#but today ... today its 1pm and i am taking it easy <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[truethes]

sb remind me to further discuss luoc.ha and also the luoc.ha and jin.g yuan parallels in hope they'll rerun the perfect timing lc with sun.day's

[nonamehorse]

I do have a recipe for forever weed brownies

So what you're going to do is this: first you go to a house party of a friend, the house party should preferbaly last from friday to sunday. You are going to want to arrive on friday at around 8 or 9 pm, you are going to want to drink alcohol (but make certain you drink enough water, you want to stall out the hangover until monday) and smoke weed, if anyone offers you party drugs I would advice you take them aswell. After having fun with your friends playing videogames, talking to eachother, maybe some dancing if you took the party drug, you are going to want to go to sleep at around 3 or 4 in the morning and try to get a full 8 hours (to prepare for the next day of partying). On saturday you are going to start of at 12-1pm with eating some breakfast and smoking some weed and just watch some tv and talk with your friends, keep doing this until about 6 or 7 pm when you order some food, at around 8 pm new people are going to arive at the party (wich means you can start drinking again), just party the same as friday but maybe with a bit less energy, you can go to bed earlier today if you need it.

You might all be saying: "huh I thought this was a recipe for weed brownies this just sounds like someone talking about a party they went to." and to you I say: "have patience, we are getting there."

Anyway whilst you are asleep on saturday night/sunday morning two of your mates are going to be baking the weed brownies, now its important that these two people have also followed the whole party and have slept even less than you have and maybe even have drank more alcohol and smoked more weed than you.

When you wake up on sunday (around 11 am) there is only going to be one piece of the brownie left, you start by doing the same breakfast + weed combo from saturday, at some point you are going to ask your best mate if you should take same of the weed brownie, he is going to tell you its a bit strong and that you should probably share it with him, you do. After half a hour you don't feel anything yet, you start to complain about the lack of effects, after another 15 mins you still feel nothing, you are going to say out loud that you think that the edible was shit, after another 15 mins its going to start.

At this point I would advice you to be in a comfterble couch or chair, because you are going to be feel a lot of strange pressure forcing you to keep seated, you at first try to fight this pressure and stand up, this is going to be very difficult (but not imposible), what I would advice you to do is to start focusing on this strange pressure you feel inside your body, try to feel exactly where it is, after a few minutes you might be able to start making this strange feeling move through your body, make it go into your chest, let it move into your arm, feel it tingeling in your hand, move it back into your arm, feel it in your chest again, let it go into your mouth where it will combine with your spit making it easy to let it go from one cheek to the other, let it go further into your head, this will cause your head to hurt, let the feeling go down again, let it pass through your chest your stomach and into your legs, let it go into your foot where it starts tingeling again, and then send the feeling somewhere else in your body, you are in control of it and can use it to feel every part of your body.

This whole experience should hopefully give you a new look on your body and maybe make you love it a bit more, but while this is hapening and you can't really move much (exept to eat and drink) and can't talk much either (exept for short exclamations, like oooh and ahh)

So you are sitting on the couch absolutly spaced out of your mind, lets hope there is something good on the tv, if you are really lucky there is going to be a nature documentry about monkey hierarchy, this documentry is going to feel like the best movie ever, it has drama betrayel allies and enemies and even commentary on how humans interact with eachother. Combined with the strange experience you already are having with your body and this nature doc this whole thing is going to feel like some sort of a religous experience teaching you about yourself and humanity as a whole

Anyway thats how you make forever weed brownies

do you have a recipe for forever weed brownies :)

Haha, unfortunately no, I've never even eaten an edible no less baked one

[kyotakumrau]

A thread with the 1st slot report from azifxxx, Zepp Tokyo with Kyo and Shinya

F: Hello everyone at Zepp Tokyo! I'm DIR's manager Fujieda.

T: I'm manager Takabayashi.

F: today in Tokyo it's the last day (...) now I'd like to invite two band members to start the talk event! Give them applause!

Shinya arrives, then Kyo.

Kyo wore a black beret and big glasses, blackish grey jacket, some yellow badge on the left side? and grey denim. Shinya (Yamo-chan) wore all black, double jacket? it looked very soft. When entering the stage Kyo did 'Fujifuji pose' to F...

F: today Kyo and Shinya came to the event! How are you doing, the two of you?

S: I'm always fine. 24h a day. Just got bit foolish in Sendai due to snow...

K: yeah... I'm also good...

F: for both of you it's your second time, going straight to the point what's the most impactful/memorable thing in 2020 for you?

S: not COVID?

F: from the band's point of view it is.

S: it didn't feel like being in a band. There were no concerts at all.

F: for you, Kyo? (pretending to eat)

K: PS5.

S: I see.

K: I couldn't get it. That's all I can think about.

S: I want it too, but not that much... can you play Dead by Daylight on PS5? having ps4 edition?

K: you can.

S: then I want it. I also applied for it, but as I wasn't contacted I don't think I won.

F: there's nothing besides PS5?

K: the fan who said in the message they're getting it next day, they are probably playing right now..  I get angry again when I think about it. And not just a bit....(F: what would you do if after you got PS5?) Eh? I have to say it each time？💢 (makes dissatisfied sound and turns away, for a while stays silent) 

F passes them the merch items.

S&K: ... (silently checking the items)

When prompted to say something

S: mini water bottle.. is for when you go out for a bit...

K: is that a pig?

S: it's a bear

But it has 3 fingers? The hoofs? 

S: a bear isn't like that? 

K: but only 3 fingers?! 

K: you draw 3 or 4 fingers for a bear! A horse gets 2! is the claw here (between the fingers?)? the claws come out here (pointing back of the hand)? 

S: there are no fingers there (in the back of the hand) 

K: and it is listening standing in front of the speaker? Its ears will get bad! Listening to such loud sound in front of the speaker! you will go nuts! 

F: so Kyo, you were praising the choker a lot in Osaka. 

K: ... (looks at the choker) ...(starts to tie the choker)...(puts the choker in front of F) 

F: it can be tied up? Is that a good point? Ah, you mean that it can be displayed like this? It's a very popular item so everyone please get one! 

Today there are only two tables, on the right (kamite) sits Shinya with Takabayashi, on the left (shimote) Fujieda with Kyo 

F: any no-no topics for the questions? (S says nothing) I hope it’ going to be interesting... what kind of outfit are you wearing today? 

S: I’m wearing black... the hood is...(hesitates) like Penyu 

K: (smiling😊) 

S: I realized today that it’s like Penyu. Not because Kyo came today as well. 

K: suddenly getting closer, feels bad 

F: Kyo... today you’re also wearing a total outfit idea? 

K: you think there’s a theme? 

F: a bit... like in an older coffee shop.... cafe... like sitting in a coffee shop... 

K: it’s monochrome checkers! 

F who got told it's checkers went 'i see~'

K: what, so today's theme is let's have a smoke or let's go to a cafe?

The usual atmosphere... like Kyo who always corners F until he's lost what to say

Ta chooses a question: 'what's the memorable small (v-kei) venue for the band members?'

