#and it has little ponds and lots of trees and has the best cafe on campus

[enbysiriusblack]

the art block my beloved <333

[rozisblogbinder]

Athens, Second Time Around

Want to see my top recommendations for you on what to eat, see, and do in Athens? You're in the right place.

Things to See First things first, you need to visit the must-sees of Athens. Of course, Acropolis is up there, but if you've already conquered it like I have, here's what else there is to do:

Stroll Through the National Gardens

Well, that's right! The national gardens hosts a bunch of animals, trees, and even some ancient ruins. Don't skip the little ponds in the middle, easily accessible through the Sygmou-Fix stop on the Metro.

pictured: birds at the National Gardens in Athens.

See Some More History

Of course, a trip to Athens is incomplete without a visit to Acropolis. But, have you seen Hadrian’s Arch and the Olympic Stadium, where the first ever modern olympic games were held? Near Hadrian's Arch, you can also check out more ruins (less interesting, imho) and bundle it with a day trip at the National Gardens and Plaka / Anafiotika area.

Consider also seeing more history from a rooftop! Acropolis is not always enjoyed from its hill, but also from afar, with beautiful lighlight at night. We checked out Olympos Rooftop Bar and Athina street (between Monastraki and Omonia squares, right in the middle point of the street). Great cocktails, and beautiful view. The rooftop cocktail scene is best after 21:00, and over the weekends, if you want to get the full experience.

pictured: The Acropolis in the distance, lit up on the hill, from Athina street.

See the Makeup of the City Neighborhoods

So you've been to Monastraki, and explored the flea market. Now what? Plaka has nice shops and a chill vibe with lots of cafes and bars. If you have a bit more time, grab a cab or the light rail (tram) to Glyfada, a lovely neighborhood nice boutique stores, cafes, and seaside walk paths. Excellent for summer swims. Make sure to take the tram back to the city center to experience the shifts in the socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods.

Walk the Streets

Visit Ermou street to do some shopping, including from global brands, but also people watching. Lovely chocolate and coffee shops line up areas closer to the Monastraki area. Aiolou hosts more local shops.

Check out Local Narratives & Arts in Museums

pictured: the front piece of a Greek warship, rocking a mustache.

Visit the National Museum of History, located in the old greek parliament building to discover the local narratives about the country's history. Visit the museum website to check what exhibition is on during your visit. During ours (in late 2024,) the main exhibition was about 1974 Cyprus and the greek refugees (mainly from Turkey) from 1800s to 1922. Being from Izmir (Smyrna in Greek), this was a perspective we were less familiar with and it was an excellent history lesson.

The Museum of Contemporary Art provides a wholly different narrative, bringing local and global artists for exhibitions. Formerly a brewery, the building is also interesting to see. We saw a women's exhibition, which was actually very depressing but interesting nevertheless. We chose to walk to the museum from the Acropolis area (Anafiotika/Plaka), which allowed for us to experience a more residential neighborhood.

Here Come the Food Spot Recommendations!

So almost everything we ate was good (aside from what was listed as "frozen" calamari in the menu). However, some locations absolutely stood out!

pictured: Picky Brunch & Coffee brunch on a Sunday. Kagianas and hand brewed coffee, and eggs benedict with americano. Delicious!

1. Breakfast highlight: Picky Brunch & Coffee. Located in the corner of two narrow streets, Picky has a lovely garden seating area and even better food. The coffee was so good, I got two servings! The ingredients were fresh, the service was warm and excellent. We got there on a Sunday morning at 10 AM and in only 20 minutes the place was full!

2. Lunch highlight 1: Aris Taverna. Truly the best food we had. Everything was fresh, and the service was excellent. This location opens up at around 2PM and stays open until dinner time (6/7PM). The music, traditional plate breaking, and the clientele -- a mix of tourists and locals -- is what I called 'chaos in greek'. Definitely an experience - a delicious one!

3. Lunch highlight 2: If you just want a quick lunch without worrying about finding a seat, or cost, Bairaktaris is the way to go. If they seat you at the restaurant across the (pedestrian) street, don't worry - it's the same exact location!

pictured: Zucchini fritters, calamari, and tzaziki at Bariaktaris Taverna.

4. Dinner highlight: Taverna Klimataria. Although the start time for dinner is on the much later side (around 9:30PM!), the music absolutely makes up for it. The night we were there, the local instrument, Bouzouki, was joined by an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, and a contrabass. They played the classic Greek tunes we all know and love - many of them also have their Turkish version! My mom recalled visiting 20 years ago with my father on a business trip. Turns out the spot is going for a long time, with the same concept (and according to my mother, the same decoration)!

Just make sure to call the correct Taverna Klimataria, and make a reservation at least a week ahead of time for large groups, a few days ahead of time for smaller groups. Keep in mind that weekends will have more locals, and weekdays will have more tourists (European and otherwise)! The phone number (as of today) is: +30 21 0321 6629

pictured: The band at the Taverna Klimataria. Great music!

How to Avoid Protests? Check Out the Movies!

One day we were there, ready to go to the Museum of Archeology, we started to see police in riot gear. Upon asking them what's going on, we soon learned that there was a commemoration for a '73 event in form of protest. We decided to change plans, and given the rainy weather, head to the movies! It was an excellent choice. We had already seen much of Athens and we could use a quick movies break - again, a fun way to see how locals live. We headed over to the Village Cinemas, a chain movie theatre company in Greece. Metro mall had a theatre, accessible easily by metro from Omonia square. Watching Gladiator II (albeit much less impressive than the OG Gladiator,) was fitting for a trip to Greece!

Bonus: Dessert!

Did you think I'd let you go without dessert recommendations? Well yes Lukumades is a local treat, but we have the same exact fried sugary dough in Izmir. So we went to Nancy's Sweet Home and had some of the best dessert and Mastiha ice cream to date! Check out this amazing carrot cake (with a mountain of ice cream) below!

pictured: Delicious carrot cake at Nancy's Sweet Home.

Yasas!

[best-hotels-in-ottawa-with-pools]

Exploring Ottawa’s Best Beaches Nearby

Ottawa is the stunning capital of Canada. While Ottawa might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of beaches, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover the city’s hidden gems. Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot to soak up in the sun or a visitor seeking a unique beach experience, we’ve got you covered. In this travel blog, we’ll explore the 11 best beaches in Ottawa for a perfect day trip. 

Table of Contents

Mooney’s Bay Beach  

Brittania Beach 

Petrie Island Beach 

Westboro Beach 

Meech Lake/O’Brien Beach (Best beache in Ottawa)

Leamy Lake Beach 

Lac Phillippe

Constance Bay Beach 

The Pond 

Morrison’s Quarry 

Fitzroy Provincial Park Beach  

Burnstown Beach 

Petawawa Point Beach 

Bon Echo Provincial Park Beaches 

Pine Point Beach

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Mooney’s Bay Beach

If you’ve got kids, you should definitely visit Mooney’s Bay Beach. It features an interesting Canada-themed playground that your little ones will surely enjoy.

It is one of the most popular summer destinations in Ottawa and hence often remains crowded with people. 

Mooney’ Beach hosts various Ottawa festivals and events like H.O.P.E. Volleyball SummerFest, Dragon Boat Race Festival, and many more fun activities for you to enjoy.  

Location: 2926, Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Brittania Beach

Situated in the west of Ottawa, Brittania Beach is more of a low-key destination with no restaurants and cafes around. 

Nonetheless, it is the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing on the sand while enjoying the beautiful beach views. 

While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the Beach Corners, to enjoy some delicious ice cream flavors after a sunny day at the beach.

Location: 2805 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Petrie Island Beach 

Petrie Island Beach is a true local favorite. The island has three different beaches – East Beach, West Beach & Centennial Beach, with each offering something special to the visitors. 

However, if you want to get into the busy crowd, East Beach is your best option. 

Here, you can also relax under the shady trees, swim, or even rent a paddle board, canoe rentals, and kayak to enjoy some fun water activities. 

Meanwhile, make sure to pack your lunch as you’ll surely need some extra dose of energy to enjoy your time to the fullest. 

Location: 272 Trim Road, Orleans, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Also Read

Westboro Beach 

Situated on the west shore of the Ottawa River, Westboro Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful time with your family. 

It has got various beautiful on-site cafes offering meals & drinks along with live music to keep you entertained. 

Westboro Beach is accessible year-round and is among the best beaches in Ottawa. 

Location: 745, Ottawa River Parkway, Canada

Meech Lake/O’Brien Beach (Best beache in Ottawa)

Situated just a 15-minute drive away from downtown Ottawa, Meech Lake is known for its crystal-clear water and white sand.

It makes a great spot for hiking, picnicking, and kayaking with lifeguards always on duty to ensure utmost safety. 

O’Brien is the most famous beach in the area and gets all bustling with people during the hot summer days. 

Location: Chelsea, QC, Canada

Leamy Lake Beach 

If you want to enjoy a good time outdoors, but don’t want to travel far from the city, then Leamy Lake Beach is your place to be. 

The beach is situated amidst the hills, just a short drive away from the main city. 

Here you can engage in a whole lot of water activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, and more.

And if you’re not a fan of getting covered in all sand, you can secure your place in the grassy areas with natural shade beyond the beach. 

Location: Fournier Blvd, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Lac Phillippe

Situated in the heart of the Saint-Francois-de Sales National Park, Lac Phillippe is a beautiful lake featuring boat rentals, picnic spots, and a wonderful swimming beach.

The location also offers thrilling biking, hiking, and skiing trails to enjoy through. 

Location: Les Collines-de-L’Outaouais Regional County Municipality, QC J0X 3G0, Canada

Constance Bay Beach 

Constance Bay is the only horse-friendly beach in Ottawa. So if you want to enjoy a ride with a fantastic sea view, hop on. 

Besides, you can enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and sailing. Meanwhile, be careful of the mussels in the seawater as they can hurt your toes and may even leave you injured. 

Although the beach doesn’t cover much of an area, it’s evident that you’d get to enjoy a good time here. And the best part? The parking is absolutely free!

Location: Lane St, Ottawa, ON K0A 3M0, Canada

The Pond 

The Pond may not have the most exciting name, but this hidden gem is perfect for anyone looking to avoid crowded beaches. 

Located in the industrial area near the airport, the Pond offers a serene swimming experience with clean and clear water.

Just make sure to be a little cautious as there are no lifeguards available on duty. 

Location: Pond St., Rockcliffe Park

Morrison’s Quarry 

Did you know there’s a blue oasis near Ottawa? Morrison’s Quarry, just a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, is a beautiful beach for swimming and scuba diving.

The beautiful turquoise waters and sandy beach area are perfect for relaxation. 

The site also features picnic tables, BBQ pits, and even a waterslide, providing fun for all ages. 

Location: 1780 Quebec Rte 105, Chelsea

Fitzroy Provincial Park Beach  

Situated just an hour away from the capital, Fitzroy Provincial Park is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a peaceful escape into nature. 

The park features two beaches each carrying its own unique charm. 

The main beach features washrooms, picnic tables, barbecues, and canoe/kayak rentals, while the camper’s beach located in Two Rivers Campground is perfect for families with small kids. 

While you’re here, don’t forget to take a short hike through the century-old white pine forest and explore the meandering Carp River by paddle.

Location: 5201 Canon Smith Dr, Fitzroy Harbour, ON K0A 1X0, Canada

Burnstown Beach 

Situated along the Madawaska River, Burnstown Beach features a large sandy swimming area, a boat launch, and even a rowing area for those seeking adventure. 

On land, you’ll find a play structure, picnic tables, a seasonal snack bar, change rooms, washrooms, and a shaded grassy area. 

While at it, make sure not to miss out on Burnstown’s renowned artist galleries, shops, and eateries, all housed in heritage buildings, within walking distance from the beach. 

Location: 1537 Calabogie Rd, Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z4, Canada

Direction Burnstown Beach 

Petawawa Point Beach 

At the junction of the Petawawa and Ottawa rivers lies the town of Petawawa’s premiere waterfront park – Petawawa Point. 

Here, you’ll find amazing vistas, a sandy beach, a boat launch, a snack bar & canoe/kayak rentals. 

The beach might be unsupervised but rest assured, it’s well maintained and monitored regularly by the municipal staff. 

Beyond the beach, Petawawa Point stretches as a series of islands across the Ottawa River into Quebec that’s worth exploring. 

Location: Petawawa Point, Petawawa, ON K8H 3M4, Canada

Bon Echo Provincial Park Beaches 

Just a 2-hour drive from Ottawa lies the Bon Echo Provincial Park, where Mazinaw rock stands tall as a testament to indigenous heritage. 

This 1.5-km-long sheer rock face rises 100 meters from Mazinaw Lake and features over 260 indigenous pictographs – the largest visible collection in Canada. 

White at Bon Echo, take an interpretive boat tour to get up close to the cliffs or climb to the lookout atop the rock. 

Bon Echo’s main beach on Lower Mazinaw lake is a popular spot with a spacious sandy beach, a buoyed swimming area (note that there are no lifeguards), and shaded picnic spots. 

North and south beaches offer quieter alternatives for campers and day-trippers. 

Location: 16151 Hwy 41, Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0, Canada

Pine Point Beach

Nestled along the tranquil Ottawa River in the charming town of Deep River, Pine Point Beach is a true hidden treasure. 

With over 200 meters of golden, sandy shoreline, it’s a beachcomber’s paradise. The beach also offers amenities like washrooms and convenient parking. 

Surrounding the beach, you’ll find a magnificent mixed forest with winding walking trails, perfect for an afternoon stroll. 

Location: Pine Point Rd, Deep River, ON, Canada

Conclusion

Ottawa might not be the Carribean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day or more at the beach. Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, water, snacks, and lunch. If you’re planning on swimming, don’t forget your swimsuit, towel and goggles. And if you have little ones, bring them along with some sand toys for added fun. 

[hourglassstationacademy]

Myths and Rumors of HSA

School myths:

-you can hear weird 8-bit and distorted noises from Shadmans office

-the club rooms at night usually are watched by security but there is a lot off odd occurances

-the literature club sometimes has a poem left on the desk that none of the members wrote

-the art and photoclub has sometimes creepy drawings that are left on a canvas

-there is every Friday when the movie club members enter the club room the same movie, a horror movie, left running

-there is supposedly forbidden spells in the sorcery club locked away, rumors from none club members

-Greg snuck into the cooking club at night and now it's also sealed for him

-The Kendo club has supposedly a cursed sword as decoration

-The Yellow flower in the green house supposedly has a face when you look at it outside the green house and also has some voice coming from it

-sometimes when student roam around at night they see a blond man with a sword but when they get close he is gone

Polisionalle Myths:

-At night when you stay at the stage alone you will sometimes hear some eerie singing from the piano. Nobody could explain it yet.

-The dorm has a underground river with a small boat which Flynn sometimes uses to get out undetected.

-There is a certain fully blue elevator as well that you sometimes see a silhouette in but when you go in, there is nobody there.

