#then its like WHEN do i buy the tickets and the hotel and everything like should i work on that NOW or?????

[altruistic-meme]

re: drive, do what you did with your sister when y'all went to Texas but alone?

when i drove from San Francisco to essentially Vancouver on my way to Alaska, it was literally like every other road trip except i had to call all the shots. which was stressful af since this wasnt a For Fun trip so i asked for a buddy on my way back down

oh!! you can bring like a plushie and take photos of it in places :3 that is your travel buddy

ah!! yeah, see, the biggest problem is that my sister did most of the planning for that trip skdhfskdg

it is,,, mmmmm,,, well part of it is that i'm going to be flying instead of driving! since it's a 30hr drive :') which is Fine and Okay except i have to go through 2 of the busiest US airports by myself with next-to-no experience :'))) i may or may not be very nervous about that lmao

but other than that it's also gonna be a longer trip! im going for about a week (probably, i know i'll be leaving saturday but idk what day i want to return home yet) whereas my trip to texas with my sister was 3 days, as was my trip with my other sister when we went to california! (<- that was also my only airport/plane experience thus far) so im gonna have more time there to actually Do Things as opposed to just... Day 1. Arriving, Day 2. Doing the Single Thing, and then Day 3. Leaving

that said though, a travel buddy actually sounds like a very good thing for me to bring!! ive done similar things on big family road trips where we would stop to remember to take photos, though those were more of Us than anything else, but i think it would be a nice way to remember to actually TAKE photos!! as well as helping me actually stay calm enough to figure things out :)

[ladykailitha]

How I would do a sugar daddy/sugar baby AU. (I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me *side eyes the omegaverse*)

I've seen this well done in this fandom, I'm not saying I haven't, but of the ones I've seen they tend to be omegaverse or mafia/shady sugar daddy.

And I want thirty year old rockstar!Eddie with twink Steve. I said what I said. I think we forget that for the most part Steve isn't beefy. When he's "bulked" up, it's his clothing (Eddie's vest) or its his thighs that are "thicc". But Steve (Joe Kerry in particular out of the role) is thin.

So we have rockstar!Eddie with Corroded Coffin touring the country and doing a couple of dive bars because that's where they got their start and hitting up The Hideout, because again that's where they got their start.

Steve, who recently got kicked out of his parents house because he came out with liking men (gay, pan, bi don't care) and lost his job because again with the liking men thing (small town homophobia for the loss!)

So with his last twenty dollars, he decides to hit up on the local bar and drink away his troubles and maybe even get laid for a warm place to sleep tonight.

He gets dressed in his sluttiest clothes. Crop top, cut off booty shorts, sparkly blue sneaks.

Only he shows up on the night that Corroded Coffin is playing. After paying what he thought was a stiff cover charge (was actually a ticket to see the show) he gets in. He has less money than he hoped but he can only hope that someone is willing to buy him drinks.

He settles in next to the bar and realizes his mistake. The rest of the patrons are dressed in metal gear. Leather, black denim, and lots of chains. Steve doesn't just stick out, he sticks out like a prep in a metal concert.

But he can't afford to go anywhere else, and hopes he doesn't get too harassed tonight. So he keeps he head down and hopes of the best.

Only what he doesn't know is that he has caught the eye of the frontman and lead singer of Corroded Coffin, Eddie Munson. The fact that Steve stands out isn't a detriment, it's a perk.

He wants to find out everything about this boy who stumbled into his enclosure.

The rest of the band is rolling their eyes.

Eddie sends out one of the PAs to make sure that all of Steve's drinks go on Eddie's tab and spends the whole concert watching this guy.

After the concert Eddie sidles up to him and they get to talking. Immediately he picks up that Steve is not old enough to be there. So now he's worried he's under age.

They head out for a smoke and Steve admits that he's not twenty-five like the fake ID says, but nineteen. He shows Eddie his real ID as proof and Eddie is relieved.

They start making out and Eddie takes him to his hotel room to have sex.

In the morning, Eddie asks if he can take him home and Steve starts sobbing. He tells him about his shitty day with shitty parents and shitty boss.

And Eddie's bleeding heart immediately goes out to him and tells him to stay at the hotel for as long as he needs, order room service. Just no booze.

Steve pouts at that but agrees. That as long he stays at the hotel he won't buy booze on Eddie's dime.

Eddie gives Steve his phone number if he needs anything. He transfers the hotel room over to Steve's name, gives him a sultry kiss goodbye and leaves to finish his tour.

Steve doesn't have anywhere else to go and is not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he stays at the hotel. He gets to spend time in the luxurious bathroom with it's fancy shampoos and conditioners and hot tub like bath.

He finds that Eddie keeps sending him clothes and jewelry and suddenly the rich life style that he had with his parents pales in comparison to the extravagant lifestyle Eddie is providing for him.

Through all this Steve is still looking for a job as he doesn't want to overstay his welcome. But news hadn't gotten around town that he was gay and even people he thought he could trust are telling him that they can't hire him.

Eventually he gives up. He talks to Eddie all the time and whenever he feels discouraged Eddie will send him something pretty to cheer him up.

Finally Steve catches the fairy that had been leaving things in his hotel room when he's in the shower or out on the town.

Her name is Robin Buckley and she's a summer intern. Her uncle knew a guy who knew a guy that got her the job. She actually loves it, but she has one more year of high school and her parents won't let her drop out to be a PA for a rockstar.

They're concerned that he'll take advantage of her. Robin thinks it's funny because she's gay. Steve thinks it's funny because Eddie's gay and not into under eighteen year olds.

He tells her his story and over the summer they become best friends. Robin had heard that the Harrington boy had run off so imagine her surprise when Eddie's management had her deliver things to his hotel room. Staying in a hotel room in Hawkins is hardly running away.

Eddie comes back and just continues to throw money and gifts at Steve but doesn't ask for sex again. It's not until Steve tells him that he didn't fuck Eddie for his money or even for a warm bed at that point when he went back to the hotel with him, it was because Eddie cared. And god was that sexy as hell.

When Robin graduates Eddie hires her to be Steve's PA and the pair of them get to travel the world with the band as besties.

ETA: Story here.

[simping4-2manyppl]

Hello, how r u? I had this request, and I was wondering if you could write it please? It's abt Bill (maybe during 2008) who goes to yn's concert with the rest of the band (yn is Bill's n°1 celebrity crush) and they meet for the first time after the concert during an after party and it's just really cute, yn and Bill are shy and obviously like each other etc plus paparazzis took pictures of the two talking with each other... Have a nice day

Bill Kaulitz 🎤

Crush

Hii im goodd tysm for asking!! Id love to do this request its been sitting here for a while but i finally got the motivation to finish this! hope you enjoy it, sorry for the wait xx

Bill x reader

Not proof read!!!!

Bill had been a big fan of yours for quite some time, so when he found out you were going on tour he was so excited, he made sure to get his assistant to buy some tickets right away!

Once bill was there with the rest of the band he was amazed by hearing you sing live, but he enjoyed his time along with the others, bill had gotten them to like your music aswell!

After you had gotten off the stage you had learned that tokio hotel had attended your concert, you had known about them from them being all over tabloids, as they were currently doing really good in the music world.

You smiled at this info and had been rushed to get ready for your after party that a lot of people were gonna be at.

You had made sure to pick out an outfit beforehand so you got dressed and got your makeup redone by the awesome makeup artists you had, you thanked them and went out backstage with your bodyguards getting into the car and making your way to the after party.

Once you got there you greeted everybody, waving and making small talk until you approached another guest, bill kaulitz.

You were quite nervous but excited to meet him, you had heard some of their songs which you loved.

“Hi..” you said putting your hand out for him to shake, a blush creeping over your face. “Hello..” he said, also blushing but shaking your hand.

You felt as if time was going by really slow as you both stood there, hands still connected but both looking down too shy to say anything.

You felt a small spark once you connected hands, butterflies immediately rumbling in your stomach as you realized your hands were still together.

You pulled away softly, “sorry about that!..” you said nervously, “o-oh! No dont worry about it! Its okay..” he said as you both still stood close, faces extremely red.

It wasnt anything to get flustered over since you had just greeted about a million people before him but you had just shut down completely, and in a good way.

You decided to shake off the shyness you felt and invited him over to sit down, also offering him a drink.

He accepted and you quickly got two drinks for the both of you, sitting down on the couch and handing his drink over to him.

You took a small sip, trying to figure out what to say, but you were taken out of your thoughts when he spoke up.

“You did really good today! At your concert i mean, haha.. Anyway, i also really liked your outfits. Everything was great i can see why you’re becoming famous very fast!” He said with a smile, taking a sip of his drink.

You blushed and smiled back, “thank you! Ive seen you perform aswell, not live but from what ive seen you and your band are great! I love how you really go off and do your best in every show! I know its tiring but you really do amazing.” You said rambling, the pink tint on your cheeks becoming more visible.

He chuckled and mumbled a thank you, the both of you finally warming up to eachother and talking more, it really felt like it was only you two there but unfortunately you hadnt noticed the paparazzi taking pictures from the window behind the couch you both were sat in.

Too focused on conversation, that you didnt even noticed bills band members show up infront of you.

You had quickly greeted them, blushing as you felt embarrassed that you hadnt noticed anyone standing there, possibly listening to your conversation with bill.

Although you got lucky because they eventually left to some other part of the party and you stayed talking all night long with bill, too engrossed in the conversation and by the way he would tell you stories with such detail that you didnt even realize your phone buzzing constantly from messages and random people tagging you in the new pictures of you and bill.

After you spent all night talking you had accidentally fallen asleep on the couch, your head layed on bills shoulder as you rubbed your eyes at the sunlight, finally waking up.

You had grabbed your cellphone to check the time but had seen your phone blown up with the thousands of messages instead.

You rubbed your eyes as you got up looking at the pictures you had been tagged in shocked.

The paparazzi had released the pictures of you and bill talking, some were just of you and him laughing and smiling or just being too close to eachother.

You groaned, annoyed that the media had taken something so innocent into something it wasnt, but thats what they did best right?

Bill had woken up, putting his hand on your shoulder, “are you okay?..” he said with a raspy voice, as he had just woken up.

You frowned and showed him your phone, handing it to him. “Sorry they had to ruin this, all we did was talk, they’re saying crazy things.” You said rolling your eyes.

He chuckled, handing the phone back to you, “doesnt matter, i enjoyed last night. Getting to know you was the best part of my day.” He said smiling, “and if they like to assume things well.. maybe we should make what they say true.” He said smirking, grabbing your chin.

Your breath hitched as you felt nervous, the butterflies in your stomach suddenly returning. He had leaned closer in to you and placed his lips onto yours.

Your worries had all gone away as you closed your eyes kissing him back. Your lips moving in sync as he suddenly placed his hand on your cheek, deepening the kiss.

You broke apart, taking in breaths of air completely flustered, as he swiped your lip giving you a smile, his cheeks also red.

You both chuckled as you placed another kiss on his lips, smiling.

What a great After Party.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for uninviting my friend to a concert after she bought her plane tickets and refusing to pay her the money she spent on the tickets?

Me and my friend both love a singer called Melanie Martinez. We have both been listening to her for years and her music has gotten us through a lot.

A year and a half ago I got my first job. As someone who has a disability and grew up with not a lot I pride myself on the money I make and how well I’ve been doing at my job. My friend knows this, she also knows I take how I spend my money very seriously. My friend does not have a job, but she lives with her parents who give her monthly allowances so she can do as she pleases until she gets a job. The amount they give her is not a lot but she does save up so she has quite a bit of money. She likes to buy small things while setting aside some money for something big she wants while I like to save up almost all my money and get one big thing every once in a while that I really want.

