#and it's an interesting move from azerbaijan

[mywritersmind]

MESSY - LN4

pt.2

summary : Lando will not quit in attempts to keep seeing y/n piastri. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix ends triumphantly for the piastri family, followed by a flirty dinner, and paper being thrown at her in the early morning.

OG SUMMARY (After a steamy night together, neither Y/n or Lando expected to see eachother soon. Well, when they find eachother in the paddock and come to the realization that Y/n is a Piastri and Lando is Oscar’s teammate… things get interesting.)

listen up : piastri!reader. nothing major!! mentions of sex.

word count : 1453

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I’m fucking extatic.

My mom and I came to Baku on a whim and now I'm hugging my champagne soaked brother after a pole position with my sisters on facetime.

The race was genuinely insane and my mom cried the whole time. Turns out all the F1 I watched at home is a million times better in person.

Especially when this time I can see everybody’s faces.

An hour later I'm waiting for Oscar to change while my mom is on a call. I look up when someone enters the room, he’s dark haired with huge brown eyes. “Oh- Hi.” His accent hits me and I'm star struck at my third favorite driver, Carlos Sainz.

“Hi.” I smile and look back at my phone, sort of freaking out on the inside.

He doesn’t move though, “Uh… I'm looking for Lando, have you seen him?” At the mention of the McLaren driver's name I feel my stomach twist.

“No sorry.” He nods and looks around the orange room.

“You’re not here with him?”

Here with him?

“No… I’m Oscar’s sister, Y/n.” His face makes an ‘o’ expression before shaking off and smiling.

“Shit! Your brother did well today. I’m Carlos.” I laugh a bit and am about to respond before Lando enters the room in black jeans, a mclaren shirt, and socks only. He looks at Carlos and I back and forth before raising a brow. Carlos turns to see him and says something in a hushed tone.

“Right…” Lando glances at me but rips his eyes away quickly.

“I didn’t know Piastri had a sister.” Carlos crosses his arms as I stand.

“Four, actually.” I laugh a bit, “Norris have you seen Oscar? We’ve got reservations.” I want to talk about his race but it feels wrong. P15 to P4 is pretty wild though. And sort of hot.

He basically laughs in my face, “He’s gonna be a while… No chance you’re making those reservations.”

I give him an annoyed look, “Great.”

“Don’t hate the messenger, love.” He doesn’t even flinch, but Carlos does.

He looks at Lando, horrified like he did something scandalous. As if he feels bad, he looks at me, “Look- your family can join us if you want.” Lando is the one to give him a look this time.

“So your guys’ reservations will work, but mine won’t?” I cross my arms at the men.

“You used your own name to make them?” Lando asks, I nod and as he tries to hide his smile he says, “Yeah you can come with us.”

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Oscar is confused at the invite but goes along with it. My mom decides to stay at the hotel for some work calls which makes me more nervous. I’m now alone with my brother, my hookup, Carlos’ clueless ass, Alex Albon, and Max Verstappen.

I almost cry when Alex’s girlfriend joins us. Lily and I follow eachother and have DM’d a few times but meeting in person is like me being saved.

“So, Y/n! Enjoy the race today?” Alex asks me cheerily, pouring more water into his glass with an arm around Lily.

“No race talk!” Lando and Max say in unison. I don’t really know how they do it. They race each other for two hours, are always pissy after, then just switch to being friendly so quick.

I look at Carlos who’s talking merrily with Alex, surprising considering he was a lap away from a podium before his dreams were crushed by a RedBull and a prayer.

The table we’re at is large and oddly enough, round. The restaurant is beautiful and mostly deserted except for our table. I’m next to Lily and Oscar, Lando across from me.

I’m acutely aware that he’s across from me because he hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I watch his hands move his Monza pole ring around his finger. God his hands. His hands that were all over me-

“Y/n, What are you ordering?” Lily asks which shakes me from my imagination.

After ordering we fall into comfortable conversation which eventually ends in me making fun of Oscar with photos from our childhood. “Right then! That’s enough.” Oscar eyes me when my phone swipes to a photo of Osc dressed up as a car.

“We know Oscar’s kink now.” Max jokes and I cringe, “What? They always stem from childhood!”

“So who you calling daddy then, Verstappen?” Lando doesn’t miss a beat, Max side eyes him. “No need to be ashamed, Osc.”

“Not in front of my baby sister, please.” He looks around the group who are all laughing.

“Come on, you're a year older than me!” I sigh, “You don’t know what I get up to.”

He makes a disgusted face.

“Or who.” I add simply, sipping my drink as Lando chokes on his. His face is red after Max slaps him on the back.

Oscar ends up changing the conversation around to old karting days and how I was dragged along. I eventually excuse myself to the bathroom, checking my hair and washing my hands, as I leave I run into Lando.

“Hi pretty.” He smirks as I roll my eyes.

“Would you stop staring at me? Oscar isn’t blind.”

He shrugs, “No.”

“No?”

“No. It’s kinda difficult when you look like that.” I’m going to pretend that didn't do something to me and move on.

“Nice race today. Sort of impressive.” I match his cool demeanor which he loses after my words.

“A compliment?” He grins, god his smile is ridiculous and when it’s directed at me I want to faint, “Thanks love. Wanna celebrate with me later?”

“Careful with the nickname, Norris. I’ll be celebrating with the man who actually won.”

Speaking of, Oscar joins us in the hall, his face dropping when he sees us, “Please tell me you aren’t friends already.” I stand up straighter, “I can’t have you two combine forces against me.”

This makes me laugh, “Don’t worry, Osci.” I squeeze his shoulder before stepping away.

Lando follows, “Yeah I don’t think we’re the friends type.” I eye him behind me, he just winks.

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I’m pretty sure the world is working against me. Or maybe for me?

We’ve got an extra day in Baku to spend with Oscar. I woke up early, getting hot chocolate and settling on my balcony with my book and pajamas.

I’m happy in the early light, breathing in the fresh air when I hear a whistle. My eyes are drawn down to the man running shirtless, shading his eyes from the sun while looking up at me.

“Good morning!” Lando sings, that smile already planted onto his face. He looks way too tan, sweaty, and fit for five in the morning.

“Morning.” I say back.

“Watcha reading?” I raise a brow, confused because no guy ever cares about that.

“Um. Little women.” I close the book and flash him the cover. He nods.

“I have something for you!” He reaches into his pocket and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out a boom box.

He pulls out a crumpled piece of paper, “Are you sending me a nude by hand?”

He laughs out loud, “No! It’s my number!” He throws it up but the wind pushes it right back down, landing at his feet.

He frowns and tries again, “You’re quite bold for a one night stand.” The paper falls again and I try not to laugh. He grabs it, looking up at me once again. I can see the blueness of his eyes even from stories up.

“Who said it was just a one night stand?” He squeezes the paper tighter. When he throws it once more, it finally lands on my balcony but Lando’s eyes jet to the balcony next to mine.

“The hell are you doing?” My brother's voice makes my eyes go wide. I had forgotten he’s right next door.

“Coming to see you, of course!” Lando opens his arms wide.

I can practically hear Oscar shaking his head, “Go away.” Lando nods and starts to jog backwards, his eyes meet mine once last time, making my breath stop short.

He smiles wider, turning around and following his route.

I shake my head, smiling to myself and opening the crinkled ball of paper. It reads his number and a small note.

Give me a chance, Y/n. You won’t regret it.

[macaiv]

I don't want to go back and discuss the "bad teammate" and "crash happy" narrative that most F1 media outlets and journalists love pandering but the recent article/articles talking Haas' rules of engagement with their drivers wherein the journalists makes statements on "Ocon's checkered history with teammates" whilst not adding any context to the incidents, making it seem that Esteban was the main problem irks me so much.

Mind you, all Komatsu said were standard rules given by all teams to their drivers. He did not once single out Esteban in his comments nor did he ever say or imply that it was rules specifically made for Esteban. Let's also not forget when Komatsu was specifically asked about the teammate incidents this is what he said, "If I was worried about that, I wouldn't sign him."

F1 journalists found a driver they can easily villainize and they are sticking to the narrative, no matter how false and unfair it is, because it earns them easy clicks and engagement.

I had planned to make a post talking about Esteban and his teammates clashes with a bit more background and now I have more reason to finish writing it. I'm not going to discuss all the crashes/clashes individually (on that matter you may refer to this post) but I will be showing some information/opinions that people may not have seen or remembered or purposefully ignored.

Perez

Ben Hunt wrote a good summary so i'll just include it here:

"He initially had a good partnership with Sergio Perez at Force India but their relationship deteriorated. However, if we are being honest, Ocon was not entirely to blame. The two fell out in Canada in 2017 when Perez failed to follow a team request to allow Ocon pass. They made contact at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and blamed each other. The two made contact again at Hungary and then Perez accepted the responsibility at the Belgian Grand Prix for clashing into Eau Rouge and then later again at the same spot in the race, costing Ocon his front wing as the Mexican suffered a tyre puncture. And they also crashed at the Singapore GP in 2018- that time Perez sent Ocon into the wall and out of the race." (Source: autosport.com)

Let's breakdown his summary and include articles/statements said at the time of the incidents:

Canada 2017 - Perez failed to follow a team request to allow Ocon to pass

Based on my research, it wasn't so much a team order but more indecision from the pitwall to issue an actual team order. The team did make a couple of poor attempts to "suggest" that Checo move aside to allow a "faster" Esteban through to try and attack Daniel. Reading the analysis on how Force India fumbled their podium chances was interesting. You can read them here if you're interested: Motorsport.com and ESPN.

Baku 2017 - They made contact at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and blamed each other

"Perez was furious with Ocon's driving after the race and ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix said his young teammate needs to "understand what racing means". Ocon said the team believed both of them were equally to blame for the incident. "After the race I took a plane to go to Silverstone to review [the incident] with the team," said Ocon. "They prepared some notes with what they thought and we came to the conclusion that it was a 50/50. "It was not only my fault, not only Sergio's fault but it was both of our fault. There were things he did that were not right, there are things I did which were not right so overall it makes a race incident and 50/50." (Source: ESPN)

Hungary 2017 - The two made contact again at Hungary

"Sergio Perez he defended his behavior, justifying it with the chaos on the track at the time: “I had Vandoorne next to me and I had to avoid him, there was no room for three cars. We had a little contact, I damaged my front wing a bit but we managed to continue. We have given our opinions and everything is fine. I couldn't go anywhere." (Source: Motorionline)

Spa 2017 - Perez accepted the responsibility at the Belgian Grand Prix for clashing in Eau Rouge and then later again at the same spot in the race

"Perez said: "First-lap incident was 100% my fault. I didn't have the the right engine mode selected so I had 50% of the power. "My incident. The second one I think Esteban was too optimistic. There was no need to touch there. He could have lifted and then we could carry on." (Source: BBC)

I'll also include what Jacques Villeneuve views on the 2nd incident.

