#car service green square

[copperbadge]

[ID: Two images of a brightly colored quilted lunch bag with a button that looks like a little clock face and an elastic loop that goes around it to close, and narrow green fabric straps for handles. The exterior has square fabric patches showing Whataburger logos, cars, trailers, french fries, and sushi. The interior of the bag has flag green on the front and back, flowers and birds on the side, and a bottom that shows dinosaur skeleton fossils in dirt.]

A while back I made myself an "insulated" quilted bag, which was pretty much exactly the size of a fast food takeaway bag, from old Whataburger pyjamas and other fabric scraps. I had exactly enough Whataburger squares left to do a second one and it occurred to me my parents, who have no delivery service and have to drive 15-20 minutes to get takeaway, would appreciate one, so over the weekend I threw one together for them.

Ordinarily I'd put a buttonhole on the front for a closure, but I still have some elastics from maskmaking to use up, and an elastic around a button is a little easier to do up and undo. I initially came up with this when making a bag for Baby U, who is two and has very little fine motor control, but it's also good for older folk who might have dexterity loss due to arthritis and such. And a stitched-on loop is less likely to cause fraying and tearing of the bag itself than a buttonhole.

Mum always asks if I want to stop somewhere and get something to eat after I land, since usually I'm coming in too early to have had breakfast or late enough that it's nearly lunchtime. I said I'd be okay for a bit and suggested we stop at the Whataburger closest to home and take it home to eat, so I'm planning to spring the bag on them when we stop to get the food, and they can walk into Whataburger with awesome swag. I think my stepdad will especially like the little trailers on the front of the bag.

[phoebosacerales]

Hello <3333 I hope you're doing well. Two Q's:

1) Are there any transits that indicates one will get into a car accident? If so, does it have to do with 3rd and 12th house because I had transits in these houses and got knocked by a car.

2) Are your paid services still available? Because I'm interested in purchasing a reading sometime next month.

Thank you!

Hello, I'm doing good, thank you.

To your second question: yes!

And to the first, I hope you're doing well now! I have two examples of road accidents for you. One happened to me while I was crossing on a green light with my bike. I didn't see the guy on his motorcycle, so he hit my front wheel. He had scratches worse than mine and I had to pay for the damage on his bike as well. The other happened to a friend, someone hit his car and he ended up in the police station, but he also didn't have his license (or something about his documents) and he got a fine.

Accidents are related to Mars and the 6th house. The 6th and Mars are understood as the "bad fortune", bad luck, like sickness, disease, acute pain or trauma, accidents.

The 3rd house is about mobility, the streets and travel. Cars are seen in the 3rd or as the 3rd house ruler. And the Moon is associated with cars and means of transportation.

Saturn is a lot of times involved because Mars-Saturn gives the idea of a fast object hitting a brick wall, but Mars is doing the action. Maybe the 12th can be involved as well, but less so and in specific ways, probably, like when you get stuck in the middle of nowhere because you hit something, or when you have to go to the hospital, etc.

My friend, who is a gemini rising, he had it happen in a 2nd house profection of the ascendant, activating cancer and the moon in the 1st house. His solar return came with the same ascendant and Mars on it, afflicting the Moon. Mars rules his 6th house.

But how isn't this just signifying a bad year for health and money? Well, the Solar Return Moon is in the 3rd of short distance travel, aspecting Mars very closely. You also see Saturn involved opposite the Moon and in a close superior trine to Mars. I don't think I need to say more…

I've been doing profections in the way of Valens, profecting every planet and point, giving preference to the occupant of the sign (first natal occupant then solar return occupant) to determine the timelord, then, if there's none, to the ruler. And just jumping to the next sign every month to do monthly profections, transmiting matters to the next guy. So, on the second month, the ascendant and the Moon transmit matters to the Moon again, in the 3rd house in Leo, because she's there on the Solar Return. And that's when the accident happened. I wish I could show you the transits, but I don't remember the exact date. Any accident also turns into a financial issue, but it's interesting here that this was signified as well by the Moon ruling the 2nd house.

As for myself, I was in a 3rd house profection of the ascendant when I had the accident, activating Jupiter in Capricorn, which if you profect to its own 3rd, it transmits matters to Saturn in Pisces, the ruler of the 3rd. The Solar Return has a Mars-Saturn conjunction on the ascendant, to which the Moon is applying a square. This is famous for signifying accidents, and Mars rules the 3rd here. I am ruled by Mars, as well as my 6th house, so it's funny that I caused it.

This also happened on the second month of the profection, when the ascendant transmited to that conjunction of Mars and Saturn in Aquarius. While Jupiter transmited to Mars (Aries), the SR's 3rd house and the natal 6th.

The chart below is for the time of the accident. Aquarius was rising with Saturn, the Moon was aspecting it on the same place as it was on the solar return. Jupiter, the time lord of my year (which is also my timelord by distributions), and Mars, the one Jupiter transmited to that month, are in the 3rd exactly conjunct.

I thought about showing you famous cases like Princess Diana and even the Titanic to demonstrate how this can be for long distance travel, but I felt it was too morbid and over the top, so I decided to show you more ordinary real life mild cases haha, but I recommend looking at those too if you want.

[babygirllinds]

WIP Wednesday

- cowboy like me

Tom Kazansky didn’t like Maverick because he was dangerous. He was a danger to everyone up there that had to fly with him. He was unreliable and had an ego bigger than the goddamned sky.

He could list reason upon reason why the man was dangerous.

Like how the man had pushed into Ice’s space and got close enough that they were breathing in each other’s exhales. The subtle touches that lingered. Maverick’s eyes trailing up his chest in the locker room.

It’d been enough to have him sitting in his car, trying to breathe through a panic attack. If anyone caught them crossing that line, they’d both be out on their asses before they could blink. Maverick was flirting with dangerous territory and Ice was trying with everything in himself to not pin the man against the nearest surface and ruin both of their lives.

Of course, that didn’t stop the headache of a man from chasing after him like he was on a mission and determined to win.

“Hey, Kazansky,” Maverick calls. He’s grinning and his crooked tooth is on display. Ice had already identified it as something so distinctly Mav. “Want to go for drinks later?”

Ice studies the glint in his forest-green eyes and the way his fingers twiddle with the zipper on his flight suit. He still hadn’t showered after their hop, unlike Ice who was already dressed back in his service khakis and making his way out of the building for the day. He can practically smell the sweat from the heat of being in the cockpit of an F-14. It makes his head spin a little as he squares his shoulders and guards his face with a blank stare.

“You know that you’re dangerous,” he states. It’s not a question. He’s said it millions of times at this point.

“All the best things in life are dangerous, Ice.”

I’m in love with this song fic I’ve got going and I especially love this Taylor Swift song 🥹 It’s one of those I’ve had in my drafts for a long while and I’m looking forward to the day I feel confident enough to finish it :) hope y’all liked your pick this week 💗

[appynonna]

Our Universe Chapter 5: A New Friend! Pairing: Poly!OT8xoriginal chararters Rating: 18+ Word Count: 2,794 Words Warning: pet names, Hinting at GxG relationship, talk of possible pregnancy.

Previous Chapter -> Here

Arthur notes: Hello, Deary So we won't see much of the guys in this chapter but it going to start bringing in new people and other idols. I really hope y'all are enjoying this so far!

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I went to grab my purse out of the car as she locked the building up. The ride was quick with loud music. Yechan had left Dune in her office, saying that he would be fine and that she would pick him up after she was done.

the small talk was a little awkward but that should have been expected. For almost the year I have been together with the guys, I had only been around Yechan a few times. She has a room and office at the house but for whatever reason she doesn't live full time there. She might stay a night or two a week but she has an apartment inside the city limits.

Seonghwa had once told me that she had gotten together with Yunho when they were still in Secondary Education, Yunho was also close friends with Mingi in Secondary Education. The other relationship came together slowly and 6 years later it is what they have now. I honestly don't know what to call it.

I had never been in any kind of relationship like this, The level of trust that is needed for 10 people to all be together at the same time is outstanding. There were rules in place to help. Being honest and upfront about things, was the biggest rule. We were allowed to see people outside of our little circle, but most of their relationships don't last for one reason or another, most people don't like the idea of sharing I think.

Turning onto the road that takes you back to the main street square Yechan random started to laugh over the song she was previously singing. I turned and looked at her "You know, If you're not already on birth control you might want to get on some." She said still laughing, I just started at her my mouth gapping " Yunho was telling me last night that they have a bet going as to see who will get you pregnant first" I could feel my mouth drop You better close that Bunny or you'll catch a fly" She was laughing again

"Are you serious? I asked her not believing my ears. Yechan just nodded "You might want to bring it up to Yeosang, If you would like to get on something," She said pulling up to Rhea's Salon.

The Urban Glow Studio and Spa was a privately owned and run hair salon and spa that Rhea had built from the ground up. they offer a line of different services, Everything from normal hair cuts and dye jobs to Nails and full spa treatments. She was working two jobs when she brought it. Buying the cheapest building she could find, Gutted it, and then built it from the ground up. It was her dream to have this place.

Walking into the salon from the front door you're hit with the smell of watermelon and sea salt. It was an odd combination but it worked for her. Due to spending so much time here, that was what Rhea also smelled like at any given time.

Today she had her long burgundy colored hair pulled up to a might messy bun and top of her head, and was in her normal work 'uniform'. Black pants, a black shirt, and her black/white Mike shoes. She also had a blue and silver bracelet on her left wrist. Today she was wearing a purple holographic apron and had what looked like Hello Kitty bandaids on her fingers.

Rose the spa technician was wearing an identical outfit but with a knee-length skirt and was spinning around in one of the Unoccupied salon chairs, and the nail tech Hannah was sitting at her workstation currently working on a set of nails. I walked over to Hannah as Yechan walked over to Rhea "What are you doing" I asked sitting down in the green comfy chair placed in front of her desk

"I am currently constipating every choice in life I have ever made and deciding what bridge I'm going to jump off of," she said then took a sip of her yoo-hoo through the straw. I laughed at her "Someone must have given you a crazy order and offered so much money you couldn't say no?" I asked, Hannah just nodded never taking her eyes off the nail before her.

I leaned over the table to look at them. They almost had a catholic look to them, The base was white with a risen gold top and little green stones throughout. A little bit on the bolder side for me "That is insane" I said to Hannah, Not a moment later Rhea walked up to me holding a black container with a lid "Here" she said holding it out to me "Knowing you the only thing you have put in your stomach this morning is coffee" I smiled at her "You know me so well" I took the container from her as three different voices yelled my name "For shame on you" Rhea shook her head " The spa area is up and running if you want to go out there, You know where everything is" She throw her hand up as she walked away

Inside the container were chocolate and caramel drizzle apple slices, Turning back towards Hannah she shook her head, Opened a draw on her desk, and pulled out a pair of wooden chopsticks "Throw them away when you're done" Then she started back on the nail set.

I stood up and walked to the glass door in the back of the shop, passing the hidden stairwell up to the second floor. Upstairs is mainly used as storage but it does have a full-size studio apartment attached to it.

I pushed the door open heading outside. The back Spa was a nice little space. There was a small fire pit off to the left with four wooden chairs around it, A stone path that headed up to a large inground Spa hot tub, and the control panel next to it.

Walking over to the hot tub, I turned it on and then grabbed a towel to sit on from the sealed container that Rhea stores the outside towels in. I took my heels off the stuck my feet in the hot water.

The apples were fresh, the dish most likely made this morning by the staff to snack on. I grabbed my phone out of my bag. No missed calls or new messages.

I opened the messages between Yeosang and me as I thought about what Yechan said in the car. I am not ready for kids. I typed a quick message to Yeosang.

Ari 9:23 am - Are you busy?

I locked my phone and sat it down reaching to get another apple slice. Before the apple was in my mouth, my phone rang. I answered without checking who was calling.

"Bonjour Ari, je parle" (Hello Ari Speaking) I said pushing the bite of the apple to the side of my mouth "Doll, Je ne savais pas que tu connaissais le francais" (Doll, I didn't know you knew french) It was Yeosang, I could hear the smile in his voice as well as loud voices in the background.

"I know the basics, but I need to practice it more," I told him leaning back on my right arm "I am more than happy to help you" He officered " but what's going on, I thought you were with Yechan today?" He asked, I could hear the light tone of concern in his voice.

"I am, I just have a quick question for you," I told him lightly kicking my feet in the hot tub. "I was thinking about maybe starting birth control, "I told him "Is that something you could give me?" I asked "Unfortunately it's not, I do have a good friend here that I would trust you to see. Would you like me to set up the appointment for you" he officered " I think so," I told him

"ok, I'll set it up and send you the time and date, But Ari. Are you ok?" he asked I could hear him moving now along with a door opening "I'm OK, I was just talking to Yechan and it got me thinking is all" He sighed "She told you about the bet didn't she?" He asked " I told them it was stupid" He muttered quickly "She did" I wasn't going to lie to him

One of the biggest rules was no secrets within the family " It just got me thinking, Yeo I'm not ready to have kids" I told him, He chuckled a little bit I honestly don't think any of us are" Yeosang replied. "But that's perfectly fine, it's your choice. None of us will force you into anything" He told me, I could feel the relief flooding my body. I wasn't sure if it would be a deal breaker for any of them.

"I do have to let Hongjoong know about your appointment. You know the 'when and where', the rest is up to you" He added I could almost see his soft smile " I do need to get back to work, But I'll call Chungha and set everything up for you. Love you" He said and then was off the phone. I do feel better now, I wonder what is going to be done at the appointment.