Melanie first announced her Portals tour she only gave US dates but a while ago she announced UK dates for the tour. The UK tickets cost quite a bit of money and travelling and a hotel would also be pretty pricey but I had been saving and decided that this would be the big thing I would get for myself. I really wanted to go but with my disability I didn’t want to go alone. I asked my friend if she was available for one of the dates and she was so I invited her. I bought both of our tickets for the London date and since I make the most money out of both of us, it was my idea and I was being nice for my friend I also booked the hotel (instead if splitting it like she had originally suggested), while she offered to buy her own ticket for the plane and pay for her own food while we were over in London.

We had everything set, she bought a new outfit to wear for the tour and we were so excited. She hadn’t yet bought her plane ticket but I wasn’t too worried because I hadn’t yet either (and honestly flying makes me so nervous that just buying the tickets puts me on edge).

When we talked about it with our other friends she bragged about going which I found weird but whatever she was excited y’know. But she started complaining along with her bragging like “you’d think that we could’ve gotten closer seats but oh well at least we’re going” or “the tickets were just so expensive we’ll be broke after this” which made me feel weird. I asked her if she had an issue with the seats I got since they were in the disability accessible areas the view was good but it definitely wasn’t the front so I was kinda sympathetic to her disappointment. She said she didn’t care were the seats were and she was only joking around. But she kept complain-bragging until she was just complaining. Like “its gunna so cold I’m gunna hate it” or “we better have to deal with those annoying fans with the signs or the bracelets” and on and on and when I asked her if she was still excited she said she was just joking and she was excited. I have a hard time understanding when people are being serious or not so I just took her word for it.I didnt want to cause any arguments between us.

So she shows me the outfit she bought and it looks great and I show her the outfit I put together and we buy those plastic elf ears to decorate we are having a great time. She would say that my outfit didn’t fit the vibe as well as her and I better not actually wear it and embarrass her and again she says she’s joking. I made part of my outfit so I didn’t find it very funny.

She didn’t really talk with our friends about the concert other than with me, because my friends were kinda over it which I get. But I got a message a week ago from one of my other friends he’d sent a lot of screen shots of the friend i was taking to the concert saying she’d rather be going with him because he’d be more fun but at least with me she’ll “get disability special treatment and get to skip the line” and that “it wasn’t her money so she might as well try to enjoy herself”. Firstly we are adults we are too grown to be talking shit on snapchat. And secondly i was so crushed. I’d really been looking forward to spending time with my friend on a fun get away to see an artist we adore and she’d been complaining the whole time and was only looking forward to it because with me she’d get “special treatment”.

So I sent her the screenshots and I told her if she really didn’t want to go with me then she wasn’t going I’d just take someone else. She sent me a screenshot of her plane ticket she had bought that morning being confirmed and was like “no u have to take me I’ve paid for my plane tickets” and I was upset and said I didn’t care I’m not going to waste a ticket I spent my hard earned money on someone who didn’t appreciate it and views my disability as a way to get a better deal for herself and wanted to go with someone else.

She said she was joking and that I was ruining things for her and that it meant so much to her to go and how dare I take that away from her.

I have invited a different friend. They also love Melanie Martinez and I hadn’t asked them originally cuz they had plans around the time of the concert but the plans they had fell through so it works out, I need someone to go with they need something to do and honestly they deserve a break and a good time.

My friend who I was taking originally is very upset with me and is demanding I either take her or I pay for the plane ticket she now isn’t going to use. I told her to just get a refund from the airport and she said she didn’t want a refund from them she wanted me to pay for the “emotional stress” of the whole situation. I even got a message from her mum telling me to just pay the money.

My other friends are either neutral or think I’m taking things too far over some “inappropriate jokes” and I do feel bad since she was very excited and I was excited to go with her. I was originally so sure in my decision to uninvite her and bring someone else but now I just feel so bad. I can’t uninvite my other friend and reinvite her but I also don’t want to pay her anything since she offered to get her own ticket herself it was her money to spend and I have already spent far more on this than her. She says I’m greedy. I’m hurt by her comments she’s been my friend for 8 years and I’ve never really seen her act this way and say these things.

I felt I was doing the right thing and now I’m not sure. I feel like I’m going to lose a good friendship over a situation I’m overreacting in.

Am I the asshole???? Help????

What are these acronyms?

[angst-king]

Betrayal Beyond Repair pt 3

(Final part of this story, I hope you've all enjoyed it so far. CW mention of rape, violence, and fire)

Emily continued to get used to her new home, it was still hard to accept but she was doing better. Her body had healed up enough for her to start going out. So the group would often spend their outings going shopping. Buying new clothes and things for her room, and in return she would help around the hotel. Cleaning, cooking as well as anything else that needed to be done.

She had done away with her heavenly princess attire by now, dressing in much darker clothes most times. Her halo had disappeared and changed into two small floating horns. The ends of her hair had blackened, as did the color of her forearms to her fingertips, while her wings had disappeared. It took some adjusting but she was starting to enjoy her time with everyone.

It was a late night, Emily had been convinced by Cherri and the others to go to an arcade and bar. They could respect that Emily wasn’t a big drinker but she wasn’t going to pass up on going to an arcade. No one in the bar seemed to notice or care that Emily was there which was good. She spent most of her time playing the games. Of course she tried a drink here or there, but nothing extreme. Just as she sat down with her collection of tickets she could use to buy a soda Cherri sat beside her.

“How ya doing girl? You look like ya havn’ fun!” Emily nodded showing her her bucket of tickets.

“Oh yeah I got a whole lot of these, gonna see if I can get the big plush up there by the end.” “That’s awesome! Ah say, you know Sirpentious right?” Emily nodded as she sipped on her drink.

“How’s he doing by the way? I know its been a bit since ya been up there but, I still wanna know.” “Oh he’s doing great, he told me so much about you, he hardly talks about much else beside you, his inventions and his lil egg boys.” “That’s good, I hope he’s okay now, i know its not easy for him to talk with new people.” “Yeah, honestly if I hadn’t befriended him, I wouldn’t be here. I’d probably be dead, I hope they don’t hurt him.” That made Cherri pause

“Wait what?” Emily smiled sheepishly trying to brush it off.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to get all serious on you, what I meant was he’s a real nice guy.” “No no, back it up, what happened, I know ya got kicked off the cloud n all but, what’s that gotta do with my lil snake?” Emily sighed and explained everything.

“Sirpentious and I became great friends and he’d tell me all about this place, and I’d talk about how I wanted to help with redemption ya know. Of course we’d talk about much more casual things but, Sera didn’t like that I was spending any time around him. He gave me directions on how to get through the pride ring safely for ‘just in case’ purposes….He also told me to tell you that he misses you.” Cherri looked wide eyed at Emily and smiled downing her drink.

“Well they better not hurt him, he ain’t done nothing and neither did you.”

Angel came running over to the girls holding his phone.

“We gotta get outta here now!” “What, why, Angie, what's wrong? Did that freaky moth find ya?” Asked Cherri Nonchalantly, Angel grabbed her by the arm and pulled her off the stool along with emily.

“No, worse. I’ll explain outside but we have to get outta here!” Cherri knew the ex mafia man was serious when he said ‘worse’, hustling out of the bar Angel started going what he knew as the back way.

“We gotta get to the hotel now!” “The fuck is happening, Angie? Why are we going this route?” “Some exorcists are attacking the hotel!” “WHAT!?!” Emily and Cherri yelled out in unison.

“Yeah I got a weird text from Nifty say’n ‘the angels are back for revenge’. She sent me a picture too” He flashed his phone showing a picture of a guild of exorcists turning the place upside down. This had them all hurrying their pace.

“Why in Satan’s left nut sack are they back for? Is it bc lil bug killed their leader and Vaggie cut off that one bitch’s arm?” “I don’t know but it ain’t good!”

The closer they got the louder the noise got and the more worried they became wondering why the exorcists were here. It had only been a few months since their last extermination unless they were doing it early again! When they arrived they went in through the back way since exorcists were most likely blocking the main entrance. The ground shook like a war zone, yelling, crashing, screams, and much more echoed through the lot.

Making their way inside everything was a mess, furniture being thrown left and right or being used as a barricade. Charlie, Alastor and Vaggie seemed to be manning down the fight, more of the angels were down than demons. This didn’t stop Cherri from throwing one of her bombs to grant the three a distraction long enough to regroup. The bomb sent many of the angels flying back. Just out of the corner of her eye Emily saw an exorcist grab Nifty. She didn’t know what did it but something in her snapped. Without a second thought her sword materialized into her hands and she charged! Impaling the angel, right through the stomach. A dark purple aura that erupted into an inferno as she yelled out.

“LET GO OF MY FRIENDS!” The demons in the room looked over in shock, the floating horns grew larger, her eyes turned completely violet, the eye at the center of her chest changed to reflect the fire. Her nails sharpened while her body turned almost ghost-like translucent. Her shirt ripped open revealing a stomach mouth which had multiple sharp teeth. Her screams were that of a banshee. Pulling her sword out of the now dead exorcists she turned to the others who survived the blast and growled out.

“WHO THE FUCK IS NEXT?!”

Many of the angels seemed to back down as she stepped towards them. The only one to approach was Lute, new arm and all.

“Come with us.” The lieutenant demanded, Emily sneered at her, readjusting her grip on her sword.

“Why the fuck would I do that?” “I’ve been sent down here with orders to bring you back. Now come with us.” “From who?” “Sera” “No fucking way I believe that shit, if she wants me that bitch can come down herself.” “Don’t you wanna see your sister? Anyone would jump at the chance for this. She wants to see you,” At first Emily’s eyes softened, she still missed her sister, she missed her old life. She wanted to believe this was her chance.

“Now come on, she’s waiting for you. And I know damn well you don’t really wanna be stuck down here with these freaks. They’ve already infected your mind and we don’t need you falling into their hands anymore than you already have.” This seemed to tick Emily off, she readjusted her grip on her sword as her expression went cold.

“If my sister loved me shouldn’t have put me down here in the first place. And these ‘freaks’ have been much kinder than any of you or the others up in heaven have ever been.” The more she talked the brighter the fire burnered, trails of it slithered towards the silver haired leader making her step back.

“Go tell that traitor that if she wants me back she’d better beg on her knees herself.” Emily finished by holding the tip of her sword towards Lute’s neck. Lute called off the group and they retreated back to the skies once again. As they left Emily began to calm down, going back to her ‘original’ form and looking around at the damage.

“They caused all this trouble just to get me back?” “Yeah they did” Replied Vaggie as she carefully approached, Emily pushed back her hair as the adrenaline began to fade and her emotions mixed.

“I’m so sorry. You guys didn’t need to be dragged into this, you just got this place fixed up.” She apologized, while the others gathered themselves.

“It's alright, you didn’t know they’d do that. But wow I didn’t know you could do that, Em!” Charlie exclaimed proudly, Emily huffed as the fire dimmed and had extinguished itself.

“I didn’t either, something inside me snapped I guess.” Without missing a beat Lucifer came flying in.

“Shit shit! Shit sorry I’m late what the fuck happened, is everyone alright?” His questions flew just as fast as he did.

“We’re mostly alright, dad, a few scratches and cuts but I think we’ll be alright. The exorcists came to bring Emily back. Because she was out with Angel-Dust and Cherri, they thought we were hiding her. Though she managed to scare them all off when she got back.” An angry expression flashed on his face as he grabbed his phone.