-There is one costume in the dorm nobody dares to touch since you could hear a scream when you wear it no one else could

-There are some secret passages not even the dorm leader found

Evolnation Myths:

-some of the small ducks in the pond near the Cafe look like the dorm members

-supposedly some people spread the rumor that Gregory eats so much he could in doubt eat whole cars

-there is not much myths but more rumors about the idols in itself of the dorm, some mean, some cute some weird

Relinookton myths:

-Some speculate choosing a fabric for your first creation that suits your personality is the best way it impress the dorm leader as fresh man. False judgement and overconfidence don't go well with him

-There was once a fabric than can make you near invisible to others in the dorm

-The haunted house in the amusement park is linked to rumors about Rachel being linked to evil spirits

-Rachel in itself has the most rumors about her

Falciette myths:

- there is said to he some dragon statues who are said to be relatives of Gabrielle and Tesa who came to stay at the dorm to support them. That is mainly just rumor though

-There is the sword and shield the dorm founder had but also, there was supposed to be a sword called mysteltainn hidden in the dormitory

-The castle in itself has many unexplored rooms with lots fo war and kingdom history

Talerenea myths:

-At full moon you sometimes hear a wolf howling outside, it's mainly rumored but Media knows its actually Aiden who can't stand full moon cause it changes him a little

-Supposedly there is a sea with huge healing capabilities

-There is a creature called Katz that hides away in the trees and is very hard to catch. It's called that cause it looks like a cat

-there is some badly drawn wanted posters of some of the hunted animals who are hard to catch at the trees

Syncrean Myths:

-many secret areas are off limits to freshman but there seems to be a area in the jungle not even the dorm leader can access. People speculate what is in there

-there is some speculations the volcano on the dorm is just decoration.

-Many of the former Syncrean members wanted to become heroes but not many stayed heroes

Magixella Myths:

-Despite their ability to tame animals well, there were some attempts that failed with monsters which made a rumored chamber where they are banished

-some students who got lost in the woods lost one precious memory of them, which is why people usually avoid going in alone

-there is a secret archive about magical creatures and dark magic hidden in the dorm

-as well as small shrines channeling elemental energy

Tetravania myths:

-has many hidden rooms and things that are not explored cause abandoned

-there is Easter eggs in form of magical artifacts and toys

-There is very rare arcade games which have hi-scores from many former dorm leaders and even the founders

-supposedly some doors bring you into games even.

[archadianskies]

croissant aux amandes

→ on Ao3

@dbhrarepairs​ Saturday Day 6: Meet the Family •  Reverse AU; Mob AU RK900/Simon

Ronan supposes he should be thankful his mother is keeping this particular meeting just between them. He’d rather be uncomfortable in private than openly humiliated though he thinks there’s a degree of humiliation regardless.

“We could do with a connection to the DPD,” Amanda swipes up on her tablet and the screen fills with a detailed profile. “Gavin Reed, former detective, freshly made Lieutenant as of two months ago. Negligible age gap, questionable morals but gets the job done. He likes cats, which is in your favour.”

“With all due respect, mother,” Ronan makes a face, “I’d rather be disowned.”

“Duly noted,” she nods, swiping a new profile onto the screen. “David Allen is your senior by thirteen years, Captain of SWAT Unit 32 and wields immense influence. His team is loyal to him, and he is known to be a kind, honorable man. He likes dogs which isn’t to your favour, though he is not against cats.”

Ronan studies the profile for a few moments- it wouldn’t be a bad match but it still didn’t feel right. “Perhaps in another life?”

“I will put Captain Allen as a ‘maybe’,” Amanda notes. “If not the DPD, then we could accept Carl Manfred’s offer.” The screen populates with a new profile, lengthier and more detailed. “Markus Manfred is an excellent candidate: no age gap, powerful family, powerful connections. Kind, thoughtful, charitable, and very well educated. Not sure where he stands about cats, but he’d be cordial about it I’m sure.”

“I find the older brother far more tolerable company,” Ronan scoffs, turning away.

“Leo?” Amanda says incredulously. “Leo Manfred has nothing to offer, that son squandered his inheritance and spent half a decade high on red ice, disgracing his family.”

“He’s gotten clean and is redeeming himself. He’d be a far better companion than his pretentious, insufferable -”

“Enough,” his mother commands, and Ronan cuts himself off. “There is of course Elijah Kamski, since he is unmarried and of similar age to his cousin Reed. We already have the Kamski connection through your brother, though.”

He tries again. “Are they the only options?”

“They are the best options we have researched,” Amanda turns the screen off. “There are female candidates as a backup but you said you prefer men so these are the male candidates. The gender is of course irrelevant; your fiance must be the one who brings the most to the table.”

“Mother,” Ronan sighs miserably, and Amanda sits beside him. She rests her hand over his, and knowing she is not an overly physically affectionate person only makes the gesture more meaningful. 

“You have submitted no candidates yourself, Ronan, these men are just the ones my team have found,” she reminds him carefully. “I want you to be happy with your choice, whether it be genuine affection, or an amicable arrangement like your brother.”

He knows it could be worse. He knows she could force an arrangement and there would be nothing he could do about it. The Stern family controls this city and it isn’t out of character for his mother to want an advantageous match now he’s turned thirty and declared no intentions to marry yet. It is a kindness, doing all this for him when he has been dragging his feet the past year, knowing this was to come. 

“I can postpone the luncheon, if you would like more time,” she says gently, squeezing his hand. 

“I’ll have an answer by then, I promise,” Ronan vows, because he does not want to disappoint her and delaying it will only prolong this particular brand of suffering. 

 *

Connor finds him under his favourite tree by the pond, and Ronan scoots over to make room on the blanket.

“That bad huh?” His older brother teases, though his smile is apologetic.

“It wasn’t...bad,” he concedes with a wince, “just awkward. And uncomfortable. She suggested Reed at the DPD.”

“Oh, yikes!” Connor laughs and Ronan manages a brief smile. His expression softens as he shifts to wrap an arm around Ronan’s shoulders. “Hey, it doesn’t have to be The One, you know? I don’t- I’m not... inclined romantically or sexually. Chloe is a wonderful friend, and I treasure her company. Our marriage provides her power and influence and security, and safety to nurture her relationship with North under the guise of a bodyguard.”

“You are...happy?” Ronan asks curiously, and Connor smiles.

“I’m very happy,” he nods. “It might not be romantic love, but there’s love in our friendship. You can have that too, brother, if you want.”

 *

It’s a lot to think about. It’s too much to think about, really, and so after too many hours of being stuck in his own head, Ronan escapes to his favourite spot in the whole city: Jericho. 

The cafe is somehow in the heart of town but so hidden it feels like stepping into an entirely different world, and he’s been escaping to its bare brick walls and cosy interior for years now. It’s owned by the Lambert twins, Daniel and Simon. Though the older twin is abrasive and curt, the younger is shy and gentle and always has time for Ronan.

“You look like you’ve had quite the day,” Simon laughs, already reaching for a mug and starting to make him coffee. “Take a seat, I saved an almond croissant for you.”

“You’re an angel, thank you,” Ronan takes the corner booth and watches as Simon goes through the familiar, well practiced motions. It’s close to closing and there’s only one other patron, so Simon decides to sit opposite him with his own mug of coffee.

“What’s got you looking like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders, hm?” The blond prods, and Ronan delays answering in favour of sipping the perfectly brewed mug of coffee in his hands. 

“My mother was being a little...overbearing this morning,” Ronan says hesitantly, leaving out the big details. “With the best of intentions, of course. She means well, but I still feel like I’m being slowly backed into a corner.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that, it must be difficult,” Simon frowns empathetically, earnestly, because he is a good and kind friend. Ronan thinks if he weren’t the son of a crime family, he would marry Simon. 

They would have a soft, quiet life full of love and be entirely uneventful and Ronan would manage the business side of things for the cafe so Simon would never have to worry. Maybe they could adopt a cat or two. He wouldn’t even mind a dog, honestly. He’s partial to german shepherds. 

But that’s never going to happen, and it’s with a sinking feeling Ronan realises once he marries he may have to cut ties with Simon completely as he takes on more and more of their family’s work in the criminal underworld. 

“I… am to be married,” he says no louder than a whisper but Simon hears it, Simon’s lovely blue eyes widen at those words. “Well, in the future I mean. My mother is trying to matchmake me with- with certain friends’ sons.”

“In 2038?” Simon asks in disbelief. “Your mother is trying to matchmake you in the year 2038?”

“She means well,” Ronan repeats, sighing tiredly. “She just wants me to marry ‘the one who brings the most to the table’.” He echoes her words with the same regal air and Simon laughs though not unkindly.

“Sounds intense.”

“I have a luncheon next weekend with all of our extended family and friends, and she expects me to announce an answer then.” He picks at the almond croissant, and it’s as perfect as always- buttery, flaky and fresh. The layers are light, the almond slivers paper thin, and the sweetness just right. It feels like a last supper, knowing he probably won’t be able to return. He’d never want to drag Simon into his world of blood. 

 *~*

Danny arrives in time to help him sweep and mop up. His brother is a warm, comforting presence in his peripheral, and Simon soaks it up like warmth from a blanket.

“Saw one of those supervillain black cars the Sterns use on the way here, was it Ronan again?” Danny asks as they’re putting the mops away. “You know he’s getting engaged next weekend, right?”

“How did you know that?” Simon blinks in surprise as he hangs up his apron.

“Leo told me,” Danny shrugs. “The old man said he’s pushing for Markus to marry him.”

“Oh,” Simon tries not to sound so disappointed, and he’s not even sure what for- that Markus is to be married, or that Ronan is the one marrying him. 

“Yeah, I know right? Ugh, gross,” his twin makes a disgusted face. “Poor Ronan, imagine having to marry Mr Perfect and run the criminal underworld.”

“They’re a respectable family!” Simon argues, feeling a twinge of indignant anger on Ronan’s behalf. “The Sterns have transformed the educational landscape of the city- Kara was able to open a kindergarten because of their philanthropy! Imagine having that influence- I’d- I’d completely revamp child services and open shelters and proper mental health centers for abused children and adolescents. I’d make sure no one ever had to go through what we went through.”

“You sweet sweet child,” Danny snorts back a laugh, though it isn’t mocking in the least. “They’re a necessary evil for this city because the senator is an incompetent but dangerous fuckwit. Don’t get me wrong, I like them- they get things done. It’s just the thought of the Manfreds joining that circle that gives me bad indigestion.”

“Markus Manfred is- he’s an amazing man, Danny. Ronan and he would be perfectly matched,” Simon chews his lip, feeling his chest ache. “He certainly would bring the most to the table.”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s just something Ronan said,” Simon flashes an apologetic smile. “He said he has to marry ‘the one who brings the most to the table’.”

“Brings the most to the table ,” Danny repeats, stressing the start and end of the sentence. Simon looks at him, eyes wide. “You don’t think-”

“Oh I do think,” his brother’s grin falters slightly, “But only if you want to, Simon. It’s a pretty crazy idea and uh, we might mysteriously disappear only for our bodies to be found in an underpass somewhere in a couple of weeks.”

It’s a ridiculously crazy idea, Simon knows this for a fact, but it’s so crazy it might just work.

* 

The Stern estate is beautiful, even from the other side of the huge wrought-iron gates. 

“You boys must be lost,” a guard drawls, sauntering over to the driver’s side. “Best you head back down the driveway and forget you ever came this way.”

“We're catering for the luncheon you dumbass,” Danny rolls his eyes. “So best you step aside and let us through so we can set up.”

The guard falters, frowning heavily. “There’s no mention of-” he looks at the side of the delivery van, “Jericho Cafe on the guest list.”

“Because we’re not guests,” Simon tries to mimic Danny’s impatient, snappy tone. “We’re catering for the guests.”

“Hey, listen, honest mistake,” Danny shakes his head. “No harm done. Let us in and we’ll do our job and you can do yours.”

“I-I’ll run it by the boss,” the guard fumbles for his phone.

“Ask Ronan,” Simon says firmly. “He’s the one who booked us, not- not the boss.”

The stretch of time as they wait for an answer feels like an eternity, like Simon is awaiting sentencing where the outcome could very well be execution. Is he signing his own hit? Is dragging his twin into this the worst mistake of his life?

“Alright, sorry about that,” the guard apologises, pocketing his phone and waving at someone up ahead. The gates part, and Simon doesn’t know whether to feel relieved or even more fear. “Go on through, the service entrance is on the right-hand side.”

“Thanks buddy,” Danny salutes lazily before driving through the now opened gates. He’s gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles are white.

“Danny-”

“No, shut up, we’re doing this. He ran it by Ronan and Ronan okayed us to come through,” Danny exhales slowly as he brings the van to the service entrance. A couple of confused kitchen staff come out to see them. 

“Alright,” Simon swallows thickly. “We’re doing this.”

* 

They unload and designate whole delivery trays laden with baked goods to be carried by the staff. Simon leads the way, trying to will his hands not to shake as he carries the feast he and Danny spent all yesterday prepping for, and all this morning from the crack of dawn baking so it would be as fresh as fresh can be for this very moment. 

He enters the dining room and there is Amanda Stern, matriarch of the Stern family. There is Ronan Stern, handsome as can be in a sharp tailored suit, and beside him are a couple- his brother Connor Stern, given the resemblance, and a lovely blonde lady in a periwinkle blue dress.

“Simon-”

“Madam, I have come to ask for your son’s hand in marriage,” Simon commends his voice for not trembling as he sets down the tray on the long dining table. Behind him, Daniel places his tray down and soon the staff follow, more and more until the table is absolutely brimming with food. “This is what I bring to the table.”

Amanda looks at him, expression unreadable and Simon thinks oh, he’s absolutely about to be executed. “You’re the Lambert boy,” she looks him over as if taking him apart atom by atom. “That cafe in Capitol Park.” “Yes ma’am,” Simon nods, clasping his hands behind his back so she won’t see how badly he’s shaking now he isn’t holding anything. She turns her eyes to the spread on the table.

“What is Ronan’s favourite?”

“The almond croissants,” Simon answers immediately, gesturing at them. Amanda nods and he picks one up using a pair of tongs, serving it to her on one of the bread plates. He risks a glance at Ronan who still seems frozen in shock, and it’s as if everyone is waiting with baited breath as Amanda bites into the croissant. Chewing thoughtfully, she sets the plate down and looks over at him. 

“I prefer blueberry danishes, but I can see why he likes these,” she’s smiling now, an amused matronly smile. “Is he your chosen fiance, Ronan?”

“If he would have me,” Ronan replies softly, reaching for Simon’s hands. “If a life with me is what he wants.”

“Yes,” Simon smiles, “I do.”

~*~*~

{ Inspired by [this tumblr post] about the intricacies and formalities of the 'Bride Price'.}

[stillchaoticlogic]

Such a Tease: Chapter 1

Pairing: (Aged) Gary/Blue Oak x Reader

Summary: After a tragedy, you make the decision to quit your career as a trainer and focus on breeding Pokemon for the general population. You are one of the best in the region. You aren’t expecting the have to deal with your childhood rival and crush suddenly popping back into your life. After all, Gary Oak broke your heart and now you are determined to break his… or are you?

NOTES:*This is my very first pokemon story written many many years ago. I’ve decided to revamp it and see what happens! I hope you enjoy a little Gary / Blue love! I will kinda be combing the anime and game versions and I may or may not have just bought the manga to read… It will kinda be my take on these characters. Ash may become more like Red, but I haven’t really decided yet… I’m just having fun with this!*

Getting Started The alarm sounds much too soon for anyone’s liking and groggily you roll over and hit snooze. Too bad that doesn’t work. The annoying jingling in your ear continues much to your half-asleep dismay, finally opening your eyes you see the source of the noise at such a forsaken time of the morning it’s coming from Jingle Bells your Chimecho. You sigh in exasperation at her before hauling yourself up out of bed making her promptly stop. You roll your eyes as she merely floats in front of you staring up at you with devious innocence; you swear she has been hanging around Missy, your Mismagius for far too long. You yawn as you make your way past her into the bathroom to get ready for the day. 