S: Area or Cyber recently got closed, right? I really don't remember... didn't we only play at Rock-may-kan? I think no small venues [we played at] are left in Kansai? only Cowboy or Muse Hall.

K: I guess only Rock-may-kan.

Ta: how about for Shibere Bajiru?

K: with going straight to Shibire (like paying too much attention?), is that a shoulder pad. No? I wanted to see~

F: Cyber, Area is a very sad news... K, you don't have any [venues]?

K: not really...

Ta: 'what's the book you've recently read or a movie you've seen?'

S: ehm... nothing much... I also don't really read manga. But I've seen Demon Slayer. I got into it after watching anime.

K: heh, about Demon Slayer, I ordered the comics to be delivered, but only volumes 4~8 came. Am I supposed to start from vol 4? Wouldn't it be horrible? don't wanna start there

K: there's this thing I have, only get into it after it stops being so popular. I also didn't watch yesterday.

F: what kind of books do you read?

K: I read various things ... but I'm really excited about the new story from the Innocent.

Ta: 'what's your kanji of the year?'

S: 心・kokoro from 心夜・Shinya

Ta: isn't that the same every year?

K: for me... nothing really.

Ta: what was it this year (officially)?

S: 密・mitsu・crowd/carefulness, right?

K: (still trying to think) ...nothing really.

F: 'if you were to play on a different position in a band?'

S: by elimination only the guitar is left.

K: not the vocals? You're going for the guitar??

S: I'm not going for the vocals...

K: but you sing in karaoke?

S: I can't sing...

K: there's emotional singing! You're often angry!

S: I haven't gotten angry in 10+ years

K: but you sing the chorus!

S: but there's only short phrase with the chorus...

K: but you're doing lotsa of choruses

S: well... I'm practicing...but vocals are the most impossible for me...

'If you done something else than vocals?'

K: Takumi's position is good, watching the band members from the side, if it's something else than vocals then from the side is good.

S: but you like bass? That's the only idea I have for you.

K: that's only when song writing though!?

S: but you've been playing everywhere, right?

K: where everywhere? I haven't!

S: you have that time... (=sukekiyo)

Ta: aren't we going fast today? 'is there any country you'd like to visit?'

S: if possible I don't want to go...

K: but you're always going somewhere alone. To play board games etc

S: it only happened because I was already going.

Ta: Kyo doesn't want to go like "I'm!Not!Going!"

K: I'm playing a bit online games (Fortnite), but I'm told I suck at it. When you suck at something it's usually better to quit, I'm told so, many times, why is this guy going that way or is he going to the enemy's site on purpose? I'm told things like that from 6:30 in the morning sometimes.

K: if I (my heart) get broken by that how should I continue living?

S: I'm being told 'how are you living?'. I'm using the pig character but it feels like I'm living like a pig. I can block out the talk, but I'd rather hear those terrible opinions.

K: but it's hard

S: it is really hard.

K: when I played with Fujieda it was going well! He told me, get down or make your nose bigger

S: it also went well when we played, don't go there, let's go there and so on.

K: but the fights take about 20 mins in DbD, right? I'm dead in Fortnite in about 10 seconds

Ta: 'what do you like about F?'

S: he's always full of energy and almost never gets sad

K: his nose? Doesn't it get bigger as you look at it?

F: is that a praise?

K: it's easy to breathe and the mask stays on. Hands down it's your nose.

F: 'what song would you like to listen to very loudly?'

S: I'm not good with loud sounds... I prefer to listen quietly.

F: what do you listen to nowadays?

S: our new song(s)

K: I also don't want to listen (loudly), not really...

F: how about a song to listen quietly?

K: nothing special

F: Fujifuji!x

K: (ignoring him) (removes invisible dust from his shoulder)

Ta: 'what would you ask Santa for?'

S: it would be PS5?

K: Me? After all of that, I don't need it anymore, don't come. How does he get inside? There is no chimney. Is he picking a lock? Is Santa like a cockroach? Pretending to be dead when they're not... but maybe Santa is fine with all of that.

K: in the past, when I was in elementary school I was happy when Santa came, but then at some point he stopped coming. Wasn't that a crime (Santa's visits)? and parents also don't know how he comes in, isn't that scary? And from that time he doest come. I don't want him to come anymore.

'What song do you want to play when you can do concerts again?'

S: And Zero. I saod that in Sendai as well, but if it's not mode of Arche we probably won't...

Kyo: I don't really have one..

F: Do you want to play new songs?

K: I haven't listen to it (them). Isn't it how it is that you listen to them even when you weren't planning to? you dot feel like listening so much to the song you made yourself, no?

S: I also haven't listened to the new song(s) much.

Ta: Fujieda is listening to new songs a lot, in a car.

K: isn't that a bit narcissistic?

F: you don't want to perform new songs?

S: I already did while filming the music videos... doesn't that count?

'what time you go to bed and wake up?'

S: I go to bed at 6 and wake up at 1pm. It's my cycle.

K: I go to sleep at 1 and wake up around half nine. Should be around then? So there's someone who wants to know information like this?

F: they want to imagine (their lives)

K: and for what? Even if they know the time they don't know what we do

K: what time you wake up and then what time do you make coffee, make a toast, I don't understand why asking that, what's the point?

F: Shinya, is there something you'd like to know about Kyo?

S: I want to know everything.

K: I hate it that this person is called a doctor.

F: when the band has just started you two have met as first, right? What was your impression then?

S: I thought he's a really good person.

K: ...Oh?

F: And did you hit it off/became friends?

K: he didn't speak like this then. He spoke one or two things a day. He had long black hair and earrings.

S: You've bleached that black hair for me.

K: and, he said 'thank you' but... he said his kanji of the year is 心・heart, but he's the one without one. For over 20 years all band members are saying that he's like a robot or humanoid. When you go to his house he will reply with 'what is it?' with the chain on the door.

S: this is because when a certain member came some things happened...

K: But when I came over I was nice! I want to  visit! Remodel stuff! (with enthusiasm)

S: remodeling... (like the certain member) there are issues like that and that's why you're banned...

'is it weird if your mother comes to the concerts?'

K: isn't it okay?

S: and brings dad...

K: I'd love to see mother headbanging. The deep one when you start from waist!

F: do your parents come to the shows?

S: mine often come.

F: your parents as well, Kyo?

K: sometimes.

F: is it something you welcome?

K: yeah.

And then F asked when they came last time but probably T said nlt to ask something like that

About the avatar Music Clip for the 12/31 stream.

S: the video looks like PS2 game..

K: like that from Virtua Fighter.

The last comments

Shinya: Thank you for today. I think we won't be able to meet for a while, but there will be the nye stream and also a knot calendars, I hope you will spend the next year using them. Let's meet again.

Kyo: We couldn't meet at all this year, but after this long time seeing everyone's faces I calm down. I think it's a good thing. Everyone knows through social media what others are doing, but it is important to meet in person. We will be looking into concert plans, hope you stay tuned and thank you.