“D-dad what are you doing?” Charlie inquired, Lucifer held up a finger gesturing for her to wait. Punching in numbers on the keypad there was a dialing noise and a “What do you want lucifer” Before the king went off.

“Listen here Sera there’s an agreement set in place last time I checked you 1 leave hell borns alone and 2 not vengeance calls. Now why in the fuck did I just come to the hotel a wreck because you put your exorcists up on a seek and destroy mission to get Emily! If you want her to come and get her yourself, you piss poor excuse for a sister!” And with that he hung up, the room was pin drop silent as Lucifer whipped his hand around to fix up the hotel with his magic.

“There, now I should be expecting some news either tomorrow or sometime this week.”

Well he wasn’t wrong as now Emily was getting ready for a meeting in hell only a few days since the storming. She couldn’t shake this feeling in her stomach, was Sera really coming down here to get her back? Why was she doing this? Did she even want to go back? Sure heaven was her original home, the place she had grown up in, and she didn’t know anything else but. What if she didn’t want to leave hell? Sure she’d definitely miss Sirpentious but its obvious he’d know what had happened by now.

“You ready, Em?” Asked Charlie, Emily nodded, grateful she didn’t have to attend this meeting alone even if Lucifer was in charge. Charlie and Vaggie had put in just as much work to help her adjust. She also took the polar bear plush with her, she hardly left without it since it had become a source of comfort for her. Of course it was named peppermint.

Arriving at the castle, Emily wasn’t sure Sera would even show up. Though when the portal from heaven opened in the meeting room she adjusted herself in her seat, hiding peppermint in her lap giving him a gentle squeeze.

“Apologies if I’m late, I had to organize a few things before leaving.” The woman stated softly while taking her seat, another angel beside her as an escort.

“No worries, Sera, glad you could make it.” Replied Lucifer, tipping his hat in acknowledgement.

“Let's get this meeting going shall we, so Sera you sent a group of exorcists down here to bring Emily back. May I ask why?”

“I realized I had made a major mistake and misstep in how I went about things. And I wanted to apologize.” Sera answered hesitantly, Lucifer raised a brow at this and continued his questioning.

“Oh and what would that be?” But Sera couldn’t answer instead she dodged.

“I shouldn’t have done it, and as her sister I’m sorry.” “That’s not what I asked, Sera.” Lucifer stated firmly, he knew she was dodging him and pressed for her true reasoning.

“I think it's only fair for you to fully admit to your wrong doings if you’re trying to ask for forgiveness. You wouldn’t come all this way just for a quick ‘i’m sorry’, and I’m sure you know what you’ve done.” The high Seraphim shifted in her seat clearing her throat, nodding.

“R-right of course, ahem. I shouldn’t have gone through your room and your journal nor should I have accused you of endangering heaven’s people, E-Emiliana. It was wrong, I’m deeply sorry.” Emily’s lips pressed into a thin line, Sera hardly used her full name, the only one who was ever allowed to use it was God. She never let anyone else call her that and Sera knew that. There was a hint of insincerity in her voice almost as if she had rehearsed this.

“What’s wrong Emily?” “Sera….why are you really apologizing?” Sera seemed taken aback by Emily’s sharp tone, her eyes narrowed as if she’d burn a hole into her soul. A nervous sounding chuckle came from Sera.

“Wh-what do you mean, I-” “Are you truly sorry for what you put me through or are you doing this to save face?” Emily interrupted coldly.

“No no, I really am sorry, Emily, please I-I know what I did was-was a little extreme-” “A little?!” Everyone in the room jolted at the young seraphim’s abrupt exclaims.

“You chained me in the meeting room while you refused to listen to me, denounced our relationship, and allowed for the others to assault me out of heaven. Do you have any idea what they did to me before they tossed me down like trash?”

“W-we didn’t want you trying to make your way back up, I didn’t think they’d go so far-”

“Of course you didn’t think Sera, you take all of the responsibility claiming I’m too naive to handle things when I don't even know how things work! I was beaten, stabbed, my clothes were ripped, my wings were mangled, I was touched. By the time it was a miracle a kind overlord found me when he did. I could have died Sera. You left me for dead!” Her hand balled into a fist onto the table as she stood up.

“If you expect me to accept a measly ‘i’m sorry’ from you, then you are painfully mistaken and more of an idiot than I thought you were.”

“Please Emily, didn’t mean for any of it to happen, I didn’t mean any of what I said.” Sera pleaded, reaching out a hand towards Emily. The fallen angel shook her head pulling her hand away and asked.

“I’ll ask again, Seraphiana, are you going to such lengths to give some smidgen of an apology?” As this question came out the violet colored fire began to appear as did the horns from the day prior. Sera leaned back in her seat and the escort angel got in front of her. Charlie contemplated calming Emily but Lucifer shook his head at her and motioned for her and Vaggie to step back in precaution.

“Well. I…” “Out with it.” Emily hissed, almost shaking in anger.

“Calm down my child” A booming voice called out, everyone froze and looked to find the source of the noise.

“Lucifer my son, place your phone on the table, please” Lucifer quickly pulled out his cellphone and placed it on the table confusedly.

“F-Father?” He inquired with a raised brow.

“Yes son, it is I your father. Sorry to intrude in so suddenly and through your phone of all things but, when I got word of this I had to tap in some how.”

“I-its quite alright father, wait…Are you back?”

“Yes I am, sorry for such a long absence, but now that I’m in a better place to hear everything. I will say, "I expect you all in my office at once!” Now everyone one scared.

[selene-tempest]

It's the 28th of October, which means it's the hubby's birthday!

When faced with the inevitable question of "what do you want to do for your birthday?" he once again just shrugged, said he didn't want to do anything special and left. Freakin' typical. Now I was stuck trying to come up with something that he'll love as well as not expect and therefore be unable to ban me from organising it before it's too late to cancel. 

I had to come up with something, and fast.

But, I am nothing but a determined wifey, and so I dragged up his online calendar (OK, I admit I got EOS to do it, sue me) and stared at it for a few minutes waiting for inspiration to strike. Spoiler, it did not. There was no lightning bolt blessing from Zeus, there was no glorious angelic chorus as an idea bloomed into perfect form in my noggin. But, as I watched, a new entry popped up, a request for a guest lecture spot at the University of Manchester to talk to their new intakes on their Space Science and Astrophysics degree. This I could work with…

TO THE GOOGLE!

Since hubby is the hubby, and in being the hubby that means he likes to go places that are mentally stimulating as well as pleasing to the eyeballs, I once again had my work cut out for me. 

But a half hour of frantic internet searching later and I'd finally settled on the very historic (so happy hubby) and the very spooky (so happy me) city of York that was near enough to Manchester that we could have ourselves a little mini-break and I could finally adopt a cute little ghost! Yay!

I ran to the bestie (who cares that he was busy halfway up One's nose cone at the time?) and screamed up at him that I was formally requesting time off but not to tell John. 

After he recovered from the shock of being yelled at while so high up (he was on a line, don't stress) he mumbled an assurance that he'd "make it work" which is Scott speak for "OK, I'll sort it if you just go away and leave me in peace". Job done!

All I had to do was book train tickets, a beautiful but quiet hotel (preferably haunted but not a requirement) and look up some things to do. I got this shit.

Cut to a week and a half later, and one very successful (like there was ever any doubt) lecture done and dusted, we were on the train and speeding away for a midweek break of fun.

Since this weekend was a surprise, John had only packed enough for two days away, and knowing how conservatively he packs I knew that we'd never be able to make it stretch. I tried to pack more for him in my case but he got suspicious (damn him and his ability to observe everything so closely) and I gave up, packed my own stuff and vowed to buy him new clothes as part of his birthday present. I've learned to work with what I have.

Wrestling him onto the train was harder than I had expected. He didn't believe my "oh wouldn't it be so fun and romantic to just not go home yet and be spontaneous?" bullshit and I was forced to admit that it was indeed a birthday treat and that it was already booked, everything was taken care of, we would have somewhere to sleep that night and Scott was aware and to not even think about checking in on Five you shit!

He was grumpy, but that was to be expected. You don't blindside the man who organises everything and not get some backlash. But that's easily remedied with kisses and promises of all the fun, but educational, things we'll be doing, then you pull up an itemised schedule for him to peruse and he's fine.

The first thing we did was find our hotel and drop off our bags. I'd picked one that was nice and old, but also had modern amenities (we like that blend) but near enough to the city centre to be able to walk most places. John loves to walk, which is probably due to him spending so much time on Five and knowing the island like the back of his hand. If we get off island for anything he'll be dragging me off on a walk somewhere to explore. 

Our hotel, Dean Court, boasts its famous "Mad Maid" ghost who is often seen roaming the halls, cleaning supplies in tow, grimacing and grumping. Honestly, I don't blame her, imagine spending your life cleaning and then have to do it in your afterlife too? Kinda sucks, I'd definitely be asking for an upgrade, not just slamming doors, giving people a cold chill and occasionally sitting on them. This was gonna go one of two ways, John would wake up in the middle of the night to find me chatting to the ghost like a paranormal therapist (again) or the ghost would recognise my ability to kick her out and leave us the hell alone. Only time would tell but I hoped for his sake it was the latter, he needs the rest.

Conveniently the hotel was pretty much next door to York Minster, a beautiful and gothic cathedral with stained glass to die for and lots of history which was lovely to wander around. So after checking into our room we made the most of the remaining time before dinner to check it out as well as the museum in the basement, called the Undercroft, where we saw the remains of the Roman fortress the minster was built on, as well as illuminated manuscripts, and artefacts found around the area. We also checked out the library, because John is as drawn to books as I am to spooky things and this was his birthday trip, so I let him get lost in there for a while. But I did steal a little kiss at one point which a kind person managed to snap a picture of and send to me.

Dinner was lovely, nice and relaxed in a quiet little pub style restaurant which will always be our go-to over a fancy place where we have to get dressed up. We want wholesome, home cooked food (that isn't Grandma's), with big portions so we can try each other's food and to be able to easily relocate to a snug area for drinks around the fire. 

As it turned out, our first night in the hotel was a quiet one, no ghosts, no noisy neighbours (not like that one time in Cambridge where we were next door to a couple that seemed to think arguing was the only acceptable form of foreplay and liked to scream at the top of their lungs in two ways). The bed was squishy soft, there were enough pillows that I didn't have to raid reception and it was cosy enough that we didn't need to sleep in thick pyjamas (always a worry in England after an extended period on the Island). Hubby was asleep the second his head hit the pillow and I read quietly for half an hour before snuggling up, stealing his warmth, and drifting off myself.

The next morning provided an all you can eat breakfast buffet. So with full bellies and a happy me, we were fully fueled for our next adventure… ghost shopping!

I'd heard about the beautifully old street named the Shambles, rumoured to have been the inspiration for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, and I knew they had a little shop there called the York Ghost Merchants where you could buy a handmade "lucky ghost". Did I buy just one? Of course not! We are coming home with ghosts for everyone! Mine was this adorable little purple thing with drippy black eyes like it's been crying and I fell in love straight away. John got a plain little ghost in white, very traditional. I named them Brad and Janet, which he rolled his eyes at but knew better than to try to convince me otherwise.

As we were wandering the shambles (and I was filling my bag with souvenirs as I am nothing but British) I remembered that hubby was in need of clothes since I'd basically kidnapped him. I dragged him into the Edinburgh wool mill, because he gets chilly and needs the good shit. That and I happen to think he looks delicious in librarian chic and so tweed was the way to go. He blames this on the fact that I'm currently rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the 8th time and that Giles has inspired me, but if I was inspired by Buffy he'd have bleached blond hair and a leather jacket by now. 