I closed the container and just sat there in peace for a minute, not worrying about anything. After a while, I ended up lying down on my back, with my feet still in the water. I closed my eyes.

"Ari" I could hear a voice calling but it sounded far away "Ari" It called again but louder this time. I opened my eyes.

Standing above me was Rose, with her perfectly long strawberry blonde dyed hair pulled back in a half updo, loose curls falling over her shoulder. A black bow sat at the back of her head, holding the hair in place. Her dark brown almost black eyes blinked at me slowly, showing off her perfect eye lineer. She always looks so effortlessly flawless and feminine.

"Yechan is almost done, If you want to come back inside. We ordered pizza too." she told me holding a towel. After drying my feet off I put my heels back on following her down the walkway back into the shop.

Walking back into the hair salon at the same time the front glass door opened. I didn't pay any mind to the door and went over to Yechan "What do you think?" She asked, I picked up a stand and played with the end. It was still so soft "It fits you" I smiled at her and looked back over to Rhea for a second and then back to Yechan. "It should, It's my natural color," She said with a sad smile

Yunho had told me once that Yechan had normally kept red in her hair but having to get it touched up every so many weeks was bad for the hair, It was slowly liking her hair. " Just because it's your natural color doesn't mean it's the best look for you." I smiled placing my hand on her shoulders and looked at her in the mirror. Yechan gave me a funny look "Ari" she started but was cut off by a guy calling "Pizza!"

Turning to the guy, corrected two guys. The guy holding the pizza boxes looked like Rhea, He looked a little bit on the dorky side with his fluffy black hair and big happy smile, the same smile Rhea gets when she gets on a kick about something she is passionate about.

He was wearing denim overalls over a black shirt. The shirt had some kind of pink writing but I couldn't tell what it said, along with plain red converses.

The guy standing next to him was looking over at Yechan and me, Rhea turned toward us as well "Bros, this is my brother Seungmin and his friend Jisung," she told us Her brother Seungmin had already turned around but the friend was still looking at us.

Jisung was strangely beautiful in an effortless way. He was sporting dirty blond hair over a black shirt with spiderwebs and pink wringing on one side of the chest and an odd shade of jeans, they looked both blue and pink at the same time. His face was bare with wire-rim glasses low on his nose.

Yechan next to me now had the flat iron trying to curl a little piece of hair in the front, It didn't want to cooperate with her already curly hair. "Here let me," I said taking the iron from her, Yechan handed it over without a fight.

Picking the piece up to start curling it, the friend of Rhea's brother walks over to us. He rubbed his hands on the front of his pants, nervously. I raised an eyebrow to him " The color looks really good on you. Makes your green eyes pop" He was flirting with her openly, It was very cute "Un ha" Yechan just looked at him a little bit suspiciously. I told her I was done.

Turning the flat iron off and sitting it down on the cooling pad I walked over to Rhea, She quickly sat her her phone down. Almost slamming it onto the counter. "You ok" I asked her, She was as white as a ghost. "I'm fine, It was just a weird email" she stated and then smiled "Pizza?" She asked holding out a small plate.

There was a chicken Alfredo with bell pepper, A Hawaiian style with ham, bacon, and bell pepper on it. Another was pepperoni and Italian sausage with green olives and extra cheese on what looked like a pan crust, Then a classic pepperoni and cheese pizza.

The two boys laughed at themselves after opening all the boxes. "What" Yechan asked the blonde boy next to her. He stumbled slightly, Looking at her. Jisung eyes went the size of dinner plates. "Just thinking about a friend of ours that strongly believes that pineapple doesn't go on pizza" Jisung stated running his hand through his hair "Or burgers" Seungmin added laughing.

As it should be" another voice added coming through the door. The guy who entered was about the same height as Seonghwa, He had narrow dark eyes. Wearing navy blue dress pants, a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and black dress shoes.

He walked up to Jisung " I need some help with these packages" He grabbed his arm then started back to the door, Jisung pulled at his arm playfully "No I don't want to help, They have Pizza!" he whined throwing his arm towards us"Sammy the pizza!" Jisung fake cried. "Too bad" and 'Sammy' pulled Jisung out the shop door. For a few moments after the door closed you could hear Jisung whine about how hungry he was. Yechan laughed, I looked at her "What, That was funny" she shrugged picking up a slice of pizza and taking a bite of the pepperoni and sausage pizza.

Rhea was picking at her pizza. Seungmin was giving her a questioning look, as was I. "Are you ok?" We asked at the same time. She looked back and forth between us for a second. "I'm fine, just not hungry" She shrugged her shoulders, The spaghetti starp falling. I gave Seungmin a funny look. Neither of us believed her, Something was off. But I trusted my friend, If something was wrong she would tell me.

After about 30 minutes of sitting around the 'Waiting room' talking I could feel myself getting antsy, I started to poke Yechan's shoulder as she was standing next to me.

After about six pokes Yechan took a deep breath "Bunny, I swear to the gods above if you don't stop poking me and tell me what you want, I'm going to pin you to the wall next to you" I yipped, "Will you go with me to the new dress shop? I asked her, Not able to meet her face. I could feel her lean in close.

"Maybe if you asked nicely," She said softly next to my ear. I hid my face in my hands, trying to cover the blush now covering it. "Yechan laughed "I'm just messing with you," She said placing her hand on my shoulder "Of course, I'll go with you," She squeezed my shoulder then let it go.

"Thank you for the new color Rhea, It's great as always" Yechan stands up. I followed her towards the door "I'll message you later" I told Rhea heading out to door behind Yechan.

[caffeinated-fan]

Desktop>logs>Iceman

Chapter 2

Summary:

A glimpse into a slow day at Top Gun, complete with minor inconveniences and lonely wallowing, hurray!

Notes:

This is my first real attempt at a long fic, and trying to come up with a story. This chapter was started over *checks notes* 267 days ago.... I've spent that past (almost) year reading RoosterForMe fics on tumblr and trying wrangle a similar vibe for this. If you want to read *chef's kiss* TG:M fics I cannot recommend her works enough. <3<3<3

Tuesday morning, 10th June.

Laundry, and sweeping. Groceries-MILK and creamer

I was writing my day plans out, my coffee getting colder next to me. Scribbling in the dates of upcoming appointments and services. My pen settled on the square for Saturday, scribbled in hasty pencil marks was ‘Dinner w/ Kazansky, Kans. Barbeque’.

This would be fine, it wasn’t going to suck. Barbeque is good, and therefore things around barbeque are also good.

“That’s a normal thing to think,” I mumbled to myself, taking a sip of coffee. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy being around other people, quite the opposite.

It’s fine, no one would look at an archivist and assume they’re a party animal. Tom seemed to enjoy my company, he somehow made it easier to talk to him. Like he understood when to give me space to talk, not bowling me over to finish what I was saying.

I stowed my journal in my backpack and set out to work. Stopping by my door to plop my basil plant outside.

“Bye, Boski Boo!” I hollered at the small aquarium in the living room before shutting the door.

I drove up to the MA at the base’s gate, holding out my ID, and sliding my bag to the front to let him check it. The ammunition pouches on his kevlar vest sagged inward without clips to hold them open, but the clip in his gun kept the impression that he very much would shoot me if he had to. I drove past him, continuing down a road leading along the edge of base. Despite working here for almost a year I had rarely seen further into the base, my clearance only allowing me a few blocks in. But, I still got to see the buzz of military life in the distance. I had started getting used to the sound of aircraft zipping overhead and buzzing buildings when they came in to land. Although it made calling people while on base a nightmare with jet engines often drowning out both ends of the line.

I hopped out of my car slinging my bag over my shoulder. The brick building stood in the middle of a perfectly kept green, the paved paths clean and swept. As I walked up the path I remembered my first week here, I would cut the corner and step across the grass. Finally I noticed each time I did a sailor would wince or grimace to themselves. One finally told me they’d had it beaten into them to Never EVER walk on the grass. Apparently one of the Officers liked to make sailors who broke that rule crawl on all fours on the grass next to the paved path.

The doors to the archival building stuck as I moved inside, the sea air eating away at the metal. I waved quickly at the receptionist (Katy?) making a b-line for my office. I pushed the power switch on my computer and set about emptying my bag while it booted up. Digging through the mail for any updates on requested materials and orders for copies.

...

Stacking file-boxes full of newly printed copies, I pushed through my office door towards the archives. Walking down the aisles, carefully returning the cassettes to their boxes along with their CD copies. I’d finished up the day after Tom came by. I'd spent the rest of that day thinking about him sitting quietly, flipping through manila folders. ___

I sat clicking my pen, glancing up at Tom through the open doors. His head was bowed, nose almost touching the papers he was looking at. Leaning on his forearms, his hands cradling his head.

“We have magnifying glasses if you need one,” I softly called out. Tom's head popped up, still hunched over the paper.

“That'd be great, thank you.” He pushed up and rubbed at his eyes. I pulled open a desk drawer, grabbed what I needed and headed over.

“I'm surprised you don't need glasses,” I joked, handing him the magnifying glass.

“Hm. Not yet, but I don't doubt that grandpa reading glasses are in my future.” The mental image of Tom with glasses popped into my head. Oh. That's not bad at all…Maybe he's a horn-rimmed glasses guy, maybe more classic chic,

....

Okay, she's definitely thinking about me in glasses, now. I had no intent on telling her the grandpa glasses were fully in use already. Thankfully I'd only ruined my near sight from shoving my nose in books all day. I'm not sure I could survive Mav knowing I need glasses.

“I'm sure you'll look very distinguished when the day comes.” I felt her hand land on my shoulder before she walked away. Back through the two doorways to sit behind her desk. My face a little warm at the thought of someone finding my glasses attractive

My eyes dropped down to the papers in front of me. A-5 Vigilante variable geometry and their wind tunnel results. My brain goes back to running its two trains of thought. Half of my mind was focusing on the words, the other half combing through ideas to get her to come back over. I cleared my throat, leaning towards the doorway.

“There's one configuration for the A-5 that's an almost wingless design..” ___

The quiet of the archival room pressed against my ears. Layers of paper and cardboard softening the outside world as it slips through the roof and chatters along the metal I-beams.

“Weh, Wil, WILLIAMS! James E.,” my shout of triumph cut through the silence like a knife careening through a window. Pulling down the box I gently laid the cassettes and CDs onto a new cardboard divider and closed the box. My eyes cast around the large, quiet room as I gathered up the box to put it away. The desk by the door, the foldout steel chair looking morose and empty. He’d even pushed it back in. The magnifying glass neatly tucked against the wall. I hadn't had anyone come into records just to read for leisure in a few months. Mostly older sailors coming in on a slow day to peruse photographs and battle plans. I huffed and pushed the box onto the shelf and headed back to my office.

My open notebook caught my attention as I sat back down, Dinner w/ Tom circled in red on the 14th. The day before catching my eye, Friday 13th, making me smile. If I made it through that BBQ would be a nice reward for not getting murdered.

…

“Lieutenant Kazansky to tower, pre-flight checklist complete, awaiting orders.”

“Acknowledged, await further instructions,” the operator’s voice took on a less professional tone as she continued, “Get comfy, Ice, the engineers are still checking the runway for debris.” A jet had come in after hitting some birds and had left some nasty gifts for the ground crews, no one was injured thankfully. I shoved my head back as much as the crowded cockpit would let me. I'd gladly spend all day in my jet but for God's sake usually I was flying. I felt Slider jostle around behind me as he sat forward in his seat.

“Since we have some time to ourselves, let me tell you about that blonde, Rachel,” Slider said, his mask clunking against my chair.

“Is this the dumb one or the pretty dumb one?” I joked, remembering the two from last week. We'd gone to a bar far enough off base that the girls were excited to see a pilot but not total tag chasers. Slider had spent the night with a blonde on each arm like he was weighing his decision on who to stick with me. He was a hell of a RIO, and a decent wingman. Meaning he'd figure out fast if I wanted a girl that night and happily take home both if I didn't.

“Ha-Ha. Condescending laugh. She was plenty smart, works as a receptionist for some big company. Likes old planes. Anyway, she's got a friend, a stewardesses, coming in to visit next week who just adores the strong silent type. Said she'd love to set you up on a double date with us.”

“She sounds less like a hit it and quit it and more like a date, Slider,” I joked. He huffed and sat back in his seat. I waited for him to say some snappy comeback.

“Slider?...She was a one nighter, right?”

“...”

“Oh-ho-ho, Cupid landed a shot last night? That's great Slide, why the hell'd ya keep it from me?” Slider wasn't some chauvinistic prick who'd rather die than say he gets the warm fuzzies.

“Well, she was, a one night, ya'know. I spent the night-,” “Nice.” “I was going to head back home but she offered to order some food and we started talking. Then in the morning she said there was a nice brunch place on the way back to the bar. Her car is cool too, shitty driver though. It just kinda smacked into me, she's so cool, man. I was like some dopey highschooler, cracking jokes and being terrified I'd annoy her somehow.”

“You? Annoy someone? Impossible, you only chew all your pencils and think out loud, have awful hygiene…” I joked, Slider pushing against my chair, before continuing. “I'd love to meet her, blind double date be damned.”

“Tower to Lieutenants, clear to proceed to the runway.”

…

This sucked. Okay not suck-sucks, but I was getting tired of this E-3 and his adherence to Not Helping Me. The wobbly stool was not helping me either, threatening to tip over as I grabbed boxes from the top shelf. He had been courteous when he’d told me what he needed from the archives, though his kindness ended there. Letting me climb up and down to retrieve the hefty boxes.

