more time is spent creating memories and less time worrying about how it will be done.
India Tour Packages from Delhi: Gateway to Diverse Destinations
Delhi, the capital city of India, serves as the starting point for many of IRCTC's most popular tour packages. Whether you’re interested in exploring the spiritual heart of India, delving into its rich history, or simply unwinding in nature, there’s a package for you. Some of the top India tour packages from Delhi include:
Golden Triangle Tour: This is one of the oldest Itineraries through which tourists get introduced to India’s history.The Golden Triangle of India is a three-city tour covering Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Witness the royal magnificence of the Taj Mahal, the colossal frame of the Amber Palace and the City of Tours- Jaipur.
Himalayan Retreat: For those who want to enjoy the peace and nature, then you must have a planned tour to the pleasant hill stations of Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand. Be amazed at the clear skies and enjoy a walk admiring the picturesque beauty of nature with IRCTC’s comprehensive India train tours packages.
Spiritual Sojourns: Delhi also provides access to several sacred trips across India such as the riverfront city of Banaras, ghats, temples of South India etc.
Explore the Sacred with the Puri Gangasagar Tour Package
For travellers looking to immerse themselves in spirituality and tradition, the Puri Gangasagar tour package is a perfect choice. This journey takes you to some of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, offering a blend of spiritual enlightenment and cultural exploration.
Puri: A spiritual odyssey in the land begins in Puri, the abode of ‘Jagannath temple’ famed across the world. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of the most important Indian shrines.
Gangasagar: The tour moves to Gangasagar, the confluence of the Ganga River with the Bay of Bengal. Ganga Sagar festival is held every year in the month of January and lakhs of pilgrims attend the Mela and take bath in the holy water. It is full of traditions and spiritual exercise to undertake.
Conclusion:
India is a country of variety and travelling through IRCTC domestic tour packages one can get the best of India. Whether one is interested in undertaking a pilgrimage to the Puri Gangasagar with the help of its tour package or travelling culturally with the domestic tours in India tour starting from Delhi, IRCTC Tourism offers comfort and meaningful travel. Therefore, which one do you want? This is the vacation you will never forget in India.
Source: https://sites.google.com/view/discover-the-best-domestic-tou/home?authuser=4
#india train tours packages#india tour packages from delhi#puri gangasagar tour package#domestic tours in india
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Best Travel Destinations in India
From snow-capped mountains in the north to sun-kissed beaches in the south, this land is all about a melange of diverse cultures and rich history, coupled with breathtaking landscapes. Whatever be your purpose of hitting the roads—adventure freak, history buff or just relaxing and rejuvenating yourself—India is a destination that has it all. Some of these best travel destinations across the country that you really must explore include:
Agra: City of the Taj Mahal A wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, exists in Agra, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The white marble mausoleum constructed here by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, reflected the epitome of love, and for its magnificent architecture, this monument has been taken over by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Other important historical places here are Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri apart from Taj Mahal.
Jaipur: The Pink City Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan, boasting an extremely lively culture and hosting a lot of huge palaces. The city got the Pink City name due to its outstanding color of buildings. These key attractions include the Amer fort, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar. The city is popularly known for its bazaars, which are crowded, and people go there to shop for traditional Rajasthani handicrafts and jewelry.
Goa: The Paradise of Beaches Situated at the western coast of India, Goa is all about its exotic beaches, throbbing nightlife, and the essence of the Indo-Portuguese heritage. From being a place to relax on the golden sands to enjoying adventure sports or architectural heritage, Goa has it all. Some must-visit beaches are Baga, Anjuna, and Palolem. Not missing some historical places, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Fort Aguada will open the doors of how this city was rich in history.
Kerala: God's Own Country Kerala, located in the southern part of India, is known for its serene backwaters, lush greenery, and Ayurvedic treatments. Houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Alleppey, hill stations of Munnar, wildlife sanctuaries of Periyar, etc., offers a different experience in this state. This place has also got the real reputation for its traditional dance forms like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam.
Leh-Ladakh: Land of High Passes Actually, the northernmost region in India is the land of high passes: Leh-Ladakh, an adventure paradise. Unique travel experiences in Leh-Ladakh majorly comprise sheer ruggedness, overwhelming views, and Buddhist monasteries. Some of the best places to visit in Leh-Ladakh are Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Thiksey Monastery. This region is popular for trekking, rafting, and motor-biking trips.
Varanasi: The Spiritual Capital of India Varanasi is a city in Uttar Pradesh, lying on the west banks of the Ganges River, and possibly counts as one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is famous for its ghats, temples, and spiritually inclined atmosphere. It forms a major part of the pilgrimage circuit for Hindus. The Dashashwamedh Ghat has a mesmerizing beauty that pulls the visitors from every part of the world in the evening with the Ganga Aarti.
Rishikesh: Yoga Capital of the World Rishikesh lies in the lap of the Himalayas and is a place located in the state of Uttarakhand. It forms the cornerstone concerning the heat of yoga and meditation. Besides, the place is the gateway to Garhwal Himalayas; Himalayan engagements on offer involve white-water rafting, trekking, and camping. Notable places to visit here are Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, and Parmarth Niketan Ashram.
Udaipur: City of Lakes Udaipur is a beautiful city surrounded by beautiful lakes, palaces, and temples. This has given it a name of 'Venice of the East'. Some of the places of interest, which Udaipur hosts, are City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir, Monsoon Palace, to name a few. Citi has a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands**: The Tropical Paradise The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, strategically located in the Bay of Bengal, are blessed with some of the world's cleanest beaches, coral reefs, and rich marine life. From diving and snorkeling in these islands, it goes beyond to the excavation of limestone caves in Baratang Island. Radhanagar Beach, Cellular Jail, and Ross Island are the places one should visit when coming to this green paradise.
Darjeeling- The Queen Of The Hills ** Situated in the state of West Bengal, the place is globally famous for its tea gardens, panoramic views of the Himalayas, and colonial architecture. It brings out the joyous time of the ride of the Toy train, embedded with Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best places of interest are innumerable in terms of Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, and Peace Pagoda.
Conclusion:
It would be naive to presume that this was an insurmountable task for this land of monuments, India, which would feed everybody's different tastes. Every place, from amazing historical attractions in the north down to serene backwaters in the south, is a rife chunk of the great heritage and natural beauty that India encompasses. Here are a few top Indian travel destinations that promise an experience to remember, be it for a short trip or on a long exploration.
Want more travel tips and destination guides? Log on to https://holidayhunter.in/ and start your dream getaway today!
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It’s that time of year again...
...and by that I mean it's my birthday.
I don't generally celebrate my birthday. It became A Thing after my parents divorce, and since then, it is definitely a cursed day (last year I got a whole pandemic, so...)
This year, however, I decided I wanted to write me a story. Some months back, while scrolling through Facebook (I know, I know) I came across a post of a post that was a plot bunny. It was a tweet from user @JohannesEvans that read:
Hot goth in the woods that keeps answering the door and sighing and going "no, I'm not the witch, he lives over there" and points across the street to a dazzling pretty boy wearing a gold waistcoat who's waving excitedly at them
I immediately wanted to write it. So I did.
Now, to no one's surprise, I didn't start this story until roughly a week ago, so... well, it's almost done. So, for now, just to say I've properly celebrated my birthday, please allow me to share with you the first half or so of this silly story. It's rough, really rough, and doesn't have a title. I'm not thrilled with it, but... guilty pleasures, etc. Enjoy!
Quiet. That’s what the little alternative community in the woods had offered. Peace, acceptance, solitude. Quiet.
So Locke bit back a curse when someone knocked on his door for the hundredth time that day. Poppy seeds scattered across his work bench when he jumped because of course he hadn’t used a measuring spoon. Why would he use a measuring spoon for the smallest ingredient? Obviously, pouring straight from the bottle is the best way to measure poppy seeds.
The knocking persisted. Locke sighed and set the bottle down with a thud and rattle of chains. He stomped his way up front and tugged the door open, startling the pair of young women standing on his doorstep. Their eyes widened and the three of them stared at each other for longer than Locke thought was polite.
“Can I help you?” He didn’t growl. This was good communication skills.
The two seemed to shake themselves. “Are you Mr. Devereux?”
Locke sighed. “Which Mr. Devereux?”
They blinked and exchanged a confused glance. “We, um… we’re looking for a spell.”
“Then you want the witch.” He pointed a long arm over their heads toward the obnoxious display across the street. “That Mr. Devereux.” As one, they turned and Locke followed their gaze.
Sebastian was lounging in a pool chair, a cheap thing with neon yellow piping and no pool in sight. He was surrounded by colorful plants, flowers, and enough suncatchers to make any light fairy jealous. Locke was dismayed to see that he was sunning. Long legs, waxed and bronzed, stretched up to the hem of a pair of nautical striped boyshorts. A too small gold waistcoat revealed a pierced belly button and parted with sequined lapels and a collection of charms and pendants against his chest and the hollow of his throat. Golden blond hair was classically cut, cropped close to the sides and left almost strategically messy on top. Locke was not surprised to see the flash of glitter, either put there intentionally, or polluted from the obnoxious, glittery, sun-shaped sunglasses taking over most of his heart-shaped face.
His smile was almost blinding as he waved. “Hey, gorgeous!”
Locke frowned as his face went hot and wished for the hundredth time since moving in that he was the kind of goth that wore full face makeup. “That’s the witch.”
The women gawked at Sebastian, turned and gawked at Locke glowering in the doorway, and then looked at each other.
“Umm… sorry,” the apparent speaker of the duo said, and they turned and fled across the street, whispering to each other as they went. Sebastian stood and stretched, that waistcoat riding higher and those boyshorts hugging… well, everything. Locke sighed and shut the door with a snap.
Newlight Falls was advertised as a quiet town with a village-like atmosphere, tucked away in the old growth forest and home to those who didn’t fit in elsewhere. It was home to all sorts of paranormals, which included an uncommon amount of witches, plenty of fairies, and the obligatory pack of werewolves. Being that it was only an hour away from three major cities, it had become a bit of a tourist attraction, replete with warm-weather festivals that the fairies almost exclusively coordinated. Locke wasn’t a fan, but they were good for the town and good for business.
Even with all that, Locke fell in love with the place almost as soon as he saw it. He’d found the listing on Will’o, trying to find something close to the doctors he needed, but not directly in the city. Not only was his dark little cabin perfectly suited to him, but being back in the woods meant plenty of shade and long trails that he could disappear into if the festivities got to be too much.
It was also supposed to be haunted, which, perfect, but so far he hadn’t experienced much more than a few things being moved and a book or two knocked to the floor. No great shakes, really.
With the image of Sebastian’s sparkling navel piercing embedded in his mind, Locke sulked back to his work room to clean up the poppy seeds and see if the tea could be saved.
“Locke!” Benji’s happy voice boomed, big arms open and face nearly split by his smile.
Locke returned his smile but stayed sequestered on the front stoop out of the sunlight. Benji came to him without question, wrapping him up in the kind of bear hug only large goblins could give. He grunted and gave Benji’s back a pat as the air was squeezed out of him. “Hey, Benj.”
“Good to see you, you look good. This place looks great,” he said, stepping back to appraise the front of the house. To most, it needed some work, but Locke was partial to the busted exterior shutters and chipping grey paint.
“Thanks, the web is real, orb weaver, real beauty,” he said, motioning to the port window overhead.
Benji’s smile went tight and strained. “Love it,” he grunted like it hurt. He cautiously turned his attention away from the spider. “Thanks for letting me come.”
“Of course! Make my favorite sibling miss Fairy Fest after listening to him whine about it for ten years? Fat chance. C’mon, I’ll show you your room,” he said, motioning Benji in.
Benji grabbed his suitcase and thundered up the steps. “This place has a guest bedroom?”