"It doesn't matter that it's his team-mate," he said. Team-mate, no team-mate, it should not have happened between two drivers. You're not so supposed to put anyone in danger. You can brake too late, make a mistake, fine, but down the straight you don't weave and squish, you just don't do that. It's ridiculous. "A piece of carbon went outside of the track. You can hurt someone from the public. This has to be stopped. "That kind of move from Perez is not racing, it's pure blocking. You don't do that. It's aggressive. It's dirty." Villeneuve was surprised the stewards did not to take any action against Perez. "This is the most dangerous thing you can do in racing and they never penalise that in F1," he said. "Sometimes, people crash into each other because they messed up their braking and they fighting. That should not be penalised but they penalise that because there was an accident. "This was embarrassing. They don't give a penalty for it, especially when the FIA is pushing so much the safety. "Even a four-year-old could see it. It's ridiculous." (Source: Autosport)

Another thing, I discovered that Vijay Mallya, the Force India Team Principal and Owner, retweeted Esteban's infamous tweet at that time. In my opinion we can guess whose side he was on regarding the Spa crashes based of this.

Singapore 2018 - They also crashed at the Singapore GP in 2018 - that time Perez sent Ocon into the wall and out of the race

Sergio Perez apologized to his Force India team for the contact with Esteban Ocon that saw his teammate retire on the opening lap of the Singapore Grand Prix. Ocon was attempting to pass Perez around the outside of Turn 3 when the pair touched on the exit of the corner, resulting in Ocon crashing into the wall. Perez later struggled to pass Sergey Sirotkin and also hit the Williams as his chance of points disappeared, and he insists he was unaware of where his teammate was at the start. “It was a very unfortunate incident, one of those that is very hard to avoid,” Perez said. “As I was picking up the power I felt a clip from one car, not even realizing that was Esteban and then, as I get a message from the team, I was very sorry for that. (Source: Racer.com)

Here is what Otmar Szafnauer had to say about the incident:

And it seems Szafnauer has put the blame on Perez, believing the Mexican should have had the awareness to ensure enough room was given to his team mate. “You say to him that is unacceptable. There’s enough room on the left-hand side that I could see. You’ve got to give your team mate enough room. (Source: Formula1.com)

Alonso

From the same Ben Hunt article:

Then there was Ocon's partnership with Fernando Alonso, someone who himself has often faced questions about his role as a team player. The two tangled during their time with Alpine, but again, the responsibility for the bad blood cannot always be pinned 100% on Ocon. (Source: autosport.com)

I could discuss their multiple first lap battles, battles during races or their only crash (Brazil GP 2022) wherein Fernando was deemed wholly responsible for but Alonso himself summed it up well enough:

“OK, I take the penalty, I take the blame for that, but the races are on Sunday and anything can happen, as we saw. In two years I think we had one mistake; it was [on Saturday], we [both] got a lot of blame. We’ll take it, but I think we try to help the team every time we jump in the car, as we saw [in the race]. “It has been two years [of racing] clean. Some first laps we had some fights, because we start always together, we qualify very close. So in two years, we had one contact. OK, people want to do a big thing about that. But we have one contact in two years and [on Sunday] we recover everything we did [in the Sprint]. So we try to do the best for the team.” (Source: Racer.com)

I'll also include what Fernando had to say about Esteban after the Miami GP 2024. I know they weren't teammates anymore but I think with Fernando, he is more truthful when he doesn't have an agenda.

Regarding the battles during the race, specifically against Ocon, he recalled to AS: “It was entertaining. A tough but safe fight, with respect. Esteban makes it difficult for you but you have fun with him because he is a driver who usually respects you. (Source: as.com)

I always thought Esteban and Fernando were good teammates, on and off track. This was, of course, before Fernando started an agenda against him but besides that they did work well together. I could mention a lot of situations but my favourite (and one barely even talked about) on-track teamwork from them was during Brazil GP 2021. Here is a summary of what they did. This instagram user explained quite well:

Gasly

Spare me the narrative that it was only Esteban who was aggressive when it came to racing each other. Both of them had their moments but while Esteban didn't complain, Pierre was the opposite. Call me biased or whatever but based on my own observation he was quite quick in putting down his teammate and vocalizing any perceived slight in public when it suited him.

People love to point out every mistake and/or aggressive driving maneuvers done by Esteban but they seem to be conveniently blind when it comes to Pierre's. So I may as well mention some other races wherein Pierre wasn't so innocent like in Austin GP 2023, Japan GP 2024 and Miami GP 2024.

Australia 2023

Palmer's Analysis on the Australia incident:

The other big losers from this restart were Alpine, particularly Gasly, and again Gasly could kind of blame himself into this first corner because we picked them up again, science and Gasly, the instigators at the front for some drama. Gasly goes in way too deep, he's not got the tight-up on the front, he's out-braked himself and he's going to potentially go into the rear of Alonso, just about avoids him and can breathe a sigh of relief as he bounces over the grass, Alonso gets tipped by science and now Gasly's rejoining off the road into the path of Ocon, everyone sweeps around and then Ocon fancies a little look to the outside of Gasly and we're going to get the contact. So we jump on board with Esteban Ocon and you can see how the starts would play out behind. It was a lot more measured for these guys, Ocon running in the points and they're on the brakes, Hulkenberg ahead, Norris ahead, these guys are under control, you've got a chancy Yuki Tsunoda on the right-hand side there and they all make it through, Alonso there is spinning out and now Ocon sees a chance to go to the outside of Gasly. There is space here for Ocon to go around the outside of Gasly, Pierre has just been on the grass, he's bouncing back on and he's going to come across the width of the track and Ocon is here, he's got an overlap, he has the space here, he should have the space but I wonder if Gasly either doesn't see him because again the light is pretty bad to look in front, it's even harder to look in your mirrors at this point so that could be an extenuating circumstance for Gasly coming all the way across the track or he's just so caught out by the grass, he's flustered, he's not looking in his mirrors because he doesn't appear to be but he just comes across and Ocon loses the space here and they have contact, it's a big whack both Alpines into the wall, that is really, really heavy contact so no points, major repairs, the cost of that is not going to be pleasing anyone at Alpine. and it's a really costly one. Teammates coming together is worst case. It's also particularly not good for these two when people were already wondering if they'd get on or not before this season. Race three and they've come to major blows. But I'm gonna put this one down to Pierre, fundamentally as well, because not only has he gone in too deep at turn one, but he's then come back on, come across the width of the track, and effectively he's put his teammate in the wall. Now at Alpine, they went to the stewards and they obviously had a game plan to make sure that neither driver got penalty points and Gasly didn't get a race ban for picking up penalty points. So in that case, you both just go in and you say, it was my fault, sir, my fault, sir, and you get away with it. The stewards can't pin the blame on anyone if both drivers take the fault. But I think this is on Gasly. He comes through and now he's gotta just leave enough space for a car that's got an overlap on his outside. And he doesn't. He just drifts out towards the right-hand side. He's already had the contact there. But at this point, it's just drifting, letting the car move to the outside. You've got to be aware on the first start, particularly when you're coming back from the grass, that there could be a driver there. I think he's very lucky to get away with, first of all, the not hitting along. So second of all, this major wipeout with his teammate, Alpine lose out majorly with that. (Source: Formula 1 Youtube Channel)

If he was such a terrible teammate, Gasly would have gotten a race ban for what happened instead Esteban took half the blame to help him avoid it. Remember Fernando was given a penalty for the crash in Brazil 2022 when it is quite rare for drivers to be penalised for incidents with their teammates. Esteban can be unforgiving when he wants to be.

Monaco 2024

Overtaking in Monaco is so difficult, as shown by Sunday’s race. Track position is critical and both Alpine drivers knew that whoever had the advantage at the end of Lap 1 would be prioritised throughout the rest of the race. It makes sense for teams to race that way in Monaco, because protecting a decent position is easily achievable with two cars, whilst a lone car can be undone by strategy more easily. I think there are two aspects to consider with Ocon’s lunge. If you take away the team mate context, this was actually a sensible enough attempt to overtake in Monaco and not worthy of punishment by the stewards in my opinion. Ocon committed hard down the inside, had a small lockup as Gasly started to close the space on the entry, but managed to get himself slowed down and was under control at the apex, ahead of his team mate. In most circumstances that would be job done for an overtake and in Monaco being able to execute this sort of pass should be applauded. Lap 1 is a driver’s best chance in the race to move forward, when the cars are bunched together and all have low tyre temperatures. Had Gasly been anybody aside from Ocon’s team mate I think we’d all be thinking that this was a decent, plucky attempt, that didn’t quite come off because of the way the barrier juts out on the exit. (Source: Formula 1.com)

I'll share two post I made at that time, the first sharing different opinions of F1 journalist of the incident and the aftermath and the second one on my opinion on the public overreaction on what happened.

[girlactionfigure]

Amidst all the shit that’s happening today in our region—because God forbid we’ll have a day off from all the bullshit savages can conjure—I decided to share an interesting and unique story about a Jewish guy who became a national hero in a Muslim country. Story time:

Albert Aqarunov was a Jew who was born in Azerbaijan, a Muslim Shiite state, in 1969. In 1987 he was drafted into the Soviet army, as Azerbaijan was under Russian occupation, and served as a tank commander until 1989. A few months after the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1992, the territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh escalated into a full scale war. Despite his family’s objections, Albert volunteered for the Azeri army and was reinstated into his former position of tank commander. Because of his experience he was placed in Azerbaijan’s special forces.

During the first battles, Albert destroyed 11 Armenian tanks. The soldiers in his battalion said he had come up with special tricks to destroy enemy tanks and escape, and called his method the Jewish Sandwich. Albert became famous (or rather infamous) even on the enemy’s side, and the Armenians placed a bounty on his head of five million rubles.

On May 8, 1992, an Armenian tank tried to breach the strategic town of Shusha, but Albert destroyed it and its crew, thus saving the town and its people. After the Armenian forces retreated, Albert came out of his tank to move the bodies of Azeri soldiers who had fallen in this battle, so no one would run them over. While respecting the bodies of his fellow Muslim soldiers, an Armenian sniper shot and killed Albert. The next day, the Armenians attacked and conquered the strategic town.