[gorgxoxus]

Scorching Summer Heat (at Christmastime)

Day 11: Knit

Also on AO3. 

This chapter is dedicated to @kuiinncedes!! Evermore chap here we come.

7:30pm 10th of December: Tina: We’ve booked our flights! Tina: attached link to flight details

11th of December:

It’s 6am when Blaine wakes up to a very loud sound. He shoots up from bed and out of his room. He notices the sound is coming from Quinn and Tina’s room. When the shouting turns into cackling he stands in front of their closed door and asks, “Is everything ok in there?” “BLAINE, BLAINE, TAYLOR SWIFT IS GOING TO DROP A NEW ALBUM TODAY!” says either one of them, “What?” Quinn says slowly, “Taylor Swift is going to drop a new album today,” he realises their safe and walks into their room.

He likes Taylor Swift and has always enjoyed playing around with her songs on guitar and piano. She doesn’t mean as much to him as Katy Perry, but he’s always been impartial to pop music and female artists.

Sitting at the end of their bed he asks, “What time is it coming out,” “1pm for us,” supplies Tina, “What’s it called,” They both reply at almost the exact time, “evermore,” he says, more to himself, “That’s a beautiful album name.” They spend the next hour in bed talking about Taylor, what they’ve all been up to recently. No mention of leaving. Blaine’s glad for new Taylor music, but mostly he’s glad to have the easiness back with his friends after the strain of the last few days.

They all head down the beach, taking up the whole path. The sun is beating down on him and they all chat together as they walk.

They lay down on towels on the sand, with Quinn and Tina reading their books and Blaine resting his eyes. After an hour they go for a swim, playing around, ducking under waves and getting out when a big set comes in.

Burt is behind the kiosk counter, “Hey Burt,” “Hey Blaine, Quinn and Tina, nice to see you guys, what do you want to order?” Quinn and Tina order juices and Blaine orders iced coffee. When Burt makes coffee Blaine stands next to him and asks, “How is Kurt today? I haven’t heard from him yet,” Burt replies, “He seems ok, I think your news threw him a bit,” Blaine starts to move to a defensive position so Burt quickly adds, “It’s not your fault,” and after a second adds, “I’m glad you told him, keeping him in the know is smart,” Blaine lets him know about his friends advice and Burt replies, “He’s a smart man.”

When Burt hands over the coffee and juices he says to the three of them, “We are having a barbeque on Monday. You’re all invited.” Blaine replies, “I’ll check with Kurt first, but thank you.” Quinn and Tina also add their thanks.

When he’s back at the apartment he sends a message off to Kurt about his Dad’s invitation. He sees five unread messages from Sam so he switches over.

8:05am: Sam: Are you awake??? Sam: Did you see Taylor Swift’s announcement? Sam: A whole new album!!!!!!!!! Sam: OK THERE IS A SONG CALLED cowboy like me!!!!!!!!! Sam: WAKE UP AND GET EXCITED WITH ME Blaine: hello Blaine: i am awake Blaine: i actually got woken up by q and t screaming about it at 6am Blaine: cowboy like me does sound like the perfect song for you Sam: I am ready Sam: how can I speed up time? Blaine: its only 3 hours now Sam: In other news, how’s the Kurt stuff going? Blaine: i still havent heard back from him Blaine: since the date last night…

When the album drops he lays on his bed, turns on the album and listens. With all the romantic songs he ends up just thinking about Kurt. Taylor sings about love, forever and heartbreak and he thinks about falling in love with Kurt and being with him forever. It does cross his mind that it’s a little early to know these things, but laying there soaking up the album he does want it. It’s not something he thought he would find when he came to Australia, and part of him wants to go with the flow and leave. He thinks it might be time to listen to his heart.

He calls Kurt, but he doesn’t pick up.

[pbandjesse]

I am very sleepy. I didnt sleep great again last night and while I was able to hold it together all day, I seem to just fall apart at night. It sucks. Im trying my best but it is hard. I just want to get the most out of my days you know?

I did have an alright morning though. I woke up a little before 8 and laid in bed for a long time. I got up and washed and dressed and felt alright. James had made me breakfast. He decided not to sign up for any teaching shifts so he could do chores here. So he was doing some laundry this morning. I sat in the livingroom and had my breakfast sandwich and watched some videos. 

What I really wanted to do was some art. I got a sock loom in the mail last night so I started to attack that idea. At first I was not doing it right. Its slightly different then the circle loom. And I thought I was using the wrong yarn for it but eventually after I watched a few minutes of video I got the hang of it. And my goal is to finish my first pair of socks by the end of the week. I really hope I can figure it out. I would actually spend most of today working on that. Mostly the kids were in class or otherwise preoccupied. So I could just have my little hand work project going and it was all good. 

So I spent my morning doing that. I tried really hard not to have leaving early anxiety. Its hard. When I got over to the site I would have a conversation about it with my manager and she said she doesnt think she can make the 1pm shift change, but 2 days a week we could work with with eventually moving me to a noon start time. So well see how that goes. Im a little more confident. Honestly even just starting at 1130 might help me. I dont know. Well see. It felt good to have the chat about it though. 

The actual work day was honestly pretty excellent. We had two new kids and the one was a complete sweetheart. He's 6 but we have a lot in common. Well more I was aware of more internet things that he liked. And at one point he told me that he had never met someone that like the same things as him. And when he got back on his class he told his teacher he made a friend and I honestly could have cried. Both of the new boys, they are brothers, were a little fragile and quick to big emotions. But I got them. And it was nice to be a good force and a positive adult for this little guy. 

He kept saying I was his bff and I helped him make a bracelet with his name on it, and he said it was beautiful because I made it. And he said I looked like the daughter from Hotel Transylvania and I was like yes but a little chubby and he got all serious and said "No. You're perfect." So he's my best pal now. 

There was a lot of art happening today. I think the kids like the art table a lot. I have like 3 or 4 projects for them to try and they just do their thing. And We played in the gym for a bit too. At the end of the day we watched a movie about a super powered squirrel and that was fun. I got a lot of my sock done then. Its honestly just about done and I will figure out how to finish it tomorrow and get started on the second. Im pretty excited about this new skill. I hope to make everyone socks for christmas this year. So at least Ill have a lot of time to work on them.

At the end of the day it felt like we had a lot of kids. We brought them back to the gym to run out some energy. Ended up having some neighborhood kids join us. James was waiting for me in the parking lot so I was like. Itching to leave. But I tried to be present by talking to one little girl about the dragon fanfiction she's writing and helping her edit her first chapter. Which honestly, is pretty good already. I hope she lets me read the whole thing. 

Once the kids were gone I got my stuff and met James outside. I was hungry but we had plans to go buy some gardening thigs. So off we went to the rite aid. 

We got potting soil and some pots for the plans that have gotten to big. And some little snacks for the house. And then it was home for dinner. 

We had a frozen pizza for dinner. I kept working on my sock. It was a good time.But it was also really cold in here. So we had a space heater going and I started having an upset belly. I think its cause I have a little bit of a headache. So now that it is late and this is done, I am going to take a shower and get in bed. And I hope that I can just sleep easy. 