“Eh….” Locke whined and didn’t answer further. It did, but the guest bedroom was where he’d put his workroom and it would have been too small for his hulking brother anyway. Instead, Locke had cleaned up his own bedroom and got a cot for his workroom. It wouldn’t be the most comfortable, but he could deal with it for the week that Benji was visiting. It wasn’t often they got to spend time together one on one.
They wandered in. Locke waved over the small living room, through the doorway to the small kitchen and dining nook, the water closet under the stairs, and then brought him up to the attic that made his bedroom and the full bathroom for his use during his stay. Benji caught on quick, but didn’t say anything, no doubt having considered how small the house was.
“We’ll have to share the shower, but otherwise, this room is yours for the week. I, uh… can’t say I’d be real thrilled if you picked someone up at the Fest, but, I’ll be the best wingman I can be,” Locke said, drawing the curtains back from the port window to let some light into the room.
Benji chuckled. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Thanks, man, this place is great. Mostly,” he said, eyeing the spider visible through the window.
Locke smirked. “Ghost isn’t too rowdy, either.”
“Ahha, of course you’d have a ghost,” Benji said with a self-deprecating laugh. Locke’s grin went cocky and he thumped his way back down the stairs.
“I gotta make a product run when dusk rolls around if you want to see the town proper tonight. There’s not a lot except some kitschy shops, but you might like one of the little restaurants for dinner,” he said, wandering into the kitchen.
Benji hummed and sniffed the air, eyes landing unerringly on the box that took up most of the little dining table. It was full of Locke’s teas, creative little blends in labeled linen baggies waiting to be delivered to the shops in town he was contracted with. “Sure, I’d love to see the place.”
“Cool, you can carry the box,” Locke said, wandering back to his workshop. Benji’s laugh made the windows rattle.
A few hours later, with the sun set enough that it didn’t irritate Locke’s eyes and skin overly much, he was leading an easily distracted Benji through town. The whole town was decked out for Fairy Fest, covered in lights and flowers and full to bursting with fairies. They flitted about in showers of sparkling color, some already celebrating by tossing petals or handful of pixie dust over the myriad of tourists also steadily filling the streets. Locke would have felt out of place in all his black and chains, but there were plenty of darker fae around, too. If anyone stood out, it was his rather large foster brother, his impressive figure causing people to practically dive out of the way, even as poor Benji apologized.
“Stop apologizing, Benj, you’re only walking,” Locke said with a smirk.
Benji was all tight frowns. “I feel bad, though.”
“Don’t, you’re fine. This is us, though,” he said, veering for a shop door. Benji followed, uttering a few more unnecessary apologies as they went.
The dark little mystic shop was one of Locke’s favorites. It was an evening shop and sold pretty much the same stuff that the rest of the kitschy shops sold, but it was themed dark. Spangled black and purple curtains and tapestries kept most of the natural light out, the shelves all made of cast iron and mahogany. The goods skewed toward occultish, but nothing available to the general public could cause any trouble. Even the obsidian athames were blunter than a letter opener. There were more exotic wares in the back, but the owner, Ms. Gloushire, was highly selective when it came to those sales. Even Locke, who was a resident, didn’t have her convinced, but he was getting there. Not that there was anything fancy he needed for his teas.
Benji, of course, veered right for the collection of polished stones and crystals. Locke grinned and teasingly hissed for him not to touch all of them. Benji glared at him but didn’t put down the peacock ore he’d already snatched from the display.
“Ms. Gloushire?” he called when he saw the front end empty.
“Is that you, Locke!?” a muffled shout echoed from the back.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, sliding his sunglasses onto the top of his head.
A moment later Ms. Gloushire was whacking her beaded curtain out of the way and she smiled warmly at Locke before her eyes settled on Benji. “Oh, you have a friend today.”
“Yep. My brother, Benji,” he said. “I have the tea for you for the Fest. The Starry Night, Full Moon, and Crossroads.” He set his box down on her counter beside the register and pulled back the flaps.
Her face lit up and she rubbed her hands together. “Ooh, excellent. Everything work out all right with your last check?”
“Yes, ma’am, not problems at all,” he said, smiling softly.
“Good. All this newfangled equipment. I know it’s more convenient for the Norms, but electronics and magic don’t always mix well. But if everything’s fine, then it’s fine,” she said, casting her new POS system a distrustful glare as she dug into the box of teas. Locke just chuckled and waited patiently for her to finish her counting and inventorying. Satisfied, she marked it all down and set the box aside.
“All right, dear, everything looks to be in order. If I need anything else, I’ll call you,” she said.
“Yep, you know where to find me. I gotta stop at Coriander’s. You have a good night,” he said, flicking down his sunglasses.
“You too, Locke. Pleasure to meet you, Benji,” she said with a suspiciously sharp smile. Benji tittered nervously, thanked her, and they were off.
The stop at Coriander’s was brief and uneventful. Locke handed over the second box of teas, things packaged in lighter bags with more spritely names, while Benji was one again glued to the shiniest objects the shop had to offer. Even with Coriander chatting at top speed about a new topic every few seconds, they were done relatively quickly. He said his farewells to the bubbly sprite, flicked his sunglasses down, and turned toward the door, only to be blinded anyway.
Sebastian was in the doorway, pushing his outrageous sunglasses onto the top of his head as he meandered into the shop. As soon as he saw Locke he smiled and Locke frowned at the butterflies in his stomach.
“Hey beautiful,” Sebastian said, smooth and a little high. His eyes instantly flicked to Benji and his expression went briefly blank, before he smiled again and got a little swagger. “Well, well, who is this delightful new face?”
Locke glanced over his shoulder and wasn’t surprised to see Benji’s face dark with blush. His greenish skin and purplish blood made him look a little brown, but it was definitely a blush. Locke didn’t blame him.
“Sebastian,” he said. “My brother, Benji. Here for the Fest.” He cleared his throat before his voice broke and ignored the look Benji gave him.
Another expression briefly flickered across Sebastian’s face, this time more surprised than blank, and quickly settled into a coy grin. “Brother? Well, welcome to Newlight Falls, Mr. Benji. I’m Sebastian Devereux, Locke’s neighbor,” he said, sauntering forward and offering his hand. He was a head shorter than Locke, which had Benji nearly towering, but as usual Sebastian’s confidence was unwavering. Locke figured it would have to be with a neon pink sequin sarong over those...shorts.
“Good to meet you, Mr. Devereux,” Benji said. “Which neighbor would you be?”
“The one across the street, handsome. Incase you ever need to borrow a cup of sugar,” he said with a wink. Benji grinned stupidly and Locke nervously fussed with his lip ring. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I have some tea to stock up on.” He winked at Locke, who barely resisted watching as Sebastian sauntered past. He huffed, tugging his hood closer to his face, and hurried out of the shop, leaving Benji to scurry after him. Maybe the hood and sunglasses disguised his blush enough? He certainly hoped so.
--
“So how are the infusions going?”
Locke looked up from pushing around his caprese. “Hmm? Oh, they’re fine. They’re infusions.” He cut a bite of cheese and tomato. “I had one last week and I think I’m scheduled for the week after next. Mostly vitamin D right now.”
Benji nodded, obliterating a half-pound cheeseburger and fries. “I remember summers are harder.”
Locke shrugged. “Yeah, but being here has been really great. The woods are so dense that I don’t always get a rash, so I can be outside more during the day.”
Benji’s face lit up. “Oh! That’s really cool! Mom and dad will be happy to hear it. See? I told them this was a good move for you.”
Locke huffed. “What, me telling them how great it is wasn’t enough?”
Benji waved him off. “You know how they are, they always worry about you.”
It wasn’t unwarranted. Locke had been a sick kid with all kinds of health issues and sensitivities, not the least of which was chronic anemia. At the time, being in and out of foster homes like he was, it had been difficult to narrow down his symptoms. Until Dan and Lori snagged him, the pale, scrawny, constantly exhausted thing that he was, and gave him a solid foster home to grow up in. Within the first year they’d discovered he had vampire heritage, which explained the majority of his weird symptoms. It wasn’t enough that he had to have transfusions, but it still meant he was anemic and allergic to too much direct sunlight. After that, with the support of his new foster family, Locke improved enough that he was able to finish school, and even got a degree.
Now, with a healthy lifestyle, he could live pretty normally, even if he still needed to be monitored monthly. Newlight, on top of being paranormally inclusive, also happened to be an hour away from the office that handled his case, which was still better than the two and a half hours he’d been traveling while still living near Dan and Lori. They might not have adopted him, but they still considered themselves his parents, and made quite the fuss when he moved so far away from them.
“Well, I really am doing great. You can tell them that I'm happy and healthy and even the ghost doesn’t bother me too much,” he said.
Benji snorted. “Lori would flip her lid if she knew you had a ghost.”
Locke grinned and didn’t think Lori would honestly be too surprised.
Other than the caprese salad, the choice of restaurant had been deliberate. It sat across from a stretch of woods with a marked path, and that path just so happened to let out a few yards from Locke’s house. The dark fae of Newlight loved to fill it with all sorts of mischief, some of which was quite pretty depending on the mood. With it being tourist season, and the endless woodland trails a huge attraction, Newlight had strict ordinances for what was and wasn’t allowed on the public paths. Benji was hesitant to take the woods home, but Locke assured him it was quite safe so long as they stayed on the path.
True to form, the woods were full of eerie giggles and mysterious lights, shrubs shaking and twigs snapping in the shadows along the lit path. The usual lamps that ran along the ground had been replaced with overhead string lights, zigzagging back and forth like a trail of will-o-the-wisps. Since the sun had finally set, Locke was able to shuck his hoodie and take off his sunglasses. Extreme temperatures had never really bothered him, but the summers could be pretty oppressive. It was nice to feel cool night air on his skin.
Half way home, a fairy appeared, a curvy woman in a diaphanous lavender dress and long, curling black hair. She hovered her way across the path, watching them with a wicked grin and shining black eyes.
“Evening, Iris,” Locke said casually. Benji made some choking noises behind him and Locke suppressed a grin, imagining his brother was blushing so hard he was almost purple.
“Hello, Locke. Who’s your friend?” she asked, moving a little closer.
“This is my brother, Ben.”
Her grin got even more mischievous. “Nice to meet you, Ben,” and she was off again, disappearing into the trees on the opposite side of the path. A symphony of chittering laughs hit them and Locke snorted.
“Wow,” Benji huffed as they kept moving, eyes nearly glued to the spot.
“She works in Mrs. Gloushire’s sometimes,” Locke said with a shrug.
“Oh yeah?” Benji mumbled absently, still searching through the darkness. Locke wanted to tease him, but it was his turn to blush when another fairy appeared.
“Hello, Galena,” he nearly deadpanned, glad it was so dark.
Galena was tall and willowy, built lean like a swimmer and burnished like bronze. He was dressed in what Locke could only call a poison green loincloth with a braided rope of poison ivy draped across him like a sash and pinning back half of his long, curling brown hair.
“Hello, Locke.” He did a little spin, purple wings beating wildly. “What do you think of my Absinthe costume?”
Locke blinked. “Isn’t that the same costume from last year?”
Galena scoffed. “You’re no fun!” he snarked, but blew Locke a kiss anyway and darted off again. Locke sighed and picked up the pace.
“Are the woods always like this here?” Benji nearly whispered to a chorus of laughter.
Locke shrugged. “No, they’re just excited for the Fest. It’s pretty quiet outside of tourist season.” Benji just hummed softly and got a little closer when something shrieked nearby.
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Operation New Me: Father Figure Wu & Reader
-⛔if you're sensitive, to things like bullying, fist-fighting, mentions of insecurities etc, I don't recommend reading this⛔
-young Morro is in this because I love him
Summary: You're beginning your first day of high school despite being a dropout since like third grade
"Are you ready?" The question was quite innocent and short, yet held a deeper meaning only you seemed to catch. Morro didn't pay any attention to what Wu was saying as you stuffed the last of your supplies in your book bag, and to be honest, you weren't sure if you'd ever be ready for today.