Albert received the title of a national hero and was buried in a cemetery reserved for shahids. His funeral was led by a Mullah and a Rabbi, probably the only Jew in human history that was buried in such a manner.

After his death, the Azeris called all their tanks “the Alberts”. The school he attended was renamed after him, and statues of him were made and placed throughout the country.

You may never heard of Albert Aqarunov, the Jewish warrior from Azerbaijan — but there is a Muslim country of ten million people that honors him as a national hero to this day.

@Dani_Blek

[aoioozora]

Simon.

Part 17

Chapters Masterlist

Character: Simon Riley / Ghost Content: Biker! Ghost x Fem! Reader, strangers to lovers, fluff, civilian au Note: All fluffy fluff fluff. Enjoy!

When the couple had each taken a hot shower, warmed their bellies with lemon tea, and burned their mouths with spicy instant ramen, Simon led his girlfriend to his room. She wanted to watch him play some video games, and Simon could not have been more delighted by the idea. 

He excitedly placed a comfortable chair next to his chair and eagerly patted the seat for her to sit down. As she did, he switched on his setup, and the RGB lights filled the dimly lit room with a burst of soft, rainbow colours flashing in the room. She watched the hazy lights dimly reflect against the navy blue of his walls and then looked back at her boyfriend, observing how it up his fair skin and dark eyes.

He looked back at her, and found her staring. “What do you want me to play?” he asked, smiling lopsidedly, enjoying his girlfriend’s gaze.

She grinned back, unashamed. “What games do you have?” she leaned towards the creamy white monitor which had a wallpaper of an overcast sky hanging over distant, foggy hills.

He gave her a long list of games that his elaborate gaming setup could handle. They settled on Call of Duty 3: Modern Warfare. Simon informed her that it was one of the classic games in the franchise– his favourite. 

“I’m already in the middle of the story mode,” he said as they waited for the game to load up, “I hope you don’t mind that.”

She pulled her chair closer. “No, as long as you tell me what the story is about,” she replied, resting her head on his shoulder.

He felt a delightful flutter tickle his stomach at her closeness and interest in the game. In the few minutes they had to spare until the game loaded, he briefed the story’s central conflict to her and the characters that the player had to play as in the various campaigns. She smirked when two characters– John ‘Soap’ MacTavish and Captain Price– happened to share names with people they knew. Just as he finished the brief, the game loaded up and he continued with the story mode.

A black screen came on, and then a slowly spinning blue insignia of a sword flanked by two wings appeared. Below was written S.A.S in bold, blue letters. And then a map of Ukraine and surrounding countries swooped in, followed by a disembodied voice explaining the battle plan over it. 

Simon shifted in his seat and stared at the screen intently, listening keenly. His girlfriend listened too, feeling a thrum of anticipation in her chest from their urgent voices. 

The screen turned dark again after their brief, and the words “Present day - eight hours after Al-Asad’s death” appeared on the screen, angular and bright. In the background was heard a distant voice of a politician, strong and determined, speaking in Arabic, as if over a microphone and blasted over amplifiers. 

The words disappeared, making way for the campaign name, “Heat”, the day and time, the location of Azerbaijan, the name of the playable character, and the name of the regiment.

The lady shifted in her seat too and leaned forward slightly, eager for the campaign to start. 

Sgt. Soap was dropped in a battered civilian landscape, rocky and desolate with some patches of green surrounding the abandoned houses and broken road barricades. Simon guided him to follow his fellows, crawling into the grass nearby a house. They neared a fence and peeked out, seeing enemy soldiers down in the little ridge. 

BANG! 

An explosion followed, blasting off the enemy soldiers. Simon immediately got into action, furiously clacking away on the keyboard and moving his mouse to shoot at the hostiles. 

By this time, his girlfriend lifted her head off his shoulder to not hinder his movement. Simon sat back a little more comfortably, shooting a glance at her before his eyes flicked back to the screen.

She watched as he eliminated hostiles, and then ran up a hill into a destroyed helicopter to use a gatling gun. She had her breath hitched in her throat the entire time and her heart throbbed with excitement as she stared at the action and chaos. Simon was completely absorbed, his shoulders tense, muttering curses under his breath whenever he got shot at. 

She watched with bated breath as Simon moved Sgt. Soap around, shooting at hostiles as he and the crew finally had to get to the Landing Zone. The campaign eased to a close as soon as they rushed inside the helicopter. 

Simon let out a breath as he sat back, his shoulders sagging slightly and his arms relaxing against his desk. 

“How was that?” he asked, turning to her.

She leaned against him once more, her eyes twinkling. “Very exciting.” She glanced at the screen again. “Are you going to keep playing?”

“You want to keep watching?”

She nodded, an eager smile on her face.

Simon ended up finishing the entire one and half hour remaining in the story mode. It was very late when they finished, and Simon sighed, sitting back and stretching his arms in front of him.

“That was some story,” she quipped, her authorly brain now buzzing after all the action. “I wonder if I should write a military story one day.”

Simon chuckled, resting his elbows on the arm rests of his chair. “Once you finish your fantasy series, I think it’d be a good change of pace.”

Since it was late and they were yawning tiredly, the PC was switched off. After another warm cup of lemon tea, they trudged back to his room. 

There seemed to be a slight tension in the air, a little heaviness at the possible implications of what was coming. As their light steps filled the quietness of his apartment, Simon watched his lady walk in front of him. She was wearing his clothes. They were loose and baggy and hung off her body and her shoulders like a cape. He inhaled, feeling his chest swell with both air and affection for her. 

When they were in his room again, he said, “You can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor,” keeping himself from suggesting that they share the bed, not wanting to put any pressure on her. 

She looked at him, hesitating and fiddling with the cuff of her sleeve. “Are you sure?” she asked softly, “It’s your bed.”

“I want you to be comfortable,” he insisted. 

She turned to the bed, deliberating once more. “Why don’t we share?” she looked back at him again, having a shy smile on her face, “It looks big enough for two.”

“We can do that.” He shrugged nonchalantly, feeling his heart quicken and his ears get a little too hot. He hoped she didn’t notice him getting flustered. He motioned to the bed, letting her get in first. 

She pulled the duvet away and slipped right in. Her body sunk right into the soft mattress, enveloped by the flowery scented black sheets. It was heavenly; she felt like she was sleeping on a cloud. Simon watched her get cozy, and he couldn’t help but grin.

“You comfy?” he asked, now sitting on the edge of the bed, letting himself ease into this new feeling. 

“Yeah,” she sighed contentedly, “you have such a nice bed. It’s like a cloud. I bet you sleep like a baby.”

His chest vibrated with his laughter. “Not usually. I have trouble sleeping at night even with this nice bed.” He pulled his legs up, slipping them under the duvet. “But hopefully tonight it’ll be different.”

Her cheeks rose to her eyes, and in the warm light of the lamp, her face shone. He felt a warmth spread in his stomach like stepping into the sun after a long, dark day. He laid back in the bed, letting his head sink into the pillow. She immediately moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his and clinging to him. He looked down at her, and found her looking at him with her sweet, bright eyes. 

“What’re you looking at me for?” he asked, smiling.

“I’m happy,” she confessed.

He rolled over on his side “Why?”

“You know the little skelly plush you helped me get at the arcade?”

“Yeah…” he murmured, tucking one arm under his head and using the other to wrap around her waist and pull her back to himself.

“It always reminded me of you, and I’ve always cuddled it every night,” she admitted, covering the lower part of her face with her hands. 

Simon smiled widely at this revelation. “Really?” he exclaimed, laughing. 

She nodded. “And now I get to cuddle with the real deal.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled as his existing smile only widened. His arm tightened around her waist. “Let me guess, do you call it ‘Little Simon’?” he asked with a knowing smirk.

Her eyes widened. “How did you know?” she gasped.

“You remember that camping trip we went on?”

She nodded.

“You and Lindsey were in the bedroom looking for your camera in your backpack, and I had just finished my shower at the time. I heard Lindsey say something about Little Simon and I wondered what it was. And so I peeked out the door and well, guess what I saw.” he explained, his smirk widening. 

The lady blushed, rolling her eyes. “That’s how.”

Simon watched her shy reaction, amused. “I didn’t think you liked me so much,” he teased.

“I liked you a lot.”

His eyes and his smile softened, and he let out a sigh. “I’m mighty chuffed,” he murmured. “I had my doubts… especially after all that business with Alejandro.” 

Her smile faltered. “I’m sorry about Alejandro.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it,” his voice trailed off, “Even if I liked you, we were just friends… and that didn’t mean you owed me your feelings. You still could choose whoever you liked.”

“And I chose you,” she whispered, raising her hand and cupping his cheek. He let out a sigh, leaning into her touch. She continued, “You know, I liked you so much that…” she paused, now a little embarrassed, “that I made you the model for the hero in my second book.”

“Me?” Simon exclaimed, eyebrows raised. He paused for a moment. “But didn’t you tell me that day that you chose Alejandro as the model?”

She blushed again. “It… It was a slip of the tongue.”

He stared at her, skeptical. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I didn’t want to come off as being so… into you, you know?”

He groaned loudly, rubbing a hand down his face and then laughing. “Blimey, you don’t know how happy you would’ve made me if you said that you were into me.” He pinched her nose. “You’re so stupid.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m stupid,” she grinned abashedly, “stupidly in love with you.”

He rolled his eyes, pinching her nose once more. “You’re real cheeky.”

She shook her head, continuing to smile. 

A comfortable silence settled over them, and their eyes traced over each other’s faces. 

The lady held his face in her hands, pausing to study it. Her gaze swept over his blond eyebrows and lashes, his deep brown eyes, the faded scar, his slightly crooked nose, and his thin, pink lips. Under her fingertips, she felt the rough stubble of his trimmed beard. 

Simon was handsome– unbelievably so.

She wondered how ancient his facial features were. Did they come from knights and kings of old?

Maybe that was why his face and manner felt so right for Frederick. 

Overwhelmed with awe, she leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek, right above the scar. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, melting like butter under a scorching sun.

“I love you…” he murmured into her palm, his voice heavy with warmth, affection, and emotion. 

“I love you too, Simon,” she whispered back, kissing his other cheek.

“I don’t know if you understand how much you mean to me.” He placed his larger hands on hers and pressed them against his cheeks, as if wanting to absorb more of her warmth.

“What do you mean?”

Simon let out another sigh. “I never really had good experiences with women after being released,” he began, “Actually, not just women. Just people in general.”

The lady listened quietly, and the grip of his hands on hers loosened, making them slide off his cheeks. 