Tomorrow I hope to have a productive morning. Wish me luck because its hard for me still. I hope you all have a great day though. Take care of yourselves. Goodnight! 

[svtmatokis]

Jihoon Office AUP1

Hello friends~ So as promised, I will be re-posting the Jihoon Office AU! today as well as two other fics which was listed in earlier posts. I hope you guys enjoy it!!! (I’m not going to blab much as I repost this since they are what they are...reposts...)

Genre: Romance/Fluff/Angst

Plot: You and Seungcheol have been best friends forever and as a favor, you agree to be temporary assistant of the one Lee Jihoon.

Words: 3427

Part 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 -

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!!” your best friend Seungcheol said as you walked into his office building. “I owe you lunch, dinner anything!” 

“Why are you making such a big deaI out of this?” you asked as he took you to your floor. “It’s not like you’re having me work with the devil or anything..” 

Seungcheol only grinned nervously at you, “You’re doing me and my dad a huge favor so I can’t thank you enough.” 

You and Seungcheol were best friends since high school until you decided to go overseas for university while he stayed and went to a local university. Though the two of you kept in contact over the last few years over the phone and email, you realistically haven’t seen each other since the end of summer graduating year. 

During your breaks, you never returned home to Korea and opted to travel the world instead but after graduation you had worked abroad as a business executive for three years till you felt like home was calling you so you decided to move back to Korea and that was where you reconnected with Seungcheol.

A few weeks ago, he had asked you for a favor since he knew your major had something to do with business and without knowing what it was outside of just knowing that it was a temporary assistant job, you agreed. 

Now as he got more and more nervous, you couldn’t help but wonder why? He hadn’t told you much about the job except it was to be an administrator which was fine for now. You had sent in your application to various companies hoping to hear back from at least one, but a temporary assistant job would do in the meantime.

As the two of you exited the elevator, Seungcheol lead you to the door of one of the managers. He knocked on the door but was met with a bark.

“What did I say about not bothering me when I’m in the middle of something?!”  a loud voice boomed from behind the door.

The voice made you jump a little as Seungcheol hesitantly opened the door and peeked his head in. 

“Morning” Seungcheol said with a grin on his face. 

Jihoon looked up from the paperwork he was doing and the cold demeanour in the room diminished,  “Oh, Seungcheol. Sorry, I thought it was one of the interns again, they’ve been coming to my office with questions all morning.” 

Seungcheol shook his head, “It’s good, I wanted to introduce you to the person who’s going to be filling your assistants spot while she’s out sick for the next three weeks.” He said, “More like stress leave because of how hard you are to please” he muttered  himself though you heard him and giggled before he opened the door wider allowing you to walk in.

“Jihoon, this is Y/N, my best friend from high school, Y/N, this is Jihoon, he’s one of the managers and board members.” Seungcheol introduced as you bowed.

“It’s nice to meet you, I’ll do my best.” you said smiling at him. 

A slight flush appeared on Jihoons cheeks as he saw you walk in the door and couldn’t help but stare and think how pretty you were before shaking himself out of his daze. 

Straightening himself up, he nodded his head, “Hello, I have a really busy schedule so you better be able to keep up. I don’t know what Seungcheol has told you, but this job isn’t easy.” 

You inwardly smirked, so he was one of those kinds of people. You nodded your head, “I  wouldn’t expect anything less.” 

Seungcheol smiled at you before turning to Jihoon, “I’ll leave her to you then.” he turned to you, “I’ll see you at lunch?” 

You nodded your head, “I’ll see you at lunch.” 

Seungcheol nodded and walked out of the office leaving you and Jihoon in an awkward silence.

Jihoon cleared his throat as you looked at him. “I’ll introduce you to some of the people on our floor and the managers first then I’ll show you your desk.” he got up and opened the door as you followed him out. 

He introduced you to various people like interns and associates before he turned to walk to another set of offices.

“Oh perfect, they’re all in here.” he said knocking on the door. 

Four sets of eyes turned to look at you and you smiled nervously, only recognizing Seungcheol.

“Guy’s minus Seungcheol, this is Y/N, she’s going to be filling the spot of my assistant till she gets back. If you need anything from me, it goes through her.” Jihoon said introducing you as you bowed before Jihoon continued. 

“Y/N, these are a few of the other managers here, of course you know Seungcheol, the one with the ponytail is Jeonghan, the one who looks like a sloth-”

“Hey!”

“Is Wonwoo and the one next to him is Joshua.” Jihoon finished. 

Each of the managers greeted you with a smile as Seungcheol explained that the two of you were high school friends and that you had recently returned from abroad. 

Once introductions were finished, Jihoon said that he was going to show you where your desk was and what kind of work to expect. As the door closed, Joshua couldn’t help but speak up. 

“I think I went to university with her.” 

Three set eyes were on him as Seungcheol nodded his head.

“Ah...that’s right...you went to UCLA right?” he asked as Joshua nodded a look of realization dawning on his face. 

“That’s right, she was actually in a few of my classes and she graduated top of our year. She’s smart, like really smart. She could almost give Jihoon a run for his money.” Joshua said and looked at Seungcheol, “Why did you hire her as Jihoon’s assistant?” 

Seungcheol shrugged, “His last one took stress leave because of how hard he ran her to the  ground. Y/N’s been an executive for a few big companies world wide and is known to be well respected in her field.  She works just as hard as Jihoon but when it comes to personalities they’re completely different. I figured that if she survives three weeks with him, we can look into having her fill that manager position we have open.” 

The three other men looked at each other in contemplation. Seungcheol did have a point. Jihoon was one of the toughest managers of the company, holding everyone under him to a high standard. He himself was a workaholic, almost never leaving the office till late. While everyone else would go out after work, he would stay until he was actually done everything for the day.

“He has a point, she’s been working abroad ever since graduation. She has a lot of experience that we could use.” Joshua said backing Seungcheol up.

Jeonghan and Wonwoo shared a look before nodding their heads. 

“If she can last the next three weeks with Jihoon, we’ll look into having her on board with us permanently.” Wonwoo said as the three nodded in agreement. 

Meanwhile, Jihoon had just shown you to your desk which had been left in a complete mess by his previous assistant. He showed you the whole email system and what software you would be working with, thanking the heavens that you were familiar with all of them. 

“If you have any questions, I’ll be in my office. I have three meetings back to back today, I expect you to have all the paperwork ready by 1pm. That’s an hour before my first meeting.” he said before going back to his office and slamming the door shut. 

You looked at the door and looked back at your new desk before letting out a sigh. Seungcheol owed you. You looked at the clock and noticed that it was already 10am, meaning you had three hours to get all the paperwork Jihoon needed for his meetings. You looked at the calendar and saw the name of the three meetings listed and you got to work. 

It was 12:45 when Jihoon stepped out of his office. He had expected you to come into his office multiple times like his previous assistants had done but was shocked when he saw you working on the computer, desk neatly organized and three stacks of papers labeled 2pm, 4pm and 5pm. 