“Why weren’t you given a ladder? Shouldn’t there be a ladder just for this room?” he asked, shifting the boxes next to him with his foot. He reached up and steadied my back as I climbed down.

“No, there isn’t. The building flooded a few years back and it rusted. Now, we have stools.” I dusted down my shirt and took the box from him. “S’That everything? Good.” GET OUT. He pulled a smile and lead the way out. Catching the door with his shoulder and nodding me past.

I dropped the box I was holding in his arms (probably harder than I should given the contents), pulled a smile, and went to my office. “Thank you, Ma'm. I'll be sure to get these back to you, all papers present.” He flashed a grin and adjusted the boxes to keep them stacked.

“Hope this isn’t the only trip you take over here,” the receptionist, (Katy, no Kathy?) said, pushing her chair back to get the main doors.

“Oh, I don’t think my CO will ever stop sending me here, ‘course you could always come see me.”

I pulled my door closed to avoid hearing them flirt. Kathy (I’ve decided that had to be it) liked uniforms more than the person in them, always chasing around the sailors who’d recently been stationed here. I sat back in my chair with a sigh, trying to calm myself. I shouldn’t be upset. That E-3 wasn’t doing anything wrong. I had no real reason to be annoyed with him. A small flush of guilt spread up my neck. I hated being mad, I hated losing control over myself, I hated how people treated me like a child when I got upset. I blew out a breath, leaned forward, and started typing in the logged out materials.

…

My keys slid into the lock as I shoved my body weight against it. I dropped my bag inside the door, and scooped up my basil plant. The door clicked shut behind me, shutting out the last bit of light. The light of Boski’s tank barely lit up the room as I walked over to him. Boski, my comet goldfish, stared in my general direction from his tank as he swam slowly around. I watched with a small smile as he passed under the sign I hung above his cave, “Lord Byron Boksilous the Spacious”.

“Well, Boski-nova, I had a very boring day, I don’t know how you manage.” I sat down on the floor then let my body fall flat on the carpet. I really did like this job, the hours were fine, pay was decent. My dad had told me stories about how good it was to be contracted by the military in some way. While I wasn’t directly contracted I still had nice benefits.

“Only reason they're so good is no one else is there. It’s one of the largest on base repositories and they hired one person, Boski.” The hand I had raised to make my point clear to Boski flopped down beside me.

“One, angry, lonely person…” Drowning in a little pity pool sounded like a good ending to this day. I layed there watching the reflections of the tank on the walls.

…

My truck's engine rumbled against my back as I stood across from Cary in some hotel parking lot. I’d driven her back after Slider went home with Rachel again, leaving Cary to get a cab. She’d hesitantly accepted my offer to drive her and I’d spent the whole time salvaging my image. It'd been a rocky start to our double date. I spent a good while getting back into the swing of flirting. Cary’d spent the date flicking her attention from me to the first round college game over my shoulder. Slider was right, the two women did enjoy aviation talk. We'd regaled them with training tales and finished with our great tale of flying with Mav, I embellished his prowess for the night, no use adding to his reputation. Now, she stood a few feet away smoking under a half-alive lamppost, the sickly green light making her dress look a weird ocean blue.

“Are you leaving or do you wanna come up?” She’d been smoking in silence for so long I jumped a little. Her eyes were locked on me, her expression was fixed between boredom and bedroom eyes. Or just tired. She’d told me how little sleep she got when she worked, catching a few hours in a cramped hotel room with three other girls. I weighed my options, the evening was awkward and she wasn’t as nice as Rachel was. She wasn’t bratty, she just didn’t care to work around feelings. Preferring to speak as frankly as she could without being overly rude. She was hot, pretty tall, and seemed to have gotten over my rocky start.

She walked to the hotel door and threw away her cigarette, standing by the side entrance. I opened my truck's cab, turned the engine off and put the key in my jacket. My legs carried me to her side as she opened the door, leading me inside.

The door’s lock clicks closed softly

[jabbercon]

Paranormal PI: Marshal Thorn

The Drive Up | 2:40PM             Paranormal Detective Marshal Thorn is an alligator from Louisiana. Since he was a child, he had been taught in the ways of ghost hunting. Though his family methods may be unorthodox, he cannot deny the usefulness of the skills he acquired. His father taught him how to track and talk to ghosts, to help them reach a peaceful afterlife. Meanwhile, his mother taught him to how to fight ghosts in hand-to-hand combat with the use of herbs and repellants. It is through these techniques that Marshal has found success in combating all manner of spirits. Unfortunately, his line of work is not often requested. Now, most spirits don’t linger in the living realm, instead choosing to move on to their afterlife. That is why, in this recent case, Marshal found himself driving to the middle of nowhere, New Mexico. A client had requested his services in dealing with some type of wailing spirit. And the money offered by the client was something that Marshal could not refuse.

Marshal had been in the driver’s seat all day. He could feel his back ace and his tail pinch against it in the uncomfortable driver’s seat. For the past day, the only scenery had been barren desert with the occasional shrubbery. Not the most appealing visuals, but at least the monotony of the drive was interrupted by the occasional car. The sweltering heat of the sun was beating down on the roof of the dark green hood of Marshal’s pickup truck. While the AC struggled to cool the hot air, the only respite came from the tiny car humidifier that Marshal had installed just for the occasion.

As 3PM rolled up, Marshal could finally see his destination: Bleached Rock, New Mexico. This small town had a population of around 200 inhabitants. Most of them being reptiles or mammals, it was a common sight in this part of the country. Surprisingly, it was the mayor of this town, Vanellope Shrub, who had requested Marshal’s services. He didn’t know this client, but apparently, he was requested via a recommendation from a previous customer. Not that he cared much about how he got the gig. He was just happy to have a client once again. These past few months had been rather quiet, and he needed a fresh case to fill his dwindling pockets.

The drive through the town was depressing. Ever since he entered the city limits, most of the buildings were adobe homes with large cracks and barred windows. It was nothing like the townhouses and ranch houses he was used to seeing. As he drove through town, he could feel the eyes of the inhabitants’ staring daggers into him. Clearly suspicious of why someone new was driving into their town. To them, Marshal was another stranger with an unknown agenda. They wanted him to leave and were not afraid to make that known. Of course, Marshal could do nothing but continue to drive to City Hall. After all, he just spent the past two days on the road. He wasn’t going to quit before his investigation even began.

When Marshal arrived at City Hall, the building was about as expected. A simple courthouse style structure with a surrounding square and storefronts. The buildings themselves had clearly seen better days, but years of dust and sand had worn down the once vibrant paints. Before leaving his vehicle, Marshal enjoyed the semi-humid air of his car before bracing for the hot desert air. The air did not disappoint. Marshal could feel the skin between his scales dry up upon opening the car door. The once subtle moisture brought by the car humidifier was now a distant memory. Degraded by the oppressive sun and the scorching air. It wasn’t all bad. The clothes that Marshal had been wearing did their job of blocking the sunlight from his scales. Before he knew it, he was walking towards the doors of city hall.

Town Hall | 3:30PM

            Upon walking into the building, Marshal was hit by the overwhelming scent of dust that was covering the building. As he looked around, there was a thick layer of dust that covered the furniture and some of the floor. The building looked well kept, but the amount of dust was a strange site for sure. Marshal did not let this distract him for too long. He made his way to the reception desk, one of the few pieces of furniture that was dust free. Behind the desk sat a Garter Snake. He was clearly happy to be inside and away from the hot desert air. Marshal was expecting the receptionist to be in a good mood because of his body language, but their demeanor quickly changed once they saw Marshal.

            “If you’re here for Mayor Shrub, she’s upstairs, down the hall, third door on your left,” belted the snake in a monotone voice. While appearing content with his situation, the tone of the receptionist was flush with annoyance. The sudden callous attitude took Marshal aback. He had not expected such a cold demeanor from someone who appeared, just seconds ago, to be in a good mood. “Oh, did Mayore Shrub already tell you I was coming in today?” Marshal stumbled over his words as he tried to regain his composure. It was rare for him to be addressed so directly; most people intimidated by him when they didn’t already know how he was. “Listen,” the receptionist interjected, “The only reason people have come by the past few weeks has either been to drop off packages or complain to the mayor. Seeing as how you aren’t carrying a package, I guess you have some business with the mayor. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to get back to.” Again, the receptionist spoke in such a direct way, it was as if he didn’t even bother to acknowledge the 6’5” alligator in front of him. Not knowing how to continue with this conversation, Marshal decided to follow the directions given to him.

            The rest of city hall was just like the entrance. Thin layers of dust covered most of the furniture and some of the stairwell railings. At least the building was decently lit aside from the stray broken light here or there. The building did have functioning air conditioning, so at least the hot desert air was not reaching Marshal. Unfortunately, that could not be said about the lack of humidity within the building. While his scales started to ace, there was not much that Marshal could do besides bear the pain he was in. As he approached the third door on the left, Marshal took in a deep breath, exhaled, and opened the door.

            The mayor’s office was clean. There was barely a speck of dust to be found on any of the furniture. As Marshal walked in, he saw a female armadillo dusting off a lamp in the corner. “Ahem,” Marshal cleared his throat to get the attention of the Armadillo without startling her. Unfortunately for Marshal, she was easily startled. “Ah!” A quick shriek of panic came out of the woman’s mouth as she spun around to see the intimidating presence of Detective Thorn. Marshal could see the obvious fear on the woman’s face, and he went right into damage control. “Scuse me ma’am, but would ya happen ta be Mayore Shrub? My name is Detective Thorn, and I’m here due to a request from Mayore Shrub” Marshal tried his best to talk as calmly as possible, as to not startle the women any further. “Detective Thorn?” the woman pondered the name with a puzzled look. “Oh! that Detective Thone. I’ve been waiting for your arrival. Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you. As for introductions, I’m Vanellope Shrub mayor of Bleached Rock. But please just call me Mayor Shrub” the startlement from the woman’s voice was gone. Instead, it was replaced by a slightly energetic but gentle voice.

            “Mr. Thorn, I am glad that you are here. I’ll tell you, for the past few weeks I’ve been getting non-stop complaints from citizens. You know, things such as broken pipes, neighborly disputes, noise complaints…” Mayor Shrub rambled on about the monotony of being a small-town mayor, but she had yet to cover why Marshal was there. Marshal, either being annoyed by the rambling or irritated by the dry air, decided it would be best to cut her off before she became too sidetracked. “Excuse me Mayore Shrub. As intresthang as the problem with the brokn pipe sounds, I’m not a plumber. I’m here cause you asked for a paranormal investigator. Apologizes for being rude, but could ya please tell me why I’m here?” Mayor Shrub, as if brought out of a trance, was once again startled by Marshal. This time she didn’t vocalize her panic, but she still jumped at being interrupted. At least she didn’t let his abrupt comment get to her. Mayor Shrub composed herself, and with a more serious tone, as she laid out what she knew of the case.

“Alright Detective Thorn, here is what I have been told by the residents of my town. In the southern district, there have been reports of wailing at ungodly hours of the night. Now this isn’t the normal wails of some drunk person or a wild animal. No, folks are saying that these are the wails of the departed. While I cannot confirm or deny these claims, I can say that people are spooked. They don’t want to leave their houses at night because of how scared they are. Too many of them are afraid that there is an angry spirit that is making those wails. I had to call someone as our priest recently passed away, and no one has come in to fill their position. Please, my citizens, need your help.”

            Marshal was happy with the sincerity of her words. He had taken cases from other people where it was clear that they only wanted people to stop complaining about “ghosts.” Those were always the worst clients to work with. They really didn’t care about the people in distress and, usually, they only called Marshal because the “ghost” was affecting their bottom line. Marshal didn’t care much for big money type people. It was the little guys that he liked working for. Unfortunately, he had to take some of the big money jobs, as they are the ones that have larger payouts for his services. But that is beside the point right now. Marshal was happy to help the little guys this time, even if the payout was not going to be anything special.

            “Alright, ma’am. I’d be glad ta help your people. Ya’ll seem like good folks and you’re lucky that you hired an expert!” Marshal gave a big toothy grin along with this speech. He had done this many times to brighten up those suffering. And it usually did work. While most people would be scared of a menacing figure smiling at them, Marshal was able to put in enough enthusiasm to perk them right up. While Mayor Shrub was still physically scared of Marshal, she gave a sigh of relief because someone was here to help her people. “Now Mayore Shrub, I’m gonna need you ta tell me who I can talk to about this situation. I know ya want ta help, but I need information from those who have seen the spirit. Now, it there is anyone who has reported seeing this spirit.”

            Mayor Shrub gave the question a long think. She searched her thoughts for any resident who reported seeing the ghost. Most of the people who came to her had only complained about the noise and not what was making the noise. Marshal could see Mayor Shrub scratching her head and could see the carapace of her shell moving under her cardigan. While not the most appealing sight, hopefully she would provide him with some useful information. Just as Marshal was getting worried that Mayor Shrub would hurt herself, she blurted out the name “Rodríguez!” Marshal was caught off guard; One second she was muttering to herself, and then she was shouting about a name that was apparently related to his case.