“And when it was time to go to university, most girls kept their distance,” he ran a finger over his scarred cheek, “maybe because of this Glasgow smile. Or maybe they heard about me. I don’t know. I barely had any friends besides Johnny and Gaz. I was close only with them. And I didn’t have another close friend for years until you came along.”

He smiled softly. “I got to save you, and not feel like an absolute disappointment for once,” he said in a pained chuckle, making ____ grimace. Her hand returned to his cheek, tracing the scar with her thumb.

“And then we became such good friends,” he continued, “I always thought the only people I’d be happy with were Johnny and Gaz, but when you came along, you changed it all. For the first time, I actually enjoyed the company of someone else besides them.”

She smiled at this. “But…” she paused, “don’t you have any friends in the garage?”

He shrugged, closing his eyes for a moment. “Yeah, but I don’t feel as close with them. We go out to the pubs, get sloshed, but… there was never really anything to connect myself with them. They’d talk about things that I wasn’t interested in and I’d talk about things they weren’t interested in.” 

She nodded. “You must’ve been lonely.”

Simon’s eyes drifted away for a moment. “Yeah, I reckon I was. All I thought of was Johnny, Gaz… and you. You three make much better company. That and video games,” he said with a grin.

She grinned back, happy to see a smile on his face. “Is that all? Come on now, tell me more about how much I mean to you.” 

His eyes twinkled as he smiled. “I’ll never pass up an opportunity to praise you, darling,” he said, now taking her hand in his. “But to be serious, you changed my whole life.”

A soft blush overspread her cheeks. “How?”

“If it wasn’t for you, I probably would’ve never reconciled with Dad,” he admitted, squeezing her hand, “When he completely rejected me all those years ago, it hurt. I never wanted to forgive him.” His voice trailed off and he hesitated, as if struggling to admit something. “But I knew I wanted to be on good terms with him again.” His eyes met hers, filled with gratitude. “And that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you.”

“That’s what your mum told me too. She was so worried about you and your dad.”

“She’s always been,” he said, and then smiled. “You two met only today and made a great team.”

“What can I say,” she huffed with a self-gratified smirk, “She and I are birds of the same feather.”

The corners of Simon’s eyes crinkled with delight. “I’m glad you like her.”

“She’s very sweet. I was worried about what she would think of me, because, you know, some mothers can be jealous about their sons, but… she actually likes me.”

“Mum’s not the jealous type. In fact, she kept moaning to me for years about how I don’t have a girlfriend. I think it’s safe to say that she wants me to spend more time with another woman instead of her,” Simon said in a good-natured chuckle. “And to be honest,” he playfully put a hand on his chest, “I’m a tad hurt, because I actually like spending time with her.”

The lady also laughed. “I don’t blame you. She’s great company and I like her a lot.”

Simon was happy to hear those words. He squeezed his lady’s hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles. She felt a burning, crackling firework shoot down her entire arm, leaving her skin tingling.

“I hope it never changes,” he murmured against her hand.

She giggled. “I hope so too.” 

There was another brief lull. Simon didn’t let go of her hand– not that she wanted him to. 

She began, “You know, I have you to thank too.”

His eyes lit up, gleaming with mischief. “Oh yes, for saving you all those times?” he asked, now propping himself up on his elbow and smirking. “Go on, I’m listening.”

She laughed. “It’s not just that.” She looked away and then shifted, “It’s about John.”

Simon’s eyes grew somber and distant at the mention of his uncle. His thumb absentmindedly rubbed the back of her hand. “What about him?”

“I told you before that he used to be very pushy with me. He used to get upset with me if I did something he didn’t like. And after I spoke to him today and settled things for good, I was scared to tell you about it because… I thought you’d be angry with me, just like he used to be,” she explained, looking at the bed sheet rather than his face.

She didn’t see it, but Simon’s lips pursed into a thin line. It hurt to hear that she would think him the same as his uncle. 

Noticing his silence, she quickly continued, “But you didn’t. And I’m glad.” She paused for a beat. “I’m glad you’re not like him, Simon,” she whispered, finally raising her eyes to look at him, “I don’t like comparing you to him, but it’s just so hard. When you’ve been hurt a certain way before, you just expect everyone to be the same.”

Simon’s eyes softened. There was a grain of truth in what she said. He rubbed her cheek with the pad of his thumb, going in soft, soothing motions. “Yeah, I know,” he whispered back, “and I don’t blame you for it.”

She looked at him, her eyes soft, grateful, and gentle. “Thank you.”

His fingers moved, sliding to the back of her neck and cupping the base of her head. Her heart leaped. The light touches of his fingers felt like little starfish kisses. 

“No need to thank me, darling,” he said in a rasp, his voice both hungry and mellow. “It’s the least I can do.”

He moved closer, hovering over her. She leaned back in the bed, craning her neck a fraction to meet him face-to-face. His hold on the back of her neck tightened just a hint to hold her head firmly. 

“You’ve done so much for me,” she squeaked, feeling her cheeks burn. Her chest tightened in anticipation, and her stomach fluttered like a swarm of butterflies had been released. 

“Darling, you’ve done way more for me. More than I could ever deserve,” he quietly argued, his eyes straying from her eyes to her lips. His gaze lingered there for a second too long before returning. 

She gulped harshly, finding no words. He meant it. The flutters tickled their way from her stomach to her chest, feeling like an overwhelming flood. 

Simon slowly leaned in, meeting her lips in a kiss.

Her body laxed, moulding into the mattress. The fresh scent of the sheets and Simon’s lemony soap filled her nostrils. She felt like she was laying in a bed of flowers, kissing a white cloud. His lips were soft and he kissed her tenderly, filling her with the type of warmth that spread across her body like drinking hot tea on a frightfully cold night. 

If Simon hadn’t propped himself up on his elbow, he would’ve collapsed on top of her. When she kissed him back, his entire body felt like custard. When her arms snaked across his shoulders, wrapping around his neck to pull him closer, her touch seared his skin like a burning iron brand, leaving a trail of fire in its wake that he would not quench. 

They slowly parted. She felt Simon’s minty breath fan against her cold, wet lips. Their chests heaved– they didn’t know how long they had been at it, but it felt so agonizingly short. Simon closed in again, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered shut, allowing herself to feel the imprint of warmth he left on her skin. When she opened her eyes again, she found him gazing at her like she was an exquisite piece of art in the Louvre. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured in awe, his eyes soft and admiring, “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

Her cheeks lifted with her smile, pulling him to lay his head on her chest. “I’ll always be yours,” she promised, weaving her fingers through his sweet smelling hair.

Simon nestled comfortably against her breast, wrapping his arms around her waist and feeling her heartbeat thump against his cheek. “What in the bloody hell did I do to get so lucky?” he mumbled against her shirt.

“You saved me,” she said in a chuckle.

The vibrations of her laughter rumbled against his chest. “And you saved me too.”

She squeezed him, putting all her strength into it. Simon felt like he was being hugged by a seatbelt. 

“Have I ever told you that I feel so safe with you?” she asked, mumbling into his hair.

“Yeah, just now,” he answered smilingly, squeezing her back tightly before loosening his arms. “And I feel safe with you too.”

She giggled, grinning so widely that her cheeks hurt. Cradling his head in her arms, she kissed his hair. “My Simon,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.

Simon craned his neck, lifting his head to kiss her jaw. 

“All yours, darling.” 

End of Part 17.

Part 18 coming soon :)

Next chapter will be the last 😭

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[mariacallous]

TBILISI – Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president, has issued an urgent warning to the West that Russia is preparing to seize his country after this weekend’s election with the help of a billionaire oligarch who made his money in Moscow.

He believes the Kremlin aims to reimpose its authority over this key Western ally by falsifying results, cracking down on protests,and banning opposition parties to crush its fledgling democracy and send a signal to other former Soviet states.

“Russia is planning to seize another European country,” he said, in a warning passed to me in seven pages of handwritten notes from behind bars. “If Georgia is lost that would signify a huge loss for the West, its values and geopolitical interests.”

His ousting after nine years in office was by Georgian Dream, a party set up a few months earlier by the country’s richest man Bidzina Ivanishvili. The 2012 election marked the country’s first democratic transition of power.

Mr Saakashvili’s warning comes amid growing domestic and diplomatic fears that Mr Ivanishvili is stealthily steering this fiercely pro-European country back into Russian hands.

“When I warned the West about the threat to Georgia they thought I was provoking and rather crazy. Then my worst fears materialised and Russia militarily attacked my country,” wrote Mr Saakashvili, who also served as governor of Odessa in Ukraine.

“After I warned loudly about an imminent attack on Ukraine, even my friends in the West considered I was saying this because I was bitter about the attack on Georgia.

“When I warned the West that Ivanishvili was not just like any other politician but rather he was a direct Russian agent, they thought I was just trying to stay in power, which was never the case.”

Georgia’s 3.7 million people go to polls on Saturday in a vote that is widely seen as a referendum to determine their future: whether to continue with moves to join the European Union and Nato or slide back into Moscow’s control under Mr Ivanishvili.

The mysterious billionaire – who made a fortune in banking and commodities during Russia’s “gangster capitalism” period after the Soviet Union’s collapse – has been attacking the “global war party” that supposedly dominates the West while claiming his party will protect Georgia from the fate suffered by Ukraine.

Georgian Dream rejected sanctions on Russia after Ukraine’s full-scale invasion, to the fury of Kyiv, openly says it will ban rival parties, and earlier this year passed laws that mimic Vladimir Putin’s measures targeting LGBT citizens and silencing dissent.

Its controversial “Russia law” – which labels organisation with more than 20 per cent funding from abroad as “foreign agents” – sparked weeks of mass protests met with beatings and tear gas. Washington condemned it as a “Kremlin-inspired” law.

Mr Saakashvili believes Mr Putin is actively supporting Mr Ivanishvili to “fully return Georgia to Russia as a historical crown jewel of their empire” while shutting off the West from key energy and transportation corridors to Central Asia and Azerbaijan.

“It would also carry a huge symbolic meaning since Georgia was regarded as a bulwark of the Western influence in our region and a role model for reforms and success. Ending it would send a powerful signal to other potential Western allies.”

The former president says Georgian Dream plans to falsify election results, crack down hard on subsequent protests and then go on “a rampage” of banning rival parties, mass arrests and shutting down dissenting voices in the media and NGOs.

He also fears Mr Ivanishvili – who last month suggested Georgia should apologise for the 2008 war that led to seizure of its South Ossetia region, about 850 deaths and forcibly displaced 192,000 people – will carry out threats to put him and other leading members of his party on trial for resisting Russia’s invasion.