Before Jihoon could make a comment, Joshua and Seungcheol turned the corner and made his way to your desk. 

“Hey Y/N” Joshua said waving as you looked up from your computer though you continued typing making Seungcheol chuckle.

“What’s up?” you asked the two boys though you noticed Jihoon from the corner of your eye. 

“We were just about to grab lunch, want to come with?” Seungcheol asked.

Before you could respond Jihoon cut in, “Y/N, how are my notes for my meetings coming along?” he asked making you turn to look at him. 

“Lunch sounds great actually.” you said nodding before taking the stacks of papers and handing them to Jihoon, “And here are the notes for your meeting, I’ve reviewed and highlighted a few key points. I hope you don’t mind.” you said grabbing your purse, “I’ll be going for lunch now” you bowed at him before following Seungcheol and Joshua out leaving Jihoon standing there, amazed that you actually got the notes done on time, well slightly early to be exact.

“Did you go to UCLA?” Joshua asked once the three of you were seated. 

You nodded your head, “Why?” 

“You took Professor Birk’s class right? Economics?” Joshua asked and you realized why Joshua had looked slightly familiar. 

“We were in the same study group weren’t we?” you asked as he nodded, a smile making its way to his face. “Wow, small world. How did you end up in Korea?” 

Joshua shrugged his shoulders, “Seungcheol and I have been friends for quite sometime and after graduation, I came to visit and he offered me a position at his fathers company. Three years later, here I am.” he explained, “What about you? I recall you were the only one in our class who had internship offers from Europe.” 

“And I took them” you said smiling, “But after three years abroad, I got home sick and thought it was time to come home.” 

“Plus she missed me” Seungcheol said grinning as you rolled your eyes. 

“In your dreams Cheol.” you said rolling your eyes at your best friend. “So what’s the deal with Jihoon? You guys asked me out for lunch but didn’t extend the invite to him though he was standing right there.” 

Seungcheol and Joshua looked at each other before Seungcheol replied, “We ask him all the time to go out for lunch but he normally has meetings and doesn’t have the time. I guess we just got to a point where we stopped asking because he always kept saying no. We’re not sure if he even eats or not, he’s not really close with anyone on the management team except Joshua.” 

Joshua nodded his head, “I normally remind him to eat and to go home early or what not but he never listens. Always in his office till late at night. He’s going to run himself dry one day, I swear.” 

You nodded your head silently, thinking about all the points that both boys made. In a way, Jihoon reminded you of yourself, always working never ending. You remembered the times where you would skip lunch because you would have to go for meetings or how many of your co workers thought you were cold because you never went out with them to eat though in reality, you were just focused on the goal. 

Then you had met Mingyu who had been your mentor and good friend at your old firm. He had learned right away that you were the type to not eat when you were busy and because you were dedicated to your career, there would often be times where you would go a full day without eating which didn’t go unnoticed by Mingyu.

(Flashback)

One day, you had back to back to back meetings and didn’t have time to sit down. You were running completely on fumes and if you didn’t stop soon, you would collapse. Mingyu picked up on this fast and had been observing you throughout that day. He knew that you hadn’t eaten nor were you planning on eating at all until your meetings were done and what kind of friend would he be if he didn’t step in and help you?

In between your second and third meeting, you had about a thirty minute break which you were going to use to review the notes for your third meeting when you saw a box of your favorite sushi and milk tea on your desk with a note on it.

Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t make time to have a quick meal. The work can wait, your health can’t!  - M

(End of Flashback)

You smiled at the memory and thought of your old friend. He had saved you that day and after that, you had remembered to at least snack between meetings, keeping various power bars in your desk just in case. 

As the three of you continued lunch, you couldn’t help but let your mind drift to Jihoon who was probably reviewing the notes for his first meeting, he had a break between his first and second meeting where he would probably review the notes for his second and third meetings at once. This was how you assumed his mind worked. 

An idea came to your mind as you finished your lunch and soon you were making your way back to the office with an extra bag in his hand.

Jihoon was walking back to his office after his first meeting which had been a success. The highlighted notes you had made really helped him get his point across and he had to admit, he was slightly impressed. 

He saw you sitting at your desk, organizing some paperwork he had set aside for you to do when you had time which made him see that you were efficient with your work. He stepped into his office and was greeted with the smell of something delicious. 

He looked at his desk and saw a bowl of jajangmyeon next to his notes. He looked around the office to see who could’ve left it for him though he caught that knowing smile on your face as a small blush made a way to his. He closed his door as he opened the container, getting hit with the smell of the noodles, before proceeding to eat while reviewing his notes for his second meeting. 

After your first week, you and Jihoon had managed to come up with a system that worked for the two of you. After your first day, Jihoon had learned that you were completely different than what he had assumed and after talking with the other managers, it was safe to say that you were meeting all of his expectations. As the week went on, you continued to buy lunch for him and left it on his desk for him to eat in between meetings. Though he knew that the lunches were from you, it was as if you had a silent agreement not to verbally acknowledge it.

It was Friday and Jeonghan had invited you out for dinner and drinks with Joshua, Seungcheol, Wonwoo and to your surprise, Jihoon. 

The group ended up at a lounge where everyone looked much more relaxed and you were finally able to see how everyone was. 

You noted that Wonwoo and Jihoon were more of the quiet ones, whilst Jeonghan and Seungcheol had a tendency to lead the conversation, Joshua would give his two cents here and there but overall would just listen and smile.  

As the night, everyone had a good time and for the first time since you started, you were able to have a conversation with Jihoon without the awkwardness, though it was probably due to the alcohol running through both your systems. 

You learned that he had once been passionate about music producing before real life had taken a toll and he had to focus on the business though if he had the time, he would definitely go back to producing again. It was the first time he had thanked you for the meals you had secretly bought him so he would eat, in which you completely denied though it was obvious it had been you. 

The group had learned that you and Seungcheol had been best friends since freshman year of high school and that the two of you had a big sibling complex with one another since you two were only children which is why there were times Seungcheol came off as protective. 

Jihoon watched you that night, all he could watch was you. When you talked to Wonwoo about the endless library you had and your love for books, or when you spoke with Jeonghan about this cafe you had once gone to in Paris and would like to go to again. There were also times where  Joshua would bring up a college story of something he remembered from class which in the end would end up either embarrassing you or you embarrassing him. 

He watched you and Seungcheol closely to see if there was anything more than friendship was going on but cancelled that out when he saw you help him get the cute hostess’s number. 

At the end of the night, everyone went their separate ways after you ensured them that you were okay walking back to your apartment alone, with each of them, including Jihoon making you promise that you text them when you arrive home. 

As Jihoon watched you walk in the direction of your apartment, he couldn’t help but feel this unsettling feeling in his gut. Quickly shaking it off and telling himself it was because he had quite a bit to drink, he started his walk to his apartment which was seemingly on the same path as yours.

As he was walking to his apartment he heard a scream which sounded almost like your voice which caused his senses to awaken. 