He agreed to the clothing because he's getting more and more requests for lectures and appearances in academic settings and since we got married people keep uploading pictures of him and even he worries that they will work out that he only has two jackets and start to comment on it. Sometimes I worry that I'm having too much of an influence on him, then I remember that I'm awesome and that any influence could only be a good thing.

We also found a wool and cashmere shop and a little vintage shop where I picked up a few things for my growing hippie collection and a gorgeous shawl that I can't stop stroking. A generic brand shop provided essential underwear and socks for the fussy hubby and we were off, dumping our spoils at the hotel before heading out again.

The afternoon was spent in a quiet little reading cafe where you could drink coffee and curl up with a book. One thing I love about John is that he knows the value of silence, even when he thinks I don't. I might be loud and proud a lot of the time, the social butterfly to his grumpy caterpillar, but even I find too much peopling draining and need to recharge. He is always happy to have me squished up against him but not paying him the slightest bit of attention (unless, like today, I happen to read a particularly interesting spicy scene and feel the need to shove it in his face and waggle my eyebrows at him until he gets the message). I love that he never questions how much I adore him and doesn't equate me giving him my full attention all day every day with my devotion level. He's fine with me ignoring him and I'm fine (mostly) with him doing the same. 

For some reason (probably a John specific one relating to his desire to be in control of almost every situation) he decided that he would not be the only one surprised on this trip and waved tickets for a ghostly bus tour under my nose at dinner. An old fashioned double decker bus, a chilly evening, a beautiful city and a knowledgeable guide made it one of the best parts of the trip. I like ghosts, he likes the history, we blend. 

Another peaceful night with no noisy neighbours or ghostly visitors meant that we were (for once) both fully charged and not in the slightest bit tired for our last full day.

We went out for breakfast even though the hotel provided a good one but we stuck close to the hotel in the morning and checked out the Treasures house, which was near the Minster. Beautiful house, beautiful gardens, and a Roman soldier ghost that waved at me from over a wall. What's not to love?

After a midmorning snack we hopped into a taxi and went to York Castle Museum. I love castles (tell me anyone who doesn't have the urge to pretend they are royal now and then and I'll call bullshit). I love the feel of the energy in the bricks and the items inside. We got to see the cell in which Dick Turpin had been kept and a recreation of a 1918 street complete with actors dressed up and things to buy (of which I bought many). Living history is something I really vibe with, it's so good to see it being played out in front of you rather than just seeing pictures or reading about it in books. 

There was supposed to be an Edwardian ghost in there but it was either his day off or he had had enough of crowds and wasn't in the mood to socialise. John said he understood that more than he should and that we'd obviously been married too long if he was now identifying with ghosts. Can't say he's wrong.

Dropped back at our hotel by another taxi, we found ourselves at a loose end and asked the receptionist to recommend something to do that night. She gave us many good recommendations, and John made notes on things we'd try if we came back (which I'm planning on) but eventually settled on a relaxing floodlit river cruise on the Ouse. 

York is a gorgeous city by day but it becomes truly magical at night. The lights of the buildings sparkled on the water and there is just something truly special about seeing such historic buildings, surrounded by trees and river banks, as the sun sets and twilight blankets the world before full darkness sets in. We took so many pictures that we know Virgil is gonna steal to paint. There was no guide on this cruise, just us and a few other passengers dotted here and there so we could sit quietly on our own and talk without bothering anyone while soaking in the atmosphere and the sights.

Another meal in a little old pub where a lone guy and his guitar helped create a cosy atmosphere, and it was back to the hotel. I made sure to yell into the hallway that I would not be accepting any ghostly visitors that night either and if Miss Grumpy Maid was around she listened and left us in peace. Feeling less tired and more relaxed than normal meant a nightcap from the minibar and said squishy bed were enjoyed for more than sleeping (eyebrow wiggles and book shoving for the win!)

We had a few hours to kill before our train the next day and I selflessly didn't dive straight into the chakra therapy centre by the train station. Instead, we opted to leave our bags in a locker at the station, grab some lunch to act as a picnic and check out the nearby Yorkshire museum and gardens.

Autumn was the vibe of the day and I have to say I couldn't have planned it better. Chilly sunshine, red, gold, and orange dressed trees, and Roman ruins make my little heathen heart sing. 

On the trip back to London I had a cheerfully chilled hubby who had had so much history in such a short space of time that he couldn't stop flicking through the photos and smiling, which was all I wanted. I'm doing the same as I snapped so many pictures of him when he wasn't looking that I've got phone backgrounds for the next year!

John often needs a break more than anyone as he's not confined to flight hours and mandatory breaks, if we let him he'd keep going until he drops. So I take my job as wife and nagger very seriously, he's learned to live with it and sometimes, just occasionally, it means we get to enjoy times like these which will provide us with many wonderful memories to keep us going during the busy times, the not seeing each other enough times and probably when we're too old and tired to do it again. 

Making the most of time together is always important but, while this was definitely supposed to be a birthday trip for him, I got a lot out of it too. I got to see him relax, sleep deeply, eat well and laugh lots, even if he does suspect that I may have had an ulterior motive of turning this into a dark academia photoshoot… 

Happy birthday, baby! @i-t-guy-in-the-sky . Love you always!

(close ups of pictures available on request because I know he's freaking gorgeous!)

[poupeesdecirque]

Travel Blog Anime Festival Kassel! - Part 1

27.-28. October 2023

The last convention for me this year, read further for my impression of this event which was held in Kassel for the first time, me being super chaotic, enjoying things and attending the cosplay competition.

And yes I was totally going as past!Allen the times I was "not" in costume as my glasses are round too and I had to put on the shirt/waistcoat anyways. I just HC him as an explorer when he goes to places, its my kind of having silly little fandom moments. But now to the travel blog.

Friday, Travel & Coming 'home'

Travel day. I started a bit chaotic from home and later than planned but rain was forecasted the whole day and a serious hiking day was not really possible. I noticed I forgot my phone charger as I was already out and my first mission was to buy a replacement. As I arrived in Kassel I had to take a reroute as there was so much traffic but I know the city and its corners it was fine to me. All the familar places and ... I just felt home. For 19 years my favorite convention was held in Kassel until it moved to Wiesbaden this year and I was completely devastated how they handled it and left Kassel crying last year and I am just so SO happy to be able to return.

I quickly checked into the Hotel and went to the convention hall and just the feeling of seeing it again made me so content, even with the rain, the cold weather, the phone charger etc. AND the fact the Con contacted me that my script for the Contest has to be changed as there was some equipment different.

I went through the park and was just thriving. Then into the city checking a few places, actually got a charger after asking the sales manager of a itty bitty corner store if they have some - i was super proud I did that, past-me would have given up and just searched for a big electronic store to drive to to avoid talking to people.

As I walked back to the hall I came across a very fancy bakery/café I had discovered last year and they sold halloween themed confectonary again and ... this time I actually bought some. I dared to go in there and bought two petit fours and even as the seller asked me something twice I was just casually replying I am .. so proud. You know I suffer from severe social anxiety and a situation like this would have been enough to break me for a whole weekend, on top with the charger thing. But I was managing well. It was quite late then as I got back to the hall but still decided to ask if I could get my ticket for the next two days already to avoid waiting. Another step further for me, usually I would have chickened out. Everyone there was very darling I am looking forward on how they organize the actual convention days.

Back in the hotel I had (very late) dinner, but I was just mentally in such a good place that it didn't mess with my head.

Saturday - 28. October - Contest day

Slept okay for the fact I usually sleep bed when not home, super excited for the day. But took it slow, went through my script a few times (finally after not doing so for the last days) to recall it.

Then headed out to Kassel to fetch a few things, I like to give myself small tasks to have something to do when I am alone. Like just getting some snacks.

After returning to my car I started painting... my make up. I actually avoid doing a lot of make up for Allen as my eyes hate it and I don't think he is a make up type but as it was for the contest I wanted to upgrade everything a little bit.

It was starting to rain again and ... someone please remind me more often that the first Uniform has a HOOD I can use. I ... will come back to that later.

After a bit of waiting time due bag control I finally was able to enter the hall. It felt again like home but also different. When you came in you had several vendors, Manga, Merch, some artists inbetween. Even a tattoo artist?! And like at the Polaris you had several vendors of dried fruit... ehm.. okay? Like I am always for more healthy options aside the vendors selling tons of asian candies and ramen.

What I really liked about the structure they had for the hall is that they actually used the hallways better than the other con, less "lost" space. Yes they have a smaller audience but it seemed so much smarter to me to use the hallways for artists instead of putting them into super small rooms with no space to move in.

For the vendors and all there was .. lots of Genshin Impact again and Demon Slayer I think? I am a bit spoiled by the last cons especially the bookfair and the polaris in regards of a great diversity of artists, this was alright I guess. Not much for me to buy.

What was interesting is that the city had rented the hall to another convention but for ... doctors. Weird, but worked. As I got recognized as Allen later on I was able to talk with the two and one told me a few interesting things about the Con that moved to Wiesbaden and some facts that the Anime Festival will be bigger next year. I got encouraged to voice my opinion more often by them, as all they heard was only positive about the other Con (they didn't attend as well... reasons).

Then .. the contest. I was quite nervous, got in my snacks and some lunch before I went to prejudging. Was able to chat with the other attendees during the wait and was quite a lil hyper bunny as it was my turn. I have to say the judges were super darling about everything. They were all cosplayers, some super expierenced and one even a super huge name here. I got complimented for my make up (which I adjusted a bit more after lunch) to try to get my lashes white and all. That I made pockets, that the uniform has a lining, that the pattern was selfmade and the functional buttons. etc.

We were supposed to meet up 30 mins later, I waited with No. 6 (I was No 4) and got a bubble tea because my anxious mind needed something to do and I was super thirsty. I downed it so fast they went "WAIT HOW". Haha. I am used to drink a lot.

After it we were brought to the backstage and it seemed to take forever until it was my turn. No 3 before my was in a wheelchair and the crew did a great job to help her getting up the stage and stairs. And with the applause I was sure they would get the 1st rank. They did a performance as Sheego from Kim Possible.

My turn was. I walked, babbled my text, actually looked at the audience and noticed it was indeed THE MOST BIGGEST STAGE they have and the whole room was full of people, I had to improvise a bit as I was not able to stuff everything into Tim but I managed well.

I was super proud and watched the rest of the contest in the audience (they had seats reserved for us). Overall it was 10 performances. The majority was voice clips/moving to them, or just music and doing a dance/pose.

Mine was actually a small sketch that was Allen looking out for Timcampy, finding and scolding him for flying away. All during the search for Cross. Then I asked the audience if they had seen the master and showed my drawing of him. Then I scolded Tim for not getting my stuff back in as I was handling too many things at once. Haha.

The ranking later on was well, place 3 was a huge ass Spamalot/Monty Python and the Holy Grail Group and I was sure they will be ranked. 2nd was the Sheego, whom I had seen on 1. And 1 was a Kiki (Kiki's delivery service), I found hers rather boring to be honest as it was just an english voice clip that didn't fit the outfit or any acting at all, but well, Ghibli and cutesty bonus I guess. I would have seen others ranked.

Later on I went to pick up where I got ranked but ... in fact the voting system was hacked/there were annormalities and therefore there was no ranking other than the main 3.

I talked with some other of the contestants about the results and all were quite baffled. The two started last even said the results were not into their favor anyways as the moderators procrastinated 5 minutes to get them on stage and the majority indeed already had voted.

One last thing here: I am amazed by the positive words I got, that the performance was good and that you couldn't tell that it was my first time joining a contest, that I should do it more often. This really means a lot to me.