            As Mayor Shrub was giving herself verbal praise for remembering the name of someone, Marshal decided to interrupt her applause and ask about the name. “Rodriguez? Who’s that? Did they report somethin’ about seeing a spirit?” Mayor Shrub was once again taken out of her mind, but this time Marshal did not startle her. Instead, she went about as, what Marshal could assume, was her usual self. “Yes! Rodríguez, well, more like the Rodríguez family. They are a family of coyotes who live near the edge of town. A few days ago, the father, Emilio, came by to tell me his son had seen someone flying over the desert and wailing. There had been so many complaints that it must have slipped my mind. Here, before I forget, let me give you their address.” Before Marshal could say anything, Mayor Shrub had already torn out a sticky note and wrote the address. Afterwards, she promptly shoved the hastily written note into Marshal’s hands. While Marshal couldn’t get an understanding of his client, he finally had a solid lead. With the sticky note in hand, he gave his thanks to the mayor, then left the office.

The walk exiting the building was just as dusty as when he was headed to the office. Walking past the receptionist, Marshal could see that they had been playing games on their phone and not doing any actual work. Marshal didn’t do anything about it. What would getting into an argument about someone being rude do in this situation? He decided to open the doors to the desert air, which had cooled a bit since he had arrived in town and walked towards his truck. His next destination, the Rodriguez residence.

On Route to Rodreguez Residence | 4:20PM

            As Marshal rode through the south side of Bleached Rock, the houses transitioned from maintained to more signs of dilapidation. While there were noticeable gaps of vacant homes, there were still may homes filled with families. While the grass on the front yards might have been dead, there was still life that radiated from the homes. This was a comforting thought to Marshal. He was already so far away from the marshlands that he called home, but the warmth that radiated from these homes made him feel better. This also encouraged him more to resolve their spirit issue. It’s rare for a spirit to trouble multiple households, not to mention the hostile environment of the desert. He wanted these people to be able to rest in their homes, not be scared in them.

            “Hmm…” Marshal gave out a long sigh considering what type of spirit may be haunting these people. My guess’ would be that the spirit is either a Yurei or a Banshee. I’d need to study spirit, but that’ud take time that I don’t got. Something to consider is that the spirit was seen by a kid. If that’s the case, I hope I’m not dealing with La Llorona. A named spirit, ‘specially one of her renown, is bound to be powerful. Ain’t know way I could handle her on my own. These thought tormented Marshal during the drive. The last thing he wanted was to fight a spirit of folklore. He kept on driving with these thoughts in mind until he arrived at the Rodreguez Residence.

Rodríguez Residence | 4:35PM

            When Marshal pulled up to the Rodríguez Residence, he was surprised by how many neighbors there were. There had been plenty of vacant houses that he passed on his way there. But in this part of town, there wasn’t a single vacancy. From the looks of things, you would assume that people had never left. As Marshal stepped out of his truck, some neighborhood kids that had been playing outside swiftly went into one of the house. Clearly, he was being treated with suspicion, but there was not much he could do about it. After all, he was an over 6-foot-tall alligator. Most people would not trust him for that alone.

            The Rodríguez house was an adobe style home just like the surrounding buildings. But to set themselves apart from others, the bars on their windows had crosses formed out of the wrought iron. The building was a single-story home with a dead, but well-groomed front yard. There was a baseball and doll lying in the yard, but no other toys that could be seen in the grass. Marshal made his way up the concrete path to the front door. There was another cross hanging on the door itself. This one was also made of wrought iron, but it was more intricate than the ones seen on the windows.

     ��      Marshal took a deep breath as he stood in front of the door. He put is claw up to the door and gave three hardy knocks. From inside the house, Marshal could hear the shuffling of feet and the whispers of voices. He didn’t eavesdrop on the whispers, he just waited patiently for someone to answer the door. A minute or two passed as Marshal waited for someone to answer the door. He didn’t want to annoy the family, but he needed to talk to them. Just as he was about to give another knock at the door, there was a soft creak as the door partly opened. The only thing preventing the door from fully opening was a small chain acting as a last line of defense against would be intruders.

            Behind the door, the voice of a middle-aged man bellowed, “What do you want?” Marshal was not surprised by the lack of a warm welcome. He followed his protocol and began with an introduction “I’m here cause Mayore Shrub sent me. I was hired to investigate reports of a spirit.” While Marshal could not gauge the man’s reaction, it clearly piqued his interest. From the crack in the door, a middle-aged coyote head peaked around. His fur was brown and orange, with a few specks of gray that showed his age. The man had heavy bags under his eyes, probably due to a lack of sleep. From the way he was looking Marshal up and down, it was clear that he did not trust him.

            “You don’t look like you’re from the church. Who are you?” the man snarled and waited for the alligator to respond. “The name’s Marshal Thorn, I’m a Private Investigator. Specialize in paranormal phenomena. Now, Mayore Shrub hired me ta look into the spirit wailing in the dead of night, preventin’ y’all from a getting a proper sleep. Your mayore sent me here cause someone in this house has seen the spirit. Would it be possible for me ta speak with them?” Marshal tried to talk in a serious yet friendly tone to gain the trust of the coyote. Which worked well enough as the man continued the conversation by letting out a tired sigh. “I guess you’ll do.” The man closed the door, and after a few seconds of a rattling chain it opened again, inviting Marsal to enter the home. “Make yourself comfortable at the kitchen table. Let me grab a glass of water for ya” the coyote spoke with a defeated tone. It was clear that the spirit has negatively impacted this man, and Marshal could only guess how the other families have been affected.

            As Marshal walked into the home, he took note of the crosses lining the back wall of the living room. He made his way to the kitchen table adjacent to the couch and proceeded to take a seat. “The names Emilio. I was the one who told the mayor about the ghost sighing.” Emilio’s words were muffled by the sound of the faucet running, but Marshal heard enough to hear his name. Emilio shut off the faucet, walked over to the table and placed the glass in front of Marshal and took a seat adjacent at the table. “Go ahead and take a drink, I know its hot out there and you must be thirsty.” From Marshal’s perspective Emilo was trying his best to remain hospitable, but it was clear that his exhaustion was too great. He slipped back into a slumped poster with a matching sour disposition.

            Marshal tried his best to not gulp down the water. The dry air was getting to him, and he desperately needed some moisture. Unfortunately, his thirst got the better of him and drank the entire glass in one gulp. Embarrassed of the abhorrent behavior he just performed in front of a client, he apologized and asked for another glass. Emilio gave a long stare, but laughed at the situation he found himself in. “Sure pal, I’ll get you another glass. Just try not to eat the glass along with the water, we’ve only got so many.” While it may have been embarrassing, at least the tension between the two was broken. Marshal was ready to get down to business, as soon as the next glass of water made its way to him.

            After drinking the second glass of water Marshal spoke first, wanting to get all the information that he could. “Mr. Rodreguez, could ya please tell me what you know about this wailing spirit?” Emilio gave another tired sigh before laying out what he knew about the spirit. “Around a month ago in the dead of night we started hearing a faint cry coming from the desert. While we all heard it, most of us assumed that it was some animals cause the sound would not last long. It wasn’t until a few days later that the wailing got louder and lasted longer. For the past week, it has been a struggle to get a night’s sleep. The wailing will start and stop sporadically, and none of us knows when they will occur. The earliest wail we heard was during dusk, but that only happened the one time. For the most part the wails don’t start until the dead of night.”

            Marshal took his time to process the information given to him. There aren’t any bodies of water large enough for Llorona ta be involved. But the spirit came from the desert. Maybe a forgotten corpse? If they were wailin’ before they died it could be a Yurei repeatin’ the moments before their death? But the wailing is also indicative of a Banshee. In this case the inconsistent wailing at night would make me assume it ta be a Banshee. Marshal looked up to Emilio with a serious expression “Mr. Rodreguez, I want to help you, but I need ta talk to the one who saw the spirit. I’m assumin’ that you aren’t the one who saw it or ya would’ve already told me. I hate ta ask, but who did see the spirit?” While Marshal knew it was Emilio’s son who had seen the spirit, he didn’t want to let go of that information in case Emilio did not give that up willingly.

            Emilio looked at Marshal, then to the hallway, and back to Marshal. “Javi! Can you come to the kitchen? The man is here to help us!” Emilio yelled across the house for the small boy who was obscured by the darkness of the hallway. He was just a pup, no more than eight years old. The kid sheepishly made his way to the kitchen table, making sure to hug the walls to have some semblance of security. The child was clearly scared of Marshal, but was trying to be brave for his dad. Marshal didn’t know how to react in front of the kid, most of the time when he talked to them, they froze up. Marshal looked to Emilio to hopefully break the ice. Luckily, Emilio got the hint. “This here is my son Javier, Javi for short. Now Javi, I want to tell this gentleman about the ghost you saw. Don’t worry, you aren’t in trouble. He’s here to make the ghost go away. Just tell him about what you saw that night.”

            Javi looked up at Marshal but was too scared to look him in the eyes and instead looked at the table while telling his story. “It was me and Warren and Julia and some other kids from the neighborhood. We were out playing in the desert at night. I think it was Alejandros’ idea to play some hide and seek. So, I hid in near the old well. Nobody uses it because its dired up and far away and the others were sacred of it because its kinda creepy looking. While I was hiding that’s when I heard the wailing, as I was about to run it appeared right in front of me. I was so scared. All I could do was pray that it would leave me alone. After what felt like forever it vanished. That’s when I ran all the way home.” While Javi tried to hold it together, he couldn’t, and with a face full of tears ran over to cry into his dad’s shirt. “Shhh, it’s ok Javi. Its ok. Thank you for telling the detective your story. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there to protect you but remember that I love you and will always try to be there for you.” Emilio and Javi were locked into a hug for a good few minutes while trying to calm Javi down. Emilio ended up excusing himself from the table to bring Javi back to his mother in the other room.

When Emilio returned from the room, he had wiped a tear from his own face. “Sorry you had to see that. I just love the kid so much; it breaks my heart that he was that scared and there was nothing I could do for him” the words drifted from Emilio’s lips as he was reminiscing about his love for his son. “That’s quite alright, I understand wantin’ ta care for your kin. But back to the matter at hand. Could ya tell me where this well might be. It seems to be a good spot for the spirits stomping grounds.” Marshal felt awful for cutting short Emilio’s tears, but if they waited too long Marshal could loose time to check the well before the spirit shows up. “Yeah, the well. If you follow our street to its westward end and then walk about a half mile south you should find the well. I have no idea why the kids were playing so far out that night, but I hope this ghost has taught them to stick close to us adults.” Marshal couldn’t tell if Emilio was trying to make a joke about the situation or if he was being serious. Regardless, he knew where to find the spirit now. He thanked Emilio for his hospitality and quietly left the house. There was only one place for Marshal to head to now. The old well.

Abandoned Desert Well | 5:30PM

            Marshal arrived at the end of the road as the sun was starting to set. It wasn’t twilight yet, but it was only a matter of time before he was out of daylight. Stepping out of his car, Marshal walked to his truck bed where he had held his supplies. Looking at the bed, you wouldn’t assume much of anything. From a quick glance, there were only a few tool kits, some rope, and some general maintenance supplies. That is exactly what he wanted people to assume. With a loud thud, Marshal climbed onto the bed of the car and grabbed one of the tool kits and a rope. Locking up his car, Marshal took a glance over the sunlit badlands and started off in the direction Emilio told him.

            As Marshal walked towards the well, he thought about the heavy toolbox that he held in his hand. I hope I don’t gotta destroy this spirit. That’s messy work. I don’t even know if I got enough supplies to take one down. I could handle one fight, but that depends if the spirit doesn’t have much fight in them. Talkn’ is the most effective method, but I doubt a grieving spirit would want to. These thoughts jingled in his mind like loose cannons. The thoughts poked his brain with their sharp anxiety. Meanwhile, the contents of the toolbox were silent. There was not a sound made that would hint at the contents of the container. Only the brush sifting in the wind and the soft crunch of the dirt under Marshals boots could be heard.

            With the cusp of twilight approaching, Marshal found his way to the Well. It was farther than he expected it, so he had less time than anticipated to investigate before the spirit began its haunt. The well was barely the structure it once resembled. The semblance of a well was two layers of stone brick surrounding a pit in the ground. He thought about climbing down the well now, but there was no way the structure of the well could support his weight. Around the well, there were signs of movement. Out cropping from the Well were lines in the dirt. If you were to look from above, it would take the shape of a target. Fuck, thought Marshal. That nixes the Yurei from the list. This must be a banshee. I’ve gotta weaken them and follow the spirit to the remains. They need a burial. Marshal should have seen this coming, but he was hoping for an “easy spirit”. As the light of the sun began to fall below the horizon, there was no more time to investigate. All Marshal could do now was to hide in the brush and wait for the Banshee to appear.

Abandoned Desert Well | 11:30PM

            For hours, Marshal had been patiently waiting for the spirit to arrive, hiding prone underneath some brush near the well. He didn’t realize how tired he was from the drive, but the drool that had appeared on his face uncovered his exhaustion. Luckily, the Banshee had not arrived. The night was bitter. Marshal almost wished for the sun to return, even with the idea of his skin drying up. It sounded like a better trade than being out here with little protection from the wind. Fortunately for Marshal, the wind was about to die, along with the sounds of the crickets and the owls which had been cooing only a moment ago. It was time. Just before his eyes, clear in the moonlight before him, was the wailing spirit. A Banshee.

            The banshee was a petite figure; she was as thin as a rail and looked as if the wind could knock her over. From Marshals point of view, he couldn’t fully make out his opponent. The spirit had their back facing him and it wasn’t until they turned around that he could see the horror before him. Floating in-front of Marshal was the spirit of a deceased bobcat woman. The skin on her head had mostly decayed away, what did remain as a few patches of matted and bloody fur. In the eye sockets were nothing. Nothing except for black voids that radiated malice and hatred. Her clothes were tattered and ripped to shreds; sun bleached to the point of non-recognition. Both of her arms were skeletonized, and all that remained of her hands were bones and claws. She was going to be a formidable spirit, and if caution was not taken this could end badly. Marshal had to come up with a game plan before he began the encounter.

