#tourist places in ap

[mylavenu99]

Ap Tourism-26 Best Tourist Places Visit in Ap            

Andhra Pradesh, located in southern India, boasts a diverse range of tourism destinations. From the magnificent Araku Valley to the ancient ruins of Hampi and the serene beaches of Visakhapatnam, the state offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Araku

Araku, nestled in the Eastern Ghats of India's Visakhapatnam district, is a captivating valley celebrated for its awe-inspiring landscapes, abundant greenery, and vibrant cultural heritage. With its lush coffee plantations producing exquisite Arabica coffee, Araku beckons visitors to savor its flavors and explore its bountiful beauty.

The valley's indigenous tribes preserve their unique customs and craftsmanship, showcased in the Araku Tribal Museum. From the enchanting Borra Caves to the cascading Chaparai Waterfalls and panoramic Galikonda Viewpoint, Araku offers a tapestry of natural wonders. Whether trekking the trails, immersing in local markets, or witnessing traditional dances, Araku presents an unforgettable escape.

Vishakhapatnam

Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach, located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a beloved coastal getaway. With its golden sands, clear waters, and verdant hills, it provides a serene and scenic retreat. The beach offers an array of water sports, including jet skiing, parasailing, and surfing, ensuring thrilling adventures for enthusiasts. Safety is prioritized with lifeguards on duty and well-maintained facilities such as restrooms and food stalls. Visitors can also relish captivating sunrise and sunset views, explore nearby nature trails, and discover attractions like Kailasagiri Hill Park and the Submarine Museum.

Yarada Beach

With the Bay of Bengal on one side and hills on the other, Yarada Beach is a captivating location. Its lush greenery and soft golden sands create a picturesque setting. Located 15 km from Visakhapatnam, it remains relatively uncrowded, ensuring a safe and clean beach experience. The serene atmosphere and stunning sunrise and sunset views make it perfect for nature lovers. The beach offers a backdrop of surreal hills, coconut, and banana plantations, providing a peaceful escape from the city.

Kailasagiri

Kailasagiri is a captivating hill park located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Situated atop a hill, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the Bay of Bengal. The park is adorned with lush greenery, beautifully manicured gardens, and statues depicting Hindu mythological characters. Visitors can enjoy a joyful ride on the ropeway that takes them to the hilltop, where they can explore the park, relax in the serene surroundings, and indulge in local snacks at the food stalls.

Burra Caves

The Borra Caves, nestled in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district, are a marvel of nature. These limestone caves were formed as river waters flowed through the area, creating stunning speleothems of various sizes. With an elevation of 705 meters, they are among the largest caves in India and boast a depth of 80 meters, making them the deepest in the country. Sunlight and darkness interplay, producing mesmerizing shapes and patterns. The caves' natural skylights add a touch of color and enchantment.

Lambasingi

Lambasingi, often referred to as the "Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh," is a quaint hill station located in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its cool climate and scenic beauty, Lambasingi offers a refreshing escape from the hot plains. The mist-laden hills, lush green valleys, and orange orchards create a picturesque landscape. It is also famous for experiencing sub-zero temperatures during winter, making it the only place in southern India to witness snowfall.

Maredumilli

Maredumilli is a serene forest destination nestled in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its abundant greenery and untouched natural beauty, Maredumilli is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The region is home to dense forests, gushing waterfalls, and scenic trekking trails that offer breathtaking views. It is also known for its rich biodiversity, housing various flora and fauna species. Visitors can explore the enchanting ECO Park, take a dip in the cool waters of Bhupathipalem Reservoir, or embark on a thrilling bamboo rafting experience.

Amaravathi

Amaravathi, known as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh, is a planned city situated on the banks of the River Krishna. The city is famous for its Buddhist Stupa, a semi-hemispherical structure that houses Buddhist relics and is often referred to as the Abode of God. Located 32 kilometers north of Guntur District, Amaravathi is a significant pilgrimage and sightseeing destination. The city boasts a riverfront of 217 kilometers and is designed to have 51% green spaces. Amaravathi was declared the capital after the separation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Gandikota

Gandikota, lovingly referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of India,' is a charming village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. It is renowned for its stunning gorges formed by the River Pennar cutting through the Erramala Hills. Resembling the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona, the narrow valleys, flowing streams, and steep rocky walls captivate visitors. The village's highlight is the ancient Gandikota Fort, built in the 13th century.