You had spent all of last night moving into your new center and you were dead. Jingle has been your faithful companion and alarm clock for years at this point, but perhaps she is a little overzealous at times. Especially when it’s five o’clock in the morning and the world isn’t even awake yet. 

After you have prepared yourself for a day of decorating, arranging, unpacking and sorting, you head down the stairs to the oversized kitchen, which you soon realize has yet to be stocked. Upon this realization, your tummy comes to the conclusion that it needs something and now; so to alert you to such feelings it lets out a rather large growl. You sigh for the umpteenth time this morning and grab your purse and keys as you head out the door. Lady saunters after you, since she isn’t ever too far behind, taking her sweet time to meander out the door at her dignified pace. You merely chuckle at her and close the door behind her when she finally reaches the outside. As you begin your walk to the town she matches her pace with yours easily.

Looking down at her you say, “Alright Lady dear, how about we stop at that café I saw in town for breakfast then over to the store? We’ll do some shopping to get us in the mood for decorating!”

“Espi!” she exclaims in agreement as the two of you continue through the gardens toward the forest.

You love the location of your breeding center you must admit. It is rather beautiful and so private. A decent size of the forest had been cleared to make room for it, but you made sure that all the wood that was cleared went to building something. Even a natural spring ran through your property down to a pond that was surrounded by trees and flowers. Flower gardens add to the picturesque front of the house which is at least 3 stories high with a basement as well. Of course, your house will also be housing your staff and several of your Pokémon so you had to have a large house. 

The back of the house wasn’t anything less breathtaking with herb and vegetable gardens for cooking purposes as well as medical. Off to the right side, a massive barn looking structure would be the home of the Pokémon that you would be breeding and training. The entire grounds were enclosed with a high-security system, invisible to the naked eye and impossible to enter or leave except at the designated locations. Oh yes, it is quite a sight to behold and it better be for what you have invested in it. This is your one shot at your dream. You hope that it works considering all of your earnings, winnings, and savings had gone into this sucker.

The sun played through the canopy of the trees as you and Lady make your way to town. Neither of you cares about the time or the distance, after all, the two of you have been travelers for so long that such things have merely become irrelevant. The relaxing silence is what you need considering the hustle and bustle of the past few days. Getting moved in has been an experience all in itself one you don’t need for quite some time. 

The tunnel of trees ends and you are greeted with the sight of Route one and merely ten feet away, Viridian City. The city has grown since your departure several years prior and you rather like the changes made. You allow your memory to lead you to the café you saw while walking through town a few days ago. It’s a cozy place full of big comfy couches and armchairs as well as outdoor tables and chairs under a gazebo. The lighting was bright from the rays coming in through the various windows and skylights. You could see various plants and such growing in the flower beds that surround it giving it a cheery vibe. Upon entering you make your way up to the counter and begin to look up at the drinks posted up on the sign as well as the array of sweet cakes and such that line the pastry case before you.

“Hi! How are you today?” chirps the girl behind the counter, how she chirps at six in the morning you will never know, but appreciate the sentiment anyway.

“I’m good, thanks,” You answer with a pleasant smile.

“So, what can I get for you?”

After you have placed your order and gotten something for Lady as well you make your way over to a table in the corner by a window. You begin to people watch as you sit in a more or less daze just taking in the town.

“Are you new to town?” interrupts a voice beside you.

“Huh?” you question turning to see the girl from behind the counter cleaning a nearby table. She smiles pleasantly and repeats the question.

“Oh, I’m from Pallet town originally, but have been traveling for the past fifteen years. I’ve just recently decided to move back to start my own breeding center.”

“OH!!! So you’re the owner of that new breeding center on Route One! That is sooo cool!!! I’ve always wanted to be a Pokémon breeder just like my brother. And one day I will, but right now I don’t even have a Pokémon.” You frown at how her excitement became disappointment so quickly.

“Well, I do own a breeding center…. And I do need help… And I do have plenty of Pokémon….”

She turns to you her eyes getting very wide with each statement you make.

“Really!? Do you really mean what I think you mean?!?!”

“Well do you have any experience at all with Pokémon?”

“Yeah! My brother taught me a lot!! He’s a great breeder, but he has been traveling for a while trying to get more rare Pokémon to breed. So, I haven’t really got to see him a lot.”

“That’s ok, stop by sometime tomorrow and we’ll see about getting you a job. I’m going to see how you do with some of the Pokémon before I do though ok?”

“Ok!! That sounds great!! Oh! I need to get back to work. Bye, see you tomorrow!!”

You smile and nod at the enthusiastic girl as she runs off behind the counter to serve the next customer. You are a little surprised to find a guy already sitting on the other side of the café sipping his coffee and reading the morning paper with an Umbreon sitting to his right eyeing your Espeon with interest. Lady merely ignores him as she continues to eat the bit of pastry you had given her for breakfast.

“You’re such a heartbreaker Lady,” you chuckle as you glance back over to the Umbreon only to see who his trainer is.

One: Gary Oak.

At the mere sight of him, you are quite sure that every ounce of maturity, intelligence, grace, and confidence that you had collected over the past fifteen years dissolves in a vat of childish hopes and dreams that were crushed beneath his foot. You swallow hard at the feelings swirling around inside of you at the sight of him. Fighting hard against them, you make it a point to get up and leave, slipping your sunglasses on in the process to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Lady sensing your discomfort leaps upon your shoulder and glares both the male and his Umbreon down the whole way out the door. You sigh in relief, letting out the breath you didn’t know you were holding, the moment you are out of sight of the café, your shoulders relax allowing you to calm yourself down. Lady looks up at you questioningly, concern and confusion laced in the waves she is sending you. You look down and smile in reassurance at your best friend, knowing that no matter what happens she will always be there for you.

Shaking off the surprise from seeing the boy who broke your fifteen-year-old heart you continue your day as planned. Lady helps you pick out the decor, sheet sets, and curtains. Thankfully you have already picked out appliances and you don’t need to worry about them. You head to the store to stock up on groceries and giggle when Lady levitates snacks she likes into the cart. You roll your eyes at her antics but allow her to indulge all the same. 

A very sincere part of you can’t get Gary out of your head though. You had adored him when you were younger, definitely against your better judgment. He was arrogant and stuck up, but he was smart, cool and confident as well. As he gained success as a trainer you had just fallen for him even more. Five years after setting out on your journey you ran into him at a competition and worked up the nerve to ask him out. Not only had he rejected you but he had laughed in your face. To this day you recall the embarrassment you felt as you ran from his jeers. 

Despite the passage of time, you still felt like that fifteen-year-old today when you saw him in the cafe. You groan as you roll your eyes at yourself. 

“What is wrong with you?! You went on to be one of the strongest trainers in the region! You are considered one of the best in the business. You don’t care about some stupid boy.”

With a final nod of your head indicating that this internal conversation is over you focus on getting Gary Oak out of your head onto the task at hand. You have a lot to do and you don’t have time to worry about him.

Notes: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I’m pretty excited about revamping this story. Please like reblog and comment to show some love! 

[eye-cri]

💋🌹🍑😊⭐💛 for Adi and Naji! :)

💋 How affectionate are they with their friends? Their family? Their romantic partner(s) (if they have any)? Are they more physical or emotional when it comes to displaying their affection? Why?

Aidma:

friends: give her time to warm up to ya and you’ll find that she’s a friend to keep around. If you’re in any kind of sticky situation she’ll be there to help you out if she sees that she can trust you. 

family: she teases them around with them a lot. But I mean they do the same so.....  She may be a little be more stingy with getting her family out of sticky situations but if it’s something serious she’ll put in as much effort she can to get them out of that situation. 

romantic partner: sometimes shy with her affection, sometimes all over her partner. Silent strong support for anything but knows when the line has to be drawn and they need a scolding lol. But honestly? You can’t really see when she’ll be loud with her affection, it’s random. 

physical or emotional?: with friends it’s more of emotional. She doesn’t really want to touch them lamooo. With the other two it’s still more of  on the emotional side but she’s open to give them physical affection. Especially with her romantic partner. 

why?: because of past trauma, she can sometimes flinch in reaction of a physical touch. Nothing against the person. 

Najlynn:

friends: at first she’s really affectionate but she might lose interest in you ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Keep her attention and you’ll find some moments that she’s really affectionate with you. Just make sure to keep her attention or else you’re gonna lose herrr 

family: She just can’t leave them alone. They love hanging around each other cuz they just get each other with no explanations needed. But like Adi, she’s a little bit stingy when helping them. However even when it’s serious she can still be hesitant. 

 romantic partner(s): The same principle for friends applies to romantic partners. But if you understand her ways and she feels like she doesn’t need to explain herself to you, you won’t have to worry much about getting left behind. 

physical or emotional?: I’d say physical but occasionally, it can be a good mix of both.  With family it’s much more of emotional but with the other two physical.

why?: I’d honestly say because at some point in her childhood she became touch starved and since then she can become easily touched starved and she doesn’t want to feel that way so she spreads physical affection to avoid that. 

🌹 How easy is it for them to connect with others and make friends? On the flip side how easy is it for them to make an enemy of someone? Are they the kind of person who hangs around the food table at a party and never talks to anyone or are they the type who can talk to anyone?

Aidma:

how easy is it for them to connect with others and make friends?: Well, let me just say this, it may seem at first you’ve clicked with her but at first she’s evaluating if she can trust you or not. After a while, if she’s decided that she can trust you that’ll be the actual click. So it takes time.

How easy is it for them to make an enemy of someone?: It...... depends I want to say. However.... It can be surprisingly easy to make an enemy of her. 

What type of person are they at a party?: Honestly I don’t really want to explain this, but I feel like the song Here by Alessia Cara explains it. 

Najlynn:

how easy is it for them to connect with others and make friends?: Easy to make friends, easy to let them go. Ofc there are some that she let’s them to stay, but it’s not many. 

How easy is it for them to make an enemy of someone?: Not so easy tbh. Why would she care enough to have an enemy? But anybody who hurts those she cares about is an immediate enemy. 

What type of person are they at a party?: It’s extremely rare to see her not be the center of attention at a party tbh. But it can happen, she just hangs out with Adi when that happens. 

🍑 Where is your OC’s favourite place to relax or calm down? Recount a story of their time spent in this place! What makes it so special to them?

Aidma:

Where is your OC’s favorite place to relax/calm down?: Actually, not far from her home is a forest that has a path to a lake that’s located right in the center. 

Recount a story of their time spent there.: I’ll tell you a lil story of how she found it. So, she had just lost a fight with Amalie (her older sister if you don’t remember) and she just couldn’t stand to stay at home any longer so she just stormed out and let her feet take her where ever. When she came to, she found herself in front of a pond surrounded by trees and such. Her breath had caught for a split second and she just sat down to enjoy taking in the sight. It did take a bit for her to find her way home but that’s how she found her vibe spot. 

What makes it so special to them?: The only person that knows about it other than her, is Zeus and he doesn’t go there without her so it’s her place to get away from the shit at home if it becomes over-bearing for her.

Najlynn: 

Where is your OC’s favorite place to relax/calm down?: There’s this one cafe where people don’t come up to her, they just leave her alone which she would appreciate at the time. 

Recount a story of their time spent there.:  Eh, I’ll just say these few things, she was amazed the first time she went that people weren’t coming up to her. If you talk to her when she’s there, (if she’s in a bad mood) she’ll slap you or (if she’s in a good mood) she’ll tell you to go away. 

What makes it so special to them?: Although she does enjoy talking to people, even she can get tired of doing so and needs a place to be left alone, this is that place. 

😊 What can make your OC smile even when they’re feeling down? What cheers them up and makes everything feel better for them? Is your OC genrally a happy person and do they enjoy making others smile? What about your OC makes others happy?

Aidma:

What can make your OC smile even when they’re feeling down?: It’s someone for her. Iarekie (Adi’s youngest sibling, da baby) and somehow, Zeus. just somehow....

Is your OC generally a happy person and do they enjoy making others smile?: Around people she trusts, yes. It’s not that she holds back around people that aren’t close to her but she enjoys being surrounded by people she’s close to when she’s happy. she loves seeing the people she loves smile and laugh.

What about your OC makes others happy?: I’d say it’s the fact that she will do anything to make the people she loves happy when they show even the slightest sign of not feeling well. Bc it shows that she cares. 

Najlynn:

What can make your OC smile even when they’re feeling down?: Talking to her any one of her siblings always seems to cheer her up. 

Is your OC generally a happy person and do they enjoy making others smile?: She’s defiantly a more “happy” person than Adi and she doesn’t care who she shows her happy emotions to. And she loves seeing people smile, even strangers!

What about your OC makes others happy?: Talking to her always seems to make people happy. That’s honestly why people just can’t leave her alone, because she’s such a gucci person to be around. 

⭐ What is your OC afraid of? Any crippling phobias or some such? How do they act when scared and what helps them calm down? Does anyone ever find your OC scary? Why?

Aidma: 

What is your OC afraid of?: She has a crippling phobia of her father and the traumatizing memories she carries of him. It doesn’t help that she looks exactly like what he would look like if he was female and that people keep on pointing that out. 

How do they act when scared?: She shakily curls herself up. She’ll be hyperventilating trying to look for a way out. 

What helps them calm down?: That’s what Najlynn is there for. Calming any type of Aidma’s attacks. Zeus when he found out wanted to help but,,, he’s not good at that stuff. but hey, he’s trying his best for her :(( 

Does anyone ever find your OC scary? why?: Oh she has many people scared of her. Trust me, anybody that doubts her power will learn why she is feared. 

Najlynn: 

What is your OC afraid of?: She faces fear of being forgotten and cast aside. 

How do they act when scared?: She’s usually fidgeting a whole lot when she’s frighted. 

What helps them calm down?: Aidma repays Najlynn by helping her out emotionally too. But usually it’s Akilhi or Azin (two of Najlynn’s younger siblings) 

Does anyone ever find your OC scary? why?: Like Aidma, she is feared for her power. Not as much as Aidma but she’s still powerful and feared as result.

💛 In general, how in control of their emotions is your OC? Do they have a good hold on them or do their emotions control them, not the other way around? What do you think is the reason behind this and is your OC ever concerned about their lack of or good control?

Aidma: 

How in control of their emotions is your OC?: Except when having one of her attacks, if she needs too, she’s a master at suppressing her emotions. She has no control over her emotions when they’re extreme though. 

Do they have a good hold on them or do their emotions control them?: I said she can be a master at suppressing emotions and that’s still the case but she acts on emotions most of the time so she rarely does hold back. 

Is your Oc ever concerned about their control of emotions?: The only thing she fears is having an attack in front of people. But otherwise she doesn’t mind showing a bit of her emotions. 

Najlynn:

How in control of their emotions is your OC?: She has a hard time keeping her emotions under control. I mean she usually doesn’t mind it but at times, it proves to be bothersome. 

Do they have a good hold on them or do their emotions control them?: Like Adi, she acts on emotions. I mean, much more than Aidma yes but yeah.

Is your Oc ever concerned about their control of emotions?: Secretly, yes. She worries what she might do acting on emotions and if she’d regret it majorly later.

Phew! sorry this took so long! 

[night-filled-mountain]

so forgive me if this is kinda a stupid question but i have an oc from Boston and I've never actually been there (I'm from the south so my experience with anything in the north is limited lol) but I was wondering if there are like... certain phrases/interests/general info that I could use to build up her character a little more?