Mr Saakashvili wants to see the West urgently impose the sanctions being threatened against Ivanishvili and his close circle. “It is important to act now while it is not too late,” he said.

Mr Saakashvili’s concerns over election rigging and a subsequent crackdown are shared by opposition parties, think tanks and Western diplomats in Tbilisi. Russia’s foreign ministry is fuelling the tensions with suggestions that the US is preparing a coup.

Even Mr Ivanishvili’s ex-ministers and aides endorsed the fears. “Bidzina [Ivanishvili] ‘s primary concern has always been his own safety and wellbeing,” said Gia Khukhashvili, a former friend and adviser. “He made fatal mistakes that left him as Putin’s hostage.”

The economist believes that the billionaire, spooked by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, offered clandestine backing to the Kremlin. “When you declare loyalty to an empire, it sees it as a sign of weakness and Russia demanded guarantees of that loyalty,” Mr Khukhashvili said.

“If Georgian Dream stays in power, Russia will accelerate Georgia’s reintegration into the Russian Empire. Like Belarus, this process will intensify.”

He sees the election as a test for Moscow’s ability to take back lost nations while grabbing a crucial crossroads between East and West. “By controlling Georgia, Russia solves the problem of re-establishing the Soviet Union’s influence in the south,” he said.

The election is complicated by Mr Saakashvili’s legacy, however, since he remains a polarising figure in Georgia due to the rapid pace of his modernisation programmes and alleged human rights abuses in later years of office after Russia’s attack.

His appeal over his sentence was rejected in May by the European Court of Human Rights. There has, however, been concern over his health after hunger strikes and due to the lack of proper medical care. His mother now prepares all food for him in prison after claims that he suffered a poisoning attempt.

The former president told me that he was being deprived of his most basic rights. “I have no right to make phone calls or to meet members of parliament. I haven’t seen sun and have not been exposed to fresh air for more than three years.”

Tina Bokuchava, the chair of his United National Movement and leading opposition figure, hailed him as their country’s greatest visionary who “dared to imagine a brighter future for Georgian and dared to make it a reality”.

She said there was no longer any ambiguity over Georgian Dream’s pro-Russia stance and that their European future was at stake in this weekend’s election after success in shedding their “Soviet debris” and emerging as a democratic nation.

“Putin does not like democracies, especially successful democracies, on his doorstep. It represents a threat to his rule and undermines his authority.”

Georgian Dream claims it can advance into Europe while keeping Mr Putin at bay. Yet, even one party activist told me she was dismayed by its backsliding on Europe and pro-Russian rhetoric but feared speaking out due to concern over reprisals.

“I’m not going to vote for them,” she said, adding that she was scared their stance might lead to another war following post-election turmoil. “People will be killed senselessly and those in power will still look after their own interests.”

Georgian Dream denied it is subverting their nation’s future in Europe, rejected concerns over vote-rigging and insisted it would win the election easily – although its polls backing such claims are not widely viewed as credible.

This is just another election where people should decide whether they want peace and economic growth, said Nikoloz Samkharadze, a senior MP with the party, who said it was “complete nonsense” to accuse them of following Putin’s path.

“There is no evidence that in the last 12 years of Georgian Dream’s government, Georgia has done anything that would serve the interests of Russia in this country or in this region.”

Yet, this contrasts with the message sent to me from his jail cell by Mr Saakashvili ahead of this vital election. “The West should be aware and ready,” he concluded.

i has attempted to contact Mr Ivanishvili for comment.

[runwayrunway]

No. 33 - Vietnam Airlines

@twtd11 has asked me to cover Vietnam Airlines! And also two other airlines, but those don't need mentioning in this post, because this post is about Vietnam Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines is part of a very interesting trend. Inexplicably, it is very popular for airlines to make the top of their planes blue and the bottom white. Specifically blue. But unlike the more comprehensive sort of trend like...cheatlines, or Eurowhite...this phenomenon, which I'm sure I'll come up with a catchy name for in a timely manner, never manifests the same twice.

There are a lot of examples of it, and I plan to cover all of them if I can. I've already talked about Korean Air, but other examples on the docket include KLM, TUI, Azal Azerbaijan Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Air Tahiti Nui, and of course Vietnam Airlines.

I'm not surprised that they got requested fairly early on in this blog's lifespan for the simple reason that they're very striking planes. When I first saw a Vietnam Airlines plane I'll admit it - I was pretty wowed.

I mean, just look at these planes. There is something so absurdly captivating about the blue they've chosen for their livery's primary shade, and I just can't wrap my head around it fully. Even more than other planes, it looks entirely different in different lightings, going from a sort of metallic teal to a sharp cerulean.

Of course, blue alone couldn't accomplish that. The choice to pair it with gold was really what made this livery coalesce, but once they have this gorgeous color combination, this vast untouched blue bordered by gold, the colors speak for themselves.

The emblem on the tail is very simple in terms of its shape, easy to recognize from a distance, It requires no detail save what can be expressed with negative space and thus doesn't need much to tie it into the rest of the fuselage - the gold stripe more than succeeds in making the integration smooth. It provides a large image that can be seen from far away, and I think it's both distinctive and elegant. I would say it could be improved by replacing the white with a lighter gold, but I actually did think that it was a lighter gold until I looked closer because of the crazy things this livery does with color.

Allowing the blue to take up most of the fuselage was absolutely the right move. It looks like a completely different color in every picture of it I've shown so far but it's always absolutely gorgeous. The interplay of blue, gold, and light hitting it is just spectacular to the point I've gotten this far in without even mentioning, say, the wordmark, which is fine but absolutely doesn't matter. Because this plane is a sea of whichever blue is your favorite, if you catch it at the right angle.

Nothing on this plane is detailed. Everything is large-scale, big sweeping lines and massive blocks of color, like it's all painted on with a massive brush. The logo isn't limited to the tail but it also isn't integrated into most of the fuselage. It just takes up the amount of space it takes up, not recognizing any sort of arbitrary boundary between tailfin and fuselage. There is a near absence of straight lines. Everything is curved and flowing and perfectly placed.

I hadn't been able to tell for sure if the underside of the plane was cream or white, but I have been informed that it is, in fact, a light cream. It's perfectly chosen. It lets the gold seem like the trim it is instead of a discrete block of color. It accentuates, similar to KAL's grey dividing line, but instead of facilitating a transition from blue to white it facilitates the blue's constant metamorphosis into something that's so much more than an essentially monocolor plane has any right to be.

Also, it makes the plane look a lot more fishlike, which is always good.

I think too much more detail would overwhelm this color combination, just because of how much of a statement it is upfront. It is an incredibly confident move to release a plane that clearly is trying to get away from the pack but has barely any features, and have those features it does have collide so elegantly into something so much larger than the sum of its parts.

There is a part of me that keeps fighting my conclusion, insisting to myself that it's mostly blue space, and ultimately it's inevitable. The fact that I'm having so much trouble limiting my selection of pictures because each one feels like it's a discrete different shade of blue kind of proves that to me. It's so simple, yet every single angle shows it off in a new way. If I ever saw one of these planes in person I wouldn't be able to look at anything else while it was within eyesight, and that just ultimately has to speak for itself, doesn't it?

And of course they had to put this livery on Dreamliners, too.

Grade: A

[wutheringheightsfilm]

i'm going to translate this post into english because i think a lot of my mutuals and followers need to read what it says:

the anonymous ask:

the truth is i find it ignorant that most people pretend the opposition is not a puppet of the [us]american far right, but at the same time it is true that we're a puppet of russia in the same way.

denying the historical reality of our country and pretending that right-wing dictatorships were "soft" dictatorships is not learning from the mistakes of the past and will only lead us to be in the same position we are now. subjugated by a regime on the other side.

the reblog:

is the dictator of venezuela [maduro] in power because it suits political powers beyond civilians? yes

is the opposition in venezuela [gonzalez] a puppet of the [us]american far right? yes

are neither of the options good? yes

nothing guarantees that a different government won't be manipulated from outside forces. venezuela is a huge port and everyone knows about the drug trafficking that moves millions and millions of dollars. clearly, they aren't going to let that go easily.

does that mean we have to leave the dictatorship as it is? no. does that mean there is a favorable alternative that DOES think about the well being of my people? no!

venezuelan politics are extremely complex, and that's why we are where we are now, but damn, at this point i think the majority agrees that all we want is to recover the basic needs and have a chance at prospering. how does that look with the current politics? i wish i knew.

~

i want to say that i'm fully aware of US sanctions on venezuela, and how that contributes to the crisis they are having with lack of basic necessities including medical supplies. i'm fully aware of the fact the US has tried to intervene--and has intervened--multiple times in venezuelan politics, and is once again interested in doing so, and is pumping out as much propaganda as they can to push their backed candidate (gonzalez).

however i need yall to realize maduro is not your fucking friend. i don't care that he said "free palestine"--he's paying lip service to what is socially acceptable. maduro is besties with turkey's far right president erdogan, who has denied the armenian genocide and has praised azerbaijan for their ethnic cleansing of artsakh. maduro has gone so far as to say this man is "like an older brother to him." how is that a man that's "for the people" if he's buddy buddy with a genocide denier? and it's also not as though maduro didn't make poor financial decisions that, in the midst of an already poor economy, and made it worse. that's an article linked from al-jazeera, by the way, in case you think i'm supporting US imperialism here or something. and of course, US sanctions made an already terrible problem leagues worse, and i would never deny that.

to be clear, obviously, i do not support US interventionism in venezuela in any shape or form, and the push for gonzalez as a candidate is obviously just another ploy by the US to get their own backed candidate in office to make venezuela into another neocolony. but the way that everyone has been putting maduro on a pedestal and essentially saying he's beyond reproach is driving me insane.

[anotherescsite]

Predicting the draw.

I don't know when they are planning on presenting the draw for the semi finals. It'll be coming up shortly in a week or two I guess. I thought I'd put in my prediction to see how close/far away I am:

Semi 1.

I think Iceland or Sweden would be the best songs to open a semi final. As Sweden has opened a semi final before and the opened the Grand final last year, I stuck it in the last slot in the first half.

Portugal and Slovenia will be 2nd or 3rd in the order. I don't see them elsewhere.

I wanted to separate Poland and Ukraine and the only other country left is Estonia, so I stuck that in the middle.

Belgium came next as I thought it would be good change of pace from Sweden. I followed it with Norway for no real reason. Albania felt like the right choice to go after Norway - again a diverse sound. The Netherlands came next again for a change in direction, and followed by Cyprus cause it should be an interesting change of pace.