Titupathi

The Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, is well-known as one of the world's busiest pilgrimage destinations.The temple, also known as Tirumala Temple or Tirupati Balaji Temple, is situated on Tirumala Hills. Believed to be where Lord Venkateshwara manifested as an idol, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Venkateswara. Tirupati is an ancient city mentioned in sacred texts like Vedas and Puranas. The temple offers the famous Tirupati Laddu as prasad and is known for the ritual of tonsuring heads as an offering.

Vijayawada

Vijayawada, nestled on the banks of the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, is a vibrant city that serves as the commercial, political, and media capital of the state. As the second-largest populated city, Vijayawada blends the old and the new seamlessly. The city is adorned with hills, canals, and numerous rock-cut temples, which add to its charm. Visitors can explore attractions like Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Kolleru Lake, as well as nearby places like Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill.

Ananthapur

Anantapur, the headquarters of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh, is a town that bridges the gap between the past and the future. It echoes with the echoes of India's rich history and upholds the true essence of the country's ethnic traditions. Despite being a town in transition, Anantapur preserves its cultural values while embracing progress. Known for receiving the second-lowest rainfall in India, the town has witnessed the reign of various empires, with the Vijayanagar Empire leaving a significant impact.

Srisailam

Srisailam, a hill town in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, holds great religious significance as it is home to the holy Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga and one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Nestled on the banks of the Krishna River, Srisailam also boasts a wildlife sanctuary and a dam. The city is adorned with majestic temples, including the Sikhareswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the renowned BhramarambaMallikarjunaswamy Temple, perched at an elevation of approximately 457 meters above sea level. The Nallamala forest ranges, with their diverse flora and fauna, add to the natural beauty surrounding the hills of Srisailam.

8)   Ananthagiri Hills 

Ananthagiri Hills, nestled in the Eastern Ghats, provides a serene and captivating retreat just 90 kilometers away from Hyderabad city. With its ancient caves, temples, and medieval fort palaces, the hill town offers glimpses into its rich history. It is a haven for trekkers, boasting some of the best trekking trails in the region. The beauty of Ananthagiri Hills is truly enchanting, with its stunning landscapes, aromatic coffee plantations, and vibrant flora.

Kurnool Tourism

Kurnool, a small town in Andhra Pradesh, holds great historical significance and is often referred to as The Gateway of Rayalaseema. It is a place where traces of the past can be witnessed in various forms. The ruins of Gopal Raju's palace, a Vijaynagar Empire-era fort covered in ancient Persian and Arabic inscriptions, and the 16th-century summer palace built by the Kurnool lords are all evidence of the city's lengthy past. The name Kurnool is derived from Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu, signifying a crossing point on the Tungabadra River where the caravan wheels were believed to have been greased.

Lepakshi Tourism

Lepakshi, a serene village in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Founded in the 16th century by Maharaja Aliya Rama Raya, it boasts remarkable archaeological sites, ancient temples, and a vibrant local heritage. The village's name, meaning 'rise o bird' in Sanskrit, carries a mythical connection to the Ramayana. Lepakshi Temple, known for its Vijayanagara-style architecture and hanging pillars, is a sight to behold. The temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerabhadra showcase intricate carvings and Kannada inscriptions. The monolithic granite Nandi Bull stands as a remarkable testament to Lepakshi's artistic brilliance.

Rajahmundry Tourism

A significant city in Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry, or Rajamahendravaram, is located on the banks of the revered River Godavari.It holds the distinction of being the largest city in the East and West Godavari District. DhavaleshwaramBarrage is the famous in Rajahmundry.

Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills, located near the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, is a charming hill station often referred to as the "Ooty of Andhra." Situated at an impressive altitude of 1,290 meters, it offers mesmerizing landscapes and captivating beauty. Also known as YenugullaMallamma Konda, this place boasts the largest Banyan tree and the oldest Eucalyptus Tree. It is surrounded by dense forests, harboring a diverse range of bird species. Horsley Hills not only provides a serene escape but also offers adventure sports and activities like trampoline, shooting, wall climbing, swimming pool, and even a mini zoo.