            Marshal quietly opened the toolbox that he had placed beside him. Inside was a few ghost reference guides, vials of different oils, pocket scripture and mantras, a box of different herbs, candles, and a pair of gloves. The base of them looked like a pair of fingerless biker gloves, but attached to the back of each glove was a compact circular compartment that had tubes running to each of the empty fingertips. Marshal had to be fast, it was only a matter of time before she noticed him hiding there in the brush. Ok Marsh, the recipe for Banshee oil is the same base as any other specter. Ya start with sunflower oil and a bit of sage. Next for a Banshee, ya need a bud of willow and a lavender petal. I wish I could talk ta her, but once ya become a banshee all your humanies’ been replaced by anger. As Marshal recounted the ingredients, he quickly pulled the vial of sunflower oil and grabbed the herbs from the box. He felt sorry for the spirit, but all he could do for her now was to lay her spirit to rest. Alright, ya only have enough ingredients ta last ya one fight. I need to get through this bout and find the body quickly. All the signs point to the body being in the well. Let’s see how accurate that assumption is. As his monologue ended, Marshal mashed ingredients into the containers on each glove and slipped them on. The contents of which secreted onto Marshals claws. Getting onto all fours, Marshal waited for the opportunity to get the first strike.

            As the Banshee turned back to face the well, Marshal leaped out of the brush in a large pounce. Using all the muscle in his legs, he propelled himself towards the unaware spirit. With his body acting like a missile, he slammed his claws into the unaware spirit. Upon contact, the Banshee roared out with a bloodcurdling wail. The pian was only intensified by the oil on Marshals claws. The oil was designed to weaken spirits. Physical attacks can only do so much, so the oil helps to quicken the job. Another wail escaped from the banshee, it was deafening and sounded as if the underworld had opened for a split second. Marshal was too close when he heard the second wail and instinctively covered his ears. This lapse in his guard gave the spirit enough time to recover and turn to face the alligator who had just attacked. Marshal was still recovering from the wail and could only watch as the Banshee readied an attack. Having no time to dodge, he held up his arms and braced for the coming blow. Her claws tore through Marshal’s shirt and pierced his skin. The claws felt like daggers as they sliced down his forearms. The wound was something he had experienced before, but no matter how many times it happened, he could never ignore the pain. He let it was over him, but the fight was still ongoing and there was no time to tend to his wounds.

Marshal knew he had to get away before she got another attack on him. Readying his jump, he pounced away from the Banshee, who moments before was an arm’s length away. It would only be a few seconds before the spirit would go in for another attack. Marshal used this quick pause to scan the area for any advantages or opportunities while he waited for the next strike. Upon quick inspection, a few ideas came to mind. I could use my tail to kick up the dirt. That’d blind her long enough to get in an attack. If I were ta get to the well, those bricks look like they could be yanked out of place. An aimed hit could stun her enough to get in an attack. But for now, I need ta focus on dodgin’ this comin’ attack. If done proper I could counter her. Just as Marshal finished his last thought, the spirit moved towards him, attempting to land another blow.

            This time, Marshal was ready for the attack. As she moved towards him with blood covered claws, Marshal dropped his body weight getting into a squatting position. The Banshee careened towards where his torso used to be. Her attack missed and gave Marshal an opportunity for a counterattack. He pounced again, trying to aim for the spirit, but he miscalculated his jump and careened next to where she had been floating. He found himself just a foot away from the well and, as he tried to pick himself back up, the Banshee let out another wail. The force of the screech alone was enough to knock Marshal back down onto the ground. Marshal narrowly avoided hitting his head on the well, but he was completely exposed and could not defend himself.

            His ears were ringing, his head throbbed, his vision blurred. Marshal could only watch as the spirit continued her onslaught of attacks. The Banshee dashed towards the now prone Marshal and loomed over him with a radiating malice. Still reeling from the impact, it took Marshal a few seconds to notice that he couldn’t breathe. As his vison came into focus above him was the ghastly visage of the banshee with her hands wrapped around his neck. He could feel her claws dig into his neck as his air slowly depleted. He needed to act quickly, if he died here nobody would be around to help the town. Trying to move his head side-to-side was futile as the strength of the Banshee prevented his movement. All he could do was use his arms to feel the environment around him. As his arm extended above him, he could feel something solid. The Well. With his air dwindling, Marsal reached for one of the loose stone bricks. Just as he grabbed one, the Banshee began to grip his throat tighter, trying to snuff the life out of him. The pian caused him to stagger and the position he was in already made it difficult to grab the brick. Straining his arm and pushing dirt into his open wounds, Marshal was able to get enough leverage to pick up one of the bricks.

            Using all the force he could muster; he smashed the brick into the jaw of the Banshee. While the attack itself did not do much damage, it did stun the spirit long enough for Marshal to push her off of him. Howling in pain, the Banshee became more enraged. This pause in the battle granted Marshal enough time to get onto his feet and ready himself for his next move. He knew that this battle would only end either when he defeated the spirit, or he died. Marshal was not ready to die, so he composed himself and made his way towards the still enraged spirit. He ran as fast as he could and used his body weight to punch the spirit twice. The first hit knocked her off balance, and the second hit threw her onto the ground. Before he could make his next move, Marshal started coughing as his lungs and throat were still reeling from the choke hold. After catching his breath, he proceeded with his attack.

            He was lucky that he could hit hard. If not, the spirit would have already recovered and started attacking. Fortunately, the spirit was still stunned on the ground, giving Marshal the opportunity to get in another strike. Standing above the spirit, Marshal interlocked his hand and struck the spirit in the center of its chest. As Marshals blow landed, he moved to the ground just as quickly, initiating the second part of his hammer attack. With his hands already in the center of the Banshees’ chest, he unclasped them and let his claws rip at the spirit. His claws slowly dragged across the spirit. The attack might have only lasted for a few seconds, but thanks to the oils, the damage done was tenfold if he had not applied any.

            Marshal got up and moved away from the spirit, not wanting to be in the way of another swipe of her claws. He stood a few feet away from the Banshee as it wailed in agony from the stinging oil. Her wails got louder and louder. Even when Marshal covered his ears, the pain from the sound of the wail was unbearable. It felt as if someone was taking a knife and stabbing it into his ears. To his horror, the spirit got up once again and looked as though it was readying for another attack. With hands protecting his ears he couldn’t prepare a counterattack. Instead, he moved his elbows together to muster a semblance of a guard to brace for the coming attack. Having recovered from the blow, the banshee sped towards Marshal. Just as he was ready to brace for the attack, the Banshee continued to fly past him and moved into the well, ending the battle there.

Abandoned Desert Well | 12AM

            Mashal fell to his knees. His legs having given out in him from the pain of the attack. Kneeling on the ground, Marshal let the cold air fill his lungs. Each breath he took felt like a torrent of life returning to his body. Looking down, he could see the claw marks on his arms stinging from the dirt that had gotten into the wounds. There ain’t time to lick my wounds. I need ta get down that well. Those were the thoughts in Marshal’s head. If he didn’t to act fast, the spirit would have time to recover and begin a second attack. Allowing himself to catch his breath a bit longer, eventually Marshal got onto his feet and moved over to retrieve the rope he left by his toolbox.

            Looking at the well, there was no way the bricks could support the rope. If he was capable of pulling a brick out of place, his body weight would bring the well down with him. Scanning the area again, he spotted a long dead tree that could maybe hold him. Making his way over, the tree was not in good shape. The log appeared heavy, and its roots were still in the ground. There was no way to tell of the center of the tree had rotted away. Marshal decided to lean on the tree as a test. While the tree creaked a bit under his weight, he decided this was good enough and tied the rope around the tree. Walking over to the well, he threw down the rope and waited to hear a thud. The thud came after an uncomfortable few seconds, but he knew he could climb out of the well once he repelled.

            After peering down the well and giving the rope a few tugs for good luck, he grabbed onto the rope and began to repel down the well. It wasn’t the most comfortable squeeze. He could feel his back rub against the wall as his shirt slowly slid up his back. If it weren’t for the sudden drop into a small cave, his tail would have gotten caught between his back and the wall. The cave itself was not big either. About the size of a small van, but it had enough space to stand in. Marshal couldn’t see this and ended up repelling until feet touched the ground. “God damn it!” He mumbled to himself. The cave was difficult to see inside of and he didn’t bring a flashlight with him.

            As Marshal fumbled his way in the dark, moonlight slowly trickled into the well as it hung above the opening in the earth. Just as the moon reached its apex, and the well became filled with light, Marshal saw it in front of him. The long since decaying body of a deceased Bobcat woman. The broken legs and blunt impact of the skull indicated that this woman did not have a peaceful death. Marshal took his time to absorb the scene in front of him. No matter how many times he saw a corpse, it was always worse than seeing any spirit. The spirits still have a semblance of life that grounds them to our reality. Meanwhile, the corpses have all their life drained from them. The only thing remaining is the husk of a former living being. There was only one thing that could be done to give the Banshee a peaceful rest. A proper burial.

            As the moon hung overhead, Marshal quickly picked up the skeletal remains of the Bobcat. Making sure to grab the skull and chest, as those are the most important areas to bury. With the skeleton neatly gathered, he synched himself for the climb out of the well. This was a hard climb as he had to be careful not to drop any of the bones down the well. Not only would that waste his time, but it might also further upset the spirit. The climb was slow and taxing, but eventually Marshal poked his head out of the well and he could see the desert scenery once again.

            Carefully placing the bones on the ground, Marshal walked over to his toolbox to take out a trowel, a bundle of candles, and his pocket bible. Knowing the history of the area, a bible was the safest bet for giving this spirit a proper burial. Marshal was not looking forward to this part. He knew he should have bought another shovel after his last one broke, but he just forgot to grab one. Letting out a tired sigh, Marshal picked up the bones and walked with them further out into the desert. Spirits don’t like to be buried near their place of death. This was one last kindness that was never afforded to the deceased, and Marshal was willing to give them this last act.

            He found a secluded spot in the desert underneath a small rock-face. With a tired sigh, Marshal toiled away at the dirt, creating a hole deep enough to place to bury the body without further disturbance. Once a prop hole was made, Marshal carefully placed the skeleton into the grave, making sure that the skull would not be further disturbed. The skull is what ties the spirit’s memories to our world. If disturbed, they become enraged and attack without reason. Before burying the body, Marshal had to place his candles in a circle around the grave and light them.

             With candlelight circling the grave, you could feel the air become calm as the spirit tried to escape the bones. But the spirit was entrapped by the candles. Any attempt to enact vengeance against Marshal was pointless, as it was impossible now for it to escape. Picking up the bible Marshal recited a few verses about reckoning and calm. Throughout the reading, the Banshee screamed and clawed at the protective candle barrier. It was, of course, to no avail, but the spirit soon became calm listening to its last rites that it never got in life. Unlike other last rites, Marshal ended with his own words. He truly felt sorry for these spirits trapped in our world and wants to let them know how he felt about them and their situation.  

            “I forgive ya for the injuries you inflicted upon me, and I hope that you forgive me for the ones I inflicted upon you. You were just tryin’ to protect yourself from harm, but ya don’t need ta do that anymore. For now, just rest. Ya haven’t had a chance ta rest in years. I am here to give ya that rest if you are willin’ ta take it. Now please, take the rest that has been robbed from ya and sink into the warm abyss.”

            With those last few words, the Banshee settled down and returned to its body, finally content and ready to sleep. At the same time, Marshal could finally relax as the encounter was over. Marshal took in a deep breath and blew out all the candles. After that, he covered the body with dirt to properly conceal the remains from the harsh environment. Once the burial was completed Marshal found a place to sit down and let himself relax. There was no point in going back into town right now. It was too late to find a place to sleep, and he didn’t have the energy to walk over to his truck. So, once finding a comfy spot, and plopped himself down and closed his eyes until the sun rose over the horizon.

[cash-for-old-cars]

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[carrentalkeralam]

Rental Cars in Calicut: A Convenient Way to Explore the City and Beyond

If you’re planning to visit Calicut (Kozhikode), rental cars in Calicut offer the perfect solution for exploring this vibrant city and its beautiful surroundings. Known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, Calicut has something to offer every type of traveler. With a rental car, you can explore the city’s top attractions, enjoy the freedom to travel at your own pace, and discover the beauty of Kerala beyond the city limits.

Why Choose Rental Cars in Calicut?

Flexibility and Freedom Renting a car in Calicut gives you the freedom to create your own travel itinerary. You can visit historic sites like the Kozhikode Beach, Mananchira Square, and the Kappad Beach, or take a scenic drive to nearby places like Wayanad or the Nilgiri Hills — without being tied to public transport schedules.

Comfort and Privacy Traveling in a rented car offers a level of comfort and privacy that is unmatched by taxis or public transportation. Whether you’re traveling alone, with family, or with friends, you’ll have the convenience of a private vehicle, air-conditioning, and space for your belongings, making your journey much more comfortable.

Cost-Effective for Groups For group travelers or families, rental cars can be much more cost-effective than taking multiple taxis. Renting a vehicle ensures that everyone can travel together in one car, which is more economical and convenient, especially for long-distance travel.

Explore Beyond the City Calicut is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and charming towns. With a rental car, you can easily access nearby tourist spots like the serene beaches of Varkala and the hill stations of Wayanad. These places are best explored by car, offering the flexibility to travel at your own pace and stop wherever you like.