I'm second guessing Croatia and Azerbaijan; potentially placing them after Sweden and moving everything else down. But I definitely thing San Marino will be performing last because it is a great party song.

Semi 2.

I don't see anything other than Australia opening semi final 2. I think the energy is right. Much like I think Malta will be performing last. Finland was my alternative for closing the show, so Malta and Finland are interchangeable.

Montenegro and Ireland are the quietest of songs and I think they would be doomed placed in 2nd and 3rd. I like Greece and Lithuania one after the other as they both have a tension in their sound that I think matches. Austria will stand out where ever it is placed as will Latvia. I separated them with Armenia which could have been a candidate for 2nd or 3rd as well, but I was feeling charitable.

I followed Latvia with Luxembourg basically because they are all ladies. Georgia can go anywhere and the results for it will be the same. I like the beauty of Georgia followed by the Serbian beast and I followed that with Finland for the humour. Israel comes next and followed by Denmark for an interesting mix of flavour. Czechia is 2nd last to separate the ladies out.

If feel it's completely wrong now, but I'll laugh about it later.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

With the U.S. under Trump, China Is a Natural Partner, Says COP30 President

Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago advocates for broader funding with the involvement of banks and the private sector

COP30, the global climate conference set to take place from November 10 to 21 in Belém, inherited from its predecessor, held in Baku (Azerbaijan), the mission of solving the main roadblock in negotiations in recent years: the fulfillment of rich countries' commitments to climate financing.

Brazil will have to accomplish this without the engagement of the world's largest and historically most polluting economy, the United States, which will withdraw from the Paris Agreement —the 2015 global treaty on decarbonization goals— under Donald Trump’s leadership.

"The U.S. was moving in a very interesting direction, favoring the energy transition, and it has now entered a reverse phase," Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, chosen by President Lula (PT) to preside over the Belém COP, told Folha.

Continue reading.

[rjzimmerman]

Why Oil Companies Are Walking Back From Green Energy. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

When oil and gas companies made ambitious commitments four years ago to curb emissions and transition to renewable energy, their businesses were in free fall.

Demand for the fuels was drying up as the pandemic took hold. Prices plunged. And large Western oil companies were hemorrhaging money, with losses topping $100 billion, according to the energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

Renewable energy, it seemed to many companies and investors at the time, was not just cleaner — it was a better business than oil and gas.

“Investors were focused on what I would say was the prevailing narrative around it’s all moving to wind and solar,” Darren Woods, Exxon Mobil’s chief executive, said in an interview with The New York Times last week at a United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. “I had a lot of pressure to get into the wind and solar business,” he added.

Mr. Woods resisted, reasoning that Exxon did not have expertise in those areas. Instead, the company invested in areas like hydrogen and lithium extraction that are more akin to its traditional business.

Wall Street has rewarded the company for those bets. The company’s stock price has climbed more than 70 percent since the end of 2019, lifting its market valuation to a record of nearly $560 billion in October, though it has since fallen to about $524 billion.

The American oil giant’s performance stands in contrast with BP and Shell, oil and gas companies based in London that embraced wind, solar and other technologies like electric-vehicle charging. BP’s stock has fallen around 19 percent in that time, based on trading in London, while Shell’s has climbed about 15 percent.

The market’s renewed acceptance of fossil fuels underscores one of the core challenges of curbing global emissions: Climate change poses risks that compound over decades. Scientists say every fraction of a degree of warming caused by fossil fuels brings greater risks from deadly heat waves, wildfires, drought, storms and species extinction. But investors are focused on making money over months and years.

“If we want to combat climate change, we need to make it in the firms’ and consumers’ self-interest to produce and buy the low-carbon alternatives,” said Christopher Knittel, a professor of energy economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The election of Donald J. Trump, who has falsely described global warming as a hoax, has led to even greater optimism about the oil and gas business.

The difference in profits that companies can make from extracting oil and gas and what they can earn from harnessing wind and solar had already swung sharply in favor of fossil fuels in recent years.

The median return on capital among some of the world’s biggest investor-owned oil companies, a key measure of profitability, topped 11 percent last year, up from negative 8 percent in 2020, according to an analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The median return over that same period for the top renewable energy companies has stayed around 2 percent.

[workersolidarity]

💥Explosions Rock Stepanakert as Azerbaijan Launches an Offensive Against Armenia into the Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh Region 💥

Residents of Stepanakert in the heavily disputed Nagorno-Karabakh Region of what is internationally recognized as Azeri territory, awoke to sounds of explosions and gunfire ripping through the city Tuesday morning as Azeri Forces launched what it calls an Anti-Terrorist Operation into the region.

The Nagorno-Karabakh territory has been in dispute ever since the collapse of the Russian Empire after the October Revolution in 1917. The disputed territory was mostly de-escalated during the Soviet era, with Nagorno-Karabakh given the status of Autonomous Oblast within the Azerbaijan SSR, giving it a measure of self-governance.

However, since the collapse of the USSR, the ethnic dispute has flared back up with two major wars fought over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory since 1988.

The first Nagorno-Karabakh War lasted from February 1988 until May 1994. While the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020 lasted for 44 days.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been positioning himself to join the Western Bloc, taking an interest in joining the EU and NATO with US encouragement.

However, it is understood that NATO will not allow Armenia to join the Military Bloc as long as the risk of war breaking out in Nagorno-Karabakh remains high.

With this in mind, some analysts believe Armenia has been quietly instigating an Azeri incursion into the area with the idea of letting Nagorno-Karabakh fall completely under Azerbaijani control, relinquishing the territory and easing the associated tensions that might give NATO pause before admitting Armenia into the alliance.

Interestingly, Pashinyan accepted Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh back in May, undermining its own negotiating position and upsetting the balance of power in the region. However, the population of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory is majority Armenian, and local authorities do not recognize Azeri sovereignty over the area.

Azerbaijan has warned Armenia against involving itself with NATO, suggesting it will lead to conflict in the region, and few of Armenia's neighbors are happy with the moves. However, Armenia has ignored the warnings, going so far as to host US Forces in the country for Military exercises which began on September 11th, 2023.

Many Russian analysts, media personalities and politicians see this as a major provocation and an attempt to open a new front in the Ukraine War as Russian peacekeepers had been tasked with maintaining the Status-Quo as per agreement between the two warring sides at the end of the second Nagorno-Karabakh War. Western analysts dispute this claim.

We will keep you updated as information comes in.

UPDATE: sources say there have been 5 deaths and at least 80 casualties reported so far in the ongoing Azerbaijan Operation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: Mobility: A Novel

Author: Lydia Kiesling

Genre: literary fiction

Content/Trigger Warning/s: discussions and mentions of major historical events and natural disasters, including but not limited to 9/11, the BP Oil Spill, Hurricane Harvey, and the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary (from author's webpage): The year is 1998, the End of History. The Soviet Union is dissolved, the Cold War is over, and Bunny Glenn is an American teenager in Azerbaijan with her Foreign Service family. Through Bunny’s eyes we watch global interests flock to the former Soviet Union during the rush for Caspian oil and pipeline access, hear rumbles of the expansion of the American security state and the buildup to the War on Terror. We follow Bunny from adolescence to middle age—from Azerbaijan to America—as the entwined idols of capitalism and ambition lead her to a career in the oil industry, and eventually back to the scene of her youth, where familiar figures reappear in an era of political and climate breakdown.

Both geopolitical exploration and domestic coming-of-age novel, Mobility is a propulsive and challenging story about class, power, politics, and desire told through the life of one woman—her social milieu, her romances, her unarticulated wants. Mobility deftly explores American forms of complicity and inertia, moving between the local and the global, the personal and the political, and using fiction’s power to illuminate the way a life is shaped by its context.

Buy Here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/mobility-lydia-kiesling/18547461

Spoiler-Free Review: Godsdamn but this book makes me FUCKING ANGRY! I mean this in a good way, by the way, as this is frankly speaking a pretty good read.

Look, it’s not every day that a book pisses me off, but this one pissed me off in the best possible way, with its focus on the sheer hypocrisy of white people - specifically privileged white women - when it comes to the much larger suffering that everyone else around them experiences. From the moment she is introduced all the way to the very end of this novel, Bunny/Elizabeth thinks of no one but herself. Her disinterest as a teenager can be forgiven, I suppose, because I think a majority of teenagers are self-centered little shits to varying degrees - and I say that as a teenager who was pretty self-centered myself. The few who aren’t are rare and far between.

But later on, as she grows more and more comfortable in her place in the oil industry, you can practically SEE her convincing herself that what she’s doing, what her industry is doing, is right and just and not as problematic as everyone thinks it is. Worse, one can also read how she twists her WILLFUL IGNORANCE into a VIRTUE because IT BENEFITS HER TO DO SO. It’s just so INFURIATING to see that happen, since she has the privilege and the opportunity to do better, and yet: SHE DOESN’T!

The funny thing is, SHE GETS CALLED OUT ON IT! There are several moments throughout the novel wherein she is forced to confront how she doesn’t take a stand on anything, for just sitting on a fence, for thinking only of her own comfort, and while she sometimes pauses to think about what the other person’s saying and wonder if maybe they’re right, you can almost FEEL her flinch away from anything that makes her uncomfortable. THEN she goes RIGHT back to thinking any line of thought that makes her feel “safe” and one gets to watch as she chooses the path that makes her feel better, even if it comes at the cost of other people’s lives. They’re not HER people after all, how can she consider the plight of some nebulous entity who lives half the world away and whom she’s never met? This takes a chillingly exploitative turn towards the end of the novel.

I’ll admit, for a few moments while reading this I wonder if there’s anything she could have realistically done to actually take a stand and do something. The size and complexity of the oil industry is mentioned repeatedly throughout the novel; at various points Bunny/Elizabeth herself says that she can’t understand all of it, no matter how hard she tries. And when one is faced with something THAT big, that has the capacity to mutate into a new form to avoid accountability and instead re-emerge stronger than ever— How does one fight against something like that? Seen from that perspective maybe Bunny/Elizabeth’s reticence can be understood, even sympathized with, but after a certain point even this sympathy evaporates because it becomes clear that she’s CHOOSING to remain complacent.

But the interesting thing is, all this rage at Bunny/Elizabeth and the life she’s chosen can easily be turned on oneself. You read this book and wind up asking yourself: “Am I actually doing anything about the way the world works? Am I doing enough?” These are important questions, in my opinion, and applies to a lot more issues than just the theme of climate crisis that this book’s built around. None of these questions are comfortable or soothing, and the potential answers are likely to be less so, but they’re questions we need to ask regardless, if we don’t want to face the same kind of future Bunny/Elizabeth faces at the end of the novel.