A second scream had him running to the direction where he heard it coming from, him taking his phone out just in case he had to call 911.

Your scream lead him to an alleyway where he saw you pinned against the wall with a man holding your shoulder while you had a few scratches on your legs probably from falling. Jihoon looked around him for something he could use as a weapon, a bat or a stick of some sort. 

You struggled against your captors grip as you let out another scream in which this time he covered your mouth with his hand. 

The man chuckled deeply as he watched you struggle. “I told you that you shouldn’t have come back. Now you’re going to have to pay” he said his face getting close to yours, “Seungcheol isn’t here to protect you anymore.” he slapped you hard causing you to fall on the ground.

Before anything else could happen, the man was quickly knocked away. You struggled to look up but saw someone kicking the man who was now on the floor. You struggled to see how it was but you felt too dizzy to do so. The next thing you knew, there was someone else joining that person and more punches were thrown before your world went black. 

(Five minutes earlier)

The moment Jihoon saw the man’s hand touch you, he was already running towards you with a plank in his hands, hitting the guy behind the legs so he would fall. 

He continued to kick the man who was struggling to get up but found it impossible when another flurry of punches were thrown from a different direction. 

Jihoon looked up to see Wonwoo glaring at the guy on the floor who was now knocked out. Both men clearly out of breath.

“Wonwoo” Jihoon said as man looked at him with a nod.. 

“I was walking by when I heard a scream and then I saw you running from the other side. When I realized it was Y/N-” Wonwoo started to explain before he turned to look at your limp figure.

“Y/N!” Wonwoo and Jihoon both yelled at the same time both running to your side.

[ibs-amongstotherthings]

A Little Better

Yanno how sometimes things turn up okay right after you have a huge bout of over reacting and panicking? Yup, das me. That is the story of my life. All last week I was in such a bad mood about the whole job search and not even being able to get an entry level marketing thing, and suddenly this weekend stuff started to get better.

So my mom went out of town for the weekend which left me home alone with the 3 pets I am p allergic to. Not allergic like my throat closes up or anything, but allergic like my eyes feel like they’re falling out bc they’re so itchy and I can’t stop sneezing. Because my cat usually sleeps in my moms bed with her, and she wasn’t there, Waffle (the cat) decided my bed was the best place to be. More specifically, my bed right next to my head. Where I breathe. So Saturday night was super long.

But on Sunday I woke up to an email from a local venue I used to go to all the time in high school inviting me in for a job interview. I spent the rest of Sunday doing ALL the laundry and running my air purifier and cleaning every inch of the house to de-fur it.

Today (Monday) I had an interview about an hour North for a marketing thing, and then went straight from that to the venue interview an hour West, and then drove about an hour and a half home, all by 1pm. Lots of driving in not a lot of time. BUT GUESS WHAT??? I’m going to bed tonight with 2 jobs. I got a seasonal position at Macy’s, and I got the job at the venue! Neither position pays that well so I kinda need both.

The more I think about the venue position the more excited I get. I’ll actually be putting BOTH degrees to use, working with live music, and tons of potential to grow into other roles. Most of the time I’ll just be working on days they have shows, which is anywhere from 2 to 5 times a week. But it’s better than nothing, and in KC all the venues know each other so there’s potential there to get work in other venues around the city.

So yeah, the past few days have gotten so much better. To top it off, tonight I tried the fried chicken tofu recipe Julien Solomita did (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAfrT-k7yxE) and it was SO GOOD!!! Lots of flavor, super crispy, and while it takes literal days its all super easy. 11/10 would recommend.

[irarelypostanything]

Slice of Life[3]

[Nora]

Nora finished the coding interview question in roughly three minutes, but she still felt a little bit blindsided.  

“Congratulations, that works perfectly.”

“But WHY?”

“Why what?”

“Why would you ask me to do this?”

On the whiteboard was C++ code that inverted a binary tree.  It was easy as fuck.  It was just one line different than traversing a tree normally, and it didn’t take her a whole lot of time to figure out the difference.

“We just wanted to assess your abilities.”

“And is this a...warm-up?”

“Nope, that’s the whole thing.  Congratulations again.”

Nora just stood there for a little while, whiteboard marker still in hand.  “I just inverted a binary tree on a whiteboard.  Does that indicate to you that I will be a good fit for your company?”

“Surprisingly, yes.  This question is literally the best metric we have devised.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

They stood there for a little while, looking at each other.

“So what do I wear on Monday?”

[Dan]

The entire meeting room was full of engineers intimidated by Dan, in spite of the fact that Dan was a tiny Asian dude who looked like he could be knocked out by a single punch from a 90-year-old drunken man with a walking problem.  His height said two things about him: That he was special in a not-good sort of way, and something I’d rather not say.

“I want to know which of you limp dick pieces of shit is applying to other companies.”

One engineer he hated (Dan hated all of his engineers, but this one he hated especially) started to say something, then stopped.

“Spit it out, you fuck.  Who is it?”

“N-N-Nora, probably?”

“Ah, so you’re selling out Nora.  Nora is ten times more loyal than any of you treacherous Indeed-easy-applying douche bags will ever be.”

The hated engineer showed Dan his phone.  “Look at her status: ‘Started my first day at a new job in San Francisco today.’ Hashtag livelovelaugh.  Hashtag girlswhocode.  Hashtag MondayMartinis.”

“Holy shit,” said Dan.

“I liked and shared the photo.  That’s cool, right?”

“All of you, clear the room.  I need to make a personal call.”

Nora did not respond to Dan’s first or second or third call.  He decided to text her, instead.

How could you, he texted her.  How could you leave?

Better pay, she texted back, almost immediately, better salary, less toxic atmosphere, more fun projects.

Oh okay, Dan texted, I guess that’s fine then.

Funny, texted Nora, I didn’t pick up because I thought you would be mad.

I am extremely mad, texted Dan, it is just very difficult to convey my rage without screaming.

[Ryan]

“This is, without question, the worse code I have ever seen,” said Ryan.  Ryan and Kevin were in a conference room.  On the projector was an incomprehensible mess of nondescriptive variable names, pointers to pointers to pointers, and comments written to the tune of this line of code is never called, and if it was called it definitely would not work.

“It gets worse,” said Kevin, “just look at this next function.”

Kevin scrolled down on the computer they were projecting.  Underneath that was a bunch of incomprehensible 0x values.

“For the love of all that is good and holy,” said Ryan, “What twisted abomination of a human would write something like this?”

“I don’t think it was written by a human,” said Kevin, “I think it was written by some rogue automated script turning against its creator as a final act of vengeance.”

“I can fix this,” said Ryan.

“Really?”

“I’ll refactor the whole thing.  We don’t know what it’s trying to do but we know what it’s supposed to do.  That will save a lot of time.”

“But they asked us to fix the code.”

“And I’ll fix it.  By rewriting it.  All of it.”

“How long do you think it will take you?”

Ryan checked his watch.  The time was 1PM.

“How many lines is this file, again?”