The rest of the day was me strolling through the halls & park again, sometimes in the park too. But the weather was not that good, it was raining a lot. I was torn about getting a maple themed bowl but as I got to really buying it it was sold out, so I got the chestnut kitkats I had eyes all the time.

I noticed I was super done for the day, there were several concerts left but I was just feeling the day and the snacks weren't holding me longer. But it was pouring... and the food vendors were outside.

After another 30 minutes I remembered I HAVE A HOOD and quickly went to the car to scrub the make up off my face and get some cotton pads from the store along with something to go with my instant noodles + tofu I had brought along. I wanted to eat in peace and not cramped outside in the rain.

The day ended for me in the hotel, tired, exhausted but quite well. What annoyed me though was that there was an event with a live band in the hotel. Good bye sleep.

Ending the day with food in the hotel, my little haul from stores and the fact the make up refused to get off. I would have some "fun" the coming days with that.

[ravenbloodshot]

fr thats why i have mixed feelings on kpop even after being a fan of a few groups and as much as we are being forced to hear about kpop groups everywhere, like we cant escapr their constant promotions they arent helping western artists if anything theyre trying to overule america. do u think itll ever calm down? i mean the groups are literally everywhere. on every brwnd name there is and most normal folk like myself cant usually afford to constantly buy expensive merch nor tour the country just to watch new groups do the same thing as other groups.

if kpop was less about quantity i think it would intruige me more to get back into it but its become overboard in recent years and prices are going up on almost everything. so if i were to even go and see one group lets say ateez in london, it would probs cost me 300-400 maybe more quid as a whole trip. when you add ticket, hotels, merch, lightsticks, those round picture banner things, hotels, train or plane tickets. music is becoming less accessible by the days. i do feel bad for new groups cause bts and blackpink hoarded the spotlight for yonks now other groups are coming abroad and its sometimes hit or miss if i like their songs. for example i prefer ateez to skz music but i still wouldnt justify investing so much to go and see them if their only venue is maybe wembley and or glasgow or wherever they tour.

i feel like groups are so detached or almost out of touch with themselves and what they expect from their fans and listeners or even general music groups. didnt surprise me that ateez were chosen for coachella, blackpink had already done it for gg's that didnt surprise me either. but how is people who have their own lifestyle to afford going to afford kpop investment? we all know the shitty seats are the cheapest but its still a no from me. sighhhh entertainment generally shouldnt be this difficult. i have similar issued with football and frankly its eventually off putting like i want to like something, do i like it? for a while then comes the huge costs it takes to really be into the groups or clubs or other forms of entertainment.

🤷‍♀️

I've never bought a kpop album in my life. I've never bought an album of anyone's whatsoever. What's the point when one can just listen to it for free on YouTube/Spotify?

But, yeah. It's all overpriced, reused concepts and albums. Ateez makes pretty good music imo, Stray kids music isn't my taste so I also agree with you on that.

Thanxx, Fireworks, Guerilla, Bouncy, Rocky etc.... Ateez put out that fire, their new comeback is a miss though

The only song I like by stray kids is Lee know's and Bangchan's song "Drive"

[darlenealive]

Back from my Scandi vacation!

Felt like I took it for granted leaving my brain back in SG and letting Ax do the planning and the navigating. I brought my spirits though! Spending my day off today looking back at the trip which was such a great use of my time. Really appreciating this extra day off after my vacation.

Some tips for Norway and Denmark travels first

1. It's cashless even in the small towns. Cash was more of a liability as it forced us to spend it all

2. Hotels cost as much as Airbnb for 2 pax so opt for hotels as there's guaranteed shampoo, soap, hair dryer, heating and laundry. Most of our airbnbs were missing soap or shampoo which we didn't bring any of, in order to travel lighter. The bnbs we stayed in were also commercialised houses so there's absolutely no feelings attached. Checking in and out would also be more convenient with hotels. We had to return one of our keys from a convenience store which wasn't open in the early morning, in time for our flight.

3. Groceries are marked down on Friday if they expire Monday. If you're in Norway, go to Kiwi or Coop for basic groceries as it seemed to be the cheapest. However, each shop will hv their own discounts (not standardised across the same chain). Eg. We went to a place with 40% discounts on Freia choc which was only available at a particular store.

4. Northern lights chase was the coldest we experienced. Basically, the guide said that if its frost on the floor, it's worse than snow as there's no insulation for your feet. Not the coldest real temperature but coldest we felt. Bring extra clothes and heatpack just in case. The bonfire didn't do anything for me because it's too cold. We went with GuideGunnar which updates its aurora sightings on a daily basis. These guys are crazy and would bring you as far as Sweden just to chase the lights so bring your passports along! They also offer a 50% off the next trip if you don't see it on the day.

5. There's no heat packs there so bring them from home.

6. In Copenhagen, we recommend the Copenhagen card. It's only 65USD for 24hrs and you get free transport, museum pass and boat rides. We only decided to get the card after our boat ride which cost about SGD25-30, which was already a quarter the cost of the card. In Copenhagen, checking of bus tickets was a regular thing.

7. Useful apps for riding public transport: Oslo uses Ruter, Tromsø uses Troms billet, Copenhagen uses Dot tickets. Ticket checking was not very often in Norway. We did not cycle as it felt too cold for more wind to hit our faces.

8. Skip Oslo if you dw to visit a city. We spent 3 nights there and it felt too long. We wanted to do our last minute shopping at Oslo but everything was expensive throughout the whole trip that we started to buy souvenirs earlier when we saw marked down prices. With one more day in Tromsø, we could've gone whale watching.

9. Take into account daylight savings from 29/10. You have 1 more extra hour to sleep but your days are much shorter. We slept a lot because of the cold, about 10hrs of sleep each day and it felt just right.

10. Personally I would have brought instant noodles as the food there isn't flavoured with the same umami as I'm used to. I would also bring a thermal flask there to enjoy my hikes even more, taking a comfortable and warm rest at the peak.

11. If driving, please remember to pay for parking. There's usually a machine to start your parking. Otherwise, the fine is 660NOK. Don't let the rental company settle it as it'll still be billed to you with an extra fee. We would also recommend full insurance since we aren't used to left hand driving and Norway is famous for its narrow roads (at least from Stavanger to Odda where we drove).

12. We used waze for driving and it seemed that speed cameras are only in tunnels but nobody was following the speed limit anyway.

That's about all of the suggestions Ax and I thought of!

Hope these suggestions come in useful for someone.

[bmwiid]

There is nothing worse than being in a hole with money, knowing that you put yourself there, knowing that you'd be okay if you just slipped into a coma for 2 weeks so pay day was tomorrow.

I'm going to London next week (my first time I've ever been! I'm stressed/excited) and I'm going to see Critical Role LIVE (I'm stressed/excited/nervous) and I have minus money in my bank account.

I put £200 aside for London, but I forgot I'd need to buy food for the month, so I took out £100 and used that to buy food.

and then I forgot that I'd need to buy cat food and litter because I'm a fuckin moron, so I took out £50.

and now I'm like, going to london for 3 days, with £50. Which isn't the worst, but I also still have bills coming out so even if magic happens, (I borrow off my friend, who is more than okay with me borrowing cause I do actually pay back what I owe because of shame) I'm still over my overdraft and dodging phone calls from my phone people and my loan people because.... of course not everything comes out at the same time and I'm just like....

I did this. TO MYSELF.

I KNEW I was going to London, and I KNEW I couldn't afford it at the time but I thought, fuck it, we ball, and I got the tickets and I am so happy I did.

HOWEVER - it's not worth the stress. Not only that, but everything just seems to be going wrong and piling up AND i forgot to pick up my medication so I'm going through withdrawal (I picked it up now, but like, too little too late in the case of my meds) and just.

I'm ranting.

Fuck money and fuck stress and fuck everything right now.

Can you imagine living a life where you can just.... do shit? without having to pay for it in tears and stress and guilt?

Like three months I've been trying to get over the expense of the tickets, and flights and hotel, and I have done!

but then I also remember that I need to eat in London. lmao.

Fuck my life. just... can someone just gift me like £500 to get me out of my own hole?

its like when you start digging knowing it was digging and still doing it because there wasn't any other option but to dig deeper and then when you finally stop digging you see just how deep you are and then it's too late and the light is just a pinprick?

[elsie--young]

Visit San Francisco on a Budget: A Traveler’s Guide to Saving Money in the Bay Area!

San Francisco is a city that has always been on my travel list. Known for its steep hills, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and unique neighborhoods, the city offers something for everyone. But let's be real—San Francisco can be expensive. As a budget traveler, I was determined to explore this beautiful city without breaking the bank. Here’s how I managed to visit San Francisco on a budget.

Problem: The High Costs of Visiting San Francisco

When I first started planning my trip, I quickly realized that San Francisco is known for its high prices. From the cost of accommodations to meals and attractions, everything seemed expensive. I didn’t want to compromise on experiencing the best of the city, but I also didn’t want to spend a fortune. I needed to find a way to enjoy San Francisco without burning a hole in my pocket.

Agitation: The Fear of Missing Out on Experiences

I knew that if I didn’t plan properly, I could miss out on some of the best experiences San Francisco had to offer. The thought of skipping the cable car rides or not walking across the Golden Gate Bridge because of costs made me anxious. I didn’t want my budget constraints to turn into a missed opportunity. I wanted to explore the city fully and have an authentic experience, all while keeping my expenses in check.

Solution: Affordable Ways to Explore San Francisco

Here’s how I managed to enjoy my trip and visit San Francisco on a budget:

1. Public Transportation and Walking: San Francisco’s public transportation system is extensive and affordable. I bought a Muni Passport for unlimited rides on buses, trams, and the famous cable cars. For $23, I had a one-day passport that let me explore the entire city. I also found that walking was a great way to see the neighborhoods up close, from the colorful streets of the Mission District to the bustling activity at Fisherman’s Wharf.

2. Free Attractions: There are plenty of free things to do in San Francisco. I started my day with a stroll along the Embarcadero, taking in views of the Bay Bridge. Then I walked up the famous Lombard Street, known as the “crookedest street in the world.” Visiting Chinatown was another highlight—it’s one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in the U.S. I didn’t spend a dime, and yet these were some of the most memorable parts of my trip.

3. Affordable Eats: San Francisco is famous for its food, but dining out can get pricey. I found affordable options by eating at local food trucks and small eateries. The food trucks at Off the Grid events were a particular favorite, where I sampled everything from tacos to dim sum without spending more than $10 per meal. I also discovered that many bakeries in the city offer “happy hour” prices on their pastries in the late afternoon.

4. Budget-Friendly Accommodations: Instead of staying in a hotel, I opted for a hostel in the city center. It was not only affordable but also a great way to meet fellow travelers. Another tip: book your stay well in advance. This can save you a significant amount on accommodation costs. I also considered staying in nearby cities like Oakland or Berkeley, where prices are generally lower.

5. Discount Passes: I bought a CityPASS, which provided entry to popular attractions like the California Academy of Sciences and a bay cruise for $76. This saved me nearly 50% compared to buying tickets separately.

Conclusion: Enjoying San Francisco Without Overspending

By using public transportation, seeking out free attractions, eating smart, and staying in budget-friendly accommodations, I was able to visit San Francisco on a budget. The city’s charm, history, and unique neighborhoods didn’t cost a fortune to explore. With a bit of planning, you too can enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer without breaking the bank. So, if you’re thinking about how to visit San Francisco on a budget, know that it’s entirely possible to have a memorable experience without overspending.