Overall, this is an infuriating read, but excellent precisely BECAUSE it’s infuriating. It reveals some very uncomfortable truths and make the reader as some very difficult questions, leading to answers that are probably even MORE uncomfortable and difficult than the questions themselves. But the novel also emphasizes the need to ask those questions and find those answers, because seeking only to live in a bubble of comfort, unbothered and undisturbed by the wider world’s troubles, means living a life devoid of compassion and empathy, and only leads to a future where the entire world suffers.

Rating: five oil tankers

[cleverhottubmiracle]

Instead of soaking in the sun poolside or lounging around a luxurious hotel, more travelers are spending their vacations creating trails in the Faroe Islands, digging into the earth of Patagonia or maintaining rugged paths in the mountains of Eastern Europe. They are trading relaxation for a sense of purpose.Volunteer tourism generated $848 million in 2023 and is projected to grow 6 percent per year from 2024 to 2030, according to the market research company Grand View Research.“The new generations are much more interested in environmental awareness and issues,” said Josian Yaksic, chief executive of Las Torres Patagonia, a hotel in Chile that runs a program called 10 Volunteers for 10 Days. “They have a sense of gratification when they contribute to the environment.”Yet as interest in volunteer travel grows, so do the questions surrounding it. Critics point to everything from savior complexes among tourists to whether volunteer roles should go to skilled workers in their home countries instead of novices from abroad.Meagan Neal, executive director of the Transcaucasian Trail Association, which coordinates volunteers to rebuild and maintain hiking trails, works to strike a balance in her program in the Caucasus Mountains, making sure that specialized jobs stay local and paid while making her teams as global as possible.“Where we have found that sweet spot,” she said, “is with hosting international volunteers alongside local volunteers.”Here, places you can get involved:The CaucasusNo prior experience is necessary, but this volunteer program involves more intensive outdoor work than the average hiking trip. Participants stay in tents at remote base camps, cook on camp stoves and spend up to 10 days repairing trails, clearing undergrowth and installing signage. Up to 85 participants will be chosen for this year’s summer opportunities.For his first trip to Georgia, Matt Schultz, 27, from Arlington Heights, Ill., traveled with Transcaucasian Trail and then took time for sightseeing. He believes the volunteering was a better way to meet people and explore the country, and he is now a Peace Corps volunteer in Georgia.“The main reason was meeting more locals and building relationships with them, and also having a unique outdoor experience,” he said.Application deadlines vary by location: June 1 for Azerbaijan, June 15 for Armenia and July 1 for Georgia. The first group begins in Armenia on June 29, and the final group starts Sept. 7.Prices range from $650 to $850. Volunteers must cover their own costs, including the program fee and airfare.At the southern tip of South America, where Chile and Argentina meet, Patagonia’s glaciers and vast natural reserves beckon. Near the trekking circuits of Torres del Paine National Park, Las Torres Patagonia allows international volunteers to help restore the park’s popular trails.The 10 Volunteers for 10 Days initiative gives participants an all-expenses-paid trip to Patagonia. Prospective volunteers apply by entering a contest on social media. This year, two groups were selected to work in the park for two weeks in April. The trail builders trained them on clearing brush and vegetation, removing rocks from the path and shaping the terrain.“The passion, dedication and testimonials from this year’s participants have been incredibly moving,” said Mr. Yaksic. More than 850 people applied for 10 spots this year, compared with last year’s 500.For volunteers like Jenn Loving, 32, a freelance creative content strategist based in Arlington, Va., the experience was eye-opening.“I’ve spent countless hours on hiking trails, but before this experience, I had never really thought about what it takes to build and maintain them,” said Ms. Loving, who volunteered in 2024.The organization will begin its application contest for 2026 in February, with participants arriving in April.Traena Municipality, NorwayAbout 40 miles off Norway’s Helgeland coast, roughly in the middle of the country, Traena is one of the country’s smallest municipalities, but one of the richest in history. The archipelago of about 500 islands is home to the oldest fishing village in Norway and the Traena Festival, a music event held annually where visitors enjoy concerts under the midnight sun or raves in a cave.House by the Sea, a secluded accommodation with a view of the unique island formation around Traenstaven peak, introduced volunteer tourism two years ago. Guests receive free accommodation in exchange for helping community environmental protection projects.In 2023, volunteers improved hiking trails on the island of Sanna through a partnership with Traena Municipality and the Hurtigruten Foundation, a nonprofit established by the Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten Group. In 2024, three coastal cleanup weekends welcomed 24 participants to Traena.This year, House by the Sea is organizing coastal cleanups from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, inviting 25 volunteers to spend about 10 to 15 hours during their stay on litter cleanup, boathouse restoration and social activities. No prior experience is required, but participants should be prepared for physical work in rugged terrain.Accommodation is in House by the Sea’s cabins and other local guesthouses. While the stay is free, participants must cover their own travel and some of the food. Volunteers will be able to apply through the development company’s website, Traena 365, once the 30-day application period begins on May 17.The Faroe Islands’ Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism program is one of the most famous volunteer opportunities. Starting in May, it shuts select tourist sites for three days and allows up to 100 foreign volunteers to join Faroese residents in improving hiking trails, restoring village paths and helping preserve beaches and wetlands. In return, volunteers receive free accommodation and meals.Volunteers are chosen through a mix of random selection and experience-based criteria. This year’s volunteer pool filled 50 spots randomly and 30 spots based on applicants’ relevant skills. Participants coming from the United States must pay for their own flights to the archipelago, which is perched between Iceland and Norway. Volunteers from other parts of Europe are eligible for discounted fares on Atlantic Airways, the flag carrier of the Faroes.Emese Hegedus, 35, was a volunteer in 2022 and hopes to return to the Faroes. Ms. Hegedus, based in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, helped build pathways and stone stairs in the mountains.“It was a bit rough, but I can’t complain because it was a great opportunity,” she said. “The three days were filled with beautiful views. I was at the top of the mountain, and it was wonderful.”When the program was launched in 2019, it received fewer than 5,000 applications, according to Jóhan Pauli Helgason, the development manager at Visit Faroe Islands, the territory’s tourist board. This year, that number surged to more than 15,000, and over 20,000 people have registered for notifications about the 2026 program, which will begin registration by the end of this year.Yukon, CanadaIn the heart of Canada’s wild north, the Rugged Apprentices program gives visitors the chance to experience the Yukon while also tending to the landscape. Its 2022 launch drew hundreds of applicants looking to volunteer in Dawson City, Carmacks and Watson Lake.Volunteers clear pathways and install signage, and also take part in guided hikes, helicopter tours and local concerts. They must be at least 19 years old, legally able to work in Canada, and comfortable lifting objects and navigating uneven terrain. No special skills are required, just a willingness to work outdoors and a reasonable level of physical fitness.Registration for this year’s trips, which are set for Sept. 8 through Sept. 12, will open in late May.Participants cover their own travel costs. Accommodation, food and in-region transportation are provided.East Coast, United StatesThe Appalachian Trail, a 2,190-mile route that stretches from Maine to Georgia, winds through regions that house more than 38 million people, but it is also a wildlife migration corridor. Hikers, walking among oak, maple and ash trees, might encounter deer, bald eagles, foxes and even black bears.The nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy hosts a variety of volunteer opportunities for travelers looking to explore the East Coast of the United States and help restore one of its most remarkable landscapes.Part of the trail is in dire need of restoration after Hurricane Helene battered the Carolinas in September, making some of the paths impassable because of uprooted trees, washed-out rock steps and destroyed bridges. Volunteers can apply to work anywhere from the trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia to the path between Virginia and the New York-Connecticut state line.Volunteer opportunities, which can include repairing hurricane damage to leading outdoor activities, are multiday experiences that include accommodations. Lodging can range from a rustic affair to campgrounds at the high end, and volunteers should not expect showers, bathrooms or running water.Applicants can sign up on the nonprofit’s website, where projects are uploaded frequently. Trail crew sessions can host between six and 12 volunteers.Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025. Source link

[norajworld]