“In spite of everything it says in the coding standards, 1000.”

“What time do you usually hit the gym?”

“2:30.  I return at 4.”

Ryan looked at the code, then looked at Kevin.

“When you get back, I will have all the code rewritten.”

When Kevin returned at 4, all test cases were passed by a mere 220 lines of Ryan’s code.

[lindoig8]

Halls Creek (almost) to Katherine, 15-17 June

Tuesday, 15 June

We were preparing the van to move on when I got a call from Toyota in Katherine where I had made an online booking on Friday night for a car service. They have a 7-week waiting list – do I want to add our car to the list? No thank you, I will look elsewhere. I tried Toyota in Kununurra – their wait-list is only a bit over 6 weeks – but again, no thanks! I hadn’t tried Halls Creek where we had the car in a few days ago because they had told me that their mechanics were out of town so their workshop would be closed all week. I just rang them to see if they had any other suggestions and they said it was an easy service and one mechanic was there who could do the job if we came in at 1pm. They had fewer bookings because their main mechanics were away so we got in without delay. They had already promised to make time to replace an Anderson Plug on the van for us as we left town so it was easy to add the service too. We were delighted to get the service done: a few hundred clicks earlier than necessary, but certainly better than 4 or 5000 clicks over given the nature of our travels.

As soon as the service was complete and we had let some air out of our tyres, we topped up with fuel and hit the road at 3.15 pm. We were heading out on the Duncan Road – yet another iconic stock route, very bumpy with steep, deep dips and crests and constant corrugations, but not as horrific as some we have driven recently. Our maximum speed was restricted to about 55 to 60 kph due to the dips – as well as quite a few rough water crossings.

We passed the China Wall as soon as we were on the gravel but didn’t get out of the car – just stopped and looked. We visited it more closely last time we were here – while waiting to get the van towed to Kununurra to get its axle replaced. It is a remarkable white quartz wall up to 6 metres high that runs for over 100 kilometres in a more-or-less straight line – amazing stuff, but we were suitably amazed 4 years ago and kept driving. A little further on was Old Halls Creek that we also explored at length last time we were here. It is the site of the original township and is quite extensive (probably a bit bigger than Farina that I discussed in a post several weeks ago), some of it is moderately well preserved, but most of it is just dilapidated ruins or worse. Once the residents leave and it becomes a tourist destination, there is obviously no reason to spend money on maintenance so the whole edifice collapses – if it didn’t, I am not sure how many tourists would bother visiting. Again, we stopped and looked from the Road, but then kept going.

We only did 42 kilometres for the day and camped in wonderful gravel pit. (We have had some wonderful nights in gravel pits!!!) We were expecting to find a place called Palm Springs (hopefully, with no luxury high-rises, 5-car garages and casinos) but saw an inviting side road that took us out of sight of the main track and we camped there for the night. It was very special! I went for a walk to the top of a craggy hill near the caravan to take some photos and saw some Rainbow Bee-eaters among other things. The whole area is covered with green spinifex so walking is sometimes painful, but the view was certainly worth it. The gravel pit was in a green valley (almost lush by local standards) with a spectacular red stone ridge and associated cliff running for at least a kilometre above it. Quite beautiful.

We sat outside for our Happy Hour with an excellent red, great nibbles, a fantastic sunset, extraordinary fishbone clouds and superb company, surrounded by birdsong in some of the most specky country we have seen. We were looking at the silhouette of a beautiful drooping tree just in front of us when the skyline behind it started to move – and a big old kangaroo hopped from centre stage to exit right! A cool breeze, glorious solitude (except for the world’s most wonderful lover), a velvet sky splashed with glittering diamonds, embedded in nature…….. How could it possibly get any better?

Wednesday, 16 June

We woke a little later than usual for some reason. It was almost full light when I opened my eyes and a wake-up coffee was soon on the way. We both seemed a little reluctant to start the day so sat up in bed and did more than our usual quota of puzzles - but all good things must come to an end and time and breakfast waits for no man.

We ate and did the dishes and were all ready to go when we decided to explore the area a little more as I did last night before moving on. We climbed the nearby hill again, eschewing the spinifex with only moderate success and we were on our way again.

The whole area is a hodgepodge of red stony ridges, green spinifex, beautiful white-trunked (and other) trees, picturesque lumpy hills popping out of the plain at random, rolling pastoral country, craggy rocks – a truly wonderful place to visit. No wonder so many people come to visit and never go home.

After only a couple of kilometres, we found the place we had been looking for the previous evening – Palm Springs! Not too glitzy, but a lovely little area at the side of the road with a very small creek fed by a very small waterfall (one of the springs?), but with enough birds to keep me busy for half an hour or so. The Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters were the best.

It was a great little area and we took a few pics, but we still think our hidden camping spot out of sight of the road last night was better. It gave us some wonderful privacy, and solitude that we wouldn’t have had immediately beside the roadway at Palm Springs.

A few clicks further on, we saw the turnoff to Sawpit Gorge so off we went. It was only four kilometres in - but four kilometres back out again with virtually nowhere to turn around. (Reversing the caravan 4 clicks on that terrain was simply not an option!!!) We did all sorts of manoeuvres to turn the car and van around – and then undid them all when we couldn’t quite get around without completely jack-knifing the rig. We eventually backed far enough into a partially cleared spot to turn around and off we went without exploring the Gorge at all. We were just glad to be out of there after the trauma of turning the van around. Then, perhaps a hundred metres up the hill, we found a place where we could have parked and turned relatively easily, but there were no warning signs and then it was too late.

This whole area is spectacular. It is very hilly with hundreds of dramatic rocky jump-ups, often heavily vegetated and with beautiful, graceful trees. There is a lot of vicious spinifex, but also extensive areas of softly-waving grassy fronds. For kilometres, there was a uniform mantle of soft creamy 30-centimetre high grass, interspersed every 3 or 4 metres with a 2-metre spike of some sort of recently-deceased reeds. The topography was outstanding: colourful rocky outcrops, undulating hills and steep cliffs, but the trees and grasses were also quite arresting – so different from what we are accustomed to.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. After yesterday’s bumpy drive with dips and crests, the road improved. It was still very corrugated with rocky patches and numerous shallow creek crossings – deepest probably 35-40 cm deep – but we were still rarely up to 60 kph maximum. We eventually reached the point where Duncan’s Road turned north and where we turned south onto another stock route, the Buntine Highway – hardly recognisable as a highway, consistently corrugated and sometimes barely wheel-track wide. This track took us back into the Northern Territory again with no Quarantine or Covid notices – but they came a little later.

We only drove 200 kilometres for the day and camped just off the road near a windmill and bore and sat outside the van with cold drinks and nibbles as the sun went down and the heat of the day was blown away by a gentle cooling breeze. There was a bit of dust in the van but not too bad and we are looking forward to some bitumen and slightly faster speeds tomorrow afternoon.

Thursday 17 June

So much for faster speeds! It was pretty rough for half the day, but it certainly improved once we hit the bitumen – not too hot in some places, barely wheel-track wide, but it improved the further we went.