What to Look for in Rental Cars in Calicut

Wide Range of Vehicles: Choose a rental service that offers a variety of vehicles to meet your needs, whether it’s a small car for city travel or an SUV for a road trip to the hills.

Affordable Rates: Compare rental prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal, while also considering the quality of the vehicle and services provided.

Flexible Rental Terms: Look for services offering hourly, daily, or weekly rental options to suit your specific travel needs.

Easy Booking: Many car rental services in Calicut offer the convenience of online booking, which allows you to reserve your vehicle in advance.

Tips for Renting a Car in Calicut

Book in Advance During peak travel seasons, it’s wise to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability and secure your preferred vehicle.

Check for Insurance Make sure your rental includes comprehensive insurance to protect against any unforeseen issues.

Know Local Driving Conditions Get familiar with local driving rules and road conditions. While Calicut has good infrastructure, understanding the traffic patterns will help you navigate the city more efficiently.

Popular Destinations to Visit with Rental Cars in Calicut

Kozhikode Beach: Famous for its beautiful sunset views and lively promenade.

Mananchira Square: A serene spot offering a glimpse into the city’s cultural heritage.

Kappad Beach: Historical significance as the landing point of Vasco da Gama.

Wayanad: A beautiful hill station known for its lush green landscapes and trekking opportunities.

Conclusion

Rental cars in Calicut provide the perfect way to explore both the city and the natural wonders that surround it. From historical sites to picturesque beaches and hill stations, having the freedom of your own vehicle ensures a hassle-free, comfortable, and memorable journey. Whether you’re here for a day or planning a longer stay, renting a car offers the flexibility and convenience you need to make the most of your visit to this beautiful city.

[southgatetravels]

Discovering Calicut with Ease: A Guide to Renting Cars in Kozhikode

Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, is a fascinating city along Kerala’s Malabar Coast, renowned for its historical significance, cultural heritage, and pristine beaches. rental cars calicut is one of the most convenient and flexible ways to explore both the city’s famous sites and nearby destinations at your own pace. Whether you’re here for business or leisure, this guide will help you understand how to make the most of your car rental experience in Calicut.

Why Rent a Car in Calicut?

Flexible Itinerary A rental car lets you create your own schedule, allowing you to visit attractions at your own pace without relying on public transport or the fixed routes of organized tours.

Comfort and Convenience Renting a car ensures a comfortable journey, especially for families or groups who want the privacy of a personal vehicle.

Seamless Access to Nearby Attractions Calicut has a variety of attractions in and around the city, from lush green hills to serene beaches. With a rental car, you can easily explore the city and venture out to nearby locations like Wayanad, Kappad Beach, and Beypore.

Types of Rental Cars Available in Calicut

Rental agencies in Calicut offer a range of vehicles to meet different needs and budgets:

Economy Cars: Perfect for city travel and short trips. Compact and fuel-efficient, these cars are ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

Sedans: Great for small groups and families, sedans provide additional comfort for longer trips.

SUVs: SUVs are perfect for navigating the diverse terrains around Calicut, especially if you’re planning a trip to the nearby hills.

Luxury Cars: For a premium experience, luxury vehicles add an extra touch of comfort and sophistication.

Self-Drive vs. Chauffeur-Driven: Choose a self-drive option if you enjoy the freedom of driving, or go for a chauffeur-driven vehicle if you prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Popular Car Rental Services in Calicut

Zoomcar Zoomcar offers a variety of self-drive options with flexible booking durations. The platform allows easy bookings through their app, and their fleet includes various car models to choose from.

IndusGo Known for its smooth booking process and affordable rates, IndusGo offers both self-drive and chauffeur-driven options in Calicut, with pickup and drop-off options across the city.

Royal Travels Royal Travels is a trusted local provider known for offering a wide range of vehicles at competitive prices. They also offer chauffeur-driven services, which is ideal for those new to the area.

Calicut Airport Car Rentals For travelers arriving by air, many rental agencies have kiosks or offer pickup options at Calicut International Airport, allowing you to start your trip as soon as you land.

Must-Visit Attractions in Calicut with a Rental Car

With a rental car, you can explore Calicut and its surroundings freely, visiting both popular sites and lesser-known gems. Here are some top destinations to consider:

1. Kappad Beach

A short drive from the city center, Kappad Beach is a historic site where Vasco da Gama first landed in 1498. It’s a beautiful spot to unwind and take in the sunset.

2. Beypore

Known for its traditional wooden boat-making (Uru) industry, Beypore is about 10 km from Calicut. The scenic drive and the view of the harbor make this a unique experience.

3. Mananchira Square

Located in the heart of Calicut, Mananchira Square is a lovely place to stroll and soak in the city’s local culture. Having a rental car makes it easy to add this to your itinerary without worrying about parking.

4. Thusharagiri Waterfalls

For nature lovers, Thusharagiri Waterfalls, about 50 km from Calicut, is a must-visit. The drive through lush greenery and small villages makes the journey as delightful as the destination.

5. Kozhikode Beach

One of Calicut’s highlights, Kozhikode Beach is known for its piers that extend into the sea and vibrant evening markets. You’ll appreciate the convenience of having a rental car to come and go as you please.

6. Wayanad Hills

Around 85 km from Calicut, Wayanad is known for its tea plantations, forests, and wildlife. It’s a perfect weekend getaway from Calicut, and renting an SUV or other rugged vehicle makes this trip even more enjoyable.

Tips for Renting a Car in Calicut

Book in Advance During Peak Seasons Calicut experiences a surge in tourism during holidays and peak travel months, especially from December to March. Booking your rental car in advance will help secure a better rate and ensure availability.

Understand the Terms and Conditions Be sure to review the rental agreement for mileage limits, fuel policies, and insurance coverage. Some rentals offer unlimited mileage, which is ideal if you plan to travel long distances.

Inspect the Vehicle Before Departure Check the car thoroughly for any existing damage before you start your journey. Taking photos can help prevent disputes when returning the vehicle.

Opt for a GPS-Enabled Vehicle Some areas around Calicut may have limited cellular coverage, so a GPS-enabled vehicle can be helpful for navigation.

Keep Your Documents Ready For both self-drive and chauffeur-driven rentals, you’ll need to present a valid driving license and a government-issued ID. For international travelers, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in addition to your home-country license.

Estimated Car Rental Rates in Calicut

Rental rates in Calicut vary depending on the type of vehicle, rental duration, and provider. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

Economy Cars: ₹1,200 - ₹1,800 per day

Sedans: ₹1,800 - ₹2,500 per day

SUVs: ₹2,500 - ₹4,000 per day

Luxury Cars: ₹5,000 and up per day

Discounts are often available for weekly or monthly rentals, so check with your provider if you plan on a longer stay.

FAQs About Car Rentals in Calicut

1. Can I pick up a rental car at Calicut International Airport? Yes, several car rental providers offer pick-up and drop-off services at the airport, making it easy for travelers to start their journey right from the airport.

2. Are self-drive options available for tourists? Yes, self-drive rentals are available. However, international tourists must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their home-country license.

3. Are there any additional charges for intercity travel? Some providers may allow intercity travel within Kerala, but it’s best to confirm any additional charges or restrictions with your rental agency.

4. What should I do if I want to extend my rental period? Contact your rental agency as early as possible to discuss an extension. Most agencies are flexible with extensions, provided the vehicle is available.

Start Your Calicut Adventure Today!

Renting a car in Calicut offers you the freedom to explore the city’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty on your terms. With the convenience of a rental car, you can make the most of your trip, visiting popular spots as well as discovering hidden treasures along the way. So go ahead, choose the right vehicle, hit the road, and experience Calicut’s charm to the fullest. Happy travels!

[mikelsons07]

Convenient Multi-Modal Travel Across Houston's Expansive Region: How ConnectSmart Revolutionizes the Industry

Houston's transportation needs to expand as well. Houston, known for its expansive layout and car-centric culture, has many transit choices that, when combined, provide residents and visitors great convenience and flexibility. ConnectSmart, a new, tech-driven travel platform, is changing how Houstonians switch transit modes, providing a seamless experience beyond just switching modes. This platform streamlines multimodal travel, making switching between cars, buses, trains, and bicycles painless.

In Houston's sprawling urban landscape, multimodal connectivity is needed.

Houston's metropolitan area is approximately 9,500 square miles, and many inhabitants drive alone. Due to the area's size and intricate transit arrangements, travelers face severe traffic, limited parking, and growing commute costs. Houston has strong public transit choices, including METRO's bus and train services, but the problem is building a system that efficiently connects them for long-distance commuters, tourists, and city visitors.

To address these challenges, smart connections employ multimodal connectivity, merging cars, buses, trains, bicycles, and ride-sharing services into one smooth journey. Towers may now easily plan and execute complex itineraries on a single mobile platform, allowing them to navigate the city without cars.

ConnectSmart offers key features and benefits.

ConnectSmart aims to improve Houstonians' connections, travel, and movement by simplifying multimodal travel with a full array of services. It provides real-time statistics, live maps, and simple tools for planning trips, paying fines, and receiving traffic alerts and delays. Each feature makes it easier for residents and visitors to switch between vehicles, buses, trains, and even cycling or walking.

1. Integrated Navigation and Trip Planning

ConnectSmart's most innovative feature is its integrated trip planner, which integrates the city's numerous transit options. Travelers can plan excursions by entering a destination and choosing private cars, public transit, or shared bikes. The platform then finds the shortest or cheapest routes and indicates when to switch modes. ConnectSmart simplifies commuters' transport schedule searches and app juggling with a single, user-friendly interface.

2. Real-Time Transit Information to Reduce Wait Times

Timing transportation alternatives to avoid waiting between connections is a major difficulty in multimodal travel. ConnectSmart tracks its whole network in real-time, letting users check transport timetables, forecast delays, and change routes. A commuter switching from METRO to the bus can receive information about potential delays and make changes without restarting their travel planning.

3. Dynamic Traffic and Route Optimization

ConnectSmart considers Houston's bustling road traffic and public transit. Driving and public transport users benefit from the app's dynamic traffic updates and congestion information, which suggest the best routes to park-and-ride facilities or train stations. The platform allows commuters to avoid crowded roads and save time and stress by favoring routes that avoid traffic.

4. Cross-Mode Payment Integration

ConnectSmart's payment integration makes paying for transit services on one platform easy. ConnectSmart simplifies multimodal travel finances by combining payment options across the app, eliminating the need for tickets and fare cards. This unified payment system lets travelers swiftly switch between cars, trains, and buses without searching for cash.

How ConnectSmart Promotes Green Travel

ConnectSmart prioritizes convenience but also promotes sustainable travel. Houston has long struggled with air pollution and carbon emissions due to car use. ConnectSmart supports sustainable urban transportation by encouraging residents to use public transit, carpool, and cycle instead of driving.

ConnectSmart decreases single-occupancy vehicle journeys and emissions by making multimodal travel easier. ConnectSmart's route planning tools and real-time updates allow commuters to combine train and bus routes or bike when possible, reducing car use and cleaning the city. ConnectSmart also makes eco-friendly choices easy by integrating bike-share programs and boosting last-mile connectivity.

The Economic and Social Impact of Multimodal Systems

ConnectSmart impacts Houston's economy and social access beyond its environmental benefits. ConnectSmart keeps transportation affordable for more people. Shared modes like ride-sharing and bike-sharing make city commuting cheaper for all income levels. ConnectSmart also improves social mobility and economic prospects for regional populations by making healthcare, education, and job centers easily accessible.

The Future of Houston Travel with ConnectSmart

Houston's rapid expansion needs flexible transit alternatives. ConnectSmart plans to add personalization and transport collaborations as it innovates. With predictive analytics, the app may eventually let users plan based on historical data, peak hours, transit capacity, and demand surges. These changes will make Houston's diverse and expansive metropolis easier to navigate.

ConnectSmart also plans to serve surrounding areas, connecting regional transit networks and cities. It may connect with Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio services to create a regional multimodal platform for more travel options. Through constant updates and user-centric features, ConnectSmart is ready to change urban travel in Houston and set a multimodal transportation paradigm for other cities.

Conclusion: A New Multimodal Travel Era in Houston

Houston is pioneering integrated, user-friendly, and sustainable multimodal travel systems with ConnectSmart. The platform connects transit options, saving time and money and making city travel easier. ConnectSmart portrays Houston as a forward-thinking city ready to fulfill its inhabitants' changing demands by allowing residents and visitors to move without single-mode dependency. ConnectSmart's solutions increase mobility and make Houston cleaner, more accessible, and economically vibrant, inspiring other cities.

[head-post]

France announces $55-million plan to revamp Notre Dame area into green oasis

As Notre Dame prepares to reopen its doors in December, Paris is on the cusp of a remarkable ecological renaissance, bringing nature back to the forefront of the City of Light, French media reported.

As part of a citywide transformation, the surroundings of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will be transformed into an ecological oasis with 1,800 square metres of green space and a bouquet of new trees, Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Tuesday.

In addition to restoring the cathedral’s iconic spire and medieval charm, the city announced plans Tuesday to redevelop the Notre Dame neighbourhood – to the tune of 50 million euros ($55 million) – into a serene green oasis.

The project echoes Paris’ broader post-Olympics eco-renewal, which is reshaping the city from its historic monuments to its busy avenues.

Key elements of this sweeping transformation include the revitalisation of historic spaces such as the Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde, a redesign aimed at reducing traffic around the Arc de Triomphe, and green promenades connecting the French capital’s landmarks.