Srikalahasti Tourism

Srikalahasti, situated in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, is a revered holy city renowned for its iconic Srikalahasti temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple holds immense significance as one of South India's most important Shiva temples, with its roots tracing back to the Pallava dynasty.

. The Srikalahasteeswara Temple, BharadwajaTirtham, Durgambika Temple, and Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls are among the city's prominent attractions, attracting visitors with their picturesque locations, serene atmosphere, and rich historical heritage.

Machilipatnam Tourism

Machelipatnam, situated on the banks of the River Krishna, is a captivating port town that stands as a popular tourist destination in South India. With a rich historical past, the town bears the imprints of various foreign invaders who once set foot on Indian soil.

Machelipatnam is renowned as one of the earliest colonial settlements established by the British along the Coromandel Coast in the Indian Subcontinent. Once a thriving port town, it witnessed the rule of multiple invaders, including the British, Arabs, French, and Dutch. Today, the town offers visitors the perfect blend of relaxation on its pristine and captivating beaches, along with the opportunity to relive the past through majestic historical monuments and traditional artifacts.

Kakinada 

Kakinada, located in Andhra Pradesh, seamlessly combines the cosmopolitan lifestyle with the allure of old-world charm. The city boasts a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and remarkable industrialization, showcasing the best of both worlds. Known as the fertilizer city, Kakinada is a well-planned industrial hub that harmoniously merges urban living with development. The city offers a plethora of entertainment options, from shopping malls to nightclubs, catering to the diverse tastes of tourists.

Mantralayam Tourism

Mantralayam, located in Andhra Pradesh near the Karnataka border, is a revered holy town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is renowned for Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami, a revered saint who entered into samadhi (a state of deep meditation) alive in the presence of his disciples in the 17th century. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami, considered a reincarnation of Prahlada, a daitya king saved by Lord Vishnu's Narasimha avatar, holds significant spiritual importance.

The main attraction in Mantralayam is the Temple and Mutt complex. Witnessing the temple elephants and chariots carrying the deity during special occasions is a truly spectacular sight. The serene Tungabhadra River flowing nearby adds to the charm of the town.

Annavaram Temple

Annavaram, nestled in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, is a charming village situated on the picturesque banks of the river Pampa. Perched atop the magnificent Ratnagiri hill, this serene hamlet is a spiritual haven for devotees. Its renowned temple, dedicated to Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, attracts a steady stream of visitors all year round. Annavaram Devasthanam, the sacred pilgrim center, witnesses the arrival of hundreds of thousands of devotees each month, most of whom come to perform special prayers (vratas) in order to seek the blessings and divine grace of the revered deity they hold dear.

Puttaparthi Tourism

Nestled in Andhra Pradesh, the town of Puttaparthi is steeped in reverence as the sacred dwelling of the legendary figure, Sathya Sai Baba. Transporting visitors to the bygone era of ashrams and traditional living, Puttaparthi seamlessly blends the essence of the past with present influences. This small yet globally renowned town offers a unique blend of modern religious practices, urban settlements, and contemporary amenities, making it a distinctive village with urbanized facilities. While Puttaparthi may not boast abundant natural wonders or conventional tourist spots, its true treasure lies in its spiritual significance and the fresh ideologies it embodies. Notable attractions include the Sathya Sai Ashram, Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre, Anjaneya Swamy Temple, and other sites that offer a glimpse into the town's profound spirituality.

Yaganti, Kurnool Overview

Yaganti, situated in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, is a captivating tourist destination renowned for its Sri Yagantiswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple, also known as Uma Maheshwara Temple, holds great significance for Andhra Pradesh tourism. Dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, the temple showcases a remarkable idol of Ardhanareeswara, a fusion of Lord Shiva and Parvathi, intricately carved from a single stone. A major highlight is the grand celebration of Maha Shivratri, observed in October or November each year, which draws hordes of devotees and tourists to the temple. Besides its religious importance, the temple captivates visitors with its unique features. Unlike most Shiva temples, Yaganti worships Lord Shiva in the form of an idol rather than a lingam. Additionally, the temple boasts the Agastya Pushkarni, a sacred tank from which water flows throughout the year.