As to internet speeds, the opposite occurred. We had a good signal at Kalkaringi but no signal at all in Top Springs tonight and the people in the Roadhouse say that Vodaphone is the only provider that covers this area. Good old Telstra fails again.

So where are we and how did we get here? We are in Top Springs at the intersection of yet another

part of the Binns Track (part of the Savannah Way that we drove end-to-end four years ago) and the Buntine Highway (aka the Buntine Goat-track in places).

We drove 330 kms today, half on gravel (superb to terrible at times) and half on often quite poor bitumen, mostly barely wide enough to keep all wheels on the paved surface. Almost all drivers we saw today were really good though, getting completely off the road to give us priority - something I have tried to do most of the time, but have rarely seen others doing it before today. It is far better to vacate the road, even to stop, and let the oncoming maniacs roar through on the bitumen than to drive into the wall of stones thrown up by them. And depending on wind direction (why is it always blowing into my side of the car?), we have to stop for up to 30 seconds every time a car passes anyway so we can see the way forward and not drive into a possible second oncoming vehicle.

Today, we drove quite a few kilometres at 20 kph or less due to the vicious corrugations. Faster than that and I had no control at all. The brakes were entirely ineffective and the steering wasn’t much better because no two wheels were on the road at any time. It was horrendous until we got to the roadworks where two graders were carving out a beautifully smooth passage for us, albeit on the wrong side of the road - but out here, there is rarely a right side: the right side is the one that’s not quite as bad as the other side, i.e., the side that everyone uses. Of course, that changes frequently, so we zigzagged back and forth (as did any other vehicles), just hoping that we didn’t zig when we should have zagged or vice versa.

We drove through another area of dramatic jump-ups – small sharp hills erupting out of entirely flat grasslands. I mentioned The Granites on the Tanami and a possible extension of them on the way to Halls Creek and we encountered another similar few square kilometres again today.

We ate our lunch at Kalkaringi, formerly Wave Hill, where we tried unsuccessfully to find a workshop to which we were directed to put a bit more air in our tyres - so we drove the next 170 kms with slightly lower pressures than intended. We also tried to find the Police to comply with the requirement to complete a Covid form immediately we crossed back into the NT but the local cop was out of town. Next cop will be in Katherine tomorrow, but maybe by then, the urgency to complete the form may have abated. (And it had! Approaching Katherine there was a roadside sign asking interstate travellers coming from a declared hotspot to ring the local health authorities – nothing more!)

One good thing about Kalkaringi was the strong internet signal that allowed us to download close to 50 emails each while we ate our lunch, very few of which warranted any action.

We then drove on to Top Springs – bitumen all the way and set up behind the Roadhouse with good water, hot and cold showers, power, but no internet. We were hot and dusty so went for a drink at the Roadhouse bar and the barman recognised us. We had been chatting with him and his girlfriend, backpackers from Germany, when we were all exploring the Henbury Craters south of Alice six weeks or so ago. It is a small world and we may cross paths again on our way back west.

It was great to have a shower and to plug the fridges into AC power overnight as well as mains pressure water. And I even added a couple of bird species to our trip list. It currently stands at 137 including six additions to our Life-list.

Despite our drink in the bar (and one in the van with the fan on), we were still hot so we ate our dinner outside, augmented with some hot chips straight from the bar. They cooked a batch specially for us, all double-fried, and just enough for 3 meals each.

And after dinner we watched the very final episode of White Collar, all six series of which have accompanied us most nights since we left home. We enjoyed the series and I am delighted to report that ‘the gooduns won’.

That just left us with an easy run into Katherine tomorrow, but I will leave that for another post.

[istanbulwild]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[istanbulgaybars]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[clothingstore]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[istist]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[istanbulpub]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[streetofistanbul]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.

[tripsistanbul]

The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul!

I have been twice and I would go again and again. The former church, mosque and now official museum has a saintly ambiance combined with Byzantine and Islamic architecture. Sitting in the old city part of Istanbul called Sultan Ahmet, it joins other nearby landmarks belonging to the UNESCO World heritage list for Turkey.

The large dome, Christian frescoes and Islamic calligraphy adorning plaques hanging from the upper galleries perfectly sums up the history of 3 cities; Istanbul, Constantinople and Byzantium. I cannot criticize the building in any manner and even the long queues to get in, do not defer me from singing its praises.

How is it possible that a manmade construction can evoke so much respect from me?

Well, its history is impressive but I urge visitors to head to the upper gallery and just stand there in silence for 5 minutes. As you do this, look around and take in the architecture. Imagine the people that crafted those walls, ceilings, and balustrades.

Despite being one of Turkey’s top visited attractions, the Hagia Sophia has a calm and quiet atmosphere. I think I can correctly assume that everyone who steps inside is likewise in awe.

One of the best descriptions I have read about it was penned by the author and poet Richard Tillinghast. In his book, an Armchair Traveller’s History of Istanbul, he wrote…

Once inside, I take off my hat. I am standing in a building that is a millennium and a half old. I want nothing to obstruct my vision, as I look up into the dome, which the ancients saw as being suspended from heaven on a golden train.

When Was the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul Built?

Although the Hagia Sophia is extremely old, this building that we see today is not the original. The first Hagia Sophia was built in 360AD. A fire in 404AD destroyed the roof and then another fire; ten years later destroyed the rest of it.

As a result, the Hagia Sophia was completely rebuilt in 415AD. It seemed however that its future was doomed because 117 years later, it was again destroyed in the Nika Riots of Istanbul. After being rebuilt, it suffered minor damage over hundreds of years but not enough to completely destroy it and we can see its fine glory in the building that stands today.

Interesting Facts about the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul

In Turkish, it is called Ayasofya

The name Hagia Sophia means the Church of Holy Wisdom

The plaques of Islamic calligraphy were added in the 19th century and are made from wood

The Hagia Sophia was used as a church for 916 years

It was then converted into a mosque in 1453 and used as such for 482 years

In 1935, it become an official museum of the Turkish Republic

It belongs to the old part of the city that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

There are two floors; the ground and upper gallery levels. The latter is reached by an uneven, winding stone staircase so make sure you have good shoes on!

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

In winter, The Hagia Sophia of Istanbul is open every day from 09.00am to 5pm. Closing time extends to 7pm in the summer. On the first day of religious festivals in Turkey, it opens at 1pm.

Ticket booths shut one hour before though, so to enjoy your visit at a slow pace, arrive before then. Tickets at time of publishing are 30 Turkish lira for adults. Children under 12 go free.

Further Reading

You don’t have to visit Istanbul to see the interior of the Hagia Sophia. Check out this cool 360 degree viewer

If architecture is your passion, this is a rather easy to understand floorplan of the lower and upper levels.

This is the official Government website for the museum

Depending on the time of day you visit, queues for the Hagia Sophia can be long. I waited 40 minutes to get in. If you plan to visit other places in Istanbul, take a look at the Istanbul Tourist Pass that helps you to beat the queues.