Notre Dame reopening as a historic moment for Paris

The reopening on December 8 promises to be a historic moment for Paris, fulfilling President Emmanuel Macron’s promise of a five-year deadline following the devastating 2019 fire. While the cathedral’s spire and oak roof have been restored to their pre-fire splendour, Paris City Hall’s plans for the area around Notre Dame carry something new.

According to a press conference at City Hall addressed Tuesday by Paris officials including Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the ambitious, future-oriented project calls for the creation of 1,800 square metres (about 20,000 square feet) of green space and the planting of 160 trees.

Hidalgo said the redevelopment will better integrate nature and the Seine river into the neighbourhood. She also emphasised that this transformation aims to “better highlight our beautiful cathedral and do it justice by respecting its history.”

What’s in the new project

The redesign includes the transformation of the underground car park into a visitor space equipped with services and amenities. In addition, the embankments adjacent to the Seine will be renovated to create a new promenade along the river. The belvedere will offer panoramic views of the Ile Saint-Louis and the Seine, further enhancing the visitor experience.

The project will be realised in two phases, the first of which, dedicated to the parvis and surrounding streets, is due to be completed by the end of 2027. The second phase, which includes the redevelopment of Place Jean-XXIII and other surrounding neighbourhoods, is scheduled for completion by 2030.

In the heart of Paris, the Place de la Concorde, home to the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk, will undergo a significant overhaul between 2026 and 2027.

Paris authorities have enlisted a dozen architectural experts to devise a plan to preserve the square’s rich history and bring it in line with the city’s modern green ambitions. Expect more greenery and less traffic as the renovation balances historical significance with a fresh, eco-friendly design.

Read more HERE

[mswayambhu-blog]

Greenovation Hackathon –A True ASIAN event

Bharat has been the most forthcoming countries across all the member nations of UN, towards the commitments to implementation of UNSDGs, because here “sustainability” is not just a buzzword, very well imbibed in the culture itself. Vaidic Science is the most comprehensive knowledge base to understand the natural processes and life sciences, because it starts from the basic building blocks of life and goes till the universe.

Bharat is in a position to LEAD the World in solving the global warming & climate change crisis, just by adhering to our own holistic knowledge of Vaidic Science.

Therefore, on the governance side, we’ve constituted National Designated Authority for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (NDAIAPA), under the chairpersonship of Secretary, MoEFCC. While on the other hand we have industry-academia alliance to organize a nation-wide hackathon for sustainability startups to nurture the talent and innovations for solving the sustainability matrix like Greenovation Hackathon.

The HOST: ICFAI Group of Educational Institutions – established in the year 1984 as a non-profit society for empowering people through education, by the pioneer visionary Shri NJ Yasaswy. Since then ICFAI has established 10+ universities across the breadth of the country from Uttarakhand to Nagaland, and also the length of the nation from Chhattisgarh till Himachal. The Greenovation Hackathon was held in the Dehradun Campus, in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

The PARTNER: Re Sustainability Limited (Formerly Known as Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd) – was the industry partner in the event. Ramky is a true sustainability champion and an organization worthy of being termed as “Born in Bharat and Serving the Globe”.  A brain child of Shri B. S. Shantharaju, who made it big enough to compel like of KKR investment group to take 60% stakes in their vision, that involved wide array of solutions, including Waste Management, Recycling, Integrated Environmental Services, Consultancy, Facilities Management, Car Park Management, and Construction & Demolition Waste Management, among others. With an extensive footprint of 99+ operating locations spread across the world, to enable a sustainable future.

The PARTICIPANTS: Sustainability Startups from across the country – the event was flashed on all social media platforms, NASSCOM startup ecosystem, F6 platform, the Manthan startup ecosystem, which resulted in hundreds of applications. Our team at ICFAI, Hyderabad went through a painstaking process of identification, verification, segregation and detailed study of each application. After the 1st round of detailed study fifty startups belonging to diverse sectors like Agri-Food Technology to Circular Economy to Clean Tech to Climate Tech to Regenerative Farming to EVs to E-Waste management, Health Care, Deep Tech, Medical Waste Management, Sustainable Fashion, Sustainable Jewelry, Emission Reduction, Removal of Legacy emission, ESG, SaaS for Sustainability, MSW Management, Plastic Recycling, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Tourism and Waste to Energy to Wealth. Bottomline, is you name it, and they were there. There were over fifteen remarkable applications dedicated to circular economy, while nine from recycling sector to reinstate sustainability. In the next round, again sixteen bests were shortlisted to be given the opportunity to showcase their solution in the two-days exhibition at ICFAI Dehradun campus and also pitch in front of the Jury.

In the lush green valley of Dehradun, stands the ICFAI University campus in the area called Selaqui, spread over 25 acres and equipped with 2.5 lakhs square feet of built-up area for academic blocks, workshops, laboratories, library, auditorium, seminar halls, and more. The two days event started with Arrivals of Dignitaries, registration of the attendees, startups and students from various universities of Dehradun and nearby Haridwar, and even up till Roorkee. The Welcome Address was done by Dr. Ramesh Chand Ramola, Registrar – ICFAI University, Dehradun, followed by program and the event introduction to all the participants and attendees by Dr. Ram Karan Singh, Vice Chancellor (IUD). Dr. (Prof.) M Sainath, who helped IUD from the ICFAI – Hyderabad campus from conceiving the program till conducting the program took a keynote session on "Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Indian HEIs", while Dr. Neel Mani, Director, Institute of AI, DSVV spoke about the “Future Technologies” and finally a Vote of Thanks was read by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Associate Dean, ITS, IUD, before breaking for lunch.

Post lunch, Shri Amit J Sharma, Head, Business Excellence, Re Sustainability (the industry partner, sponsor and an Hon’ble Jury member) elaborated upon “Global Trends in Sustainability and the Circular Economy", which was enlightening, not just for the students, but also for many startups. After this, the exhibition and the Hackathon Pitching Sessions started parallelly at the exhibition halls in K-107 &108 as well as at the 1st floor board room respectively. Startups were divided into three groups and each group had a detailed pitching session lasting from a minimum of 45 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes too. All the startups can vouch for the patient hearing given to them by the Hon’ble jury members, and the detailed interaction done with them like no other startups Hackathon in the country.

The 2nd day in the after noon around 1400 hours (2pm) the results were announced.

The Winners –

Athar Packaging (Remarkable Innovation Prize):  Athar Packaging Solutions addresses the critical

issue of plastic pollution and the need for sustainable packaging alternatives. Every year, 400+ million tons of plastic waste gets generated across the globe, within which over 80 million tons ends up in landfills and oceans, causing severe environmental damage. This pollution not only harms marine life but also disrupts ecosystems and contributes to climate change. Traditional plastic packaging, derived from non-renewable resources, exacerbates this issue due to its non-biodegradable nature. Consumers and businesses increasingly recognize the environmental impact of their choices, but there is a lack of viable, eco-friendly packaging options. Many companies still rely on conventional plastic due to cost and convenience, unaware of sustainable alternatives or hesitant to switch due to perceived higher costs and lack of awareness.

Athar Packaging solution transforms waste materials into durable, reusable packaging, offering a practical and scalable alternative to traditional plastics. By repurposing discarded materials, the demand for virgin plastic production reduces, contributing to a circular economy. The innovative packaging solutions cater to various industries, providing cost-effective, high-quality, and customizable options that meet the growing demand for sustainable practices. Athar Packaging Solutions bridges the gap between environmental responsibility and business needs, driving a positive change in the packaging industry by revolutionizing the packaging industry by transforming waste materials into high-quality, reusable packaging.

WomenasticCo (Remarkable Innovation Prize):  WomenasticCo is a women led initiative into plastic waste management in a most innovative way by converting plastic waste into 3D printer filament by using only 5 Kw of solar energy and emitting low to no carbon footprint at all. Currently the MSME units recycling the plastic waste consume a lot energy, produces emission and carbon footprint, limited recycled products and no skill development at all. Enter WomenasticCo with their most innovative, holistic and sustainable solution for solving the plastic pollution for good. In the state of Haryana, on this youth day, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Harayana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, honored our startup WomenasticCo with the 1st prize in “Ideathon Haryana” competition. They were awarded with a cheque of ₹ 31,000/- (Thirty-One thousand Rupees).

Cluix Pvt. Ltd. (3rd Prize): CLUIX is a pioneering clean technology startup dedicated to research and development. Globally, the alarming figure of 771 million people without access to safe drinking water represents a continuing catastrophe affecting roughly one-tenth of the world's population.  Cluix is on a mission to create transformative solutions that exceed established industry benchmarks to achieve this by integrating cutting-edge advancements, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and embedded systems, into their product for spot testing of Water with laboratory grade precision. Furthermore, CLUIX prioritizes three fundamental principles in all their research, i.e., affordability, reliability, and sustainability.

Agso AgroSoldier Pvt. Ltd. (2nd Prize): AGSO: Agrosoldier, is a startup that converts any organic trash into highly value-added products within ten days of the time by 100% natural regenerative processes. Currently, they are upscaling three to four tons of Bio-waste into feed, fertilizer and Food in a shorter period without any external chemicals or inoculums, so their process is done naturally with the help of the Black Soldier Fly. This is a 100% organic and purely natural and efficient process, so any municipality or town management team can allow this to be done in the same organic waste management system at their primaries.

Vaidic Srijan LLP (1st Prize): All across the globe, we have a problem of overcrowded cities with depleting natural resources. Bad Air quality, sewage, biodiversity losses, drinking Water availability, polluted Waterbodies, increasing GHG emissions, sanitation & hygiene issues, depleting agricultural production and declining farm profitability, Chemicals & Antibiotics in Human food chain, floods & droughts, Water logging and so on. All these problems are the chain reaction of Water, Soil and Air getting contaminated. And therefore, a holistic & sustainable nature-based solution can solve all of them in one go. This is where Vaidic Srijan LLP steps in, which is a climate tech startup, which has developed Cownomics® Technology, for resurrection of the native ecology of Soil, Water and Air, through the Waterbodies. It restores the “ecosystem services” of the Waterbodies & Wetlands, “in-situ” conditions. The rejuvenated Water gets transformed into neuro-immuno booster for plants and animals, resulting diseases, pests and weather resilient farms of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Animal husbandry reducing the input cost and multiplying the yield.

The event was over, but the journey will continue, with newer startups, more events, more cohorts, accelerator programs, appreciations, winners, prize money, grants, impact investments and investors to enrich these ASIAN (Academia-Startups-Industry-Association-Networking) events.

[vikasritzlife]

Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan

A New Era of Living

Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan is not just another residential project; it’s a statement of luxury and modern living. Situated at the core of Kalyan, this development by Vikas Developers presents a new way of living that blends ease with practicality. Covering more than 8 acres, Vikas Ritz Kalyan is a vast community with over 6 high-rise buildings, including 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, all carefully crafted to suit the requirements of modern families. Vastu, the science of architecture, has been followed in designing each and every apartment unit of the project. There are over 20,500 sq. ft. common living designed for the comfort of the residents which caters to every family member's need.

Besides the carefully crafted residential areas, Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan features a spacious lifestyle center covering 20,500 square feet, equipped with a broad selection of facilities. This center is central to the neighborhood, providing a spot for its inhabitants to unwind, mingle, and participate in different leisure pursuits. Whether you're interested in swimming, enjoying a slow run on the track, or throwing a gathering on the grass, Vikas Ritz Kalyan caters to all tastes.

Thoughtful location

Kalyan, previously recognized for its active role in transportation and storage, has evolved into a lively intelligent city, attracting many to its modern lifestyle. Vikas Ritzlife Kalyan is carefully placed in this swiftly growing region, providing convenient access to significant transportation routes and everyday amenities. The development is situated 0.6 km away from the Ring Road, 3.7 km from Kalyan Railway Station, and 4 km from Kalyan Shilphata Road. Besides, one can find Thane-Nashik Highway only 7.5 km from the site, making a flawless connectivity to Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

The area surrounding Vikas Ritz Kalyan is filled with a variety of educational and healthcare services, along with a range of lifestyle choices. Well-known educational centers such as Don Bosco High School and St. Xavier’s International School are easily accessible on foot, and nearby hospitals like Aayush Hospital and Life care NX Hospital are only a short walk or drive away.

In terms of lifestyle features, Vikas Ritz Kalyan boasts a wide array of options. People living there can indulge in shopping and fun activities at Reliance Smart Point, Dmart, and Metro Junction Mall, all situated within a short distance from the development. For those who prefer eating out, Café Coffee Day and other well-known restaurants are easily accessible by car.

Legacy of Developers

A project of this scale and caliber could only be realized by a developer who has a solid history of outstanding performance. The property sector is synonymous with reliability, high standard work, and creativity—Vikas Developers. The achievement of Vikas Developers is due to their steadfast dedication to excellence and the happiness of their clients. Each project they work on showcases their commitment to developing homes that are not just visually appealing but also practical and eco-friendly. Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan stands as a perfect illustration of this approach.

From the beginning of the planning process to the last minor adjustments, Vikas Developers have made sure that every detail of Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan surpasses the utmost levels of excellence. The building's design is both contemporary and classic, merging sleek edges with creative space utilization to form residences that are both attractive and functional. The employment of premium materials and coatings boosts the attractiveness of the residences, turning them into enjoyable places to reside.