Draksharamam

Located on the eastern bank of the Godavari River, Draksharamam Temple holds a significant position among the five most powerful and prominent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. Dating back to the 11th century, this architectural marvel is located 40 kilometers away from Rajahmundry. Draksharamam is a haven for religious pilgrims, offering not only spiritual solace but also breathtaking natural surroundings along the journey to the temple. Often referred to as "Dakshin Kashi," it attains immense religious importance akin to the revered city of Kashi. The temple's ancient architecture is truly captivating, adorned with intricate carvings, inscriptions, symbols, and visual representations.

Ahobilam Temple

Nestled in a serene village, Ahobilam is renowned for its revered Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the temple complex is home to the Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi Temple. It stands as the only temple where all nine forms of the deity are worshipped. Ahobilam is believed to be situated amidst the Nalmalla Hills, representing the divine abode of Lord Narasimha Swamy between the coils of Adishesha. The temple features idols of Lord Narasimha Swami in all nine of his forms and is built in the opulent Vijayanagara architectural style.On Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy's 5 feet, 3-inch footprint, the revered Ahobilam Temple was built.

Tadipatri

Step into a realm of ancient wonders and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Tadipatri's temples. Situated in the western region of Andhra Pradesh, this captivating retreat unveils a treasure trove of relics dating back centuries. Constructed during the glorious era of the Vijayanagara Empire, Tadipatri casts a spell of enchantment upon every visitor. If you harbor a fascination for history or possess a keen interest in architecture, Tadipatri is the perfect holiday destination for you. Within its temples, you will be captivated by sculptures and artworks that bear witness to the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire.

 

Chirala Beach

Nestled in the serene Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, the tranquil town of Chirala, also known as "Ksheerapuri," holds its own unique charm. Founded by MinchalaPaletiPapayya and MinchalaPaletiPerayya, Chirala is renowned for its peaceful beaches, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The town boasts splendid panoramic views, captivating visitors with its natural beauty. However, it is not just the scenic landscapes that make Chirala special; the warm and welcoming nature of its residents adds to its allure. Chirala is also famous for its handloom industry, earning it the monikers of "Mini Bombay" and "Chenna Bombay."Page URL: https://www.bigproperty.in/blog/ap-tourism-26-best-tourist-places-visit-in-ap/

[kurosaaki]

what is happening in Valencia (Spain)?

More than 200 people have died and 2000 people are missing since the catastrophe that happened in Valencia, Spain, a couple days ago.

Valencia is one of the most popular and beautiful regions in Spain, often visited by lots of international — and national — tourists to have a great time in the summer.

Meteorologists said a year’s worth of rain had fallen in just eight hours in parts of Valencia — specially, in small towns — this Tuesday. In Spain, this phenomenon is called ��Dana”, which is basically a “cold drop”, which causes saturated air to rise rapidly, leading to heavy rain, thunderstorms and tornadoes to happen.

For reference to americans: hurricane milton caused 27 dead, these massive storms in valencia caused more than 90 deaths in a region that is much, much smaller... the weather services warned about the danger, and political authorities still did nothing to send people home from their jobs. the civil alarms reached our phones at 8pm, when many were already trapped in cars, basements, malls, factories. the loss, especially human loss, is incalculable (from: @/woundposting on tumblr)

People who worked overnight for big companies were not even able to go back to their homes and ensure their safety — some of them, lots of them, even lost their lives in that same night. It has been three days now and there are still more reports of disappearances and deaths, and the government is NOT acting like they should. This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided if they only did one thing right, and no one is taking responsability — not the government, not the big companies who didn’t let their workers go home, no one.

It is always the working class people who help the working class people.

Since this is a situation that has took the whole country by surprise and horror, I will put more info under the cut if you want to know more, and if you want to donate to some gofundme’s.

Horta Sud is a county in Valencia that has been the most affected by the floodings. People are leaving their houses because they're scared of the infrastructure getting damaged and even walking by foot to Valencia capital to get food.

Letur (Albacete) is a town that has been destroyed by the floods. You can help rebuild it by donating to this gofundme that's directly coordinated with the town hall.