[merulast]

To Tokyo by public transport, Day 9 - Batumi

Next day we reached Batumi and wow. SO many skyscrapers! I hate spoilers so I never had looked up Batumi. But this was insane and intense. Frankfurt is a shit against Batumi o.o

Offboarding

To my big surprise we made it pretty much in time. Not bad for a ship that started about 10 hours late. But since they do this trip every week you could expect them to have a good plan.

Sooner or later the Border Patrol will enter the ship. Not by Plane, Helicopter or Boat, but simply after we reached the docks. Some paperwork later you can go down the ship, walk though another checkup and leave the inner Harbour area.

To the left (south) you can reach the inner city. To the Nord the Train Station. I decided to walk this "distance" and hell. Think twice if you really would like to WALK that distance. Really! Burned all over I had allot of regrats.

When I started in Passau it was 2°C ... in bulgaria it was 20°C and in Batumi it was almost over 30. Without sunscreen or trees on that side of the road you end up like an boiled egg.

Schedules

The Train station was an pretty empty Building with just some counters. To my surprise I was able to get Lari out of the ATM. Seems like the V-Pay works in georgia, too? Or maybe just on this sole ATM? Good question. At least there was no V-Pay sticker on it. So I don't know? However.

The schedule on rome2rio was not accurate. Only the late train is in existence. You NEED to buy an ticket. Without a fixed seat you cannot go on board. They will fix it. And the train was nearby sold out, so I had to take the 2th class ticket. 40€ for that.

(poster on the Trainstation. Only 17km from Batumi!)

I invested the 'more time' to get back into the inner city and catch up Russian Money. Finally I was able to get some. Finally.

I had no time to visit more of Batumi but this 'money change' street. But pfew it was chaotic. Well, its not the best place to visit anyway.

Long long long ...

The whole Train was west European standard. Same model. Same seats. Same everything and pretty clean.

And yet. It was awfull. Don't know why but for the first time I was not able to enjoy an part of this journey at all. I just felt very exhausted.

In Tbilisi, 22 o'clock, I wanted no more risk and booked on the official Train-Company Hotel right in the train station. Another 34€ ...

wasted. The room was. Below average. The walls were paper thin. The pair on the other side had a lot of fun till 1 o'clock and all rooms share one big balcony separated by some fence where you easily could look into others rooms.

I had not really any time to take a look at Tbilisi. Too bad. But on an journey like this, you cant see them all.

End of the Day

65€ for this. Were back on solid soil so lets get over with how to waste this kind of money. I mean, it was already somehow expensive. But I'm sure there is room for more. 5007112 for example!

Lego wall knobs for fing 65€!

[udo0stories]

There are so many fantastic day trips from Prague! Since moving to Prague a few years ago, I have spent a lot of time exploring the Czech Republic, including numerous day trips out of the city. There are so many stunning locations in the Czech Republic that are well worth seeing, but so many tourists only venture outside of Prague. What, then, are the top destinations in Prague to see during a day trip? My top recommendation is always the town of Kutná Hora, a pretty town home to an interesting church made of human bones, but on this list you have everything from natural wonders to interesting overlooked cities! Keep in mind that for an optimal day trip, I recommend a journey of two hours each way or less. You can go a bit beyond—like to Brno, Český Krumlov, or Olomouc—but I also think you should consider staying overnight if it’s a longer journey. Every trip on this list is either doable by train (often direct train), bus, or guided tour. (Planning a trip to Prague?)? Be sure to check out my favorite unusual things to do in Prague, the best Prague restaurants, and what NOT to do in Prague! This post was published in March 2024. Kutná Hora Kutná Hora is my personal pick for the best day trip from Prague. I always recommend it to Prague visitors because it’s a really pretty Bohemian town with a fascinating chapel built of bones; it’s a short, 50-minute journey from Prague; tickets are easy to buy; and tours are aplenty. The bone church—its real name is Sedlec Ossuary—is the main sight worth visiting. It’s creepy and fascinating while being an architectural marvel. (Know that photography is now allowed here.) But beyond the ossuary, the town of Kutná Hora is so underrated! It’s painted in beautiful Bohemian pastel colors, with lovely churches, cute restaurants, and flowers blooming everywhere. The perfect easy getaway that lets you see Bohemian life beyond Prague. Best things to do in Kutná Hora: Visit the bone church, of course! But also take time to stroll around the city center and grab a nice Czech lunch (I enjoyed the food and setting at Staročeská restaurace V Ruthardce). The Cathedral of St. Barbara is a spectacular gothic masterpiece, and don’t miss the Czech Museum of Silver and the Church of St. James. But Kutna Hora is a great place to get lost. Should you book a tour or go independently? I think Kutná Hora is pretty easy to do on your own via public transit, but if you’d rather have the ease of going with a tour guide, you can do that! Book a tour to Kutná Hora from Prague: This top-rated Kutná Hora tour from Prague includes round-trip transportation from your hotel in Prague, a tour of Kutná Hora town, and admission to Sedlec Ossuary. How to get to Kutná Hora from Prague independently: Head to Prague’s main train station, Hlavní nádraží (the station is abbreviated as Praha hl. n). Use the machines to buy a ticket to Kutná Hora Hl.n. The journey is 50 minutes direct; there are also trains that have a transfer in Kolín, which are closer to 90 minutes each way. From the station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the bone church, then an additional 30-minute walk (or 15-minute walk-and-bus journey) to the city center. If you have a rental car, Kutná Hora is about an hour’s drive from Prague. Český Krumlov Český Krumlov is absolutely spectacular—a gorgeous medieval city in South Bohemia that looks plucked straight from a fairy tale, cliches be damned. The city is encircled by a river and topped with a castle overlooking the gorgeous town. Spending time in a small city like this makes a wonderful foil for the big city of Prague. Honestly, I urge people to stay overnight in Český Krumlov rather than do a day trip. Overnighting is so much better—the city is so peaceful and lovely when the day-trippers leave, plus you’ll have more time to explore, and it is a pretty far journey each way. But I understand that many travelers only have time for a day trip. If that’s all you have, that’s fine. Start your day early, end it late, and you’ll have a great time.

It’s one of the most popular day trips from Prague for a reason. The best things to do in Český Krumlov: Head up to the castle for a postcard-perfect photo of the town (and the light is best in the late afternoon). Hire a raft and go paddling along the Vltava River. Explore all the artsy little shops, and have a meal at a restaurant on the banks of the river. And head to Apoteka, one of my favorite bars in the Czech Republic—they are a cocktail bar with a menu of quirky craft cocktails. Try the popcorn sour! Should you book a tour or go independently? If you’re an experienced traveler, you’ll be comfortable getting yourself there by public transportation. But if you’d rather relax and have someone else handle all the logistics, taking the tour is a great idea, especially since it’s faster to drive to Krumlov than take public transportation. Book a tour to Český Krumlov from Prague: This top-rated Český Krumlov tour from Prague includes round-trip transportation via shuttle as well as a tour of Český Krumlov and some time to explore on your own. How to get to Český Krumlov from Prague independently: You can either take the train or the bus, but I recommend the bus because it’s direct and the bus station is much closer to town. (A few trains to Český Krumlov are direct, but most require a change in Ceské Budjevice, and the train station is about a 20-minute walk from the city center.) Buses to Český Krumlov leave from Na Knížecí, a bus station right by the Anděl metro stop in Prague. The bus takes just under three hours. If you have a rental car, Český Krumlov is about two hours and 15 minutes from Prague. Read More: Guide to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic Bohemian Switzerland is a spectacular day trip from Prague for nature lovers! Via Shutterstock. Bohemian Switzerland Despite its name, Bohemian Switzerland isn’t Switzerland at all—this is the name for a gorgeous natural region in the Czech Republic, right on the German border. (The German side is called Saxon Switzerland.) If you’re looking to escape Prague for the day to experience nature, Bohemian Switzerland National Park is home to the most awe-inspiring mountain views in the Czech Republic. Come here for dense forests, deep gorges, and fresh mountain air. The Tiské stěny—the Tisna Rocks—is a spectacular area with misty, high-piled rock formations and cliffs that served as a mystical backdrop in The Chronicles of Narnia movies. Bohemian Switzerland is a great spot to visit year-round, and tour operators adapt their trips to the current weather conditions. Make sure you wear good hiking shoes! The best things to do in Bohemian Switzerland: Hike three miles to Pravická Gate, the largest sandstone arch in Europe (pictured above). Take a boat through the gorges of the Kamenice River. Cross the German border to visit the Bastei Bridge and the spa town of Bad Schandau. And if you want to be independent, there are so many hiking trails! Czechs love to hike. Should you book a tour or go independently? I strongly recommend going on a tour, as it’s not easy to do with public transportation. Book a tour to Bohemian Switzerland from Prague: This top-rated Bohemian Switzerland day trip from Prague includes round-trip transportation from Prague and your choice of two options: you can either do a moderate hike to Pravická Gate or take a boat journey down the gorge. After, you’ll have lunch and a visit to the German side of the park to visit Bastei Bridge and Tiské stěny, the Tisna Rocks, before heading home. How to get to Bohemian Switzerland from Prague independently: Driving is your best option, as it’s much faster and easier. Bohemian Switzerland National Park is about one hour and 45 minutes from Prague. If not, take a train from Prague’s main train station, Praha hl.n., to the town of Děčín, and from there take a bus to the town of Hřensko. Get off at Hřensko-Pravická brána or Mezní, and from here you have a three-mile hike to the gate. Karlštejn Castle If you’d like to see more

of the Czech Republic besides Prague but don’t want to go too far or commit too much time, Karlštejn is an excellent day trip from Prague. This castle dates back to the 14th century, when King Karel IV ruled Bohemia. The castle is filled with works of art and history today, and the architecture is interesting. Tours of the castle leave continuously, and they always have tours in English. Should you book a tour or go independently? Karlštejn Castle is easy to get to by public transportation, but tours often add on a visit to another site, like the Koneprusy Caves. Book a tour to Karlstejn Castle from Prague: This group tour to Karlstejn Castle also includes a visit to the stalagmite- and stalactite-filled Koneprusy Caves, a visit to Big America Canyon, and lunch at a traditional Czech tavern. How to get to Karlštejn Castle from Prague independently: From the main train station in Prague, Praha hl.n., take the S7 train in the direction of Karlštejn. The journey is direct and takes about 41 minutes. This will drop you in the town of Karlštejn; from here, you can walk up to the castle. Plzeň is so pretty—and one of the best day trips from Prague! Via Nick N. A. on Shutterstock. Plzeň Are you a huge fan of Czech beer? You’ll be delighted with Plzeň (Pilsen). This town is home to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, and many Czechs and tourists have made the pilgrimage out to try the world’s best beer at its source. Not a beer drinker? You can still have fun in Plzeň if you want to, but you might have more fun in one of the aforementioned cities on this list. Even so, you can take in the best views of Plzeň from the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew or head underground to explore the tunnels that have been beneath the city for centuries! Should you book a tour or go independently? If you’re just visiting the brewery, just book yourself a train ticket—but if you want to add on glassblowing, I recommend booking a tour. Book a tour to Plzeň from Prague: This group tour from Prague to Plzen includes transportation from Prague, admission to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, lunch in a Czech pub, and a visit to the Bohemia glassworks in Nizbor, which is a nice cultural way to supplement your day trip from Prague! How to get to Plzeň from Prague independently: From the main train station in Prague, Praha hl.n., book one of the many trains to Plzeň, and that journey takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a Flixbus departing from the main bus station in Florenc, and that journey takes about 50 minutes. It’s hard not to fall in love with Karlovy Vary, one of the best Prague day trips! Karlovy Vary Karlovy Vary is one of the most elegant towns in the Czech Republic, made famous due to the rich geothermal waters surrounding the city. Karlovy Vary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe—and there are plenty of spas you can visit (my favorite is Hotel Thermal, with a warm outdoor pool you can enjoy year-round). In addition to the thermal springs, Karlovy Vary has nice hiking trails surrounding the town, the Moser Glass Works, good restaurants and shopping, beautiful arcades where you can sample all the spa waters with your signature cup, and they even put on a world-renowned film festival in the summer! My husband and I went to Karlovy Vary for a mini-moon right after we did our legal wedding in Prague. It couldn’t have been a better choice, though we had the benefit of enjoying a relaxed three-day visit rather than a quick day trip from Prague! I’d recommend staying overnight if you can, but a day trip is still worth it, too. Should you book a tour or go independently? It’s easy enough to get to Karlovy Vary by public transit; if you’re doing it on your own, I recommend going early and coming back late, as there’s so much to do. Book a tour to Karlovy Vary from Prague. This Karlovy Vary day trip from Prague includes transportation from Prague, a city tour, and four hours to explore on your own. How to get to Karlovy