Not a stupid question! An exciting question!

So, disclaimer: I’m not a native Bostonian. I was born and raised in New Jersey. If I have any followers who can swoop in and correct or add to any of this, please do! But I’ve lived here on and off for 12 years and married a local, so I’ll give it my best shot.

First of all: Where in Boston is your OC from? This is pretty vital to pin down. It’d be a hugely different experience growing up in, say, Beacon Hill vs. Mattapan. There are plenty of basic breakdowns of the different neighborhoods online, but my one strength in answering this question is that I’ve moved all over this city like an erratic Ping-Pong ball. So if you need inside information about any specific area, I’ve lived or worked in: the Theater District, Back Bay, Allston, Brookline (not actually part of Boston, but closely associated with it), Kenmore/Fenway/Longwood (that’s kind of all one neighborhood, but I’ve got all three parts covered), the North End, Lower Mills (part of Dorchester, which is huge), and Mattapan. I’ve also hung out a lot in Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, Beacon Hill, and Cambridge (which is also not part of Boston).

If you don’t know what part of the city your OC’s from yet, think about her economic background, ethnicity/nationality, what she or her parents did/do for work, the kinds of places you imagine her spending her time, etc., and see if you can find a good match.

Other Boston things:

The accent: The Boston accent (as in “We pahk the cah on Hahvahd Yahd”) is real, but not universal. It’s mostly a thing in working-class families who’ve lived around here (and remained working-class) for at least a couple generations. My mother-in-law, who’s from a blue-collar Irish family in Dorchester, has it. Her husband is straight from Ireland with a full-blown brogue. And their four kids--all raised in the suburbs, all educated at private Catholic schools, after which they all went to college--have no trace of either accent.

Phrases: I feel like you want to be really careful with regional words/phrases in general, lest a character come off like a walking parody, but here are a few tips:

Possibly the most stereotypical Boston (and general New England) word is “wicked,” which is used to modify adjectives, as in “It’s wicked cold out” or “I’m wicked hungry.” (A girl from Maine was playing with my hair once and told me it was “wicked pretty,” and it was, like, the highlight of my life.) This is NOT something I hear on the regular, but I wouldn’t balk if your OC used it once or twice over the course of a story.

A liquor store is called a “packie” (short for “package store”). Don’t ask me why. My husband calls them this every time without fail, and was previously unaware that it was not a universal term.

A milkshake is called a frappe (which is pronounced “frap,” and does not involve coffee). Or at least, the drink in which you mix milk and ice cream, which would be called a milkshake in any other part of the country, is called a “frappe.” Supposedly, if you ask for a milkshake, you’ll get a drink made of milk and syrup with no ice cream, but I’ve never attempted this.

You don’t make a U-turn here--you “bang a U-ey.” Again, I can verify this one based on the fact that My Husband Says It. (And he once yelled it while playing a multiplayer video game involving cars, and was horrified when none of his fellow players had any idea what he was talking about.)

Interests: You’re probably already aware of the sports teams (Red Sox for baseball, Patriots for football, Celtics for basketball, Bruins for hockey). This is New England, Land of the Endless Winters, so hockey is pretty big (including casual kids’ hockey teams). Ice-skating is popular in general; the Frog Pond on the Boston Common (which doesn’t actually have any frogs) is a favorite spot.

As someone who is Not A Sports Person, I can also assure you that whether you want them to or not, the Red Sox will affect your life as a Bostonian. You will find yourself almost smothered to death on the T by dense crowds of drunk people in Sox gear on their way to or from a big game. You will be casually shopping downtown when a deafening wave of noise approaches, confetti rains down from the heavens, and you are nearly trampled to death by a post-World Series parade. You will be unable to sleep a wink the night after a game if you live anywhere near Fenway. And do not set foot in a bar at such times. DO NOT.

Other things that Bostonians care about more than the average person, in my experience: SEAFOOD; St. Patrick’s Day (I’ve never been to the parade because of reasons, and honestly, I’d also recommend avoiding the bars, the T, and even the very streets if possible); the Boston Pops concert and fireworks display at the Esplanade every Fourth of July (ok, that’s actually pretty fun); and all things American Revolution (well, you may not be interested, but you probably studied it intensively in school and visited a lot of local historical sites).

Public transit: Boston’s train/bus system is called the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), but literally everyone calls it “the T.” If you travel on the T regularly, you probably have a CharlieCard:

These are named after an old campaign song by a politician who promised to lower the fares. It’s absurdly catchy.

Knowing what neighborhood your character is from tells you which T stations she would’ve lived near, which is also super important to my Bostonian mind. Is she a Red Line kid? Green? Orange? Blue? Or maybe she mostly took Silver Line buses, or rode the Commuter Rail (a.k.a. Purple Line) to work. (I‘ve only ever lived on the Green and Red Lines and certain bus lines, so I have Biases.)

College town: Boston is a college town. It is lousy with colleges. That’s what first brought me here, and even though I’m a townie now, I remember the culture well. College students make up around 20% of the city’s population when school is in session, and the downtown neighborhoods in particular are crawling with them. They swarm the bookstores and museums and bars (with real or fake IDs) and trendy restaurants. They work in every cafe and perform in every theater. They smoke clove cigarettes and take Duck Tours and ride the Swan Boats. If your character is a local, she’s had annoying encounters with college kids at some point or another. I promise not to take offense.

The Emerald Necklace: This is the nickname for a giant string of parks and waterways that surrounds the city of Boston. No matter where you live, including the most inner-city neighborhoods (which is where I currently live and work), chances are good that there is a substantial amount of green space and water in your general vicinity. Complete with hiking/bike paths that, if you follow them long enough, will take you through literal woods where you can see nothing but trees and hear nothing but birdsong. This is possibly my favorite thing about the whole New England region. It’s so heavily forested that you can still find your way to a little bit of nature in the most unexpected places.

Miscellaneous:

Dunkin’ Donuts is not found only in Boston, but it is more beloved in Boston than anywhere else on earth. I swear there is one on every block in the city. It is the place to get coffee as well as doughnuts. Starbucks is around here too, but is scorned in comparison.

J.P. Licks is a local chain of ice-cream stores with locations all over the city. Everyone goes there. It is very tasty.

The annual Christmas tree on the Boston Common is donated by Canadians from Nova Scotia. There’s a story behind it. It’s pretty cool. (The tree lighting is a huge event with speeches, music, fake snow, and sometimes fireworks. They actually light up the whole Common, which is gorgeous at night. I could see it from my dorm windows in college.)

This is obviously just a tiny fraction of Boston lore, but it’s still probably more than you wanted, and I should wrap this up while the day’s still young, so...hope some part of this was helpful! Let me know if you have any follow-up questions. I’m happy to ramble about Boston all day (...which is probably obvious by now).

[azraeldean]

the devinee episode 1

 (Nash’s house - Edge’s room.)

(Edge (a blond human of about 12) is sitting with his communication device with his best friend Malik ( a brunette human of about 12))

Edge: Can you believe it Malik?

Malik: That you hacked your communication device?

Edge: No, that I am talking to a female.

Malik: Ok, it is hard to believe your talking to Faelerah female. Considering we live in a society devoid of women.

Edge: I know I am so lucky! ( They both giggle.) Let’s look at her picture again. ( He pushes a button on his communication device and we see a cute blue skinned female in several pictures.) I am more intrigued every time I see her figure.

Malik: I bet you are.

Edge: Hey Malik, Do you have the Chance collectible doll. I want him to sign it. ( We see a box with a blond doll in it, who must be Chance)

(The Nash’s house downstairs)

We see a picture, of what must be Edge and his Human father when Edge was little. The camera moves up and we see his human father put it back on a shelf)

Static: ( Human father Nash’s first name) Edge! Ready to go?

Edge: Hold on a second.

Static: I can’t hold on a second. Jace is waiting for us.

(Edge pushes a button to make the pictures disappear from his communication device and tries to put thedevice back to a neutral screen. Both humans get nervous. Edge’s father enters the room.)

(Edges room)

Static: Baby, what are you two doing? I thought you guys were excited for today.

Edge: we are.

Static: and what are you doing on your communication device?

Edge: Me and Malik were just looking up information on our new school.

( Edge brings up the school website. Static starts scrolling threw the popped up virtual website. Scrolling threw a virtual tour of the school.) 

Static: ( looks over and picks up the doll) I always knew he would become something big. Me back when I was in school I had a blonde Mohawk. Obviously I was the coolest person there. I mean how could anyone beat a hair do like that.

Edge: Probably easily.

Static: Well, meeting up with everyone again is going to be great. You are going to love all the memories your going to make. Now let’s go meet up with our friends. ( as he leaves he takes the hat off Malik’s head.)

Malik: (to Static) Hey! I liked wearing that.

Static: Well I have to return it. Come on Edge! (Edge gets up to leave and looking on his communication device sees he has a new message.) Edge! (Edge leaves)

The Devinee 

(Devinee park)

Static: Go and play with the others.

Malik: Thanks for bringing us Mr. Nash I am excited to see some of the new people we will be at the school with.

Jace :(a Devinee) Don’t you think we will be seeing enough of them over the year to come?

Static: Stay where I can see you guys.

Jace : You don’t have to worry about us.

Edge: Yeah, we are practically adults.

Static: Yes, twelve is so old. And baby...

Edge: Yes, I know you’ll be right over there. He rushed me out of the house so fast I didn’t get to read my new message from Jasmine the Faelerah. In her last message she told me that ...( walks away talking to Malik)

Jace: Guys! Over here!

(Over by the playground) 

Malik: That sucks about the message.

Edge: I know but Jasmine messaged me last night too.

Malik: Oh? What did she say.

Edge (closes his eyes) “ I keep looking at your picture the Faelerah don’t have much interaction with humans and your so interesting to look at and talk too.”Babe every time we talk it just makes me want to get to know you even better. Your amazing.”

Malik: Wow

Edge: it seems like she’s just as fascinated by me as I am by her.

Malik: Too bad she doesn’t live on planet.

Jace: Hey! (Edge and Malik run to catch up with him)

They all gather together and survey the park together looking at a group of older Devinee holding instruments.)

Edge: oh no, I bet they are going to play music from the 8,000s.

(Jaiden’s cafe)

Jai (Devinee): I made a new coffee blend I highly recommend it. It has tapioca and coco in it. It’s very sweet and has a kick of texture with it. It also goes great with the muffins I make that you love so much Lucien.

Lucien: Jai, ideally I’d like something that wasn’t a days worth of calories. You know I am watching my weight.

Jai: The drink is healthier than it sounds. Why don’t you try some. Then we can take a walk together, so you can burn some of the calories. We can go to the park we’re some of our friends and their kids are gathered and you can brag about the new drink.

Lucien: Alright, alright. Oh my gosh is that Armand? (A small human of about 5 walks up to them)

Jai: Yeah.

Lucien: Hey sweetie, look at how grown up you are.

Jai: Can you say, “Hi Lucien”?

Armand: Hi. (He waves)

Lucien: Hi. (He waves back)

Jai: He starts kindergarten next week, can you believe it? It’s going to be great for him. I am excited for him to meet Devinee and other humans his age.

KLucien: speaking of being around people your own age. I checked and you haven’t confirme your going to the “reunion gathering” thats happening tomorrow night. 

Jai: I know. I know.

Lucien : Jai, we’re all really sorry your mate died, but it’s been a year. I think Julian would want you to get out and spend time with your friends. He wouldn’t want you to cut yourself off.

Jai: Can we.... uh... why don’t I go grab the keys so I can lock up and we will go for that walk, ok. We are going to go to the park. Sound good baby? ( Goes in back with Armand)

(The park)

Edge: Oh, hi. Your Mr. Sternshine right?

Axle (Devinee) : I am. And you must be Edge. Wow. Wow. Wow. Static’s son, I can’t believe your going to be one of my students. Time just flies by.

Malik: Static?

Edge: My papas first name. Weird, right? (They both smile and glance over to Static in the distance.)

Axle: (Takes the hat from Jace)  Thanks for bringing that I will take it to its proper owner. (Puts the hat on his head) Great, it was great meeting you guys. Uh, listen, go and enjoy your time at the park go meet some other people.

Jace: Static? (Edge hits him) Ow! (They start to run)

Axle: Hey guys, be careful! Be careful! Be careful! Okay just keep going. Don’t listen to me. Alright.

(Further in the park)

(As they run, they laugh loudly together. They stop running as they get to the pond.)

Edge: Look...

Malik: Yeah, that’s a really big tree.

( Malik and Jace start to walk away, but Edge stays.)

Jace: Edge? Let’s go. Oh, I see. Gonna hide behind that tree and message Jasmine?

Edge: Shut up!

Jace: ( mimicking Edge) Oh. She’s just so different, yet she understands me so completely. (Edge punches him) Ow.

Mr. Rasnic (Devinee): And here is the pond you will see a lot of children both Devinee and Human gather around here. Most of the kids here feel too grown up for the playground even the humans.

Jensen ( Devinee): Oh, you see Tobias? This won’t be like our old town.

Jace: Tobias?

Tobias (Devinee): Jace?

( Jace goes up to Tobias.)

Jace and Tobias: Omg! It’s so good to see you! Me? You! Lol Jinx you owe me a coke.

Jace: Dude what are you doing here?

Malik: I guess they’re friends. 

Tobias: My Apha father moved in with his new mate. Who happens to live in this town. So Alpha brought me here so I could meet some of the kids I would be spending the year with.

Mr. R.: I think we’ll let you two get reaquantied and your alpha and I will finish talking about the benefits of this community and your future school together.

Jensen: Tobias come find me when your done, ok?

Tobias: Yes Alpha, I won’t go far ok?

Jensen: Good.

Jace: Oh, sorry. Malik, Edge, this is Tobias. We were on a Devinee softball team over the summer together.

Edge: We could tell you guys are friends.

Tobias: Nice to meet you

Edge: Yeah. Ok, the coast is finally clear. Malik your coming with me,

Malik: No, no.

Edge: You two stand guard.

(Edge and Malik go behind the large tree so Edge can check the message on his communication device.)

Tobias: So is your friend always like that?

Jace: Yes.

Tobias: Really?

(Malik runs up behind them and scares them by screaming boo!)

Tobias: Humans.

(Another part of the park) 

(Axle is looking at his communication device)

(In a black ufo a blond man (Chance Roberts) is talking on his communication device)

Chance: Kyson I am really truly okay but if you want to come to this gathering with me you can. (As he talks they show his collectible doll, and then him actually talking.) I just don’t want you to get bored it’s all very small town. Alright, it is sweet of you to want to meet my friends and I do want to show them my future mate. I love you too.

(He hangs up his device. As he does you see the flash of his engagement ring.)

(The park)

( Chance gets out of the ufo and enters the park)

Chance: Thanks. (To the driver who opened the ufos door for him)

Driver: Your welcome.

(In the park)

Chance: Slash!

Axle: Chance. Oh wow...(closes his communication device and gives him a hug) Well. Hey. Oh my, it’s great to see you.

Chance: You too. So your a teacher at our old school now. Ok, here (gives him a present)

Axle: Ok now, this is an upgrade for the schools technology system, right?

Chance: Yes, it’s just something to show my gratitude to the school that gave me my start.

Axle: Speaking of our old school days... How about this Jai’s old hat.

Chance: Ok ( puts the hat on)

Axle: Nice, it works on you.

Chance: Yeah, it goes well with this shirt really well doesn’t it.

Axle: Well, we all know you’ve always had better fashion sense than Jai.