You spent the past week meditating and reading whatever material you could to catch up on what you've missed, but it just wasn't enough--it'd never be enough. How could you even think of cramming seven and up years of knowledge you didn't even understand in a mere month?
"(Y/n)?"
You adjusted your bag around your shoulders and walked through the monastery doors to meet Morro and Wu on the front steps. "Sorry. Let's go." Morro gave you an odd look, sweeping his bangs out of his eyes with a huff. "Don't act so worried. If you can survive Sensei's training, you can survive anything." You snorted and ruffled his black locks. "Being a ninja is a completely different concept than being a student at school. You learn things you don't even use, so it's a waste of time."
Wu shook his head dismissively. "It is not a waste of time. What you will experience there is something even I can not teach."
"Which is?"
"Social skills." he plainly replied with a smile. You zipped up your (f/c) sweater as a chilly breeze passed. The sun had barely risen over the horizon, leaving the moon high in the sky for drifting clouds to cover. "All you know is the monastery," continued Wu, "and life as a ninja. What happens if you are thrown in a situation you cannot 'ninja' your way out of?" You pursed your lips together, which Wu took as an 'I don't know'.
"Exactly, which is why you must get out in the world and learn." he said with a reassuring smile. "You are sharp, so I have no doubt you will be okay."
You continued down the monastery steps in a comfortable silence. It wasn't unnatural for you to be quiet at this time of day, especially since you weren't a morning person. Once you finally descended down every last step, Wu summoned his elemental dragon.
When Morro asked why he didn't do it in the first place, Wu said it was to get a bit of 'exercise in' and to learn a lesson of 'gratefulness'. Boy did the last one stick, because despite practically living at the monastery for more than half your life, rarely had you ever ventured down the steps.
The cool, crisp air against your face, the natural wind in your hair made by nature and not Morro, and the view of the endless skies just made you feel so alive. In the air suspended upon a golden dragon was something you missed. "When was the last time we got around like this?" you shouted over the wind. Morro grinned as brightly as the rising sun. "'We should do this more often Sensei!"
He chuckled a little and gave his reins a good shake. "Hold on!" The dragon flapped his wings and you were suddenly speeding through the skies, cutting passed the cool winds at speeds no man could ever reach.
"SENSEI!" you screeched. He laughed loudly as Morro cackled in your ear. "SCARED, (L/N)?!" he shouted.
"I'M NOT--! SENSEI! OH MY--!"
The dragon steadily slowed, continuing into a descend towards the city below. Wu let out a playful laugh. "That was a lesson on keeping your guard up, no matter how comfortable you may be." You placed your free hand over your pounding heart with a long sigh. "Well that's a lame lesson, Sensei. I saw my life flash before my eyes."
"Did you now?" he inquired with a chuckle. Morro snickered along with him, a look of approval on his smug face. "Sensei," you grumbled, "you're more like Garmadon than you think."
Landing in Ninjago City was like being in a dream. It was bigger than any village you've ever visited, and the buildings, although in construction, remained taller than anything you've ever seen in your life. "Woah..."
Wu smiled, ushering both you and Morro towards the high school. When you set eyes on the building, you had to blink a few times to fully comprehend its size. Windows lined the three stories that seemed to stretch out all the way to the end of the block. As for te cream colour exterior, you thought it blended nicely with the modern-ish touches.
Wu guided you towards the front gates, where dozens of students plowed their way up the stairs and into the front doors. Some lingered on the front lawn to enjoy their breakfasts with friends. "It's a pretty big place, isn't it?" said Wu. Morro snorted and sassily crossed his arms. "That's why we're in a city Sensei." You rolled your eyes and pulled out your schedule.
Your Sensei placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. "School is a ground for learning, so don't feel like you have to know everything. Just remember what we leanred together and everything will be fine." You tried to match the smile on his lips, but it just wouldn't happen. Besides almost cutting off one of your fingers with a katana last month, this had to be the scariest thing you've ever done.
"Our paths don't always go in straight lines," added Wu, "so don't feel like you have to have this day perfect." You nodded in understanding. Morro sent you a quick thumbs-up and a 'don't die' face that you snorted at. "Well, I'll see you after...school." You turned on your heel, preparing to march onto the school grounds like any other student.
Describing the school as 'big' and 'modern' was an understatement. It was humungous and actually quite nice to look at. You wished you could say the same, positive things about the students, but they didn't look too welcoming. Not only that, but for the first time in ages, you felt...
...out if place.
You really didn't fit in here with your sweater bearing your sensei's mark on the back and your own on the front. All the other girls here seemed to wear a skirt or dress in navy blue or black and plaid while you chose to wear trousers specifically for martial arts. The boys were no different with their white button ups, sweater vests or plain sweats.
You checked the dress code before hand to make sure you wouldn't embarrass yourself, but even then, here you were, already afraid of making the mistake of wearing the ancient fashion of your Elemental Master ancestors under your (f/c) sweater.
It didn't take a genius to know you were rhe new kid on the first day of school. Everyone else seemed to know each other from middle school or even primary and long before that while you had no one. They loved to gawk at you and side-glance your clothing as if you were some foreigner from a different realm. It was then that you began realising just how disconnected you had been from the trendiest and latest fashion.
"Only paintings wear her clothes."
"Don't tell me she's a villager."
"I bet her dad's a farmer."
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Your clothes were still widely used in not only martial arts, but villages and small towns. You also weren't a villager, and for the record, your father wasn't a farmer when he was alive. He had to be one of the greatest Elemental Masters and just so happened to pass on his element, light, to you.
You were proud of your heritage, but the amount of scorns you kept getting throughout the day kind of made you want to believe you were someone else.
Lunch was slow to come, especially during your algebra one class. When it finally hit you that it was time to eat, you made your way outside to take a seat far away from the students sat at picnic tables in the courtyards or laid flat on top of blankets on the grass. You took refuge from all the drama and scowls under a lone tree.
The music of its swaying leaves helped calm the ache in your heart. It was a reminder of all the lessons you learned throughout your life from your sensei Wu and Garmadon. You had to be patient, kind, calm and--
"Oh I'm so, so sorry." You looked up at the girl who had spilt her soda pop over your head. She and her two friends quietly snickered to each other as you wiped away the sticky mess with your (f/c) handkerchief. A strained smile made its way onto your lips. "It's...fine."
"Here, let me help you." One of the girls kicked at the dirt, sending pieces of fresh grass and pebbles into your face. She let out an evil laugh as her friends joined along. "Sorry, I can't touch you or I'll be infected with your grandma fashion." You wiped the dirt out of your face and jumped to your feet. "I dare you to say that again."
"If I touch you, I'll be infected with your grandma fashion." the girl repeated with a smirk. Perhaps Morro had rubbed off on you, or you had been thinking about your old Sensei Garmadon too much, because before any of the girls could blink, you snatched your lunch out of your bag and flung it at the group of girls.
One of them blindly lunged at you, making a mad grab for your hair and giving it a good tug. You wrapped your hand around her wrist and gripped it tight enough to cease her blood circulation. She let out a cry and let go as you swung around and blocked a punch from her friend.
A crowd began to form as you wrestled with the girls. All of the drama could have been over if you had gone full-out and actually fought back, but the Art of the Silent Fist worked well enough with them. You weren't about to give what your peers wanted: A fist fight.
"What is going on here?"
You dodged a punch to the face and spun around as another girl made a grab for your collar.
"Hey! No! Stop fighting!"
You paused in your footsteps as your History teacher parted through the crowds like the Master of Water, Maya. He suddenly let out a shout and threw out a hand, but you were too late to notice the uppercut to your jaw.
Later that day, you awoke to the one and only face of your Sensei, Wu. As you sat up in bed, he handed you a cup of warm Jasmine tea. "How are you feeling?" You rubbed your sore face and head with a low groan. "I'm dizzy."
"That must have been quite a punch, because you've been sleeping the day away." he said. You took a sip of your tea, surveying your bedroom with a frown. "You...picked me up from school?" Wu nodded. "Your bag is in the kitchen if you're wondering. Dinner should be done in another hour; I made some soup that'll make you feel better."
You caught a glimpse of your bedside clock, your jaw unhinging. "Eighteen thirty [6:30PM] already?" You jumped out of bed and scrambled towards the door. "Why didn't you wake me up? I have so much homework to do, and I was supposed to help you cook--" Wu calmly stood from his seat and placed his hands around your shoulders. You didn't even realise your hands were shaking until he guided you back towards your bed and took a seat at the edge with you.
"What happened at school today?" His calm eyes were swirling with a serious concern you couldn't ignore. It made your heart ache again, and all words everyone threw at you flow into your head like a broken record. The faces of your peers and their smiles they hid behind their hands, the pointing and the laughing, and then the fighting...
...oh, how could you forget, even for a moment, how awful that made you feel? Hos awful everything made you feel? The hot anger in your chest seemed to grow heavier and heavier.
If I touch you, I'll be infected with your grandma fashion.
Only paintings wear her clothes.
Don't tell me she's a villager.
I bet her dad's a farmer.
"(Y/n)?" called Wu. "Are you alright?" You heaved in a shaky breath to centre your hurricane of emotions. "I...I'm fine Sensei." You forced a smile. "Those girls were only looking for trouble. I got distracted by a teacher telling them to stop, so that's why I got hit. If I weren't distracted, you bet I would have blocked that punch." You chuckled a little to try and lighten the atmosphere, but Wu wasn't so easily convinced.
You should have expected that, but you hoped he would take the bait and just leave you alone for a bit. That was all you wanted, and that's how you liked it. Wu knitted his brows together as if he were searching your face for any clues of what else might've happened. "Is that all, or...?"
"Yeah." you casually replied. "I'm fine. It's just a scratch." Wu slowly nodded before leaving your side and venturing into the hallway. You were about to flop down on your bed, but he quickly popped back into your doorway. "I forgot to tell you, Garmadon's visiting for the weekend." Your eyes lit up, all that anger and weight in your chest vanishing. "Really?" Wu smiled so you did too, for real this time around.
"Yes. For real."
---
The only motivation keeping you from ditching school and running all the way back home was the fact that Sensei Garmadon would arrive in just two days. All you had to do was survive two more days of school before you were free on the weekend to do whatever the heck you wished. In theory, two days didn't seem so bad, but as soon as you entered the jam-packed building flowing with sleep-deprived teens, you realised just how long two days really was.
Along the way to your homeroom class, a guy had the audacity to spit his chewing gum at you. Of course, you dodged the flying projectile like a pro, but someone collided with you last second and the gum landed straight in your hair.
You remember spending the rest of the day dealing with fifty thousand insults about your clothing again, a few angry teachers giving fourty-five minute lectures about yesterday's fight, and having your whole grade blame you for the incident. Someone slammed you into a locker for payback while a group of girls decided it would be funny to trip you in the hall and scatter all your classwork on the floor.
You scrambled passed people's sneakers, madly grabbing at all the papers as if your life depended on it. You didn't have time to sort the jumble of packets and loose worksheets back into their respective places, so you threw everything in your bag and made a run for your next class.
Your teacher looked you up and down as you took a seat at your desk. "Late and running in the halls?" she inquired. "Detention! Tardiness will not be tolerated in my classroom." Your classmates sent you side-glances as you covered half your face with a hand. "Great. Could this day get any worse?" you grumbled.
Fast forward: it did. Passed the bullying and passed the tripping in the halls, the gum in your hair refused to come out, so during lunch, you had no choice but to cut it. You being you, whipped out a kunai knife that a teacher 'so happened' to see. And besides getting another detention slash possible suspension, you hadn't even started cutting your hair, leaving you with a wad of gum practically super-glueing all your locks together.
Wu had no idea about the detentions, so when you exited the school about an hour later than you should've, you deeply wished you hadn't left at all. He had his hands on his hips as you made your way down the front steps, and Morro looked like he wanted to give you a good punch in the face.
"I heard you had two detentions in a row!" exclaimed Wu. "What happened?" You handed him a yellow slip of paper and stuff your hands in your pockets with a huff. "Both my teachers want to have a 'parent teacher conference' with you tonorrow."