Vary independently: There are both trains and buses running from Prague to Karlovy Vary, but there are a lot more buses than trains. Both buses and trains take about two hours each way. Tábor brings endless charm! Tábor If you’re looking for a nice little town that is more popular with Czechs than international visitors, I’m a big fan of Tábor. This pretty little town in South Bohemia is home to about 34,000 inhabitants—just big enough to find a bunch of things to do. In Tábor, you can wander the colorful streets of the town center; climb the tower of Kotnov Castle, with the best view of town; and for a delicious and unusual meal in the Czech Republic, the restaurant Rafariz dishes up sumptuous Uyghur-style noodle dishes. Another great option is to hike along the Lužnice River. There’s an easy trail along the river’s edge, and I really enjoyed this! Once you get to the town of Malšice, simply hop on the train back to Tábor. Should you book a tour or go independently? Independently, as it’s easy on public transportation and this is not a popular tour destination,. How to get to Tábor independently: There are plenty of trains from Prague to Tábor. From Prague’s main train station, you can expect a journey of an hour and 15 minutes on the local train, making it an easy day trip. Posázavská Stezka Czechs love getting out of the city on the weekends to hit the hiking trails. And while there are so many hiking day trips from Prague you can do by train, one I love to recommend is the Posásavska Stezka, located south of the city. This is a really nice hike along the river, with some moderate up-and-down segments. Altogether, you should expect 2.5–3 hours of hiking—and make time for a beer at the pub outside Petrov u Prahi station! Czechs pretty much hike to the pub; it’s what they do! If you do this hike on the earlier side, you’ll have plenty of time in the afternoon to spend in Prague. It’s more of a half-day trip than a full-day trip from Prague. Should you book a tour or go independently? Go independently. I don’t know of any tours doing this route. How to get to the Posásavska Stezka independently: Take the train from Prague’s main train station to Kamenny Přivoz station and take it back to Prague from Petrov u Prahi. Each way, it’s just under 90 minutes. Terezín Concentration Camp is one of the most moving day trips from Prague. Via Shutterstock. Terezín Not all day trips from Prague are about fun and games, and if you’re looking to understand one of the darkest chapters in Czech history, I recommend a visit to Terezín, a former concentration camp. Terezín (Theresienstadt Ghetto) is a camp where Jews from all over Europe were sent between 1941 and 1945. Terezín wasn’t explicitly an extermination camp, but it was designed to be a holding place before sending prisoners on to Auschwitz or Treblinka to be killed. Many died from illness, starvation, and poor living conditions. Around 150,000 Jews passed through here altogether; only 17,000 were saved after liberation. Creepily, this camp also served as a propaganda piece and was filled with flowers and pretty buildings, serving as a backdrop for what a nice place it would be for Jews to go. Should you book a tour or go independently? I strongly recommend booking a tour to Terezín from Prague. The sites are spread out all over the town, and it’s a much better experience if you have a local guide. Book a tour to Terezín from Prague: This top-rated Terezín tour includes transportation from Prague (including optional hotel pickup) and a guided three-hour historic tour of Terezín. It’s a half-day tour, so you’ll have most of your afternoon back in Prague. How to get to Terezín independently: To get to Terezín, head to Letňany station in Prague (not the main bus station) and get on Bus 413. Tell the driver you’re going to Terezín, pay for your ticket, and get off at the stop Terezín U Památniku. The small fortress is a short walk from the bus stop. From there, the other sites in town are up to a 15-minute walk away.

Liberec’s town square on a somewhat snowy winter day. Liberec One unusual day trip from Prague is to the town of Liberec (LEE-ber-ets), a city close to the German and Polish borders. In Liberec, you’ll find a pleasant small city with a wonderful collection of architecture, including an unusual Neo-Renaissance town hall! The best part of visiting Liberec is simply exploring the streets. While it isn’t a tourism powerhouse like Český Krumlov or even Brno, I find wandering around to be a worthwhile activity here. Don’t miss the villas behind the town hall, and there are some nice cafes tucked into the colorful streets of the old town. You could simply visit Liberec town, but for a treat, consider visiting Ještěd Tower, an unusual hotel and restaurant in a space ship-like shape with windows overlooking the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. I loved visiting this place; the pumpkin soup was great, and it was a fun little excursion! Should you book a tour or go independently? Definitely go independently; I don’t think any tours from Prague exist. How to get to Liberec independently: To get to Liberec from Prague, head to Černý Most Station (the end of the B line) and take a bus to Liberec, which takes a little over an hour. If you want to get to Ještěd Tower, public transportation doesn’t go there; you’ll either need to drive from Prague or take a taxi from Liberec (about a 20-minute drive). Mariánské Lázně If you like the idea of Karlovy Vary but want to visit a spa town that’s a little more quiet, Mariánské Lázně makes a good choice for a (slightly far) day trip from Prague. Another of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Spa Towns of Europe, Mariánské Lázně is a quiet, bucolic getaway where natural hot springs abound. If you’re spending a day here, you should make a reservation at the spa at the Hotel Nové Lazné, which has a gorgeous, elegant, Roman-style bathing area with multiple pools, along with saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges. You can book spa treatments, too. That said, 2.5 hours each way is a bit long for a day trip, and you might get more out of your time if you overnight here (or visit Karlovy Vary, which is a bit closer). Should you book a tour or go independently? Go independently. I don’t know of any tours that exist. How to get to Mariánské Lázně from Prague independently: Take the train from Prague’s main train station to Mariánské Lázně. Trains run hourly, but every other hour it’s an indirect train that requires changing in Plzen. The journey is about 2.5 hours. From the station, I suggest hopping on the bus to the city center, as it’s a 30-minute uphill walk otherwise. If you time your visit right, Dresden’s Christmas markets are wonderful! Dresden, Germany Are you visiting Prague for the Christmas market season? I absolutely recommend taking a day trip to Dresden, Germany! (Just make sure that the markets are actually on — Christmas market season in Germany is shorter than Prague’s, usually running from December 1–23.) Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is one of the best in Germany, with several markets stretching across different neighborhoods. Come here for gluhwein, lebkuchen, and all kinds of tasty goodies (and be sure to read my guide to planning a German Christmas Market trip!). Is Dresden worth it if it’s not Christmas market season? Honestly, unless you have something specific you’ve wanted to visit in Dresden, I would choose somewhere else on this list. (I did really enjoy visiting the VW Golf factory, watching all the cars being manufactured!) Finally, if you’re intent on visiting Germany on a day trip from Prague, Dresden is your best bet—it’s close by with tons of transportation options. Nuremberg and Berlin are too far. Should you book a tour or go independently? Definitely go independently. Transportation couldn’t be easier. How to get to Dresden independently: You can either go by train or bus, and both ways take about two hours and 15 minutes, though buses are cheaper. You can take a

train directly from Prague’s main train station or a bus from Prague’s main bus station in Florenc. Brno The second-largest city in the Czech Republic is often overlooked by travelers, but Brno (BUR-no) has so much to offer. The largest city in the Moravia region of the eastern Czech Republic, Brno feels like a small, slightly shabbier version of Prague—but cheaper and a lot of fun, too! My absolute favorite thing to do in Brno is visit Villa Tugendaht, a really cool modern residence. If you’re interested in design or architecture in the least, you will love it! You should book tickets ahead. Other than that, be sure to check out the Brno Ossuary (bone church!), see the “Brno Dragon” in the town hall (it’s a crocodile!), and hit up the cool restaurants and bars in Brno (including my favorite, “The Bar that Doesn’t Exist,” an internationally lauded cocktail bar). Honestly, I think that Brno is better as an overnight destination. And if you’re traveling from Prague to Vienna or vice versa, it’s a nice place to stop in between. Should you book a tour or go independently? Go independently. Transportation is very easy. How to get to Brno independently: From Prague’s main train station, there are constant trains to Brno. Trains take about 2.5 hours. You can also find many buses along this route that take about the same amount of time. Olomouc Olomouc (o-lo-MOATS) is one of my favorite places in the Czech Republic, and you never see it mentioned on “best of” lists! Honestly, there aren’t a ton of things to do, but I think the city has a really great vibe and some nice restaurants and cafes. The city’s main square is home to the Holy Trinity Column, which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, there are lots of fountains, an astronomical clock similar to Prague’s, lots of churches and parks, and a few museums. Olomouc also makes its own signature cheese. Full disclosure: I love cheese, but this cheese is not my favorite, so I recommend trying a small plate and not ordering it for your main meal! Olomouc isn’t the kind of city you visit with a checklist; it’s more of a place to soak up the vibe. And considering that it takes 2–2.5 hours to get here, this is also a place where you might prefer staying overnight. Should you book a tour or go independently? Go independently. Transportation is easy, and this isn’t a popular tour destination. How to get to Olomouc independently: From Prague’s main train station, there are constant trains to Olomouc. If you want a treat, the Leo Express trains run this route and have a NICE business class. You can book those at leoexpress.com. Trains take 2–2.5 hours each way. There are also plenty of buses along this route.

[thetravellingvagrant]

Day 14 (and a bit of 15): In Which Time Has No Meaning Any More, Have I Always Been In Torrellano? Will I Always Be Here? (no, and its only been 12 hours)

Today marked the last full day of, honestly, a reasonably sedate and okay trip. My plans were, by necessity, to take it easy and do very, very little of any significant blogworthy interest. 

I begun the day by clinging as hard as I could do my private room, which I had use of until noon and which, also, I had really begun to despise. It was cramped, hot and someone had etched a little cartoon monster into one of the blacked out windows, which the hostel had elected to simply cover with a piece of cardboard, haphazardly taped over the frame. It was, though, also the only place I knew where it would be permissable to walk around in just some pants for the next little while, so I stayed.

12 rolled around as it usually does and with it, I bid goodbye to the cleaner whom I had been awkwardly bumping into in the corridor about six times a day, since I arrived and made the relatively brief jaunt to Alicante’s big nice train station. I had booked myself a room in a very expensive yet not even that good looking hotel near the airport, in the nearby town of Torrellano and so, needed to navigate one last bit of Spanish public transport and let me tell ya, this was the most baffling of all.

I had thought that because Alicante is 97% English expats named Terry that it would be a piece of piss, though thisnwpild prove to be my undoing. Or not my undoing - I did do it, but it was annoying, is what I'm getting at.