Hambre Cero is a Spanish food bank non-profit that was founded after the earthquakes in Indonesia. They're currently active in Palestine and Lebanon but they'll also be giving food to those who need it in Spain.

El Refugio de María a dog shelter in Sueca (Valencia), is completely flooded, leaving the dogs visibly distressed and without a proper place to sleep. You can donate to their PayPal: maria.g.may@gmail.com

Protectora San Antón is a shelter for cats and dogs in Jerez de la Frontera. It's flooded and the animals don't have a comfortable place to sleep in. If you live in Spain you can bizum them @ 635011715. If not, PayPal protectorasananton@hotmail.com

Help Sara and her family rebuild their home in Valencia:

there are many more links in twitter. the ones i have put here in this are from a thread posted by @ diangneylo. you can find the link to the thread here, with many more links: https://x.com/diangneylo/status/1851960706536534104?s=46&t=xf1Z6STThFP3w_mF4ugamA

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

Babbling ~ P.P.

A/n: Sorry for missing Monday, but here’s this <3 Another request done :)

Request: “Tasm!Peter x male reader where reader gets invited to a party and brings Peter as his plus one or whatever and Peter getting drunk and touchy and confesses and saying how he wants to be with him and spend the rest of his life with him...” by anon

Word count: 2700+

MASTERLIST

Peter Parker and Y/n had always been a story for the ages.

It hadn't been life long friends, and their meeting hadn't been all that important. They'd had a class together and as both of them engaged with the content and asked questions and did reports and read out loud, their faces became familiar with each other. Then Spider-Man had gotten caught up in a fight and his mask had come off. Y/n had been stunned to see the big brown doe eyes of the cute guy in his AP bio class.

It had been the most anti-climactic thing, truly. Y/n had discovered a sight dedicated to "fangirling over Spider-Man" except that they didn't do much discussion or giving of content. However, when Y/n went through the internet looking for pictures with Spider-Man's face, there was a startling very few available. For how many hungry reporters and shocked civilian or eager tourist was here and with how often Spider-Man lost or destroyed or just straight up took off his mask, there should be more.

When he found that there were images, they were just unavailable, he deep dove it and used his skill witch coding to figure out what happened. And what he uncovered was stunning - the website "dedicated to fangirling over Spiderman" was either a cover, or they believed that the best fans were dedicated to keeping Spider-Man's secret identity a secret. Peter Parker was New York's little secret.

It made Y/n so curious to meet the man. So of course they had to.

Asking for notes or a pencil or complimenting a sweater or giggling at his jokes that he said under his breath turned into lunches together for convenience and then studying together and then suddenly they were friends. Exchanging phone numbers and inside jokes and nicknames.

It was obvious that he was Spider-Man if you knew what you were looking for. His poor excuses and his sudden exists and late entries. Cancelled plans right when Spider-Man was needed, and all for a job that didn't even pay that well.

Peter was fairly good at hiding it. He was a disaster - a mistake waiting to happen - but he had a whole city behind him so it was okay.

It made Y/n fall in love with Spider-Man even more.

And maybe Peter Parker too.

There was something about the boy though. Something darker that he shook off when he had the mask. Something heavy that was easy to miss when you couldn't see his facial expressions. There was a distance when Y/n would jokingly flirt or be physically affectionate. He offered to take Peter to meet his folks once and Peter had seemed... to not like that. He had squirmed and wriggled, desperate to get away. When he came up with an "emergency" and Spider-Man stopped a mugger and got a kite out of tree Y/n knew that he shouldn't bring it up again.

It was obvious that Peter had lost someone, so Y/n tucked away any realizations or feelings and let them stay casual friends. Not best friends, not truly close - always at an arm's length. But friends.

Until, of course, Peter got drunk.

Peter never wanted to go anywhere or do anything. Y/n was pretty sure he was depressed. Which had driven him to try and get Peter out more, to find him hobbies and past times. Peter had come to the parties and gatherings and slam poetries and walks and clubs Y/n had dragged him to, just like tonight, with the understanding that if he needed to leave he could at any moment.

It didn't seem that moment would come tonight.