Wu looked like he was torn between being angry and confused, but maybe that was because he realised just how exhausted you looked. Your shoulders were slumped while your voice remained in a monotone, and you had your hood pulled high over your head (to hide the gum stuck in your hair). Morro stood on his tippy-toes to get a good look at the yellow slip of paper. "What did you do?" he questioned. "You're usually the 'good' one."
A bitter laugh escaped your throat that you couldn't hold. Wu frantically looked up from the paper to get a good look at your face, a deep frown spreading on his face. "Can you please take off your hood (Y/n)?" His voice was gentle and soft, as if he were afraid of scaring you.
"Yeah, I can't see your face."
Wu gave Morro a scolding shake of his head before turning back to you. "There's no point in hiding your face."
"I'm not hiding my face...I just...I like keeping my hood up." Wu folded the yellow paper and put it in his pocket with a sigh. "Come here (Y/n)." You hesitantly trudged over to him and he placed a hand on your head, gently pulling down your hood. Morro gasped as Wu's gaze bounced from your tired expression to the wad of gum tangled in your hair.
"Who did this to you?"
You wanted to tell him that it was an accident, that someone left their gum on the table and you were just unfortunate enough to lay your head down and get it stuck in your hair. But then you saw the fierce fire in his eyes and felt his strong resolve to help you. There would be no point in lying to him and Morro if he'd eventually find out anyway.
"Some guy at school did it."
"How?"
"He spit it at me. I tried to dodge, but someone pushed me and it got stuck in my hair."
"What about the detentions?"
You hesitated. "It...it was..." Morro pursed his lips together angrily. "Don't you dare lie!" he exclaimed. "Lying doesn't grt you anywhere." A sigh escaped your lips. "I was late to one of my classes because someone tripped me on purpose in the hallway. Some other guy threw all my stuff on the ground, so that's why I was late. I got another detention after that because I tried to cut the gum out of my hair with my kunai."
Wu's eyes doubled in size. "You what?!"
"I tried to cut my hair with a kunai knife because I didn't have scissors." you repeated. Wu ran a hand over his forehead. "Father, help me." he grumbled. "(Y/n), you do know that weapons are prohibited? This...school is..." He trailed off and motioned for you and Morro to follow him.
"How about we go home and discuss this over a nice cup of hot tea?"
PART 2
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Passover Vacation Destinations
Passover vacation destinations should be at the top of your list to ensure a bold celebration of Passover for your family, in the coming year.
The Passover Holiday is a grand time of great festivity amongst Jewish people, to commemorate their liberation from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. The style of celebration varies among the two major Jewish groups; Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. Each group celebrates Passover with varied customs. Other Jewish groups celebrate Passover with varied levels of leniencies or stringencies.
Almost all Jewish families that book a Passover vacation want to participate in and enjoy day trips or excursions, during the intermediate days of Passover.
This niche area of day trips and excursions is the special focus of the team at VacationsPassover.com. We feature a wide variety of fun family activities, including day trips, travel excursions, and onsite events offered by tour operators, theme parks, and Kosher for Passover hotels and resorts.
VacationsPassover.com brings your Jewish family the best day trips and fun family travel excursions, through which your family can fully experience a joyful Pesach Getaway.
On the premium Passover vacation destination portal of VacationsPassover.com, your family can find and book your family vacation destination for Passover. You’re just a few clicks away from a phenomenal place to stay for the Passover Holiday.
On behalf of Jewish families that want an affordable and all inclusive Passover vacation, we have done thorough research to find, list and promote the very best options for Kosher for Passover hotels and resorts. Premium Passover program providers for Kosher for Passover vacation destinations often list on our Passover travel portal.
Jewish families that want to reserve accommodations at the top Passover hotels and resorts can easily search for Kosher for Passover options on VacationsPassover.com. Here, Jewish people can easily search by vacation destination locations, activities, and amenities offered by premium Passover vacation destinations.
Jewish families often choose to travel to Kosher Passover hotels or resorts in major cities throughout North America. Here is a list of popular major cities, in Canada and the United States of America.
CANADA
Canada is a very beautiful country that is located in the North American continent. Canada offers a perfect blend of: beautiful scenery, cozy stay points, diverse food options and great sports and cultural attractions for Jewish families to enjoy.
Besides fabulous fun activities for Jewish families, Canada is known for the friendliness and politeness of its citizens and outstanding hospitality. Moreover, Canada is is home to the richest mix of diverse cultures. Jewish tourists and visitors that vacation at Kosher for Passover hotels and resorts will amass a lifetime of phenomenal experiences.
Vancouver
This densely populated city of Canada offers great options for tourists, ski enthusiasts, and those who love boating. Its picturesque mountains are only outshone by the grand banks of its West Pacific shores. Hikers will delight in its ancient forests, hiking trails, swimming and surfing options. Vancouver, Canada is a beautiful place to visit, which offers vast ecological diversity and picture perfect photography scenes.
Toronto
Being located at the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is known for its grand skyscrapers and its high-rise buildings, many of which were designed by world famous architects. Toronto features world class hotels that offer the best in upscale Passover hospitality options.
Montreal
The Passover celebration in the city of Montreal, Quebec is a unique opportunity for tourists to delight in. Montreal, Quebec is home to the largest concentration of Jews of French and Morrocan ancestry. During the intermediate days of Chol Chamoed, there are many fun activities to participate in. Here you will delight in lavish meals featuring kosher foods that are rich in French culinary influence.
Halifax
The city is bestowed with good quality housing, safety, and impressive healthcare facilities. Halifax has a low crime rate. Halifax is home to prominent historical sites, culturally rich museums, and spacious public gardens that are blooming with gorgeous flowers and exotic plants.
Passover destinations in Canada shall be on your top list, to experience cultural diversity, nature’s floral fragrance, great hospitality, and prestigious Passover celebrations.
USA (United States of America)
The USA rules the hearts of many vacationers, with its like-home hospitality and comfortable culture, which caters to tourists that crave great food, room service and concierge services, ‘at the ring of a bell’. The country is blessed with a wealth of cultural heritage, comfortable upscale hotels, and resorts. Special arrangements for fitting accommodation of Jewish tourism are available at all major hotels and resorts, in the USA. Be prepared to delight in delicious Kosher food. Here, in the United States of America, a Pesach vacation is sure to be a memorable experience for all Jewish families.
Boston
This American city is known for its “firsts” – the first subway system, the first Public Park, etc. Being considered as the progressive city of the USA, Boston is full of influential and innovative people to add beauty to your happy times. The green lands and clear blue sky is what makes it the favorite choice of many tourists.
Miami
It is a joyous land of the USA which is full of beaches and water sports. The south beach and Miami Beach are the two major beach areas and the famous attraction points of the city. From sunbathing, to swimming to making beautiful sandcastles to river walks, everything holds great pleasure and belongingness.
Los Angeles
Fondly known as LA, the city is a prominent example of a perfect climate and beautiful culture. Oftentimes, it is considered an entertainment city because this is where the roots of the Hollywood industry lie. Most importantly, LA is believed to be a clean and safe holiday destination during Passover.
New York
A highly populated city of the USA is known for its unique shopping marts and outlets. This vibrant city is a fashion hub besides being home to famous business tycoons. Spending a few days in New York gives you an idea about almost all cultures as it shelters people from various parts of the world.
There are several reasons to head towards the US for your Passover celebration and grab the best experience for your life.
But there are also great travel options available South of the US border.
SOUTH AMERICA
Some countries located in South America seem to be affordable and luxurious Passover destination vacation hot spots, due of their less authentic appearance.
This continent treats you to some exciting places that add a unique experience to your annual excursion. Though there exist several beautiful places, yet let’s talk about the most beautiful ones.
Aruba
This little island country located on the shore of The Caribbean Sea sits as the unheard tale. An absolutely picture-perfect country with unique architecture, desert-like landscapes, white beaches, and colorful social life makes it an apt travel destination.
Caracas
It is the capital city of Venezuela famous for its restaurant chains providing the best to treat your Passover meals in the perfect manner. It is also a hub of museums, shopping centers, and theaters that keeps you and your beloved family happily occupied throughout the days and nights.
São Paulo
This famous city of Brazil is known as the land of drizzle and is considered as the best escape from the noisy world and life full of rush. This green city is home to many species and cultures. The grounded nature of the people here makes it a suitable hospitality hub.
Buenos Aires
This famous capital city of Argentina has become a major tourist attraction because of its nightlife. It has award-winning cocktail bars, big clubs, gig venues to underground nightspots pertaining to the requirements of all.
Isn’t it always better to explore something unique and let your experiences talk louder when the world sits quietly? So, why not consider South American countries and add better energy to your Pesach days.
ASIA
The largest continent is certainly a home to diversity and several hospitality options in each distinct country. Though most of the Asian countries and cities are best-suited Passover destinations, yet we have some top-notch cities on our listing to give you a sound experience.
Bali
This Indonesian island is home to coral reefs, beaches, forests, and mountains. Besides the beautiful nature essence, Bali is well known for its hospital, unique resorts, and food culture. Thus, it becomes the best Passover destination for the Jewish where culture blends beautifully with the climate.
Moscow
An iconic city in western Russia is known for Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Kremlin, and historical museum. Russia being the largest country provides a collective experience of various places altogether and understands the expectations of all types of tourists.
Mumbai
The entertainment city of India is home to people from all parts of the country. Thus, a few days spent in Mumbai gives you an all-around experience of major parts of the country. Being the working capital of India, Mumbai has some best elite hotels, resorts, food outlets, fashion marts, and a lot more.
Tokyo
This busiest city of Japan is preferred for its extended heritage and series of unique temple architecture. Furthermore, its exclusive dine-in options, aesthetic stay points, and unusual malls act as the icing on the cake.
Besides, these wonderful options you can always have your preferred addition to the list at Vacation Passover. We know how tedious it becomes to plan a vacation in your busy schedule. As a result, get in touch with our team at: https://vacationspassover.com/ and get your happy days planned well in advance.
Source URL: https://vacationspassover.com/passover-vacation-destinations/
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Find all boarding schools in dehradun
The Doon School
Welcome to The Doon School. We are a school which specializes in all boys boarding education for pupils aged 12-18. The school is probably the only All India school with applications from almost every state each year, as well as from Indian families overseas. Established in 1935, The Doon School is one of India’s finest schools, with a strong intellectual heartbeat. The Doon School is a full boarding school for boys only and not simply a school which welcomes boarders. The school’s beautiful seventy acre campus with a vast range of flora, fauna and bird life provide all boys with ample green space and fresh air where they are able to live and learn. It is an environment rarely offered by schools in large and small cities in India, or indeed some other countries. All boys are able to seek advice from the teaching staff, the Wellness Centre and the school counsellor living on the school campus throughout the seven day week. Boys discover that they have much more time to study and pursue their wider interests. There is no wasted time travelling to learn Sport, Art, Music, Drama and benefit from Careers Guidance as well as other necessary university and college entrance preparation.
St George College
St. George’s College (Mussoorie), is a premier boarding school in Mussoorie, in the state of Uttarakhand, India, affiliated to the ICSE council. The school, an all-boys residential and non-residential institution, spreading over 400 acres (1.6 km2) of land, was founded in 1853 by the Capuchin Fathers and entrusted to the Society of the Brothers of St. Patrick (Ireland) in 1894. It was opened in a cottage known as Manor House; the name by which the campus is still known. The students are known as Manorites. The school has an alumni network spread across the globe. In 2005, the Indian Air Force gifted the school a trainer jet aircraft, TS-11 Iskra, as a tribute to the distinguished service of the school’s alumni in the armed forces.
The Asian School
The School is situated on a 16-acre campus, Asian Acres in tranquil and verdant environs. The academic building is an impressive structure designed by a well-known group of architects from New Delhi. The residential area set amidst greenery with students being provided their own recreational area. We have four hostels, 2 for senior boys, 1 for junior boys, and one separate hostel for girls. A housemaster, tutors, and a matron live within the Student House providing round the clock supervision.