Instead of soaking in the sun poolside or lounging around a luxurious hotel, more travelers are spending their vacations creating trails in the Faroe Islands, digging into the earth of Patagonia or maintaining rugged paths in the mountains of Eastern Europe. They are trading relaxation for a sense of purpose.Volunteer tourism generated $848 million in 2023 and is projected to grow 6 percent per year from 2024 to 2030, according to the market research company Grand View Research.“The new generations are much more interested in environmental awareness and issues,” said Josian Yaksic, chief executive of Las Torres Patagonia, a hotel in Chile that runs a program called 10 Volunteers for 10 Days. “They have a sense of gratification when they contribute to the environment.”Yet as interest in volunteer travel grows, so do the questions surrounding it. Critics point to everything from savior complexes among tourists to whether volunteer roles should go to skilled workers in their home countries instead of novices from abroad.Meagan Neal, executive director of the Transcaucasian Trail Association, which coordinates volunteers to rebuild and maintain hiking trails, works to strike a balance in her program in the Caucasus Mountains, making sure that specialized jobs stay local and paid while making her teams as global as possible.“Where we have found that sweet spot,” she said, “is with hosting international volunteers alongside local volunteers.”Here, places you can get involved:The CaucasusNo prior experience is necessary, but this volunteer program involves more intensive outdoor work than the average hiking trip. Participants stay in tents at remote base camps, cook on camp stoves and spend up to 10 days repairing trails, clearing undergrowth and installing signage. Up to 85 participants will be chosen for this year’s summer opportunities.For his first trip to Georgia, Matt Schultz, 27, from Arlington Heights, Ill., traveled with Transcaucasian Trail and then took time for sightseeing. He believes the volunteering was a better way to meet people and explore the country, and he is now a Peace Corps volunteer in Georgia.“The main reason was meeting more locals and building relationships with them, and also having a unique outdoor experience,” he said.Application deadlines vary by location: June 1 for Azerbaijan, June 15 for Armenia and July 1 for Georgia. The first group begins in Armenia on June 29, and the final group starts Sept. 7.Prices range from $650 to $850. Volunteers must cover their own costs, including the program fee and airfare.At the southern tip of South America, where Chile and Argentina meet, Patagonia’s glaciers and vast natural reserves beckon. Near the trekking circuits of Torres del Paine National Park, Las Torres Patagonia allows international volunteers to help restore the park’s popular trails.The 10 Volunteers for 10 Days initiative gives participants an all-expenses-paid trip to Patagonia. Prospective volunteers apply by entering a contest on social media. This year, two groups were selected to work in the park for two weeks in April. The trail builders trained them on clearing brush and vegetation, removing rocks from the path and shaping the terrain.“The passion, dedication and testimonials from this year’s participants have been incredibly moving,” said Mr. Yaksic. More than 850 people applied for 10 spots this year, compared with last year’s 500.For volunteers like Jenn Loving, 32, a freelance creative content strategist based in Arlington, Va., the experience was eye-opening.“I’ve spent countless hours on hiking trails, but before this experience, I had never really thought about what it takes to build and maintain them,” said Ms. Loving, who volunteered in 2024.The organization will begin its application contest for 2026 in February, with participants arriving in April.Traena Municipality, NorwayAbout 40 miles off Norway’s Helgeland coast, roughly in the middle of the country, Traena is one of the country’s smallest municipalities, but one of the richest in history. The archipelago of about 500 islands is home to the oldest fishing village in Norway and the Traena Festival, a music event held annually where visitors enjoy concerts under the midnight sun or raves in a cave.House by the Sea, a secluded accommodation with a view of the unique island formation around Traenstaven peak, introduced volunteer tourism two years ago. Guests receive free accommodation in exchange for helping community environmental protection projects.In 2023, volunteers improved hiking trails on the island of Sanna through a partnership with Traena Municipality and the Hurtigruten Foundation, a nonprofit established by the Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten Group. In 2024, three coastal cleanup weekends welcomed 24 participants to Traena.This year, House by the Sea is organizing coastal cleanups from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, inviting 25 volunteers to spend about 10 to 15 hours during their stay on litter cleanup, boathouse restoration and social activities. No prior experience is required, but participants should be prepared for physical work in rugged terrain.Accommodation is in House by the Sea’s cabins and other local guesthouses. While the stay is free, participants must cover their own travel and some of the food. Volunteers will be able to apply through the development company’s website, Traena 365, once the 30-day application period begins on May 17.The Faroe Islands’ Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism program is one of the most famous volunteer opportunities. Starting in May, it shuts select tourist sites for three days and allows up to 100 foreign volunteers to join Faroese residents in improving hiking trails, restoring village paths and helping preserve beaches and wetlands. In return, volunteers receive free accommodation and meals.Volunteers are chosen through a mix of random selection and experience-based criteria. This year’s volunteer pool filled 50 spots randomly and 30 spots based on applicants’ relevant skills. Participants coming from the United States must pay for their own flights to the archipelago, which is perched between Iceland and Norway. Volunteers from other parts of Europe are eligible for discounted fares on Atlantic Airways, the flag carrier of the Faroes.Emese Hegedus, 35, was a volunteer in 2022 and hopes to return to the Faroes. Ms. Hegedus, based in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, helped build pathways and stone stairs in the mountains.“It was a bit rough, but I can’t complain because it was a great opportunity,” she said. “The three days were filled with beautiful views. I was at the top of the mountain, and it was wonderful.”When the program was launched in 2019, it received fewer than 5,000 applications, according to Jóhan Pauli Helgason, the development manager at Visit Faroe Islands, the territory’s tourist board. This year, that number surged to more than 15,000, and over 20,000 people have registered for notifications about the 2026 program, which will begin registration by the end of this year.Yukon, CanadaIn the heart of Canada’s wild north, the Rugged Apprentices program gives visitors the chance to experience the Yukon while also tending to the landscape. Its 2022 launch drew hundreds of applicants looking to volunteer in Dawson City, Carmacks and Watson Lake.Volunteers clear pathways and install signage, and also take part in guided hikes, helicopter tours and local concerts. They must be at least 19 years old, legally able to work in Canada, and comfortable lifting objects and navigating uneven terrain. No special skills are required, just a willingness to work outdoors and a reasonable level of physical fitness.Registration for this year’s trips, which are set for Sept. 8 through Sept. 12, will open in late May.Participants cover their own travel costs. Accommodation, food and in-region transportation are provided.East Coast, United StatesThe Appalachian Trail, a 2,190-mile route that stretches from Maine to Georgia, winds through regions that house more than 38 million people, but it is also a wildlife migration corridor. Hikers, walking among oak, maple and ash trees, might encounter deer, bald eagles, foxes and even black bears.The nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy hosts a variety of volunteer opportunities for travelers looking to explore the East Coast of the United States and help restore one of its most remarkable landscapes.Part of the trail is in dire need of restoration after Hurricane Helene battered the Carolinas in September, making some of the paths impassable because of uprooted trees, washed-out rock steps and destroyed bridges. Volunteers can apply to work anywhere from the trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia to the path between Virginia and the New York-Connecticut state line.Volunteer opportunities, which can include repairing hurricane damage to leading outdoor activities, are multiday experiences that include accommodations. Lodging can range from a rustic affair to campgrounds at the high end, and volunteers should not expect showers, bathrooms or running water.Applicants can sign up on the nonprofit’s website, where projects are uploaded frequently. Trail crew sessions can host between six and 12 volunteers.Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025. Source link

[saramohamdi]

Tourist Guides in Iran: Your Key to an Unforgettable Journey

Traveling to Iran is like stepping into a storybook of ancient empires, poetic cities, colorful bazaars, and breathtaking landscapes. While independent travel is possible, there’s one thing that can truly elevate your experience: a knowledgeable, local tourist guide.

In this blog, we’ll explore why hiring a tourist guide in Iran is a smart move, what types of guides are available, and how to find the perfect one for your journey.

🌟 Why Hire a Tourist Guide in Iran?

Iran is rich in history, culture, and traditions, but much of its beauty lies beneath the surface. A local guide doesn’t just help you find the way—they unlock the stories, legends, and local flavors that make Iran unforgettable.

Here’s what a guide can offer:

✅ 1. Insider Knowledge

From hidden historical gems to the best kabab in town, guides offer local insights you simply won’t find in a guidebook for Iran Visa.

✅ 2. Language Support

Farsi (Persian) is the national language, and while younger Iranians often speak English, a guide helps bridge any language gaps—especially in rural areas.

✅ 3. Cultural Understanding

Iranian customs can be unique. A guide can help you navigate everything from dress codes to tea etiquette—ensuring respectful, enriching experiences.

✅ 4. Historical Context

Standing before a 2,500-year-old ruin is amazing—but understanding what happened there brings it to life. Guides are walking encyclopedias.

🧑‍🏫 Types of Tourist Guides in Iran

Depending on your travel style and interests, there’s a guide for every kind of traveler. Here are the most common types:

🏙️ 1. City Tour Guides

Perfect for day trips and urban explorations—think Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd.

Services include:

Walking tours of landmarks

Museum visits

Local food and market tours

🏞️ 2. Nature & Eco-Tourism Guides

Iran’s landscapes are stunning—from the Alborz mountains to the Dasht-e Kavir desert. An eco-guide ensures safety and deeper connection with nature.

Ideal for:

Hiking and camping

Desert safaris

Bird watching or ecotourism

🚌 3. Licensed Tour Leaders (National Guides)

These are certified professionals who guide multi-day, multi-city tours across the country.

What to expect:

Fluent in English or other languages

Deep knowledge of history and culture

Great for group tours or private customized itineraries

🕌 4. Religious and Pilgrimage Guides

For visitors heading to holy cities like Qom or Mashhad, these guides explain the religious significance of sites with respect and detail.

📍 Best Cities to Hire a Tourist Guide

While you can find guides all over Iran, some cities are especially known for high-quality guiding services:

Tehran: City tours, modern Iran insights, museums

Isfahan: Art, architecture, history (Naqsh-e Jahan Square!)

Shiraz: Poetry, Persepolis, gardens, and tombs

Yazd: Zoroastrian culture, desert architecture

Tabriz: Bazaar tours, Azerbaijan heritage

Kerman & Lut Desert: Eco-guides for desert exploration

💼 How to Find a Trusted Tourist Guide in Iran

Here are a few ways to find licensed, experienced, and friendly guides:

🟢 1. Through a Travel Agency

Iran has many reputable travel agencies that offer private or group tours with professional guides.

✅ Pros: Vetted professionals, structured itineraries 🚫 Cons: May be more expensive than freelance guides

🟢 2. Online Platforms

Websites like ToursByLocals, Viator, or TripAdvisor list local Iranian guides with reviews.

✅ Pros: You can compare ratings, languages, pricing 🚫 Cons: Limited options due to international sanctions

🟢 3. Word of Mouth

Ask fellow travelers on forums like Tripadvisor, Couchsurfing, or Facebook travel groups for recommendations.

🟢 4. Direct Booking with Freelancers

Many Iranian guides advertise on Instagram or Telegram, and some have personal websites.

💬 Always check:

Language fluency

License (if needed)

Reviews or testimonials

💰 How Much Does a Tourist Guide Cost in Iran?

Iran is quite affordable for most travelers. Guide fees vary by experience and location:

City walking tours: $20–$40 per day

Licensed national guide: $50–$100+ per day

Desert or nature guide: $40–$80 per day, often includes gear

Custom tours: Negotiable, especially for multi-day trips

💡 Tipping is appreciated, but not mandatory.

👔 What Makes a Good Tourist Guide in Iran?

When choosing a guide, look for these qualities:

✅ Fluent in your language

✅ Warm and communicative

✅ Knowledgeable about history and culture

✅ Flexible and open to your interests

✅ Licensed (for national or professional tours)

✅ Has good reviews or referrals

🧳 Do You Really Need a Guide in Iran?

You don’t have to have one—especially in major cities—but you’ll miss out on much of the depth, context, and local interaction that make Iran so magical.

Even hiring a guide for just one or two days can enrich your journey dramatically.

🎯 Final Thoughts: More Than a Guide, a Cultural Bridge

Tourist guides in Iran are not just service providers—they’re cultural ambassadors. Many travelers leave Iran with lifelong friendships formed with their guides.

So whether you're standing beneath the majestic domes of Isfahan or sipping tea in a village at the foot of the mountains, a local guide can help you understand not just what you’re seeing—but why it matters.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do Iranian tour guides speak English? Yes, many are fluent in English, and some also speak French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, or Japanese.

2. Is it safe to travel with a local guide? Absolutely! Licensed guides are professional, respectful, and often make your journey smoother and safer.

3. How can I verify a guide is licensed? Ask for their official ID issued by the Iranian Ministry of Tourism. Agencies also work with verified guides.

4. Can I hire a female guide in Iran? Yes! Iran has many skilled female tourist guides, especially in big cities.

5. Are there guides for solo female travelers? Yes. Some agencies and guides specialize in female-friendly travel, offering safety, comfort, and cultural understanding.