At some point Peter had put down his phone and walked away after having a few drinks, getting looser and more relaxed. He never went far from Y/n but seemed to have a hard time sitting still or staying in the same place. They paced or walked in circles and that seemed to do the trick. Y/n had noticed the other man put down his phone after checking the time and walked away again, so Y/n had snagged it for safe keeping. He would give it back tomorrow morning.

It took a lot or drinks for Peter to get proper wasted, but it happened. It seemed to be absent minded and on accident. He kept talking and walking, keeping his voice above the music in the room, and Y/n found himself trailing after in a love sick haze. Peter was gorgeous on his own, but the way his face light up and his hair got messier and messier... he was breathtaking when he went on rants, and Y/n was more than pleased to listen.

So he didn't stop Peter from drinking. And to be fair, neither did Peter.

Y/n knew they'd both made a mistake when Peter stopped walking, leaning against a table behind him and sighing. Y/n came closer to check on him and Peter reached out, fingers wrapping around Y/n's waist and face pressing into his shoulder. Y/n's body blossomed with heat and something akin to a buzzing, making him tense but giddy.

He tried to ignore that.

Peter sighed, leaning against Y/n, and the more sober of them gave a little chuckle. "You okay, Pete?"

"You're so comfy," was all Peter had to say. His voice was soft and airy, almost sleepy. But he had no problem mostly keeping himself up, nor did he seem to sway or buckle. He was just... drawn to Y/n. Like a magnet.

Y/n blushed. "Thank you."

Peter stared, for a long time, not saying anything. Y/n got nervous, shifting. The look was full of adoration and warmth. Admiration simmered at the edges, a sappy smile smearing across his face. "Did I ever mention that you look really attractive when you get all..." he tilted his head, searching for a word. "Blushy." He giggled. "Shy? No. Not just shy, but reserved too. Nervous." His face flitted briefly into a scowl, but when he went from trying yo grasp the word in his mind to admiring Y/n again, the smile came back. "I'm glad we met."

Y/n couldn't get the courage to look at him. "So am I." He cleared his throat, melting under that gaze. Under those words. "Perhaps we should get home."

Peter nodded. "I don't want to be here anymore. Let's go somewhere - just us." He took Y/n's hands, taking longer to do so as he traced Y/n's fingers and sighed blissfully at the contact. Like he was relieved after so long wanting it. Like how Y/n did when he felt the touch.

"Yeah. If that's what you really want." Y/n closed his eyes, chastising himself and forcing himself to stay focused. "Tomorrow. Tonight you need sleep." He began walking, keeping an eye on if Peter needed help walking, but he didn't. Not surprising for the same Spider-Man that could balance on a string that seemed thin as hair, or cling to any surface.

Peter whined and Y/n had to hide a smile with his free hand. "Not tomorrow," he begged, tugging on Y/n's hand. It was almost like a child begging for candy in the store, but less dramatic and much mote desperate. The thought of leaving Y/n seemed to genuinely upset him... Y/n didn't know how to feel about that. "I'll go to bed if you spend the night."

Now that was dangerous.

Y/n only hummed in thought, actually considered it. Drunk people were hard to handle and even if he didn't, he would need to lie to Peter to get him home. If the superhero genuinely didn't want to go or decided that messing around with Y/n to prolong their time together it would he near impossible to get ahold of him again...

They got all the way to Peter's door before he spoke again. "Are you staying?"

Y/n gave him a sideways look as he pushed the door open, having snagged Peter's keys from his pocket. He'd thought he's gotten away with it after such a long silence, but it seemed Peter was eternally patient even drunk. He sighed as they moved into the apartment, Peter always snatching Y/n's hand the second they were free. "Why does it matter so much to you that I stay, hm?" He pulled himself away from the drunk man again, closing the door and putting the keys away. Pulling Peter's jacket off and removing his shoes and grabbing a glass of water and Ibuprofen for tomorrow morning, setting it on the table at Peter's bed. It was only when he seemed finished, about to head out again, that Peter caught him.