Welham Boys School
Welham Boys School is a residential school for boys, in Dehradun, affiliated to the C.B.S.E., India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas over an area of 30 acres, the school lies amidst the hills and rivers of the Doon valley. Students from varying backgrounds and from many different parts of the sub-continent and beyond, attend the school.While I hope that you are enjoying the summer break with your children, which is not even halfway through, I am already missing their bubbling presence on campus and looking forward to welcoming them back all of us refreshed and with our batteries re-charged to take on the rigours of yet another term - Autumn 2018.
Welham Girls School
While inculcating the best of Indian culture and tradition in its students, the School aims at developing in them a sense of discipline and a spirit of service and fair play.The Welham community has grown from ten girls at its inception in 1957 to its current strength of 600 girls. The alumnae of the school have carved a niche for themselves globally and within India, yet the spirit to give and not count the cost remains unchanged.
Grace Academy Dehradun
Grace Academy is a senior secondary co-educational, day-cum-residential, English medium, unaided, Christian minority school which is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi. Affiliation no. 3530076. The school began classes on July 10, 1990 with 29 students in grades Nursery to Third, with an expectation to add one class every year up through High School. Having started with rented rooms and tin shed temporary classrooms to accommodate grades Nursery through High School and senior secondary school.
Unison World School
An All Girls Residential School, it offers quality education with finest accommodation and living facilities to students from Grades 5 to 12. We wish to create opportunities for girls to achieve high standards not just academically but also in her life as a whole. While preserving the best in traditional Indian and International education and culture, we have opted for a student-centric, value based learning and education system with ample opportunities for individual growth and development.
The Indian Public School
The Indian Public School, Mrityunjaya Dham residential campus was started in 2001 and spread over an area of 80 acres, the entire school campus has patches of green and parklands. Tucked amidst the Himalayas (to its north) and the Shivalik ranges (to the south) the school provides a natural playground for children, keeping them in the lap of Mother Nature. In fact, the school campus has been planned in such a manner that only 20% of the total area will be concrete structures while the rest of the campus will be a harmonious blend of green patches, parklands and water-bodies. Our education system integrates the most relevant and meaningful features of the ancient Gurukul with the best of the scientifically designed modern systems enlivened by psychological and educational research. Living in perfect harmony with nature, both teachers and students in the school have ample opportunities to imbibe service-mindedness and inculcate ethical principles.
Bala Hissar Academy
Bala Hissar Academy places great emphasis on the physical development of its students and various games and sport are organized on a regular basis throughout the year. Basketballs, Cricket, Football and Table-Tennis are played under supervision of qualified PTI and students participate in inter-school sports competitions. An annual Sports Event is organised, generating a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement as it is the culmination of year long inter-house sport and games competitions.An Annual Prize and Speech Day is held is October with great fervour and excitement where outstanding students are awarded special prizes and scholarships. It is followed by Inter-School English Debate in the memory of Lt. Mrs. Humera Amanullah, the co- founder of Bala Hissar Academy. The importance of sports as an integral part of education cannot be undermined. This instills a spirit of sportsmanship, co-operation and responsibility in students. At Bala Hissar Academy we try to ensure that all students benefit from a complete education. We take pride in developing the young men and women of tomorrow so that they are able to take their place in society with pride and confidence.
Beverly Hills School
The school has adequate and quality infrastructure consisting of well furnished classrooms, well-equipped Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology and Mass-Communication (Media Studies) labs, managed by a team of qualified and dedicated teachers and lab-technicians. The school has a state-of-art computer lab with all the systems on LAN and with internet. Interactive computer aided classrooms, empowers teachers to transform the traditional blackboard and chalk method into interactive sessions. The multimedia content enables teachers to explain complex concepts in an interesting and understandable manner, helping the students to retain information for a longer period of time and facilitates better learning. There is a Central Library having substantial collection of books on subject material, story books and encyclopedia .The campus has large play field for various outdoor games (like cricket, basketball, football, volleyball, badminton, etc.) and sports. A huge 700 seating capacity Auditorium is nearing completion.
https://boardingadmission.com/find-all-boarding-schools-in-dehradun
#top 10 girls boarding schools in dehradun#Top 10 Boarding Schools in Dehradun#Boarding Schools In Delhi#Girls Boarding Schools in Dehradun#boys girls boarding school in dehradun#boys girls boarding schools in dehradun#Boarding Schools In Uttarakhand#Boarding Schools In Mussoorie#Boarding Schools in Dehradun#Boarding schools in shimla
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One of those international interpretations of the superhero mythology is The Protector, the title character of a Netflix show that is filmed on location in Istanbul and stars Cagatay Ulusoy as the mystically empowered champion who protects the city of 15 million from modern-day threats as well as supernatural dangers that have roots in antiquity. Cagatay portrays a shopkeeper named Hakan who is shocked to discover he’s an heir to magical powers. The power comes with a price: Hakan must withstand the onslaught of The Seven Immortals, navigate a growing rivalry with his headstrong brother, and protect a budding romance that’s tested by his secret pursuits.“It is the story of an ordinary man who undergoes transformation as a consequence of certain incidents he had,” Ulusoy explained. “In fact, my story is similar to Hakan’s if we ignore the fantastic parts. It’s good evidence for [the saying] “life is what happens while you are busy making other plans” both for me and Hakan. If we ever met? We would be talking about the miracles of life that helped us to evolve and milestones of our lives both before and now.”The Protector is the first special-effects fantasy or superhero show that has been produced in Turkey, Ulusoy said. It’s new territory for everyone involved and involves some unexpected challenges. Like the time Ulusoy filmed a lengthy underwater scene that left him gasping for breath and dazed from the exertion. “I stayed underwater long enough that my eyes were not able to see very clearly and the pool’s chlorinated water ran into my nose, causing a burning in my nasal passage for hours,” Ulusoy said. “I had an ear congestion and, of course, I was very wrinkled because of staying in the water such a long time. It was hard and it was tough but at the same time it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “The series has been renewed for a Season 3 and Ulusoy’s profile is raising in his native Turkey and in other near neighbors where The Protector is building its following. The actor said he’s especially proud of the way the series captures the spirit of Istanbul, which links the past and the present and represents a singular geo-political gateway.“For thousands of years, Istanbul has marked the point where East meets West,” Ulusoy said. “I would call it a crossroads of civilizations. You can absolutely feel that blend of modern and historical facets when living in this unique city. And this was one of the biggest promises of the show to our audience, to showcase the perfect combination and the perfect contrast of both worlds…which has been highly appreciated by audiences both locally and globally. It’s been a great experience as an actor to introduce Istanbul’s rich culture and both its historical face and its modern face to the world through my character’s journey. Hopefully we will hopefully discover many more hidden gems of this city in the upcoming seasons.”Ulusoy is a fan of American superheroes, too, and keeps tabs on the cinematic exploits of the Avengers, Wonder Woman, the X-Men, The Incredibles, Hellboy, etc., in the same way that international basketball players monitor the NBA to see the state of the game in its native land. Asked to name his all-time favorite among the U.S. superhero brigade, the genial actor who portrays The Protector became a bit guarded. Finally, I managed to claw out an answer: “If it was possible, I would love Hugh Jackman to join us for [an episode],” Cutaway said. “I admire him as an actor. Moreover things will be more hectic for The Protector in the last few episodes. Maybe Hugh Jackman would come in as Wolverine and lend a hand to me?”
via :
https://deadline.com/2019/08/turkeys-leading-super-hero-the-walking-dead-in-hero-nation-index-1202661580/
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Is Religion Even Necessary?
So you have heard them all, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age, etc. etc., a denomination of this, a denomination of that. Every religion at war with each other, fighting over who’s religion is the right religion. So much confusion! There is only one GOD Almighty and not all of these people holding different beliefs could possibly be right, let’s be honest. Every single one of us have blood flowing through our veins, two legs, the same types of day to day challenges, etc. and we will all be headed to the same place after leaving this earth just like we were all put on this same earth together. We all came into this world the same way, from the same GOD Almighty, and we will all go out the same, to either one of two places created by GOD Almighty, Heaven or Hell. (Where will you go?) So let’s get to the truth of the matter. If all religions take away from the Holy Bible, then why not just rely on what the Holy Bible says? Why make our own rules and traditions? Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual elements.
So let’s examine things for a moment. Since all religions take something from the Holy Bible then let’s look at the Holy Bible. The KJV (King James Version) Holy Bible to be exact; said to be the best translation, closest to the original, with nothing added or removed as most other translations these days have. There is either scripture missing or added with words that give the scriptures a whole new meaning entirely. Who said we wanted ‘your’ opinion sir, just give it to us straight, right. The Holy Bible gives us the daily instructions (commandments from GOD) that we need to be 'truly’ good people, so the world flows smoothly. Yet people believe religion is necessary for that; have they not taken a look around the world and seen that their way isn’t working?
People have formed the Christianity religion, so most people look at the Holy Bible as a Christian religious book, but is this a fact? You will find that the Holy Bible doesn’t mention anything at all about needing to belong to a certain religion or following traditions of men. It speaks against that in fact. (Mark 7:7-9, Colossians 2:8 KJV). Being a Christian simply means to be Christ-like, an actual follower of Jesus Christ; nothing about the religion and traditions they have formed which in most cases do not even match up with the Holy Bible. Must be why most self-professing Christians blend right in with the world. Jesus Christ and His disciples didn’t form any religious group. They simply went around preaching “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 KJV), baptizing, healing the sick, casting out devils, etc. They taught the 'Word of GOD’, Who by the way is the Creator of all things, as if His Word isn’t sufficient enough. The bible says “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19 KJV. Sounds like serious business. These people may want to think twice about removing and adding words to scripture.
It’s broken down quite simple. Jesus Christ came and died for our sins because all sin has to be paid for, requiring a sacrifice. All we are required to do is show 'in action’ we believe in Him by being baptized in water (full body immersion, not sprinkled) where we will receive the Holy Spirit, which without we cannot get into heaven, according to John 3:5 KJV. We then must walk in “newness of life”; meaning, turning away from sin and walking how Jesus commands us, according to Romans 6:4 KJV. The scripture is clear in Revelation 14:12 KJV. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus”. So who made up this thing that “we don’t have to keep the commandments anymore”, or that “it’s ok to sin”, or “once saved, always saved”? The oh-so-famous sinner’s prayer is nowhere in the Holy Bible. Yes, that’s right folks, saying a simple prayer will not, I repeat, will not save you!
Have you ever met the over-righteous religious person who has their nose stuck up in the air like they were born perfect and never made a mistake in life? How about the religious person who goes as far as hating others because they see they are in a certain type of sin? How about the religious self-professing Christian who looks no different from the rest of the world; watches worldly TV series, listens to vulgar music, parties, drinks, uses drugs, uses foul language, thinks their own personal opinion on scripture matters, etc. etc. How about the religious person who believes because they show up to church on Sunday (not even the true Sabbath according to GOD -Exodus 20:8-10 KJV) that they will make it to heaven, as if heaven is earned by how many church services you show up to or claiming to be a “good person” in your own eyes. Most of these people never even pick up a bible and read it! These types of people are called hypocrites and satan loves them because they cause others confusion and discouragement; mission accomplished, satan just caused another to walk away from the gospel of Jesus Christ, causing them to lose Salvation.
Let’s look back at the person calling themselves “a good person”. Can you imagine two criminals in court giving the judge their own personal opinions as to why they are a good person and should get away with a crime. That wont work in court with a judge, they will have to pay for the crime; neither will it work with GOD when we face HIM on judgement day. You don’t say the judge isn’t loving because he punished a criminal, you respect his judgment. So why do people say GOD isn’t loving because HE will do the same? HE is the Ultimate JUDGE, THE JUDGE over the judge. We have to play by HIS rules just like we have to play by the rules of this land. So remember; be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, turn from sin and repent, obey GOD and Jesus, and walk in His ways to make it to heaven.