I approached a ticket machine and pretty swiftly punched in my intended destination. Torrellano is about 15 minutes and two stops away from Alicante and I knew there were like three trains and hour that went there, so you can imagine my surprise when the machine proudly told me, like a child that had painted a nice picture of a horse, that I had missed the only train of the day that was scheduled to visit.

That couldn't be right - Google was telling me an entirely different story and I trust Google with my life, so jog on, machine, actually. I reasoned that it was probably just the train line that owned these particular machines that only ran one journey a day there and tried a different set of machines.

These machines did not operate in English. They said they did - I could pretty the ‘change language’ button, however all that did was change the language of the language select screen and absolutely nothing else, so that was cool.

I stood there, dumfounded, phone in hand, slowly Google translating everything on the screen to figure out what I was missing as a queue of mildly irritated Spaniards formed behind me and eventually figured out, by some - if I may say absolutely incredibly stroke of luck and vagrant’s intuition that the option I needed to press was “simple”, although the process has been anything but. I found my destination, selected my fare,scanned my card and…waited. For ages. Before the machine told me my transaction was cancelled. Well shit. I'd have to try the neighbouring machine. This was my last option before I had to speak to a person, which essentially meant this was my last option before I walked.

I realised, upon using the second machine that what I had been doing wrong was that not only did I have to tap my card on the contactless reader, I also had to put my pin code in, making it a two step verification and security process to buy a train ticket for two euros fifty, which, I will be honest, did seem a little like overkill.

Regardless, I had my ticket in hand and so I sat for a bit, until my gate was announced, then quite easily found Mt correct train and sat on it for a bit until it was time to get off. 

Torrellano, I have to say, is a bit horrid. It looks a bit like a nuclear bomb had gone off in it thirty years ago and was only just getting round to recovering.

We don't take kindly to yer types, roun' here.

I sat on a park bench eating a pretty terrible lunch, writing my blog and watching the freaks pass until three o'clock rolled around and I could finally check in to my - and I do have to stress this - very expensive but not even that nice hostel, which, to gain access to, you had to walk through the back room of a neighbouring restaurant in a brazen attempt to cross-advertise and which, surely, is an immediate sign of quality for both establishments.

I dealt, curtly with my first and only unpleasant receptionist of the trip - of course it was the one in the proper hotel - and immediately locked myself in my very expensive but honestly not even that nice room, which has a very expensive and begrudgingly quite pleasant en suite bathroom. It was only Three-ish, but I decided to just hunker down for the night rather than explore the local area and risking all the associated radiation burns that go with such an endeavor. I sat then, until around 10ish, at which point I decided to go to sleep, in preparation for my ludicrous 3am wake up the next day.

I may well have decided to go to sleep, however the occupants of the neighbouring room weren't going to make that easy, staying up, as they did, until 1 in the morning, shouting, banging (doors, not genitals) and generally being as loud and distracting as they possibly could without physically being in my room. It's fine. I would probably only need two hours of sleep anyway. 

I awoke two hours and fifteen minutes later in a nightmarish haze of hair, limbs and dry mouth, in a panic, as my phone's alarm went off at the maximum volume I could set, in an attempt not to sleep through it. I peeled myself off of my now very sweaty sheets, hoisted my bag onto my back and, grumbling more deeply and intensely than I have, possibly ever before in my life, set out into the night/early morning.

There were no buses to the airport at this time so I had decided to walk. It was only a 50 minute journey and I'm sure my bag wouldn't hurt me too badly in the process, so whatever. It was fine. Who needs shoulders anyway? Not me.

The walk, I have to say, was the single most terrifying point of this trip. Only the first ten or so minutes of it were furnished by street lights and upon crossing the train tracks leading out of time, I realized I would have to make the rest of the substantial walk in pretty close to complete darkness

How did I not die

…and without a discernable pavement. Excellent.

I took my earphones out, and cautiously, slowly, began trudging along the muddy, grassy verge beside the motorway; a vagrant classic.

Ultimately though, while harrowing, it was fine and not even that bad and frankly, a big fuss over nothing - I have to say that so I don't get shouted at by people who inexplicably care if I get hit by a car - and soon found the departure lounge of the airport.

I had been warned by my ticket to be there no later than 4:30am because “the airport was likley to be very busy”, so obviously it was entirely empty and I breezed through security in literal seconds, with effing she's to spare. That was fine, though. Better early and bored than late and panicking, I suppose.

I sat, then, early and bored, for what actually only ended up being a few minutes, by my gate as the airline (Ryanair again, who can, and this is true, get fucked) began loading us onboard at around five to five, with our estimated departure time being 6am. Or, I say boarded! What they actually did was make us all get out of our seats so we could stand up instead, holding heavy, unpleasant bags instead of laying them on the floor and waiting for nearly 45 minutes until the queue actually began to move. Superb, as ever, O’Leary.

Once - finally - on board, I took my seat next to an okay woman and a terrible man who snored when awake, had warts all over his fingers and rested his arms in his tummy in such a way that when he breathed, the expending fat would push his elbows out over the edge of the arm rests and into my ribs. It's a good thing this flight was only…/Three and a half hours?!/…/delayed to four hours!?/

Four and a bit hours of disjointed uncomfortable micro-sleep and barely cognisant awake bits later and with genuinely slightly sore ribs from fatty wart man's inexplicably respiratory arms, I was in my final destination of the trip, dropping 26 degrees of temperature in the space of half a day in the process.

I'm writing this bit on the flygbuss to Göteborg city, with less than three hours of sleep and a missed dinner and breakfast under my belt, so I feel like this is as good a place as any to curtail the blog for this year - save, perhaps, a small epilogue about the people who annoyed me on the flight home - as the rest would, and I cannot stress this enough, just be a list of the incredibly unhealthy food I would have eaten over the next four days.

The moral, then, of this trip - and each trip *does* have a moral, is quite simply that Ryanair truly can get absolutely fucked in all holes, while trapped in a bin.

[thetangibleghost]

I Lost My Phone In Down Town LA

Hello my lovely tumblrinas, tumblypoos, and tumbleweeds. I haven't been on tumblr in almost twenty four hours, I'm sure that you have all taken the time to properly mourn my passing. but HAVE NO FEAR I live! After taking the greyhound to LA I took some more buses (Four, because I got lost) to one of LA's many illustrious beaches. There I bought a fruit cup from a man who only spoke spanish and I just said yes to everything he asked to put in it! It was edible! My first bite contained a wood chip which I found troubling as it lodged its self in the gap between my backmost left molar and my gum.

Shortly after that is when I discovered that my phone was missing. I stayed at the beach for a while, got embarrassingly sunburned because after loosing my phone I felt like everyone in the world was looking at me and for some reason it was embarrassing to actually rub in my sunblock.

Ahywho. So I ask around a bit, ask someone to borrow their phone to call it, no dice. Eventually I just started heading back the way I came. I didn't have a hotel or anything it was just a day trip so I just made my way back to whatever the central station is called there, I forgot.

The main road block at this point was that my phone had my ticket home on it. I considered trying a public library but then though, 'well, surely there's a way to access or print it out at the station.'

This was a false assumption. At this point with my dirty over the shoulder canvas bag, frumpy cloths, sunburn, and general demeanor people around me began treating me like I was one of the many unhoused people in LA. THis was fine for the most part but it was diffiult to get the people at the station to understand that I didnt actually have a ticket and if they would just get up and look it up I have the card I payed for it with and my email to confirm but I dont have the confirmation number because I did not expect to be phoneless and no actually handing me this phone number will not help because I do not have a phone and no, so as I said I don't 'have my phone on me' because I lost my phone. First fucking words out of my mouth man.

So I give up on that for a second and go to denny's, I ask if I could use their phone (I ordered food and such first) and he just gave me a pitiful look so I sat down and at my pancakes.

When I got back to the station there was a different person at the kiosk and I knew it was my time. She, after a similar conversation to before, actually took down my name and destination and had someone look it up even though the previous people said that was impossible. Luckly, I am a master manipulator and could tell that the idea of them not having any sort of searchable data base was cringe as fuck.

So I finally get my fucking ticket printed out after... four hours? there was a lot more asking around sprinkled in there.

My bus was at 11:45 so I just talked to some random people and sat around for four hours because I didn't have a phone and didn't trust my self not to get lost with the amount of time and dirrectional skills I had.

I considered finding the nearest best buy and getting a flip phone (this was plan B back at the beach) but I did get the ticket printed out and there was really no need at that point. I am going to go get one now that I'm home though. After I shower.

I would show y'all my sunburn but One: I'm on the truman show (didn't work ): ) and Two: I have no fucking phone.

[alexin-wonderlust]

Day Nine - Lake Kawaguchiko

15th November 2022

Despite the weather being super miserable, we decided to do some sight seeing and check out some of the area. I wanted to take Ben to the "Natural Living Centre" to get the softserve. Last time i was there, it was the BEST! We checked out the souvenier store and grabbed some local produce like spices and jams, and then had a fruit sando and an icecream and sat upstairs.

We went to a couple of spots on the bus tour, but I wasnt happy with the route... so, I decided we should go on the longer one to the old town. The buses were stressing me out -- they werent on time, and in japan, this is WEIRD FOR ME! When we got there, it was pretty busy, and a lot of it was closed down (COVID things...) but I really like this area and I wish I could have spent more time exploring. There are cute food stalls, things to buy and look at, they have beautiful clear ponds and a temple, it's really gorgeous.

After waiting for the bus for too long, with a bunch of other confused people, I thought we should go to Fuji-Q Highlands for dinner. This is a themepark at the foot of Mount Fuji with some of the "most" rides. Tallest, fastest, biggest drop... you name it, they have it. But it's free entry and you can walk around and look at everything, and eat at the food places... However, it closes at sundown... probably because the cloud from the mountain covers the top of the rides, making it super eerie.

Well, you guessed it. No food open after 7pm. This doesn't help with our stomachs only getting hungry after 8pm... OOPS.

Earlier in the day I recalled driving past an italian restaurant closeby called "Macaroni Club" which is a club I could be a part of -- so again, its Italian food in Japan. No complaints. It was delicious!

Across the road there was an indoor amusement park with claw machines and vidoe games. I managed to win a Torchic Plushie for ¥100! Then of course -- a Donki, so we went to stock up with some more supplies, played with the gatcha machines and then it's back home via taxi (because walking was NOT going to happen!)

IG Post: "Day Eight: Lake Kawaguchiko 🍁🍢🎢

Terrible weather calls for a day of touring buses. I bought two (actually three, one for tomorrow) bus tickets to get us around the Fuji Five Lakes area and see the sights while the clouds were low.

We went to the Natural Living Centre and then to the Oshino Hakkai village while checking out the autumn foliage and food stalls and snacks. 🍂

At the end of the day, I wanted to walk around Fuji-Q Highlands and get food, but everything was closed before it was supposed to… we went across the road to Donki, found a game arcade and I won a stuffed Pokémon (Torchic) on a first shot! ¥100! (Let’s not count the other ¥1500 we lost in the panchinko slots oops!!)

UPDATE; I’ve been trying to get my blog working over on my word press. I’ll post when they’re up. Keep your eyes out! 👩‍💻"

"Started the day off with a cute cafe near our hotel. I had a brown sugar latte. They’re so GOOD!!

Then, we were on a trip to find some yummy food around Lake Kawaguchiko and the area.

Blueberry Icecream and Fruit Sando at the Natural Living Centre.

Fried Chicken Rice Bowl with wayyyyy too much seaweed. Ick!

Yummy fried mochi with soy sauce and then ended the day with … pasta. We’ve eaten pasta and pizza three days in a row. But we literally couldn’t find anything else!!"