Apart from their dedication to excellence, Vikas Developers are equally dedicated to being environmentally responsible. They have integrated a variety of green elements into the blueprint of Vikas Ritz Kalyan, such as energy-saving lights, systems for collecting rainwater, and facilities for managing waste. These elements not only lessen the project's effect on the environment but also aid in the project's lasting benefit to the surrounding community.

Facilities and Amenities

Vikas Ritzlife Kalyan provides a variety of contemporary facilities aimed at meeting the different requirements of its inhabitants. The development includes a swimming pool, running path, outdoor space for parties, and a conversation area for community events. For those who enjoy reading, there's a comprehensive collection of books, and for those interested in sports, there are options for indoor activities, a large gym, and a cricket simulation area. The play areas for kids and toddlers, complete with a sandpit, guarantee that the young ones can play safely and enjoyably.

Elderly individuals can unwind in the specially designed garden for seniors, while those in search of peace can discover it in the garden for yoga and meditation. The expansive garden offers a peaceful area for the residents to relax and engage with the natural world. Moreover, the lifestyle platform features a party lawn and various recreational areas, turning Vikas Ritz Kalyan into a genuine haven for families.

Investment for the Future

Investing in Vikas Ritz Kalyan goes beyond just purchasing a property; it's about ensuring your future stability. The quick growth of Kalyan into a technologically advanced city, combined with infrastructure initiatives such as Metro Line 5, the Kalyan Ring Road, and the renovation of Kalyan Station, are poised to greatly increase the value of real estate in the area. Additionally, the planned BITS Kalyan Campus and improved road links connecting to six major economic centers add to the attractiveness of the location.

With the growing need for high-quality living spaces in Kalyan, the worth of properties is anticipated to increase, making Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan a wise investment option. Whether your goal is to purchase a residence for personal use or to invest in real estate, Vikas Ritz Kalyan presents a lucrative investment opportunity.

Furthermore, the good name of Vikas Developers provides extra protection for your investment. Their history of completing top-notch projects punctually guarantees that your investment is secure.

Conclusion

Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan extends beyond being merely a place to live; it represents a way of life. Located in an ideal spot, outfitted with superior amenities, and supported by the well-known Vikas Developers, this project offers everything needed for a fulfilling and happy life. Whether you're starting a fresh chapter with your loved ones, improving your present living situation, or seeking a dependable investment choice, Vikas Ritz Kalyan is the ideal choice.

The project’s modern architecture, along with its emphasis on excellence and environmental friendliness, guarantees that inhabitants experience a superior quality of life. The extensive array of facilities meets the varied requirements of the community, turning Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan into a location where all can flourish.

All in all, Vikas Ritz Life Kalyan symbolizes the future of contemporary living in Kalyan. It's a location where opulence and ease blend, where age-old customs and new technologies converge, and where inhabitants can thrive, develop, and succeed. Welcome the transformation, embrace the future, and discover the finest aspects of Kalyan at Vikas Ritz Life.

[shynim]

Car Hire in Calicut: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Calicut, known as Kozhikode, is a vibrant city located on the southwestern coast of India in the state of Kerala. Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and picturesque landscapes, Calicut serves as an excellent gateway for travelers wishing to explore the southern part of India. With its serene beaches, lush green hills, and delectable Malabar cuisine, the city attracts both domestic and international tourists. While Calicut boasts an array of public transportation options, many visitors prefer the convenience and flexibility offered by car hire services. In this post, we will delve into the nuances of car rental in Calicut, exploring the options available, the benefits of hiring a car, and tips to make the most of your driving experience in this enchanting region.

The Advantages of Hiring a Car in Calicut

1. **Freedom and Flexibility**: One of the most significant advantages of hiring a car in Calicut is the freedom it offers. Unlike public transportation, which operates on fixed schedules and routes, a rented vehicle enables you to create your own itinerary. Whether you wish to explore the famous Kozhikode Beach at sunset or venture into the serene countryside, having a car at your disposal gives you the flexibility to manage your time as you please.

2. **Comfort**: Traveling in a rented car ensures a more comfortable experience, particularly for families or larger groups. The ability to travel together in a private vehicle can enhance the overall experience, allowing for camaraderie and shared memories. Moreover, you can store your belongings safely and avoid the hassle of lugging them around on public transportation.

3. **Exploration of Offbeat Destinations**: While Calicut offers numerous popular tourist attractions, such as the Kappad Beach and the historic Mananchira Square, renting a car allows you to explore lesser-known locales. Hidden gems such as the tranquil beaches of Veliyangadi or the rolling hills of Wayanad await those with the drive to venture off the beaten path.

4. **Cost-Effectiveness**: In some instances, renting a car can be more economical compared to relying on taxis or rideshare services, especially for travelers planning multiple day trips or excursions. With competitive rates available from various car rental services, it is prudent to compare prices and book in advance.

5. **Convenience**: For those traveling with children or elderly family members, the convenience of having a personal vehicle cannot be overstated. It eliminates the stress of navigating public transport or waiting for taxis, allowing for a more relaxed journey.

 Options for car hire calicut

When considering car hire in Calicut, several options are available, catering to different preferences and budgets:

1. **Local Rental Agencies**: Numerous local car rental agencies operate within Calicut, providing a range of vehicles from economy cars to luxury sedans. Renting from a local agency can offer a more personalized experience, as many operators are well-acquainted with the region and can provide valuable insights and recommendations.

2. **International Chains**: Renowned international car rental companies also have a presence in Calicut, providing reliability and standardized services. Popular names such as Hertz, Avis, and Sixt offer a robust fleet of vehicles and transparent pricing models.

3. **Self-Drive vs. Chauffeur-Driven**: Travelers can choose between self-drive vehicles, allowing for autonomy, and chauffeur-driven options, which provide an experienced driver familiar with the local roads and attractions. A chauffeur-driven car can enhance the journey by alleviating the stress of navigation, particularly in unfamiliar territory.

4. **Online Car Rental Platforms**: The advent of technology has facilitated a surge in online car rental services, allowing travelers to compare prices, select vehicles, and finalize bookings via user-friendly platforms. Websites and apps such as Zoomcar and Carzonrent make the process straightforward and efficient.

Factors to Consider When Hiring a Car

When embarking on the journey of hiring a car in Calicut, it is imperative to consider several factors to ensure a smooth experience:

1. **Booking in Advance**: As Calicut experiences an influx of tourists, especially during peak seasons, it is advisable to book your car in advance. Early reservations often lead to better pricing and ensure availability.

2. **Insurance Coverage**: Ensure to check the insurance coverage offered by the rental agency. Understanding the terms and conditions related to damage, theft, and liability is crucial for safeguarding your interests.

3. **Fuel Policy**: Different rental agencies operate various fuel policies. Some may provide a full tank and require you to return the car with a full tank, whereas others charge you for fuel used. Familiarize yourself with the specifics to avoid unexpected charges.

4. **Driver’s License and Requirements**: To rent a car in India, an international driving permit may be required for foreign tourists, alongside your home country’s driving license. Additionally, most rental agencies have specified age requirements, often necessitating drivers to be at least 21 years old.

5. **Familiarity with Local Roads**: Understanding local traffic rules and driving conditions is essential, particularly in an Indian context where road behavior may differ significantly from Western standards. Familiarizing oneself with common driving practices can contribute to a safer experience.

 Navigating Calicut: Key Attractions and Routes

Once you have secured a rental car, a wealth of attractions beckons your exploration:

1. **Kozhikode Beach**: A perfect spot to relax, the beach is famous for its serene sunsets and vibrant local markets. The drive along the coast is picturesque, providing ample opportunities for photography.

2. **Kappad Beach**: Deeply rooted in history, Kappad marks the landing point of Vasco da Gama in 1498. The scenic drive along the Malabar Coast leads to this tranquil beach dotted with fishing boats and ancient rock formations.

3. **Wayanad**: Located approximately 90 kilometers from Calicut, Wayanad is a hill station known for its lush greenery, trekking opportunities, and wildlife sanctuaries. The drive through winding roads and beautiful landscapes is an added bonus.

4. **Thusharagiri Waterfalls**: About 50 kilometers from Calicut, this picturesque waterfall is accessible by a scenic drive followed by a short trek. Perfect for a day trip, it is advisable to visit during the monsoon season when the falls are in full flow.

5. **Historic Landmarks**: The city is home to several historical sites, including the Kozhikode Fort, and the Beypore Port. A driving tour through these landmarks can be both educational and enriching.

In conclusion, hiring a car in Calicut provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the enchanting beauty and rich history of this coastal gem at your own pace. With a myriad of options available, travelers can choose a rental service that aligns with their preferences and budget. By considering the essential factors and familiarizing oneself with the local environment, hiring a car can transform your journey into a delightful experience. Whether you are venturing to the bustling markets, serene beaches, or lush hill stations, the freedom of the road awaits you in Calicut, promising unforgettable memories in one of India’s most captivating regions.

[aerovista-mohali]

Riverdale Aerovista: Affordable Plots at Mohali Airport Rd.

When looking for your next real estate investment that has a pinch of both opulence and dependency, turn to Riverdale Aerovista. Located on Mohali Airport Road, Riverdale Aerovista is known for its freehold plots which are desirable for all the prospective house owners who like to think big. Available for immediate registration and possession, this premium development ensures an improved way of life in proximity to vital services and a dynamic neighborhood.

 Why Choose Riverdale Aerovista?

Prime Location:

- Riverdale Aerovista is situated adjacent to Aerocity as well as Chandigarh International Airport making it the best connected area overall.

- Being near Mohali IT Park, Fortis Hospital, ISB, leading educational institutions, global schools and future shopping malls make this spot perfect for residing as well as for investment.

- Easy access to highways ensures seamless travel to Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, J&K, and Himachal Pradesh.

Impressive Community:

- Over 1000 families already residing, ensuring a vibrant and welcoming community.

- Gated society with two-tier security for a safe and secure living environment.

 Amenities at Riverdale Aerovista

- Pollution-Free Environment: Enjoy a breath of fresh air with lush, landscaped gardens and green spaces.

- Children’s Play Zone: Safe and fun area for kids to play and socialize.

- Centrally Located: Close to major establishments, making everyday living convenient.

- All Flats with Elevators: Ensuring comfort and accessibility for all residents.

- Maple Streetlights: Stylish and efficient street lighting to illuminate your evenings.

Residential Options

 Luxury Villas:

- Designed in a Neo-Classical style, offering eye-pleasing exteriors and spacious interiors.

- Options range from 4BHK to 5BHK with servant rooms, ensuring ample space for large families.

- Each villa comes with a private parking lot and a classy front yard.

Independent Rustica Floors:

- 3BHK independent floors with lifts, catering to nuclear families.

- A blend of Spanish Architecture and Neo-Classical Style.

- Each floor includes a servant-cum-store room and car park.

 Residential Plots:

- Available in sizes from 150-400 Sq Yds, allowing you to design your dream home.

- Situated in the prosperous Sector 82, the plots offer an unmatched experience of community living.

 Unique Selling Points

- Experience & Expertise: Riverdale Group boasts over 11 years of experience with five delivered projects and three ongoing projects.

- Meticulously Planned: Every square inch of the property is designed to serve its purpose, ensuring a functional and luxurious lifestyle.

- Green Surroundings: The development is surrounded by lush greenery, providing a serene and pollution-free environment.

- Excellent Neighborhood: Experience the richness of life amidst some of the most iconic developments and neighborhoods.

 Location Advantages

- Infosys Campus & Ashoka University: Less than 1 km away.

- IISER: Within a 5-minute distance.

- Chitkara University: Approximately 10 minutes away.

- Chandigarh University: Just 15 minutes away.

- Greater Mohali Industrial Area: A short 10-minute drive.

Conclusion

On Mohali Airport Road, investing in Riverdale Aerovista plots is a sound choice for people looking for lavishness, comfortability, and improved life. Riverdale Aerovista is the best real estate option because it offers lots of facilities, good transportation links and has a blossoming society.

If you'd like additional details or want to arrange a visit, please get in touch with the Riverdale Aerovista sales office at:

- https://aerovistamohali.in/ 

- Phone: 9779393200

- PBRERA-SAS79-PR0727

Explore the possibilities at Riverdale Aerovista and take the first step towards owning your dream home today.

 RIVERDALE AEROVISTA

3 BHK Floor, Residential Plots & Villas  

Immediate Registry & Possession  

Adjoining Aerocity, Airport Road  

1000 Families Already Residing  

Enquire Now

ABOUT AEROVISTA MOHALI

Aerovista is well placed next to the international airport and also the fast growing business area making it a future hotspot. Thanks to wide roads system connecting Aerovista everything from home or work is just a few minutes away; therefore, there are enormous development possibilities of such type of property here.

[havenhomes1]

Address Hillcrest Villas

Address Hillcrest Villas in Dubai Hills Estate is an exceptional project recently launched by Emaar. This project stands out for providing luxurious and spacious apartments with breathtaking views, including the iconic Burj Khalifa and the famous Dubai skyline. Residents can enjoy beautiful green spaces and clean walkways, enhancing their quality of life and encouraging them to achieve their best daily performance. Address Hillcrest Villas boasts an ideal location, just a short distance from Dubai Hills Park and the golf course. In addition to that, it provides easy access to a variety of key locations, shopping centers, entertainment venues, and business areas. Furthermore, the project has been integrated with numerous recreational facilities and services that make it an ideal place to enjoy an exciting and luxurious life. Thanks to the availability of multiple transportation options, residents can easily explore the city and access all their needs within minutes by car. Address Hillcrest Villas combines luxury and accessibility to offer an exceptional experience for residents. #Address_Hillcrest #UAE #United_Arab_Emirates #Dubai