Too many people are too busy following passions and obsessions in this world; TV series, video games, celebrities, careers, movies, worldly music, school, night life, sports, activities, relationships, etc, etc. Sure, SOME of the things mentioned are fine to do, but for most it totally consumes their entire life, this is all that’s on their mind 24/7 making no time or consideration for their relationship with their Creator. The list goes on and on, satan has thousands of ways to distract us and keep our attention and focus off of GOD and Jesus Christ our Saviour.
The Holy Bible says clearly that satan is the deceiver and the author of confusion (“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9 KJV) and he has been appointed hell, he is extremely angry, hates GOD’s creation and wants to take as many of us down with him as he possibly can. What better way to do that than confuse people with a bunch of different religions, leading them away from accepting Jesus Christ. Again, sin has to be paid for, and without Jesus Christ as your Sacrifice you have to do the time, and follow the one you followed in this world (satan) to the same place he is going, hell. So it’s time we wake up, stop being lazy, and read the Holy Bible. There are thousands and thousands of accounts of the Holy Bible being true with prophecy coming to pass, people having near death experiences and actually going to heaven and hell, people having spiritual experiences, seeing Jesus and spirits, receiving healing and miracles in the Name of Jesus Christ, experiencing GOD working in their daily lives, etc. etc.
So now we can see clearly that religion most definitely in fact is NOT necessary. Tell satan he can keep his confusion, GOD’s Word is sufficient for you, that he might be getting over on the majority of the world but no longer over on you! How wicked satan is to deceive us in such a way; not to mention all the other things he puts us through constantly: fear, worry, depression, suicidal thoughts, illness, death, anger, sadness, the list goes on and on. According to 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Wow, what a wicked devil, is there really any wonder he’s headed to the lake of fire. We can say Thank GOD Almighty for that and mostly Thank GOD and Jesus Christ for His Sacrifice, the Ultimate Love.
#Truth#Jesus Christ#KJV Holy Bible#GOD#Jesus#religion#false religion#false doctrines#doctrines of men#REAL Christians
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Take an Charming Vietnam Cruise trip Through Ha Long Bay and Enjoy a Mythical Vacation
Beyond the brave background rich blend of colonial heritage, there are numerous more intriguing stories and legends about Vietnam that you can discover. Once a war-torn country, Vietnam changed in a safe and thriving place packed with historic cities, elegant French style architecture, upscale departmental stores, classy restaurants, chic boutiques and cafes, and countless iconic natural sights. The continent can be found in one's heart of Southeast Asia and is just a quick flight away. Yet, if you like to explore Vietnam at the slower, more romantic pace, then forget about flying. Instead have a relaxing cruise and enjoy probably the most delightful mix of vibrant landscapes and delightful cuisines or sail to the fiery sunset down the country's gorgeous bay. With the perfect Vietnam cruise, surely you will get overwhelmed by the exotic flavors and sights with this tropical sanctuary. Sail In the Bay of Descending Dragons An attractive seascape set amidst rocky limestone cliffs, Ha Long Bay attracts flocks of tourists and locals alike. Ha Long Bay is one kind of those beautiful places that boast a formidable atmosphere and huge selection of natural sights and mythical attractions. The place itself is beautifully studded with little clusters of verdant islets, idyllic islands and magnificent caves that embellish lots of.
But beyond this untouched and plush landscape is something much more mystical. Ha Long Bay which literally means "Bay of Descending Dragons" has an enchanting and enchanting legend that is passed down with the ages. Based on the famous legend, the Ha Long Bay islands were formed every time a family of dragons descended to help you the locals defend their land through the rushing hordes of Chinese invaders. The dragons spit jade and jewels to the sea, and these jewels turned into a huge number of islets and islands studding the bay, creating an unyielding fortress that prevented the invaders from taking the land. Basic mystical scenery etc a lovely legend, it's not surprising that the bay has been renowned among the world's natural heritage sites. Things to See at a World's Most incredible Fishing Villages Ha Long Bay can be an enthralling spot with much to offer. Besides feasting on a picturesque look at luxuriant islands, you can aquire a full glimpse of the floating villages that shelter from the tranquil and emerald waters from the bay. There are lots of fishing villages in the place along with the Cua Van Village may be the largest. Cua Van is probably the greatest attractions you will see during a cruise tour to Ha Long Bay and it's among the sights that you shouldn't miss out on as you visit Vietnam. There are a few hundred families in the village who reside in either houseboats or traditional floating houses created from wood or bamboo. Almost all these families rely heavily on fishing and fish farming for his or her subsistence. Cua Van Village is definitely thought to be among the world's best fishing villages. Even initially glimpse, you'll be easily attracted to the loveliness from the craftily woven bamboo basket boats, humble floating homes and comforting primitive scene. With all the unique charm with this vibrant community, an ideal Vietnam cruise is undoubtedly an experience to keep in mind. For additional information about homestay Quang Ninh you can check our webpage.
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Take A Vacation: To Some Of The Best Places Around Bangalore
Astounding Places for tourist In Bangalore:
The best opportunity to go to any of these slope stations is throughout the entire year, as the environment of the city is lovely and ideal over time. This can likewise be considered as best tourist spots in Bangalore.
Bangalore Palace: One of the most well-known places of interest in Bangalore is the Bangalore Royal residence. In 1873, the Bangalore Royal residence was assembled and it is the best illustration of its building magnificence. The castle sits on a place that is known for 25000 square feet and it utilizes the ideal blend of Tudor and Scottish Gothic plans engineering. This castle is primarily saved for the travel industry and is a great scene for sorting out gatherings, for example, wedding parties, stage performances, and different occasions.
Lal Bagh Botanical Garden: Perhaps of the most established professional flowerbed in India that has a rich history is Lal Bagh Professional Flowerbeds. It is situated in South Bangalore and is perhaps of the biggest nursery in India. This is the principal professional flowerbed that is worked with arranged courses like 4 sections/leave focuses, one major glasshouse, and fancy blossoms all around the nursery.
Greatest Day Outing Resorts:
Dasanpura Resort: This hotel is situated in the Silicon city of Bangalore off the Tumkur Fundamental Street. You can design your one-day outing to this hotel, as the retreat claims a few things to cheer you. An enormous number of guests visit this hotel consistently on seeing its extravagance and cordiality include. Never miss visiting this hotel to partake in your day outing, as you will dumbfound by the excellence of the rich set-ups of the retreat. In Silicon city, this is a day-out resort in Bangalore which are one of the top lavish hotels. Engaging Exercises: Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis, Squash, Billiards, Squash Court, 130-meter pool, Gathering corridor
Harapanahalli Resort: This is a one-of-a-kind hotel as it is situated in such a spot where you will find rich Mango trees. You will find Mango forests around an area of 10 sections of land encompassing the retreat. It is smarter to design your day outing to this hotel to get a delightful day outing experience. This retreat has 20 houses that are tastefully planned with flawlessness. To cause you to feel the adrenaline rush, the retreat offers one treetop unique house. All here the fundamental reality is that the retreat utilizes eco-accommodating materials for its plan. Engaging Exercises: Complimentary wireless internet, Bistro, Premium hot tub, Setting up camp tents, Lodging, Bar, Kids Play region, Setting up camp cottages, Fog moving, Pool, Poolside Bar, Experience sports, etc.
Some lovely picnic spots
The perfect accompaniment to bread, cheese, and pate even if you can’t get out of the car! Love the photos!
Hogenakkal Falls This is a stunning cascade situated on the Cauvery Waterway. It is one of the most amazing cookout spots close to Bangalore. Transport offices are accessible from Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. It is 180 km from Bangalore and is frequently alluded to as the ‘Niagara of the East.’ The water of the falls is known to have restorative properties, and the carbonite rock developments are an uncommon sight in Asia.
Big Banyan Tree Broadly known as Dodda Alada Mara, this popular spot is a short drive away from the city. Covered with a scope of banyan trees as old as 400 years of age, the environmental factors offer an enticing scene for a joyful outing for a gathering of loved ones. Dodda Alada Mara is 33 km from Bangalore and is one of the most famous picnic spots in Bangalore.
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I've gotten several asks over the last few months about my icon and requests to learn more about him, so I'm going to try to briefly describe him. This is my first time actually talking about my baby boy so if I ramble I apologise!
This is Ilnori!
His story has changed quite a bit over the last year or so but he's stayed relatively the same.
Ilnori is a Dramurian (original alien species I wrote for the story he's in) so uh, I should probably explain Dramurians and a bit of the story.
Story background: the story is set in the very distant future on a planet called Osrad that is several thousand light years from Earth. Earth was dying and there was no chance to save it so after an extensive search, the planet Osrad was discovered by scientists to be rather earth like- enough so to sustain colonies and preserve the human species. The planet was scouted robotically by android-esque surveyorsand when the surveys came back with information that the planet waa habitable the colonies were set up. 50,000 people total, ten ships each carrying 5,000, would be sent to Osrad on a staggered release schedule, one ship would launch every five years and each was to target a different area of the planet so that if one colony didn’t survive due to climate, conditions, area geography etc, the next group would have a better shot at surviving. If all went well, they would be able to communicate with each other from their various colonies and begin to populate the planet. However, the scientists and thus the settlers, already well on their way to Osrad, were unaware of how uninhabitable the climate would have become by the time the ships reached it, and that the planet was already the home to an intelligent species called the Dramurian.
The Dramurian: The dramurian are a highly intelligent race. They are bipedal mammals, taller than humans and with a spindly build. Their skin comes in a variety of dull, earthy tones such as greys, rusts and browns. They have pointed ears, sharp teeth, four eyes- one main set and a smaller set positioned slightly above and behind the main ones, these allow them to see more clearly through the gloom and fog of Osrad. They are capable of slight electrical manipulation and they pride themselves on their ability to seamlessly blend nature and technology. Their cities are domed, the glass filters the sunlight through and amplifies it beautifully to give the appearance of a warm and sunny environment amidst the nearly constant mists, rains and fogs that cover most of Osrad. Inside the domes, lush forests and plant life sprawl amongst gorgeous architecture and art. Their vehicles hover just enough to keep them from damaging the grounds or requiring roads. They worship a ancient rumoured to be robotic race who created them by blending organic material with a synthetic, android like being to create the intelligent race that now exists. They value knowledge and learning over other pursuits and are generally a fairly peaceful race. However, they view human life as inferior, undeveloped and beneath them. This hatred has only continued to grow with each colony that lands. The Dramurians once had a nearly universal government body that spread knowledge, wealth and resources fairly. Conflict over natural disasters, food shortages and power struggles has collapsed this system, leaving individual city states and countries to fend for themselves. As resources run out, humans invade and more cities fall, the tension only continues to grow.
Osrad: Osrad is a large planet with a breathable, earth like atmosphere and sustainable amounts of fresh water. They have two moons and a smaller, closer, redder sun than the one found near Earth. This smaller, closer and colder sun has had several climate affects that the human scientists had not realised- due to filtering a redder light, the foliage is all tinged a slight red, like leaves on Earth in autumn. The climate is exceptionally cool and gloomy with a nearly constant cover of fog, mists and rainfall. Some portions of the planet are warmer and dryer but these are far and few between. A climate shift is slowly killing the planet and making it less and less habitable, even for the Dramurian. The air is cooling even further and crops are failing to grow causing a massive planetwide food crisis. These food shortages are causing conflict amongst once peaceful dramurian civilizations.
Okay, so now that the background information is out of the way-
Ilnori: Ilnori is the only child of Esdreus, leader of a relatively large territory known as Ibrord that contains one of the earliest human colonies. His father was a diplomat who was killed by humans during an effort to make contact with them. Ilnori was too young to remember the day his father was killed by the human colonists during a diplomatic meeting but he has grown up in the fallout, watching his mother torment and punish the colony for his death. Esdreus sees humans as animals and uses them as such- keeping some as pets, others as work animals and killings those who step out of line or pose a threat.