(Outside the park)

Lucien: (Sees the ufo) Oh wow, look at that someone is certainly traveling in style aren’t they Jai.

(Jai scans the park and sees Chance and Chance sees him. He waves at Jai when he sees him.( You get the sense that maybe they were once together))

(Behind the big tree)

Edge: Malik, Can you please chill, if we are caught I’ll just say you didn’t know what I was going to do.

Malik: Oh, yeah great... So what does the message say?

Edge: Malik, Jasmine is going to be on planet and she wants to meet me tomorrow.

(Park entrance)

Chance: What’s your stuffy’s name?

Armand: Art

Chance: Art?

Jai: So you have a future mate? Congratulations.

Lucien: Yeah, when’s the ceremony?

Chance: Oh soon, but we haven’t pegged the exact date yet, but, well, your all invited.

Axle: Cool, So when do we all get to meet Kyson?

Chance: He’s going to fly down this afternoon. He’s so sweet he really wants to meet all my old friends.

Axle: He’s an Aztle isn’t he?

Chance: Yes he is.

Jai: I always knew you’d meet the perfect mate.

Chance: Well, so, I guess I should probably go now and check in to the hotel on planet. But Joey your really not going to the reunion gathering tomorrow?

Jai: No, I am not.

Chance: Well then why don’t you at least come hang out with us later it will be a smaller group.

Jai: Well, um...

Lucien: Of course he would. We will both come. We can’t wait to catch up.

Chance: Great. So I’ll see you guys later then.

( Mr. Sternshine takes the hat off her as she leaves)

Lucien: By Chance.

(Playground)

(Edge and Malik are Swinging)

Edge: I want to meet her, but I am worried I won’t meet up to her expectations of humans.

Malik: I am sure you will. Jasmine is coming here. You can sate some of your curiosity. It’s a golden opportunity.

Tobias: Who’s Jasmine?

Jace: A female Falererian Edge me on some inter-spacial chat room. I bet she’s actually one of those spikey alien things, that will poke him anytime he gets close.

Edge: And your a young immature Alien with wings but I am still friends with you.

Jace: Oh, very funny.

Tobias: Ok. If your meeting some strange alien you met in a chat room. It could be really dangerous.

Edge: We just met I have been talking to him for months and your telling me about strangers.

Malik: Guys don’t worry Jasmine is totally cool she’s coming here on some Falerian mission.

Jace: What kind of mission would a Falerian go on?

Edge: She’s a voluntary missionary. She travels with other aliens that help planets that are at war even ones like ours were the war our soldiers are fighting is on a different planet. She’s going to have some spare time. Stop worrying about me.

( They start chasing each other around the park)

(The Nash house - Edges room)

(Static and Chance are looking at Edges collectible figurines)

Chance: You have such a wonderful child and to have raised him all by yourself too. So cute too, even better than the cutie you were haha.

Static:(looking at chances engagement ring) I can’t wait to meet Kyson. He got you such a pretty ring he must think highly of you.

Chance: Thank you he wanted to get me a collar too which is traditional for his race. He says it’s to protect me from other aliens showing his claim but it seems so possessive to me.

Static: I am sure he just doesn’t want anyone to get any ideas.

(Edge enters the room drinking water)

Edge: Why are you in my room?

Static: It’s my house I am allowed to go where I want.

Edge: Your showing off my figurine collection again? I know you like to show me off but next time can you ask before you trespass?

Static: Next time can we be more polite to our guest. Baby...

Edge: Your Chance Royal, I am such a big fan. You make a great superhero on your show, I love it when they give big parts to humans.

Static: and your gushing.

Edge: I can’t believe your actually here and friends with my papa.

Chance: Shocking right? It’s great to see you my friends kid all grown up.

Static: He wishes. So sneaking off to send secret messages?

Edge: Did you... have you been spying on me? I deserve some privacy.

Static: Relax, I wouldn’t do that to you. But I can tell your getting that attitude us humans get in our teen years.

Edge: Papa I am not doing anything wrong.

Static: Do yourself a favor and don’t have kids.

Chance: No promises. (They leave) Bye.

(Edge closes the door)

(Edges’s room - later)

Edge: Ok. We’ve gone through all the messages. No spikes and no mention of any other weirdness.

Malik: Jace is just worried about you.

Edge: Jace is just an idiot.

Malik: That Tobias seems kinda cool.

Edge: He’s fine I guess but he’s just your typical overprotective Devinee. That’s why I like Jasmine she’s so unique and exciting. I have never met a potential mate like her.

Malik: Babe, you’ve never had a potential mate before.

Edge: I know.

Malik: Maybe...

Edge: What?

Malik: What Tobias said, about meeting strange aliens from a chat room. He’s right it could be dangerous.

Edge:  Not you too Malik, with all the overprotectiveness, I am twelve I can handle it. Don’t worry so much.

Malik: Maybe you should talk to your papa. He could take you to meet her then we would all know you were safe.

Edge: Are you kidding me he would freak out. Are you saying you don’t think I should meet Jasmine.

Malik: I don’t know.

(A lounge)

Kyson: Wow I’ve never met Devinee before but Chance has told me so much about you guys I am thinking of writing an Aztle guide to the Devinee. (His phone communication device beeps) Hold on guys I got to take this. Yo Francine, yes, yes I am with my human on Nevarah. Yes it is a beautiful planet.

Lucien: Chance, I watch your show every Saturday morning. Seeing you as a star it’s so great for kids to have a role model like you.

Chance: Me as a role model what about you.

Lucien: What about me?

Jai.: Come on don’t be so modest. The things you do for this community. You must have raised money for every local charity and spending time with the soldiers.

Static: Plus, your furthering your education.

Chance: All humans should look up to you and take after your amazing example.

Lucien: It’s not that amazing, I have just done everything I’ve been told to do been the perfect human Devinee expect.

Axle: Its better than being like Will he was given so much and just threw everything away.

Jai: (On a translucent screen) Hey, come on down to Jaidens cafe. I have all the goodies and sweets you could want! I even have things for the health nuts out there. There’s always new creations too so come on ever you won’t find better drinks or sweets on planet and that’s a promise. (Gives two thumbs up)

Lucien: Jai! That’s awful!

Jai: What I had to advertise some how didn’t I. 

Kyson: Your absolutely right that’s how you keep a business going. Francine, Francine, this just isn’t the time I need to be spending time with my future mate and his friends you know how important this kind of thing is to humans. I gotta go bye. (Hangs up) Hey next time you want to do something like that let me know I can totally hook you up. I can get you professionals give it a real polished vibe you know attract even off planet customers.

Jai: Yeah, your right Kyson.

Kyson: Glad I could help, plus if you want I’ll even write the script free of charge.

Axle: I don’t know I kind of liked it. It had a happy friendly family friendly vibe to it.

Everyone: Yeah, it was totally Jai.

Chance: Kyson, we were talking about human role models. Well Jai has to be one for the Devinee and hey you are writing that book. Jai would be the perfect person for you to interview.

Jai: No, I don’t think that’s a good idea I am not the same Devinee yo used to know.

Kyson: Um...

(Jai gets up and gets a drink at the juice bar.)

(Axle comes up to him)

Axle: (To bartender) Can I get a pineapple juice? Thanks. Jai talk to me what’s going on here?

Jai: I can’t do this I am having this drink and going home.

Axle: You can’t do what hang out with old friends.

Jai: You know what, everyone wanted me to get out, but I don’t feel like I belong anymore.

Axle: Oh Jai, that’s not true.

Jai: Slash, you don’t understand so don’t act like you do.

Axle: Cutting off people, isn’t going to help. It isn’t going to change anything. Being around people may even help with the pain of your loss.

Jai: Stop, you and everyone else thinks they know what’s best for me how I should grieve how I should get past this. I don’t need your opinions, I know what’s best for me not you or anyone else.

Axle: We are friends. We are just trying to help.

Jai: No, your meddling and feeling sorry for me all of you are and I am sick and tired of it so please leave me alone.

Axle: Oh, and none of this has to do with Chance?

Jai: No, of course not. I mean I don’t like him but I don’t think the rest of you do.

Axle: Maybe not but it’s his choice.

Jai: Yes, I know that, but he feels sorry for me too, just like the rest of you. I am tired of all this and I am leaving.

Axle: I think you’re the one feeling sorry for yourself, so stop blaming everyone else.

(Axle finishes his drink and goes back to join the others. Leaving Jai alone. Jai looks at them then looks away)

(The Nash house)

(Edge is asleep when the humans come in being loud and rambunctious.)

The humans: Wild thing you make my heart sing, you make everything groovy. Wild thing I think I love you. But I want to know for sure! (Singing)

Lucien: Can you believe a song from so long ago is still known today?

Static: Come on let’s have a real drink.

Lucien: Ooh, yes.

Chance: We should do each other’s hair just like old times. We can fix Statics hair like she had it back in the day. Bring back old fashion. I think the planets ready for it.( Edge wakes up and makes his way downstairs.)

Static: Oh, Edge I am sorry we woke you up.

Chance: Yeah babe, I am sorry too.

Static: We promise we will quite down. Humans ready for that drink.

Chance: Yes, but just one Aztles are almost as panicky about humans drinking as Devinee. Edge it’s good to see you again how are you?

Edge: Chance, can I ask you something.

Chance: Sure, Is this about a potential mate?

Edge: Yes, but it’s a girl and my friends are freaked out.

Chance: Well, how do you feel about it?

Edge: I think she’s great, I am not freaked out by her gender I am intrigued by it.

Chance: Well, then maybe you should go for it. Trust how you feel. Sometimes you just have to do things despite what your friends think.

Edge: Like you do on your tv show, always going for what you want, being the hero.

Chance: Yes, if my parents had their way. I wouldn’t have my tv show. I would just be your good typical human sitting at home with a good Devinee mate. How awful would that be? So come on tell me about her what race is she I want to know more.

(The kitchen)

Lucien: Hey Static, what do you think of Kyson?

Static: Chance could do a lot better.( Lucien teases his hair) ooh, nice.

(The stairs (static is listening to Chance and Edge talk))

Edge: Your so smart, how do you know all these things?

Chance: This ( meaning your brain) learns a lot of things when you get older. It’s cliche but true.

(Static comes up to them.)

Static: Am I interrupting something?

Chance: Oh no, we were just discussing some of the moments on my show.

Edge: Yeah, he has some really great stories.

Static: Honey do you want to join us for a little while.

Edge: No, I am going to go back to bed.

Chance: Good night.

Static: Night baby, So what exactly were you telling him.

Chance: wouldn’t you like to know? He’s so young.

Lucien: Oh yes because your ancient.

Chance: I basically am.

Lucien: I refuse to think like that. I am young in my mind. I don’t even feel my age.

Static: I mean I wouldn’t mind going on a date or something.

Chance: Yes, that’s what’s great about Kyson he take me on dates all the time. He’s so sweet.

Lucien: I am sure all kinds of aliens would fall all over themselves to be with you.

( Edge’s room he’s on his communication device typing a message to Jasmine saying he wants to meet.( it says “ I would love to meet you in person.”))

Edge: Sometimes you just...( sends the message) go for it.

END

[matthewschueller]

The 16 Best Things to Do in Portland Oregon - From a Local

Why Visit Portland Oregon? Advice From a Local.

Portland Oregon is a quirky, eclectic mix of crazy personalities and stunning natural beauty. Every time we fly back into Portland, we’re stunned by the view of Mount Hood overlooking the emerald green forests surrounding the city. There’s no place like it, and it continues to surprise us. The city is filled to the brim with evergreens, top-tier restaurants, green spaces, bike lanes, and unique neighborhoods. Just an hour from the coast or the mountains, the options for hiking and outdoor activities are limitless.

Besides the fact that Portland is basically a city within a giant forest, it has an interesting way about structuring its neighborhoods. Throughout the sprawl of the city, there are tons of neighborhood centers, each with its own unique personality and feel. What we love most about Portland is its irreducible attitude about not giving-a-shit about what anyone thinks about it. Portland is super weird, and it’s proud of that fact. From Voodoo Doughnuts, Powell’s City of Books (the world’s largest bookstore), to Darcelle’s (our personal favorite), anything here is accepted and loved as is!

Above that, Portland is an incredibly gay friendly city. Many have asked where the gay district Is in Portland, but really, we think the whole city is kind of gay. It’s awesome, and we feel totally 100% free and comfortable no matter what part of the city we’re in. Skip down to the 16th list-item below to see a bit more about the LGBTQ+ community in Portland.

It’s no surprise that Portland has become a popular destination for people from all over, and we’ve had many friends and family members ask, “What should we do in Portland? What should we see in Portland? Where should we eat in Portland!?" Well, we are here to answer all of that HERE!

Here are The 16 Best Things to Do in Portland Oregon

1. Get Lost in Powell’s City of Books

Powell’s City of Books is an iconic destination in Portland. The bookstore is 4 stories tall and takes up an entire city block. It holds more books for sale than any other bookstore on earth. It’s enormous, and you can actually get lost in there (I have)! On the top level, there’s an isolated room full of first edition and signed books, including original print copies from series like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It’s amazing.

2. Eat as Many Donuts in Portland as Possible

We’ve all heard of Voodoo Doughnuts, and while this is a staple of Portland’s quirky eccentric attitude, these aren’t the best donuts in the city. Don’t get me wrong, we love Voodoo, but there are a couple Portland donut shops that have risen up above the rest over the last decade.

Pip’s Doughnuts

For something a little more classic, head to Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Chai. Known for having some of the most delectable chai in the greater Portland area, Pip’s offers donut holes topped with classic and seasonal custards and cremes. Whether you come in the winter for a rich Banana Custard and Salted Nutella doughnut or a little closer to spring to enjoy their Meyer Lemon Pear Butter doughnut, you will always be able to pair them with a perfect chai or matcha.

Blue Star Donuts

Blue Star crafts its donut creations out of a brioche base from scratch and pair that with fresh fruits, herbs and spices, even liqueurs. Whether your in the mood for something fresh like their Meyer Lemon and Key Lime curd creation, something rich like the Chocolate Almond Ganache, or a classic Old Fashioned (of which there are three varieties), Blue Star has a myriad of flavors that stem from the surrounding area to tantalize your tastebuds.

3. Shop on Nob Hill’s 23rd Avenue

Perched on the North West side of downtown, 23rd Avenue holds some of the best cafes and restaurants of the city. Stroll down 23rd Ave. and grab a coffee at Barista, browse unique gifts at Paper Source, check out the view on Restoration Hardware’s rooftop or find your favorite crystals at the small pop-in shops along the way. 23rd Ave is a beautiful neighborhood full of ornate victorian homes. Walking around the area is a treat, and this is a prime area for good shopping. One of our favorite places to grab a pick-me-up is Tea Chai Te. We love sitting out on their outdoor balcony overlooking 23rd Ave.

4. Have a Scoop at Salt & Straw

Their first storefront opened on 23rd Ave. and now Salt & Straw is pretty well known throughout the West Coast. With intense and crazy flavors, Salt & Straw typically boasts a line out the door and around the corner. Try their famous Sea Salt and Caramel Ribbon, Honey Lavender, Pear & Blue Cheese, or seasonal varieties like Bone Marrow & Smoked Cherries or vegan Coconut Milk with Cashew Brittle & Pandan! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to try as many flavor samples as they’d like while standing in line. Try them all!