Ilnori disagrees strongly with her treatment of the humans but his opinion doesn’t matter to her. He is a scholar, studying every aspect of the planet and why it’s dying, the sciences they use and now the humans as well. His mother is vehemently opposed to his fascination with the beings she views as inferior. As a young adult, Ilnori begins to accompany his mother on regular inspections of the colony under the guise of wanting to learn about his role as the next leader of Ibrord, truly he goes along to protect the human colonists from her wrath and also because he enjoys studying them and learning their behaviours and language. He thinks that they and their resilience are beautiful. He’s angry that his mother could look at them, look at how far away they came and how hard they fought to survive and see any weakness or inferiority. He wants desperately to help them but he doesn’t know how, he can’t even understand them.
Being a skilled inventor, Ilnori develops a translator to be worn on the ear and translate in real time. Translators similar to this are already in use across Osrad so that the various spectrum of Dramurian languages can all be understood. He has modified the one he already owned and tampered with it enough to allow it to translate this strange human language as well. He picks up enough of the human’s language and speech patterns to set up a basic translator, it’s buggy and not perfect but it helps and he begins to pick up on what the humans are saying, how truly frightened they are. The few who remember Earth desperately wish they’d never come here. His heart aches for these people and their struggles, they’re starving, dying and sick nearly constantly but all of their food and medicines go to his mother's main city state as payment for living on her lands. Ilnori grows to resent his mother and her stranglehold on these people. He begins to sneak in food and small vials of medicine on his visits, which he hides around the colony and hopes the humans- and not his mother- find.
I've started rambling so I'm going to try to wrap this up
Ilnori eventually befriends a human from the colony and vists her regulalry, helping her heal and nurse the sick and injured humans (she's a doctor- or as close to it as she can get) He also begins to regulalry steal back supplies and return them to colony. Ilnori begins to help the humans his mother keeps prisoner back in Ibrord as well, sneaking into the prisons to feed them and teach them and treat their injuries. He is caught by a guard one night and is taken to his mother for punishment she convicts him of treason, a crime usually punishable by death, but because he is her son, he is instead banished to the harsh wilderness of Osrad.
He turns to crime to survive, stealing what he needs to live from the outskirts of his mother's communities while hiding alone in the wilderness. He's angry at what she's done. He's heartbroken that he can't help the humans at the colony any more and he's worried to the point of being sick about what happened to the humans he was caught helping in the prisons. He stays alone until the human he'd befriended bavk at the colony stumbles upon him- thin, alone and clearly depressed in the wilderness. She brings him back to her family at the colony and the story unfolds from there as the human and ilnori plan to help the humans integrate into society and work toward a solution for the future for both of their species.
Ilnori is a mess of a boy, kind and compassionate and overwhelmingly empathic, he would do anything to correct an injustice and help someone in need. He's also reckless, impulsive and loyal to a fault.
Sorry, I kind of sped through the last bits there because this post got waaaaay too long but if you want to know anything else about him or the story, let me know!
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Best Thailand Travel Guideline
Thailand, an isle region located in the southeast of Asia. Thailand is a national country rich in culture and natural beauty. That has been hallowed with liberal normal parks, productive flatlands, isolated jungles, shorelines washed by tuiquoise color waters and moist islands bathed in endless sun. The country has considerably more visible historical sign of its earlier cultures than some other country in Southeast Asian. It is record is very composite, relating to the incursion of many distinct peoples, the guideline of several emperors, the concern of various kingdoms and the conversation of dissimilar cultures. Thailand is known for its dominant hospitality, an almost holy temple, and exceptional natural beauty. Among the famous temples in Bangkok, Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn is one of the best. It was built during 17th century on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, it consists of five towers overlooking the Mae Nam Chao Phraya. Thailand is a land of natural magnificence. Not simply does it have excellent white colored beaches, tropical islands full of deck palm and chairs trees, waterfalls and natural rises that could have been the backyard of Eden, waterways, lakes, caves, but it has high mountains and even a skiing season also. Thailand has many beautiful national parks that you can visit throughout the full year. There is the Doi Suthep National Store which contains Thailand's highest peak and covers an location of 260 rectangular kilometers. Throughout Thailand's national parks you may go hiking, climbing, camping, picnicking and many various other activities. You can indulge in guided tours by simply experienced local courses and rangers or maybe rough it out by itself or with a few good friends. And while you are there, check out the Northern Hill Tribes, descendants of China's, Burmese, Laotians along with Vietnamese who all moved to Thailand covering the generations. Still dressing in traditional clothing and very much living the way they always did still, these kinds of friendly people is a superb experience not to get missed. Wat Arun is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite to Grand Palace. This is a must-visit temple where you find see different architectural design when compared to other temples in Thailand’s capital. This spire sits directly on the river bank is covered from top to bottom with minute pieces of colorful glass and Chinese porcelain. This 70-meter high spire boasts the best views of Bangkok’s skyline. In Thailand travel can find many temples which are so attractive, many statues of lord buddha in various poses gives the mesmerizing feel to the people. The temples are designed with the yellow metal and glazing surfaces which increases the glitter of the temples. We already know the fact that, Thailand is a country with various religions and it exhibits the perfect blend of the respective cultures of the region. The religious visit to the temples is not based on the religion or the region. It just gives the ambience of spirituality. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in almighty or not, the place itself offers the divine feel and peacefulness to the visitors. Intercontinental flights generally get there in Bangkok just where people can be connected to flights during the country simply by one of many local airlines. Thai Airlines, Bangkok Air carriers, and Nok Air have multiple flights a full day to all major cities and tourist resorts in Thailand. All these airlines offer promotions from Bangkok to most of their destinations currently. Shell Pond Temple: The temple is better known for its architecture comprising of various traditional colors of Chinese and the captivating sculptures. This place leaves an everlasting suspicion in the minds of the visitors. Popular dishes include Pad Thai (stirfried rice noodles), Thai curry (red or green, usually with vegetables or chicken), Tom Yum soup (hot and sour soup, traditionally with shrimp) and Tom Kha Kai (Thai coconut soup). Just be sure to finish off your meal with Kao Niew Ma Muang (sticky rice and mango) for dessert. Thus, don’t miss any of the above things in Thailand. The northernmost city in Thailand is Chiang Rai which serves as the main commercial hub of the Golden Triangle, and it has the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. A busy town offering something for everyone, Chiang Rai is often used as a base for exploring the surrounding region. There is a package available for temple tour in Bangkok, if you want to make only temples visit. There are more than 400 wats(wats means temples) disseminated all around Bangkok but, everyone rushes to three most famous ones: Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Other temples which are worth-visiting are Wat Saket, Wat Traimit, Loha Prasat, Wat Mahatat, Wat Benjamabhopit and Wat Prayoon etc. Memorials and Landmarks
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Truth and simulacrum: whose timeline is it? — Maja Bogojević on Possessed
Factuality itself depends for its continued existence upon the existence of the nontotalitarian world (Hannah Arendt)
Possessed, the latest film made by Metahaven—the collective name of artists and designers Vinca Kruk and Daniel van der Velden—in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Rob Schröder, takes their radical aesthetics and progressive politics a step further from their previous film The Sprawl: Propaganda about Propaganda. Their new hybrid artwork revisits the themes of contradictions and paradoxes of multiple realities, geopolitical landscapes, new technologies, power discourse and ensuing alienation in the age of “post-truth.” Similarly to The Sprawl, this film is not easy to categorise, as it explores the notions of consumer discourse, privacy, secrecy, transparency, surveillance, veiling and unveiling, the impact of social media networks and anarchic utopianism of the internet architecture on our individual and collective lives. Through a documented collage, blending a series of drawings, photographs, animated graphics, documentary footage and fictional reconstruction, it refers to various socio-historical narratives and their processes of subordination, power and inequality, commented upon by a single but multi-fold voice-over in a non-linear narrative, which breaks and fragments in order to not only reflect the fragmentation of multi-layered realities we live in, but also to challenge them.
Possessed begins with the images of burning smart phones, war-devastated cities and landscapes, and a water spring flowing over large dark stones, overlapping with the opening narrated question:
“Would you believe?”
These first spoken words trigger a series of questions relating to the search not of the ultimate truth, but of potential truths amidst fakeness and a fixed set of beliefs regardless of the information overload diversity. The answer is, inevitably, “no”.
But the answer to the question “Would you believe in angels?” is, in the age of cynicism and hypocrisy, a surprising “yes”. This abruptly shifts the initial dystopian tone, foreshadowing the underlying final humanistic message of the film, although “there is no hope” (“what for?”) and there is no answer to the question “would you love?”, followed by the sound of a human breathing next to a smartphone. In this prologue, before the opening credits unfold, Possessed suggests in medias res that the centre of the human universe is a smartphone. The next image shows more clearly a girl lying on a bare mattressed bed, in a ruined house devoid of any furniture, with the presence of only one object—a smartphone. She greets the viewers with the words—both vocal and written—“welcome to the modern age”, followed by:
“You may think that this is a house. But there is no house. You may think that this is a girl. But there is no girl. Don’t ask me who I am.”
Examining the complex mutual relationship between the socio-political context and the work of art which documents the historic period it emerged in, the words are intercut with film negatives of houses, a helicopter, the ‘invisible’ humans (“you never noticed me, I wouldn’t be missed”), a footage of Pope Francis, all accompanied with smartphone selfies made with a raised arm in front of the masses of people and monuments.
“When I was young, I was quiet, I didn’t talk with the others, we never talk, we message… All tenderness is radical in a broken world”… “I want to know, what is a devil today? Do you want to hear the truth? Let the suffering speak. I am a breathing fragment of nothingness. Who lives or dies to care for me.”
This verbal segment is intercut with the images of the cross and a drawing of a hand collaged with the real human arm holding a smartphone, as the new disease to be cured of (by exorcism) seems to be—the reality. The raised arm holding a smartphone becomes the pervasive film symbol—it is present in Vatican, over the heads of a faceless mass, in restaurants, in shopping centres, in our empty homes, in the streets, it is everywhere—questioning the beliefs of people. Religion becomes a kind of superstition, because no matter what people ‘know’ in the information age, they still interpret the world and the reality according to their pre-existing fixed set of beliefs.
As Hannah Arendt puts it (in The origins of totalitarianism): “The true goal of totalitarian propaganda is not persuasion, but organization of the polity. ... What convinces masses are not facts, and not even invented facts, but only the consistency of the system of which they are presumably part of”.
Reconstructing artefacts of the recent and not-so-distant past, the film combines images, videos, TV, satellite/drone footage and an original narration into a seemingly incoherent and fragmented filmic reality, with many (meta)textual/discourse references, including videos of: Pope Francis in Rome, ruined Vukovar, Cologne, Aleppo, US soldiers’ flash mob dance in Afghanistan, Dubai fire and sandstorms, hurricane Katrina, migrant lines in Slovenia, queues of people in urban centres, glacier bridge collapse, statue of Liberty etc. Images of war-torn countries show demolished buildings, torn books, deserted homes with personal belongings left behind, posters hanging on the walls, newspapers, religious symbols etc.
The multiplication of simultaneously run narratives and realities and fragmentation of both the individual and the collective are reflected in the film along the axis of mainstream media/state/corporate structures vs. people/media users/consumers, conveying the notion that our agency in the information process is taking less and less responsibility. The more fake news we are served, the more the ‘truth’ becomes important: the mainstream media (and political leaders) have never been more obsessed with it, insisting in their marketing slots that they are all “telling the truth”, echoing Hannah Arendt’s visionary words: “Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow.”