5. Enjoy the View at Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion is a famously beautiful mansion overlooking downtown Portland from Forest Park. You can catch one of the best views of Mt. Hood from there, and in the Spring, the rhododendrons around the mansion are kind of magical. It’s one of the must-see places to anyone visiting! Pittock Mansion is best to visit on sunny days in the Spring, but is perfect for photography all year around.

6. Sip Lots and Lots of Coffee

This one is without saying. Portland has great coffee. Obviously, you have to try Stumptown. Their coldbrew is unbelievable—like nectar-of-the-gods-good. It’s chocked full of caffeine, so sip slowly! Check out their iconic location in the Portland Ace Hotel downtown. The lobby of the Ace Hotel is an iconic photo spot and an even better place for people watching. Other favorite coffee shops include Ristretto Roasters, Never Coffee, Heart Coffee, Barista and Good Coffee; just to name a few.

7. Find Some Peace at the Japanese Gardens

In the hills over downtown, the Japanese Gardens holds acres of rhododendron, blossoming trees and small ponds surrounded by bamboo. It’s a peaceful place to spend the day just far enough away from downtown. With views of Mount Hood, the famous Japanese Gardens attracts tourists from all around the world.

8. Stroll Down Mississippi Ave.

Mississippi Ave. is lined with some of the best restaurants and bars of the city. It’s really active any night during any part of the year, and is always bound to bring a good time. It also has a ton of cute trendy shops and cafes. Hanging out there is one of our favorite things to do on any given weekend! The food cart pod on Mississippi Ave. has cheap and tasty options including Matt’s BBQ and Little Conejo Food Cart. Our favorite spot to grab a bite on Mississippi is ¿Por Qué No?. This hugely popular taquería serves some of the best tacos and guacamole we’ve ever had. Food isn’t the only thing that has us coming back to this neighborhood, the bars are the best. Our favorites include Prost! for beer, Interurban for cocktails, and Psychic Bar for one of the most interesting witchy atmosphere’s we’ve experienced!

9. Eat at the Food Trucks

Portland’s street food culture also has made a name for itself. In the summer, you’ll see everyone out biking down to the food carts to grab Koi Fusion, Chicken and Guns, or Nong's Khao Man Gai. There are so many food trucks in Portland, we could do a whole blog just on which ones to try… and there are a lot we can recommend. Our advice, try as many as possible during your visit. The food culture here is just as good in the streets as it is in the sheets... or restaurants, oops.

10. Explore the Alberta Arts District

Few spots are more classically Portland than Alberta Avenue. The arts district is filled to the brim with Portland grunge. Graffiti stained walls, independent and bustling coffee shops, food carts and enough weed to get the entire state high. You can find yourself wanting to stick around Alberta Ave. for a while. Head to this neighborhood to admire the graffiti art, go bar hopping, or try any one of the incredible restaurants. We recommend Pok Pok, Pine State Biscuits, Proud Mary’s and Bamboo Sushi to start!

11. Hike in the Colombia River Gorge and See Multnomah Falls

The Columbia River Gorge is home to some of Oregon’s most iconic natural wonders. Located just a 30 minutes drive from downtown, Multnomah Falls is the most popular natural tourist attractions in the state. The historic falls plummet from the foothills leading up to Mount Hood and is perfectly framed by the iconic stone bridge located just in front. It’s a very short walk from the parking lot to the falls, but for those looking for a hike, there is plenty of trail beyond the falls. The Colombia River Gorge is full of adventurous trails that will lead you up paths to find countless waterfalls and epic views of the gorge.

Here are a few of our favorite hikes and views:

Hike in Oneonta Gorge —

Oneonta Gorge is itself a scenic canyon located in the Columbia River Gorge. The U.S. Forest Service has designated it as a botanical area because of the unique aquatic and woodland plants that grow there. There are four major waterfalls on the Oneonta Creek as it runs through the gorge. Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The lower gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so there is no boardwalk or footpath through it as such. Thus, Lower Oneonta Falls can only be seen by walking upstream from the creek's outlet. Getting to the lower falls can require wading through water that, in some places, can be chest-deep, depending on the season and the relative amount of snow-melt. Bring your waders if you want to see the iconic lower falls!

Hike to Latourell Falls —

Latourell Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to access while still having breathtaking height and power. Access from Portland takes you first to the Bridal Veil exit off of I-84E and then a quick double-back toward the city along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Park your car at the small lot and walk about 0.5 miles down the trail until you reach the falls. There is a 2.4 mile hiking loop if you want to enjoy the scenery around the area even more, see the falls from above and hit a second viewpoint at the Upper Latourell Falls.

Hike to Angel’s Rest —

One of the closest hike’s to the Portland metro area with rewarding views of the Columbia River Gorge. This is a moderately paced hike with clear paths, good elevation gain and is an easy day trip from the city. Due to its proximity this can be a slightly busy trail but is very peaceful at the early morning hours. If you want to secure your parking spot and have a climb with little disturbances definitely arrive before 9am.

Take Pictures at Vista House —

Vista House was built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Prior to the construction of I-84, this building was intended as a place of respite and relaxation for those traveling along the highway. There is still an espresso bar with snacks during hours of operation, but the main reason to stop here are the breathtaking views in all directions.

12. Take a Day Trip to Cannon Beach — Haystack Rock

On one side of Portland you have the mountains, but on the other side is the beach! An hour and a half West from downtown Portland is Cannon Beach. Perhaps just as a popular as the falls, every traveler must plan a day to check out the Oregon Coast. You’ll find impressively wide beaches with powerful waves, along with striking cliffs and rock structures jutting from the water, like the famous Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Spend the day walking down the beach, sitting in the sun, and exploring the tide pools around the rocks. Pelican Brewing Co. at the edge of the beach is our favorite spot to hang out, grab a couple beers and watch the sun set over the historic Haystack Rock. We try to make it out to Cannon Beach at least a few times a year, we love it!

13. Drink All the Beers

Arguably, one of the best parts about visiting Portland is the sheer number and variety of breweries throughout the city. Honestly, you can make an entire trip centered around trying the beers here. We are regulars at 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s rooftop bar in the Pearl District. We also love enjoying a local tap at Departures Lounge on the rooftop of The Nines Luxury Hotel downtown. Departures also has amazing sushi if you’re looking for a bite to eat! You’ll find us enjoying a local IPA but if hops aren’t your flavor try the local blondes, ale or stout! We have them all! Other great breweries to checkout are Deschutes Portland Brewery, Migration Brewing, Breakside Brewery, Rogue Brewery, Occidental Brewing, Baerlic Brewing, Ecliptic Brewing and many more!

14. Go Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley

For every brewery in Portland there’s another winery outside the city waiting to help get your drink on. The Willamette Valley outside of Portland is known for its world class Pinot Noir. And really, the wineries are not far from Portland’s City Center. If you’d prefer to stay in the city, there are plenty of tasting rooms like Boedecker Cellars and Cerulean Wine. Our favorite wineries to visit just outside the city are Hawks View Winery, Domaine Drouhin, Brooks Vineyards, and Stoller Family Estate. Wander down to Willamette Valley Vineyards just an hour south of Portland for some of the best Pinot Noir the West has to offer. All of the above wineries have shipping available for those who’d like to bring some bottles home without the hassle of getting them through the airport.

15. Bar Hop around Portland and Drink the Night Away!

As a warmup, we’ve mentioned all the breweries and wineries to try around Portland. We’ve also mentioned some of our favorite bars along Mississippi Ave and the Alberta Arts District. Here are a few of our all-time favorite bars and shows around the city.

Scandal’s

This is our favorite gay bar to hang at. It’s a pretty relaxed bar, no fluff. It’s comfortable, not intimidating, and an easy place to grab a drink and relax. I love this place because of how welcoming it is, and the drinks are honestly super cheap!

Blow Pony

This is a hugely popular queer event held once a month in Portland. It is a riot, and things get crazy. For those up for a party, it’s worth coming to Portland just for this! Wear as little as you’d like!

Darcelle’s XV

Darcelle has a history with the city. As the oldest practicing drag queen, Darcelle and her girls throw a comedy show four nights a week that will leave you on the floor. We went here for our bachelor party and had one of the best nights of our lives. They are so sweet, take no shit, and will give you a show you’ll never forget. 

16. Celebrate Pride in Portland

We love walking down Harvey Milk Street downtown, popping into Scandal’s for a bit and having a drink with friends. Portland is a big city, but still feels kind of small. The community here is super personal and extremely friendly. I remember my first time at Portland Pride and how I essentially just felt an overwhelming sensation of belonging. It’s tight knit, and people really look out for each other. The gay bars are scattered throughout the city, so it isn’t dominated to just one section of town. The free-spirited, anything-goes mentality is something I’ve only also seen in places like The Castro or the West Village. There are two gay beaches, one at Sauvie Island and another at Rooster Rock, in the Columbia River Gorge. There are also a ton of community and sports groups like the Portland Frontrunners, who I run with every Tuesday and Saturday.

More to Explore

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[quantumarvel]

@oh-snap-bucky and I like to scream fic concepts at each other a lot. I, somehow, convinced her to let me share them with yall. Here’s a recent one. 

It all started with this post (please read the tags)

Courtney: can we talk about this cause wow 

Sam: you thought up an entire fic 

Sam: we stan 

Sam: sitting under a tree and rEADING 

Courtney: Sammy help me out here cause I may just roll with this

Courtney: how do they meet? 

Sam: Park? Library? Cafe?

Courtney: library 

Courtney: he looks vaguely homeless and he’s BRILLIANT and studying something to do with poetry 

Sam: English major? I think yes 

Courtney: and she’s studying at the library and has to keep pushing her glasses back up her nose and she’s tapping her pencil on her chin 

Courtney: and he can’t help but SAY SOMETHING cause she’s pretty ya know but also cause she’s currently reading the only copy of the book he needs 

Courtney: and she’s like ha good luck cause this poet guy doesn’t make any sense 

Courtney: and of course Bucky understands it 

Courtney: but poetry isn’t her major, she just has to read it for like this one class she has to take so she can get her teaching degree 

Courtney: he’s all knowledgeable in poetry and junk and she just… doesn’t get it. Like at all. And he thinks its adorable. And she’s all “I’m gonna be a history teacher idk why i even need this.”

Courtney: and being the flirt he is, he offers to tutor her 

Courtney: and she knows EXACTLY what he’s doing 

Courtney: says yes anyway  

Courtney: so they start meeting up on Thursdays at the library 

Sam: I support her saying yes anyway 

Sam: bc we get that

Sam: take your chance girl 

Courtney: they spend a couple of hours talking about how this poet dude was annoying and pretentious and a douche and he’s like, “just imagine all this being said but the whitest, richest, most uptight dude you can think of” and she starts to Get It but also thinking of it like that makes it SO FUNNY 

Sam: “oh so he’s just being a spoiled brat?” 

Sam: okay so for how long do they meet at the library? 

Courtney: oh this lasts the rest of their first semester. They met in like September and they get together every Thursday and she invited him to a Halloween party some of her friends are throwing and they accidentally show up in complimenting costumes (probably different Breakfast Club characters cause I’m dumb) and he complains about having to go home for Thanksgiving (she still doesn’t know what kind of a family she comes from) and they text the whole break and when they get back they hang out so much more than just on Thursdays and by the time Christmas rolls around, they get each other the sweetest gifts right before they leave for break and standing in the train station (they’re both taking trains home but going different directions), he realizes how long he’s gonna be without her and they’re both getting kinda choked up, more than you would if you had to leave a friend for a nearly month and they’re making all these promises to call and text and “maybe I’ll write you?” and after like the nineteenth hug, 

Courtney: he realizes that the girl he’s been halfway in love with since the fall maybe likes him back? the girl he’s been opening his jacket to tucking her against him to shield her from the “stupidly cold” wind. the girl that shares her candy corn and bring him hot chocolate when the temperature drops below 40. the girl who reads poetry books that he recommends cause he just KNOWS that if he finds the right style, she’ll fall in love with it. the girl that he spends so much time with that he knows which colors mean what on her color coded notes. the girl that he helped bandage up when she was too busy staring at a dog to notice the raised pavement and when she tripped, he felt it in his chest. the girl that tells him that she knows he deserves better than the hurt he carries in his eyes. the girl that doesn’t know anything about his past, but knows him. the girl he feels so lucky to be around. that girl. she’s looking at him right now like it hurts her like it does him to part ways. and maybe he realizes then that he has a chance? so he musters up just enough courage to press a kiss to her forehead and walk her to her train. as he watches her disappear down the tracks, he decided that when he sees her again after the new year, he’ll take her to a museum or a planetarium or a park or something, and he’ll ask her to take a chance on him.

Courtney: (he doesn’t get the chance because when she asks for his address to send him a Christmas card, she really drives up to Brooklyn from Boston just to give him a New Years kiss. his parents aren’t home (to his relief) but Becca absolutely adores her)

Sam: ummmmmm

Sam: that’s gorgeous 

Sam: and so so so heart wrenching 

Sam: but SHE DRIVES TO BOSTON 

Courtney: it’s only like 200 miles yeah 

Sam: only 

Sam: for a kiss 

Sam: that’s a lot 

Sam: for a FIRST kiss at that 

Courtney: okay I should clarify 

Sam: yes please do 

Courtney: she get there at like 7:30pm and he answers the door and he’s so happy to see her but he’s like “?? why are you here?” and she’s blushing and “well I wanted to talk to you... in private...” which makes Bucky look over at Becca who’s 15 and standing at the other end of the foyer. “It’s my house too.” And he just rolls his eyes and takes his girl outside cause that’s not the fight he wants to have rn. anyway so they go walk through the garden and it’s all so pretty cause the Christmas lights are still up and the stars are out. “what do you have to talk to me about that’s so urgent that you couldn’t wait until next week and had to drive 200 miles instead of just calling me?” he’s all smiles. “I, um... I wanted to tell you that I uh... I think I like you? Like a lot? No, I know I do. And I have, for a while. And I can’t it out of my head, when you kissed my forehead at the station, and I KNOW that sounds ridiculous and childish but I can’t stop thinking about it and how maybe you like me too and yeah sure that could’ve waited but I needed to KNOW cause to be perfectly honest, I’d really like to be your New Years kiss this year, which again, dumb and childish but I do and so I didn’t really think, I just decided to take a chance. I’m sure I’m making a complete fool of myself right now too, like that idiot poet we read about in September but you told me something once about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking chances and so that’s what I’m doing, I’m taking your advice, so you really have no one else to blame here but yourself and-“ he finally just puts a hand over her mouth cause he can tell she’s working herself up into a frenzy. When she finally looks up at him, he’s smiling. He takes his hand away, “you came a few hours early for a New Years kiss” And for some reason that embarrasses her more than anything else has. “Ugh I know I just, I just couldn’t wait any more. I paced around my parents house for three hours and spent another two in this diner once I got to town. Think I would’ve gone mad if I waited any longer.” He laughs and tells her “well it’s...” a quick glance at his watch “7:59pm right now. It’s midnight somewhere.” And even though he takes his time, and she knows what he’s about to do, the kiss still surprises her.

Sam: I’m screaming 

Sam: “It’s midnight somewhere” 

Sam: I can imagine Becca totally seeing all this happen from the window

Sam: keeping quiet bc “that was kinda sweet I guess” 

Sam: okay okay okay even if you don’t write this part i gotta know 

Sam: what happens after New Years? 