And:
“The danger is not actual despotic control but fragmentation—that is, a people increasingly less capable of forming a common purpose and carrying it out. Fragmentation arises when people come to see themselves more and more atomistically, otherwise put, as less and less bound to their fellow citizens in common projects and allegiances.” (The origins of totalitarianism)
But because of the new media interface, there is a new level of complex fragmentation along the axes privacy/secrecy/transparency/surveillance and control/enslavement, causing a ‘mental implosion’, in Baudrillard’s terms—“simulacrum has been brought to perfection in the 21st century thanks to media interface.” The collaged images of face recognition software, smart phone pervasiveness, the statue of Liberty, war-devastated buildings, torn books, “god land” with a Vodafone tower in the background suggest that mainstream media and dominant consumer discourses tailor their surveillance methods according to the selling/consuming axis or what they perceive as fit for their consumers’ needs. What the overload of information has brought is the illusory display of capitalist consumers’ choices (various kinds of coffee, carrot cakes, brownies, smoothies), but there are no nuances in interpretation of cultural texts, and this precisely helps to sustain the capitalist order. As corporate profit dictates consumers’ privacy, Baudrillard’s “mental involution” (a phone is melting like a brain could be melting) is bound to materialise, leading to the loss of the autonomy of the agency, the collapse of subjectivity. The imaginary enemy is ‘identified’, the crisis is created, and innocents die as a result.
“The truth?”, the narrator asks and answers: “Let the suffering speak”.
Metahaven’s concept of black transparency is reminiscent of Baudrillard’s concept of simulacrum “Simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth, but the truth conceals that it’s not there. Simulacrum is true.” One fact can arise from many models simultaneously and this anticipation and confusion between the fact and its model leaves space for all possible interpretations, even the most contradictory ones. This is how the politically anomalous - what was regarded as political aberration – can become normalcy.
Hypocrisy, carnage of profile, masked identities, faceless multitudes…
“I grew up in a city of great wealth and beauty” – these words, as it is made clear by subsequent images, allude to the baroque town of Vukovar, destroyed in the Yugoslav war - the first majorly destroyed European town in a battle since World War 2. A sign reads “18. 11. 1991 - Vukovar, sjecate se?” (“do you remember?”), with a series of images of a ghost town, with decaying, deserted streets, demolished buildings and houses, dead bodies, streams of survivors fleeing… reminiscent of today’s devastated Syria. The authenticity of such footage images evokes the importance of the responsibility of the human race in the face of war crimes and atrocities committed by humans.
Possessed, therefore, wants to remind of and challenge human indifference. The shots show rooms empty of furniture but full of books and papers from the period of the existence of Yugoslavia (which was also the leader of the non-aligned movement of the so-called third-world countries): Marxism, Kumrovecki zapisi, Danas: Jugoslavija, samoupravljanje, svijet, Class struggle and socialist revolution etc. These and images of “red” books bargains, Mao posters, Russian symbols, accompanied by the sound of a Croatian traditional song (“Spavaj spavaj diticu”, to make a clear reference to the war in Croatia), are a testimony to the recent European past, as well as a statement against general amnesia that has marked both post-industrial and post-communist societies.
But, “the war is always somewhere else”. The photo of a passport is aligned next to the photos of war tanks, weapons and military airplanes. Footage shows US soldiers rejoicing and dancing to the sampled “music” of gunshot sounds in Afghanistan.
The ‘others’ imply that their bodies are more disposable and mortal, and the pain of ‘others; seems to be peripheral to the human masses, in spite of the power of photography and media. We have face recognition software, but what and how much of human suffering do we recognize in a photo/image? We get an easy automated response to our (consumer tailored) needs (Siri, hello?), but show no reactions to others. We appear to have google maps that locate everything, but there seem to be no ‘maps for human suffering’. “As one can become habituated to horror in real life, one can become habituated to the horror of certain images,” states Susan Sontag in Regarding the pain of others.
Statements such as “we obey a fictional eye” and “our faces were attuned to a watchful eye—to adjust to being seen and shared” question and interpellate the capacity of reason and observation, even ‘common sense’ of the uniform masses, as well as the authority of god.
Indifference ‘to the pain of others’ is underscored by the repeated images of selfies and posing smilingly for selfies with a stick – a prolonged arm for the phone, restaurant images of food and drinks and a supply of a crane for “the ultimate selfie” in order to share the ultimate happiness with the world. Thus, we have cranes for photos to be shared on social media and drones for more arrogant photos and bombs. In parallel realities, innocent people die and disappear in wars, but we insist on more of our presence around the globe, offering our joy to the world.
But is this happiness fake or real? If it is real, how real is it? Do we know we are happy or do we act by orders? “Smile, be happy.” The collapse of the subject in post-modern age of neo-totalitarianism, post-truth and post-Trump?
In The origins of totalitarianism, Arendt stated decades ago: “In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true. ... Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow. The totalitarian mass leaders based their propaganda on the correct psychological assumption that, under such conditions, one could make people believe the most fantastic statements one day, and trust that if the next day they were given irrefutable proof of their falsehood, they would take refuge in cynicism; instead of deserting the leaders who had lied to them, they would protest that they had known all along that the statement was a lie and would admire the leaders for their superior tactical cleverness”.
As the mutations of the image follow the shifts of historical narratives, so the collapse of the subject as well as networks seems to be imminent. A pamphlet-like verbal segment declares: “Delete your own self, the networks collapse… the screen is crushed, instagram and facebook collapse”, raising a new set of questions: have smartphones become more clever than our brains? Do we base our knowledge on networks? Will our subjectivity collapse with the collapse of networks? Will our arm break together with the stick for selfies?
“The arrogance of the camera. This helicopter won’t come to the rescue. It will patiently film my killing”.
These words echo Susan Sontag’s statement that “the shock can become familiar: the ultra-familiar, ultra-celebrated image—of an agony, of ruin—is an unavoidable feature of our camera-mediated knowledge of war”. By analogy, they also mirror Glauber Rocha’s famous words that “the camera is a lie” or Jean-Luc Godard’s that “film is a reflection of the reality or the reality of reflection?”
The irony and powerlessness of the proliferation of narratives and realities can be demonstrated further by another example (not shown in the film): the phenomenon of Ron Haviv’s photo taken during the Bosnian war in March 1992, and used by Jean-Luc Godard in his video masterpiece Je vous salue, Sarajevo (1993), which pictures the Serbian soldier Srdjan Golubovic treading over a Bosnian female victim’s head; Srdjan Golubovic later became a famous DJ Max performing in various night clubs in Serbia, until he was arrested in 2012 not as a war criminal, but for possession of drugs.
“Good citizen, happy citizen, legal citizen, undocumented person, see-through person… I travelled here from far… I tried to forget what happened to me before I fled. No one believes me. I have to be the evidence. I’m my own document”
This verbal narrative is intercut with the images of identity papers shown at borders, finger print scan check at airports, and “Ausländer” signs & grafitti, showing that, in spite of techno advances in industrial capitalism that might signal the arrival of a cyborg citizenship, the Western context, actually, reflects the return to hierarchy of white capitalist patriarchy, struggling with transculturality (which is one of the most significant influences of late post-modernity in Europe) and becoming more homogenous, closed and insecure at a time of increasing fascism and racism.
“You were quiet, you never talked”. “I” becomes “you” as an older “I” (the new generation) speaks to “you” in the future “that you never saw coming”.
“Will it be enough to love yourself?”
Contradictions and paradoxes of technology suggest that human bodies have become a source of maximum exploitation in the visual age: is it the end of the image, the end of knowledge, of imagination? Is the future foreseeable based on facebook, instagram and twitter? New forms of expression and representation are needed to reflect the changing and challenged subjectivity in the process of becoming autonomous agents of knowledge.
As the film title suggests, we are all ‘possessed’ by multiple master narratives: by technological advances, corporate structures, general amnesia, by the collapsed subject, beliefs that border on superstition, by our “shared” need to broadcast our lives to the world, selfies, fake smiles, illusory happiness (“the device did one thing really well – it made us always smile”), fake choices, fake needs created by fake consumerist capitalist discourse, by our own voyeurism and exhibitionism, by insanity and monstrosity of political leaders, powerful consumerist discourse, by our own powerlessness and indifference, failure to take responsibility, by the absence of empathy and love (“love yourself”), possessed by our own negligence to use our ‘cultural mirror’ in the midst of the collapse of the notions of self, knowledge and truth. We have timelines, but no time in the age of multiplication of signifiers and the collapse of the signifieds.
“If I had all faith, but have no love, I am nothing. Love is patient and kind, it doesn’t envy or boast, it’s not arrogant or rude… it rejoices with the truth.”
The acknowledgement of the ‘fact’ that we forgot how to love adds a new ontological dimension to Metahaven’s visual research, a more hopeful one than most current sci-fi dystopian narratives, as the present reality we live in, not the imaginary future, is already dystopian. In other words, the imaginary of the social and technological can be equally democratising and constraining, but if approached responsibly, it will rather be the former.
By analogy to Alain Badiou’s Eloge de l’amour (2009), this new neither/nor space, which is not free of imperfections, but is free of estranging social confines and prohibitions, can work as an “angel of love”, a new imaginary space for a human encounter that may never occur, but could create a new unrestrained space of love and empathy.
Such an ending, in spite of the detached, almost robotic youthful voice-over, may offer a much needed disalienating, humanistic message, simultaneously subversive and self-authenticating, as the technological and hyper-rational advancements don’t necessarily imply human progress - to paraphrase Hemingway’s words: the invention of an airplane doesn’t mean that we move faster than a horse. An alternative to this ending is the return to pre-social, pre-linguistic, pre-discursive and – pre-technological, as the final images show warehouses in ruins, desolate lands and several masked women, wearing scarves to hide faces (with emojis, stickers & comic strip captions, designed by Metahaven), whispering inarticulately with their black shadows and holding big stones instead of smartphones.
Finally, in a call to challenge the structure of subjectivity, socio-political relations and the social imaginary that supports it, Possessed transforms the current debate of the binary opposition truth/facts and lies into questions of interpretation and epistemology, contextualising them, further, to not only how something is interpreted but who it is interpreted by (are we ‘preaching’ only to the converted?), who are the agents of knowledge and how newly gained knowledge serves to justify the existing beliefs of the masses. In other words, whose timeline is it?
This is, of course, only one of possible interpretations of the multilayered filmic reality.•
Maja Bogojević (PhD) is a freelance film theorist/critic, founder and editor-in-chief of the first Montenegrin film magazine, Camera Lucida, founder and President of the Fipresci section of Montenegro, and a member of FEDEORA and UPF. She has been, until recently,_ _film theory professor and Dean of Faculty of Visual Arts at Mediteran University Podgorica, and, previously, the Dean of Faculty of Arts at the University of Donja Gorica.
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This beautiful creature is the bobcat! Don’t let it’s cuteness fool you, it’s still a predator. Bobcats stalk their prey using a skill gained from adaptation, their fur. Bobcats use their fur to blend into the background of their environment, nearly making them invisible.
This is a hawk, a master predator with razor sharp talons perfect for capturing prey. Like all raptors the hawk’s beak is curved to tear apart it’s meal. Their wings allow them to soar and watch their prey from above, hawks are also well equipped with incredible eyesight. There’s a reason the phrase “eye of a hawk” exists.
Threats!
Human development is a serious threat to the shrub-land biome, it disrupts total ecosystems and animals are losing their homes. Fires are also a major problem in shrub-land biomes because it’s show prone to happening because of how dry the environment is. There is also a lack of water which leads to droughts.
Why Visit This Biome
There’s plenty of things to do in a biome like this one. If you’re an animal person there’s a variety of creature you could stumble upon, like mice, hawks, bobcats, coyotes, etc. It’s a perfect opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. There’s also many activities you can partake in like hiking, camping, and photography.
Since there’s no nearby cities or towns when you’re way out there, the sky will be much clear so you’ll find stargazing a treat.
Unique Facts About This Biome!
The shrubs contain flammable oils which is why fire is a constant threat.
It gets more rain compared to deserts and grasslands.
The majority of the animals are medium sized and nocturnal.
Has two seasons, dry and rainy.
The plants in this biome are very small because the environment cannot support large trees due to the lack of water.
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