Courtney: Oh after New Years, they’re disgusting. STUPIDLY in love and constant heart eyes and “darling/baby/doll/sweetheart/honey” and they’re ALWAYS TOUCHING. like, hugging all the time and holding hands and tucking hair behind her ear and linking pinkies and he always has an arm around her shoulder and it’s all adorable and innocent and TOOTH ACHINGLY SWEET. she reads to him and plays with his hair (braids it when it gets long enough) and laughs at all his jokes and just adores him. he cooks her dinner a lot and carries her books and takes pictures of her and gives so many sweet kisses on her forehead, temple, nose, chin and (finally) mouth and just adores her.

Courtney: he picks her flowers in the spring when they have a picnic by a pond and she ties them together into a crown and puts it on him. that night, he takes one and presses it into the back of the book she gave him for his birthday

Sam: I love this so much 

Sam: he wears the flower crown 

Sam: and rocks it 

Courtney: she meets his parents at his birthday party. they insist on throwing this big party every year and this is the first year since he was like 10 that he actually enjoys it. she wears this pretty floral dress and curls her hair and just about knocks the breath out of him when he opens the door. she’s nervous and he squeezes her hand as they walk up to them. all she really remembers is Bucky introducing them and the way her mom smiles and says “so you’re the one that got him to finally shave that hobo scruff” and thing is, she wanted him to keep it cause she loved the expression on his face when he saw how it turned her skin red but he insisted on shaving it for a job interview (that his parents didn’t know about) but Bucky saves her from clarifying by saying that he’s going to take her to get something to drink. they drink punch that turns their mouths red and stay huddled together giggling in the corner (Bucky was doing his best impression of Mr. Harris from his dads company) until his mother comes and insists that he comes and mingles with company people cause in her mind, Bucky will be joining his father soon. Bucky tells his girl to meet him at the pond behind the house in half an hour before being dragged off

Sam: the look of “help me” as he’s walking away but like his ma is talking so much and his gal tells him to pay attention and he just winks before giving her this ridiculously gorgeous grin 

Sam: her and becca chat a little more and she introuced her to their grandmother bc grandma Barnes couldn’t wait another second more 

Courtney: I love Grandma Barnes 

Sam: boo me too 

Sam: literally her and his gal get on like a hose on fire and she completely forgets to meet him and he appears after waiting five minutes 

Sam: his hands rest on her shoulders and he looks between them “see you two seem to be having a ball”  

“oh we are” 

“I was just telling this sweetheart about your 11th birthday party, do you remember that one James?” 

Courtney: “There was a petting zoo incident.” 

[eris0330]

Hiraeth - Part Sixteen

☽Pairing☾ ; BTS | Reader

☽Genre☾ ; Angst

☽Word Count☾ ; 1.6k

☽Summary☾ Returning back to Korea after years of being under the ground, to see your parents. You wished it was all it took, to feel complete again. The aftermath of confusion, betrayal and sorrow was the reason to never come back into the boys presents. But it wasn’t until, seeing one them enter the same cafe, at the right time.

☽M. List☾ ;  1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 [ongoing]

“When are we there?” Taehyung asked for the fifth time to try annoy Jimin, while the bumps on the road disturbed others from taking a nap. Early morning as the sun started to rise, the boys has used it productively to pack a van with clothes, first aid kit and electronics to stay in a cabin on Jeju Island. Yoongi was able to convince the head manager for a mini trip to relax for once, even though no one would believe they’d try to relax without working unknowingly. That’s what they have been taught to do, work hard and never give up. It didn’t matter whether they went to the most luxurious places in the world, they’d always work on their phone or computer because that’s what they love. To create beauty, whether it’s unseen through their unpublished songs or felt through their voices. But there was a type of longing in Yoongi’s eyes, asking for a request to take off. The manager had no idea, why it had to be so soon or if there were a legitimate reason rather than vacation.

“Shouldn’t be that far now” The manager answered, tapping on the steering wheel while humming to his favourite jazz track. With that, Taehyung continued to pout and prepare to stretch his legs when time was right. It didn’t come as a surprise, to see him this excited or bored in a car. Taehyung was always the exploring type of person, to take pictures with his brand-new camera that he loved to play with, even at home. He always found a way to entertain himself whether it was through the lens of a camera, or with the help of his friends. But time passes the best, when he is surrounded by familiar faces and scenery. The way the foggy grass glistered like glitter at the sunlight rising from the hills, while the birds crossed the blue sky revealing itself between the clouds. With that, it was like only a few seconds has gone by before the manager claimed they have arrived to their destination. A modern grounded house, hidden in a delicate forest and a small pond with Koi fish outside the veranda. The house was rented from a middle-aged man, who loved to use the place as his escape house. The stranger explained that it was the only place he felt safe and comfortable, as the manager searched for a hideout to rent for the boys. It wasn’t far from the grocery shops and nearby tourist attractions, which the boys appreciated. Even though the trip was strictly non-work related, they would never stop making anything to a game when it came to take decisions. Picking a room was a fail of a mafia game, but eventually they ended up finding a partner to sleep with. One room with 3 beds and the other two with 2 beds, to settle down. Settling down in the segment of a non-camera environment, they had time to take out all of their stuff to change a bedroom to a mini studio. The essentials were a mixer and a laptop, anything else were merely in the hand of a phone. Namjoon and Taehyung were the first to step outside, taking a photo of the colourful vibrant fish. Even though the pond was filled, they couldn’t take their eyes off the one single white glittery fish swimming between the others. A shiver ran down Taehyung’s spine, before they could exchange eyes, it was like their minds were mutual. Not a single word, but a comforting hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, letting him know that he wasn’t alone, thinking about you. Everything reminded them of you, and the way it all became monochrome in seconds. They missed you.

“Hey, check this out” Jin yelled from the inside, intriguing the curiosity of the others. The boys surrounding a deck of golden playing cards, they knew what was about to happen.

“Care to join a little poker?” The eldest requested, wiggling his brows while the others were contemplating whether to join or not. It’s not that they were professionals, but neither were they amateurs, they knew how to fake something when needed to.

“Get ready to get your ass beat” The youngest provoked, smirking his devil smile while finding the snacks in his bag. It fired something inside Jin’s heart, to beat this little shit from being so smart. But that just meant, that Jungkook had already won the first game. The other boys followed suit, to sit in a circle around the woodened dining table. The fireplace heating up the room, while each of them looked curiously on their cards at hand. After an hour, none of them had lost all of their cash yet. Though, the sweat drops had begun to appear when the alcohol served by the manager, had taken into their vessels.

“You’re bluffing” Hoseok claimed, displaying his eyes three times bigger than natural while ‘calling’ to Namjoon’s ‘raise’. The other 94’er couldn’t help but smirk at his remark, while shrugging his shoulders as playful as he could. “I never bluff” he replied, folding his hands neatly.

“You always bluff” Jimin interacted, while betting. His intense dark brown eyes pricking holes into the golden cards, while the other contemplated to fold or risk their money with a bad bet.

“Since when was the last time I bluffed?” Namjoon questioned, raising a brow for intimidation.

“Like a minute ago, you fool” Yoongi interrupted, watching the stake rise higher, enjoying the fact he was just the dealer in this game. With the acting of being offended by the remarks, Namjoon couldn’t help but feel defeated about the doubt that his members had around him.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be bad at bluffing, it happens that some people just suck at it” Jungkook added, while folding and continue to watch the others lose their bets. His fingers tapping on the glass of beer, thinking about the times they all bluffed. The time, they bluffed the whole world.

“I know what you’re thinking and you seriously got to stop doing that to yourself” Taehyung commented, munching on his bear shaped chips. His lips covered in crumbs and glasses sliding down on the bridge of his red hinted nose, while the brows showed determination. Jungkook quickly nodded, looking down in his light golden-brown shaded liquid to pout before taking a bitter sweet sip.

“We miss her too, Jungkook” Jin commented in a low tone, letting his eyes fall on the youngest. In reality, it was just a few days to escape. But maybe, it was just an excuse to try to erase what can’t be changed.

“For how long, do you guys think we can stay like this” Jungkook questioned doubly at himself, closing his eyes to take a deep breath. It was a question, they were all familiar with. It’s not that the life with supportive fans were a drag, because they loved them dearly. They loved doing something, that people would enjoy. But they always stumbled upon the mirror in front, without the mask they had created for the fans, most likely, for themselves. They were all afraid, to lose themselves in the mask and never find it again. The pain that gave them the biggest discomfort, holding deeply in their hearts and nothing could take that away.

“As long as we possibly can” Hoseok answered, scanning the five cards on the table that would eventually tell who is the real liar.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right” Jungkook muttered, knowing well that they wouldn’t be able to do it forever. Because at one point, they will all go mad, if nothing were to fix it. The mask would break, of the cracks that came along the way of being overused.

“NO WAY YOU DIDN’T” Hoseok screamed, pointing his fingers on the players cards being displayed. Realising, no one had the best cards and the High card won. They were all bluffing and by luck, Namjoon won. Retrieving the full fake cash on table, it was a mutual decision to end the game before blood were involved.

“I’m hungry too, should we go to the grocery store?” Jimin questioned, watching the sun fall down behind the trees. His eyes feeling tired, or it was the alcohol to blame. Regardless, he needed something to fill his empty stomach.

“We should” Hoseok and Namjoon stood up from the warm chairs to add in for the encouragement of daily shopping. The other following slightly along with slow motions, unaware that there was still one left at the dining table. Their eyes following the bare feet of a snow white, sitting with half closed eyes while pouting lightly.

“I’m going to take a nap and will help with dinner later” He claimed, getting up to reach the goal of his bed. The other shrugging, knowing well that he keeps his promises about helping with dinner.

“You know what, I’m not surprised” Jin spoke lightly with a smile, putting on his coat to then reach for his shoes. The other agreeing while adding to the comment of the levels of tired that Yoongi could go through. It was a beautiful weather to step out, feeling the cold wind stay still and the lamps lighting up on the streets. Their noses turning red and steam coming from their mouths, which Taehyung and Jungkook had a lot of fun with during their shopping trip. On the other hand, Yoongi enjoyed the weather from the inside. The duvet covering his body, while he positioned himself on his side to send a last text from his phone before his tired lids closed in. They were all great at bluffing, but Yoongi were the champion of that, during this trip.

[voidsettle]

Slow Weekend in Lublin

                                                                                                                May 2018

Sometimes I need to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Little Polish towns are great for this. They have just enough to see to entertain my curious greedy self. They have the delicious foods and the right amount of modern art - but without imposing their character upon me. Best case scenario for a relaxing weekend.

Fundamenty Kosciola Farnego, Lublin

How I Had a European Weekend

Finally, away, away from work, from family, from the well-learned streets and people! I longed for this short vacation between Istanbul that was followed by a hollowing raging flu and the upcoming two-week-long exploration of Balkans. Besides, I had a new traveling companion this time, which is always a chance to learn something new about a person. Excitement!

A note of gratitude to our hosts: I've never before stayed at an apartment that had a quest to get a key. This vacation started on a fun note.

We left our bags and went to roam the streets in search for food. Ukrainian and Polish food have a lot in common, so we weren't expecting anything much (we'd have to reconsider that one later though), but the beer is great. I'm not usually a beer person, but this trip was almost exclusively beer.

Brama Krakowska, Lublin

Lublin is one of those places that has a very defined limit for its old town. Once you pass the Krakow Gate, you emerge somewhere in the XIV century. The paving stones take your feet along the two rows of neat waffle houses. Narrow side streets hidden in the shadows, the wide arch of Brama Rybna, the towering spire of Archikatedra pw. Swietego Jana Chrzciciela i Swietego Jana Ewangelisty, the neat remains of the Fundamenty Kosciola Farnego with the explicit view on the Zamek with its white walls and medieval tower.

We wanted to give Polish bicycles a go, and got stuck with the option for kids. Pure joy

Overall, Lublin gives off the air of soft homely charm similar to that of Vilnius with its slightly curving main street and the labyrinth of side alleys and sun-lit squares. This cosh feeling intensifies if you choose your dining place carefully.

We opted for Chata-Karcma Regionalna, and had the best meal during this trip. The low ceilings and wide wooden tables, candlelit entourage and warm homemade meals (traditional soups served in bread and hot beer with spices) completely synced us with the vibe of a Polish village.

Somewhere along the way we also visited the open-air museum featuring Polish houses of different eras, engulfed in the atmosphere of countryside, with horses, rabbits, a pond full of ducks and a couple of old windmills surrounded by flowering hawthorn bushes. The the placid stroll down the earth trails struck a nostalgic chord hidden deep within me. Note of sentimentality was warmly welcomed.

Yet it's important to remember Lubin is not a provincial town. We've spend our evenings pursuing the modern art of Filharmonia Lubelska. Recommended by a friend visiting the city year before, we were eager to see the glass corridor high up, offering a grand view of Lublin. And yes, it is gorgeous, especially hit by the warm reddish tint of the sunset, spraying around the warm yellow patchwork of light.

Glass gallery at Filharmonia Lubelska

But there's even more to this place. We roamed the halls as it was nearing 9PM, and the lights were mostly out, with only the careful accents gathering in the corners. The lightwork of this place's amazing - the whole facade is a white-and-yellow screen of shapes moving along with the smooth music that someone plays on a weird musical programming instrument. We had our fun with sounds. And sculptures, ranging from eerily creepy to Alice-in-Wonderland bizarre.

Kazimierz Dolny: Artistic Haven in Medieval Setting

With a starting point in Lublin, there are several options you can go to get some more of that sweet old Europe. Choosing between Zamosc (cozy old town), Kozlowce (museum Zamoyskich; a castle like a fairy tale) and Kazimierz Dolny (medieval town on the bank of river Wisla), we preferred the latter - and regretted none of it.

The ruins of the castle and the statue of Virgin Mary. The crickets were deafening, the wind rustled in the grasses, and the soft tune from a far away flute saturated this moment with bewitching placidity

Despite how much I liked Lublin for its ambiguous combination of historical vibe and modern artistic tendencies, Kazimierz Dolny is the town I'd like to re-visit soon. Standing on par with the well-preserved old town of its bigger brother, this small city breathes serenity from the steep hills with the view of the Wisla river to the cobblestone streets running down to Rynek. Truly a shelter for artists that allows to take a leisurely pace in exploring the witty charm of olden Europe.

You can take a peak inside someone's backyard and see an art gallery there. Or stand on top of the hill to admire the scattering of historic red-roofed houses. Or sit under an old tree in the shadow of a monastery to breathe the scent of flowering spring. Or have a pin of cold kvass in an enclosed green veranda of a cafe near the quay. Whatever you choose, you'll surely find the sensation of all your worries fading away into the warm breeze. 

Weirdly, with all my hatred of bone-chilling cold, Kazimierz Dolny is one of the few places I'd gladly spend a couple of winter weeks in.

What to see in Lublin:

Krakowske Przedmieście, Brama Krakowska, Trybunal Koronny, Brama Rybna, Archikatedra pw. Swietego Jana Chrzciciela i Swietego Jana Ewangelisty, Fundamenty Kosciola Farnego, Brama Grodzka, Zamek and Kaplica Swietej Trojcy, Filharmonia Lubelska, Muzeum Wsi Lubelskiej, Majdanek What to see in Kazimierz Dolny:Kosciol pw. Swietego Jana Chrzciciela i Swietego Bartolomieja, ruiny zamku, Baszta, Kosciol pw. Swietej Anny, Rynek

Zurek in bread and hot beer with spices, Chata-Karcma Regionalna, Lublin

What to eat:

zurek (soup; preferably in bread), liver in onion sauce, wheat bread with onions (cebularz), potato dumplings, hot beer with spices, ice-cream (at Bosko specifically, bear with the crowds)

Finale

Zaulek Wladyslawa Panasa, Lublin

When exhaustion promises to cripple you if you don't get away for at least a couple of days, my faith lies in small European towns that can give you just that: a short slow weekend to restore your rattled nerves. You deserve the cozy laziness with no demands attached - even better when it comes at affordable prices.

[kylasdreamcybercafe]

dream number one, December 24th 2018

wow. first dream! welcome, welcome :) please make yourself comfortable. Now to all you readers out there: young, old, seasoned, virgin, i must confess i have terrible dream retention, but hopefully this webpage will strengthen such skills. for now though I shall do my best, henceforth!

picture if you will, your childhood self at your local Museum of Science and Industry. it’s 2005, raining outside, you’ve just eaten a corn dog at the $$ concession kiosk, and now you’re breathing down the face of an animatronic dinosaur a the Dinosaurs Alive! exhibition.

(thanks getty images) their skin taught and airbrushed. they move with a sharp exactness that inadvertently shakes them every time they open their mouth to  “bark.” Elaborate studio lighting and replica flora and fauna surrounding the dinosaurs punctuate (haha) (dumb adjective in this context but sue me (please)) the otherwise night-black room (save of course the bourgeois studio lighting)    this isn’t the dream, this is just some context :) :’)  ;)

so you have the image in your head of the madness of Dinosaurs Alive! now put that exhibition into a once high-end, but now almost defunct American shopping mall. now slap an Audi dealership on top of it. my dream begins with an experimental ad campaign for Audi by the fellows who did Dinosaurs Alive! The mall has closed, but for reasons unknown i am sitting on the black carpet of the dealership looking onward at the show; a slick, hot silver car sits proudly on a rotating stage in the center of the room, bracing me with the energy of a bulldog. fake palm trees, birds of paradise, and other tropical plants bow inward toward the car, symmetrically placed on each side of the room. a large television screen dances with a futuristic watery animation of the Audi Logo on the back wall of the dealership. i am very excited to be there (again for reasons unknown, but there is a tepid sexual atmosphere that i’m sure has something to do with it). the room is quite dark. a female voice says something like “THE HORSE, MANS FIRST CAR, ORIGINATED FROM A SPECIES OF REPTILE 3 MILLION YEARS AGO.” A fake lizard, rigged with robotic movements (sort of a la West World) is spot-lighted, suspended from the ceiling as the car on the rotating stage below is dimmed. the voice continues:  “IT’S BIOLOGY TODAY IS INVALUABLE.” next to the car, a 3D printed skeleton of something i can only describe as half sea-shell, half horse skeleton, half lizard skeleton is lit up beautifully as the voice talks about the math behind this structure, and how it is the very skeleton of this new Audi car prototype! The television displays a rapid fire slideshow of the evolution of horse, and then horse into car. The fake plants in the room shake with the voice as if they are cheering at such wondrous innovations. all of it reeks of that “the future is NOW” intelligent robot singularity shtick. Once it’s over, a gorgeous man in a tight fitting suit walks out from behind the television screen and applauds the advertisement so far. he is the man i can get something from, apparently. but what is it?

I quickly find out he lives in the back of the dealership, in a cocaine-money tapestry bed with a security television installed into the wall behind it, and surround sound speakers, which, i swear to god, are playing an ORIGINAL Owl City song that my raw brain composed on its own. I am telling you guys, the exact musical stylings of Owl City. of course i can’t remember it in my waking life :( anyway, the man boasts this is the rare unreleased track. we are laying in bed together, his room illuminated with the same studio lights as the dealership. his body is huge and his abdominal muscles descend peacefully like a rice terrace:

he wears nothing but a gold chain necklace, as do i except i am wearing a dog collar (nice). i curl into him, he scratches my head, i think backwards into our night of wild sex we just did. i remember it was that 100% kind of sex that dissolves all yearning for sedation because look its actually happening, and you can just sit back and be beautiful and get fucked while being beautiful (rare, i’m so sure). he has to leave and go to car work though, but don’t worry because i can live here with him for a few days in the Audi dealership because we really need to fuck out whatever issue we’re trying to understand within eachother-- let me be clear, it totally wasn’t love, but more like an urgent need between two bodies that we had no other choice than to comply with.

later in the dream we are studying (oh brother) for finals (fuck) and he sits with me in a group of my stock-photo student friends, on the floor of the audi store that has a built in cafe! dream architecture can be so ambitious!  he is wearing a polo shirt and i am wearing something farm-esque if i do recall, as per his request and because i didn’t have many clothes options at the car store. so i remember being in some sort of “farm girl” get up, doing, and here’s the kicker, computer science homework. He runs in all “sorry i’m late” and me and my computer science friends goad him on his tardiness. another interesting detail of this scene is that we all have incredibly internet-heavy senses of humor-- a lot of Rick & Morty quotes, a lot of phrases from the reddit/4chan lexicon, a lot of old memes. but even in this parallel world, our sexual tension overrides everything else, and I flash back to him holding my face into the pillows, just trying to suffocate me a little bit, and i see through the bed into a glowing pond at the bottom of a cave. It’s just so beautiful. He pulls me back into the present moment and i go into fetal position and put his fingers in my mouth and then he gets all calm and soothing and i am like “yes yes yes” except i am shaking, can’t/don’t want to talk because he’s done all these elaborate things with my body at that point. Lying all the way naked, oh look at that word, wouldn’t that be a funny word to use right now... hmm no not that one, ha ha ha, you know that post-sex dissociation/bliss. Then BAM in the blink of an eye I am back with the friends at the study circle, and low and behold, as if a direct gift from my brain to me, kyla, the original Owl City song plays again! it’s so real! It’s so complete! “I have to record this!” i say, but alas i am sans recording device (as is always the case in dreams), and the song slips into the ether of my subconscious once more.

[rentcampervan]

Top 4 Places to Spend Quality Time with Family in Perth

If you have gone with a campervan rental Perth and planning to take it around for a spin to spend quality time with family, these parks and playgrounds list might help. With their lavish play areas and separate spaces to have a picnic, they make up for excellent leisure places. 1.    Kings Park and Botanic Gardens: Whether you are planning a romantic date or want to spend some time with kids around plants and trees, this is your best escape in Perth. It is located on the Mount Eliza, which is also one of the top spots in this place. As the name contains Botanic, it is surrounded by some of the lush and green landscapes. You will find a lot of native flowers, wildlife and trees in this place. Apart from the botanical aspect, there is a lay area for kids where they can spend their time. the cafes and restaurants inside can help you grab a quick bite. Ideally, find a place inside or outside the park for your motorhome hire Perth. In case you want to spend some romantic hours with your special someone, you might be able to grab a picnic at the Kings Park while looking at the Swan River. This place also offers a nice walking path from the Swan brewery to the river. 2.    Hyde Park: This place is perfect if you want a nice and warming family outing. It has a historic aspect attached to it, which makes it feel and look unique. As it is slightly secluded,it gives more peace and oneness with the nature. You can actually go there to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It has a nice playground, excellent waterpark and barbeque facilities, which makes it perfect for all occasions. If you just want to go have a nice picnic, you can enjoy your time there. You can also enjoy a series of annual events in this park such as the Hyde Park festival. Park your campervan rental Perth closeby. 3.    John Oldman Park: If you love trekking and want to spend some part of your weekend walking a trail, you might enjoy this good old park. It is located near the Narrows Exchange, along the Mount’s Bay Road. It is one of the best escapes from the bustling city and into the nature. It hosts a beautiful waterfall and lake that you can sit by for a while. The walking or biking paths are the highlight of this place. If you are planning to take kids along, you have a nice play area too. This park is secluded from the main town, which is also the best attraction of this place. 4.   Stirling Civic Gardens: If you want to spend some time outdoors with friends and family, you could visit these gardens. The playground is complete with swing, monkey bars and tunnels that make your child take that extra step. It is best for people who love spending time outdoors. There is a picnic table that works for outdoor birthday parties too. You also have a nice little lawn spread with trees and native plants. There is a pond around this place. Book a place for your motorhome hire Perth before getting inside.

[vietnamtour-blog]

Phu Quoc Island - The best destination for family

Phu Quoc Island - The best destination for family

If you decided to travel with family, you cannot miss Phu Quoc Island – the unspoilt gem of Vietnam.

Despite a total acreage of 574 square kilometers, Phu Quoc offers a full package of activities that suits every family member, from leisure travel, adventure travel to entertaining facilities and so on. However, there are some of the top things to do with your family as well as some tips to travel with kids while visiting Phu Quoc, listed below.

1. Swimming in the Starfish Beach (Sao Beach)

Starfish Beach, also known as Sao Beach, is a natural wonder within walking distance. This place is a guilty pleasure for urban dwellers living in metropolitan areas. There, you with your family can observe huge amounts of starfish close to the beach through clean, shallow water, which will definitely amaze your children.

Sao Beach, Phu Quoc

However, if you want to see bigger ones, you can go snorkeling to see them since the further you go out the larger the starfishes are. Besides starfishes, there are coral reefs located in the north and south ends of the beach too, which makes the marine life of Sao Beach pretty lively. Also, snorkeling is a kid-friendly activity, so you can explore the underwater world together. This quality time will bring an unforgettable, fun, and educational experience for the kids.

Instagram: @d_olya

Moreover, if you visit Sao Beach just to search for starfishes, do not forget sunscreen and bikinis, because you will stay there longer to admire the natural beauty of Starfish Beach!

2. Vinpearl Safari Park

Vinpearl Safari is the first semi-wild zoo model in Vietnam, located in the north of Phu Quoc Island. If you have seen wild animals on the Discovery Channel before, this is your chance to snap those images in real life. Vinpearl has created a forest-like ecosystem. By doing this, the animals here can survive and fully develop as in the natural environment. When you come here, you will not observe the animals locked in cages like in the zoo!

Vinpearl Safari Park in Phu Quoc Island

The park welcomes visitors with a variety of greenery, figures, and installations. Vinpearl Safari Park is divided into two main areas: Safari Park and Open Zoo. Not far from the entrance is the Safari Park area with flamingos ponds and other beautiful birds. Further, there is a variety of primates living in the enclosures, very active and fun. Besides, there are so many animals that you may have not even heard of before, so it would be nice to expand your and your kids’ understanding. The park also has some close communication areas where you can go into the aviary and touch the animals.

The Open Zoo is home to 40 local fauna rare species together with many wild animals from main geo-biological regions on earth like Africa, Europe, India and Australia… While traveling by bus, you will move through the natural habitat of animals that came from all places on earth, such as lions, tigers, bears, zebras, ostriches, rhinos, giraffes, and many others, to examine them.

It would leave your whole family with indescribable feelings!

3. Phu Quoc Bee Farm – fun and educational experience

The Bee Farm is reaching down a beautiful road with stunning views of the National Park beyond with a taste of jungle as you approach. When you arrive, it may look like a scrappy little garden with lots of rickety box beehives. However, take some time to explore, and you will start to understand the wonderful charm and incredibly important work they are doing here.

The farm is a small well-maintained garden area with many exotic flowers and trees to walk around and get away from the heat, hustle and bustle. When you reach there, dont forget to join a tour hosted by the locals. It would help you and your kids as well learn a lot about the bees and the huge environmental impact they have on the planet.

Instagram: @travellingfornow

Instagram: @damiancarvill

Besides, Bee Farm has a lovely shop and cafe with lots of honey and honey-based products. Taste the honey, have a drink with honey, and try the Bee cake in the restful place with a lively heart. Immersing in the peacefulness and serene, you would not want to leave this place. Worth a visit!

4. Vinpearl Land Amusement Park

Vinpearl Land Amusement Park is a perfect place to spend all day. The park has a lot of lures such as attractions, aquapark, beach, oceanarium, orangeries, Japanese house with the tea ceremony, zoo, cafes, picturesque corners throughout the territory, fountain shows, evening performance, etc. There is plenty to keep you and your kids busy with entertainment, as everyone can find something to their liking. Furthermore, children will be impressed by the fountain and laser shows, so don’t miss them!

Vinpearl Land Amusement Park

Vinpearl Land Amusement Park is the best thing that can happen to you in Phu Quoc since you will experience the whole spectrum of emotions, from gladness to tears, tears of happiness, of course.

However, please keep in mind that daylight hours to visit all places may not be enough. So be sure to go there early in the morning and think over carefully about the order of visiting places of interest to try all or most of them since the queue will be unrealistically long.

5. Go to the picnic in Suoi Tranh Waterfall

Suoi Tranh Waterfall is the most popular four-meter-tall and the most beautiful waterfall, located about 9km to the east of Duong Dong. This natural attraction is ideal for nature-lovers and those who are looking for a place to escape the bustling town center and immerse themselves in nature.

There, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as picnicking, camping, and bird-watching, with small walking paths available for those who prefer a leisurely hike through the jungle. Also, since Suoi Tranh Waterfall is located near Ham Ninh, you can combine all those activities with exploring the daily life of the fishermen from Ham Ninh’s Fishing Village and enjoy authentic regional specialties.

You will love Suoi Tranh Waterfall due to its quiet atmosphere and the picturesque scene of the sunlight shining through the trees’ canopies, reflected by the water.

However, due to its proximity to the main town, Suoi Tranh Waterfall can be crowded by the locals during the peak seasons (weekends and national holidays), so visit this place early to get the best picnicking spot.

6. Boat trip & Water activities

A boat tour can bring excitement to the children with all the fun water activities. To go on a big adventure over water, you can rent a boat yourself or book a half-day boat tour from agencies. It is highly recommended to choose well-trusted agencies to guarantee the safety and the best experience for your family.

Boat tours itinerary often features the An Thoi Archipelago where you can swim, snorkel, fishing, kayaking…

The islands have some stunning beaches, decent coral reefs, and primeval forests, making them one of the best places in Phu Quoc to enjoy nature.

☺☻☺ Tips for mamas and dadas ☺☻☺

Traveling with young kids in Phu Quoc can sometimes be difficult because you have to keep your eyes on children most of the time. Also, you may worry about whether the food is friendly to them or not. Therefore, you may not be able to relax and enjoy your trip to the fullest. There are some nice little tricks to help you deal with it!

1. The younger the children, the lower the pace

Kids can easily get tired of the abundance of new information and different experiences. Therefore, plan your excursions and entertainment abroad, taking this fact into account. Push off your usual sightseeing pace, reducing it by about 2 – 3 times. In other words, traveling with childrens to places of interest should not be too intense and dynamic.

2. Packaging

Make a list of the necessary items in advance, and try to take only the essential ones to not carry a huge suitcase. Remember that some items you can purchase locally. Also, check if the young traveler has not forgotten his/her player, tablet, book, or favorite toy, which will help them brighten up the time during the flight or road trip.

3. Bring snacks and water with you

Be sure to bring something to eat and drink on every trip for your kids. Of course, it is not about thermos with soup or cutlets with macaroni. Take a drinking yogurt, banana, apple, bun, or a couple of sandwiches in a bag. While sightseeing or conquering water slides in the local water park, children tend to work up an appetite. So that child does not become capricious while waiting for dinner, it will be enough to bring him/her a small snack.

4. Bring essential items in the separate bag

While traveling with young children, keep your baby’s essential items such as milk, candy, diapers, towels, windbreaker in a separate backpack and bring it with you throughout the trip for convenience at any time.

Writer: Nhat Le and Long

Source: https://blog.evivatour.com/phu-quoc-island-the-best-destination-for-family/