Holding one of Y/n's hands in each of his, looking deep into his eyes, Peter didn't just seem genuine, he seemed raw. Exposed. "Y/n. I've been punishing myself for so long... always alone. For so long." He closed his eyes, pressing their foreheads together. "It's suffocating me, the loneliness. And you make it easier to breathe. So... stay. If you want." He swallowed before adding a breathless, "Please."

Y/n's heart was ramming in his chest. "If you need a friend tonight, I can of course stay." He added friend on purpose this time - to remind himself.

That seemed to upset Peter though. "Don't call yourself that. Please, please don't-" he closed his eyes tightly. "I know we're friends. And I'm goad we're friends. But don't remind me we're friends when I want to kiss you so badly. Please."

Y/n's breath caught. "Pete-" He stopped himself. "You're drunk. You don't know what you're saying."

Peter chuckled, shaking his head. "Drunk words are sober thoughts. That's a popular saying for a reason."

Oh god.

"You- I-" Y/n's face was burning and he was running out of reasons to go. Ways to deny it. Peter was Spider-Man. There's so much Y/n still wasn't supposed to know. They'd been friends for a while now, and they were just getting close. There was still that gap though. That space that Peter kept.

Now he was throwing all of it away.

Peter didn't wait for Y/n to form thoughts. He let go of Y/n's hands, reaching up for his face instead. Peter's face trailed Y/n's jaw. "Can I kiss you? I... I've wanted to kiss you for so long. If you felt the same way. The way your heart is racing, I thought you might."

Y/n's eyes widen. Of course he can hear heartbeats. The world wouldn't be as unfair as it was if he couldn't.

But also, how could be lie now? When Peter knew he was? And maybe it was selfish, and he'd get his heart broken in the morning, but Peter was begging and god if Y/n wasn't just as eager.

"Okay."

There was no hesitation after that. Y/n had expected raging fire, or fireworks, but there was none of that. It was relief, cool to the touch like a breeze on a sweltering day, or a breath after drowning. It was laying in bed after a long, exhausting day or drinking something warm and sitting by the fire after a day of ice and snow.

Y/n did more than just stay over. It happened so fast, each kiss getting more and more desperate until their hands were wandering and they were falling back onto the bed and Peter didn't stutter a single second. He didn't stumble or hesitate. He had seemed to drink so much but all his words came easily, any slur he'd had before completely gone. He seemed sober.

Y/n was an idiot.

He tried to leave, but Peter had gripped onto his arm and begged him to stay. So Y/n woke up next to him in the morning, slipping out of bed and wandering into the living room.

Okay so that had just happened.

He felt like a villain. He felt like a moron. Peter had been drunk. FUCK he was a horrible person.

Out of part guilt and part anxiety, Y/n tidied the living room and kitchen before beginning to make breakfast. He couldn't in good will just leave Peter alone that morning, but he also couldn't stay in that bed. See Peter panic when he woke up and realized what had happened.

Would he panic? Would he be angry?

He would be justified to feel angry.

Y/n jumped when a set of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, a face burying into his shoulder. "Smells good," came Peter's muffled voice.

Y/n wordlessly finished the food, plating it and turning off the stove before turning to Peter. The brunette seemed weirdly unphased, taking each thing and making two plates, then wandering into the living room to set them down on the clean table, plopping onto the couch. He smiled. "And you clean? I'm spoiled."

Y/n crossed his arms over his chest, a little confused and a little annoyed. "Peter. We need to talk about last night."

The smile faded off of his face and it happened so easily that Y/n was stunned to realize it had been more fake than he'd realized. "I'm sorry."

That came as a shock too. "You're sorry? You? Peter, I'm sorry."

Peter looked up at that, narrowing his eyes in confusion. "I'm the one who was pushing you into-" He looked away. "You obviously regret it, and it was stupid, and I'm sorry I just-"

Y/n scoffed. "Peter, you were drunk. You were more honest than you usually are. That isn't a bad thing. But you were drunk, and I wasn't, and I completely took advantage of you and-"

Peter tilted his head. "I wasn't drunk."

Y/n froze. "What?"

Peter blushed. "Well- I was drunk at first." He looked away, fiddling with a couch pillow. "But by the time we got here I was pretty much sober. I have some what of a healing factor, so-"

Y/n's eyes widened. "You have a what?"

Peter looked back, his expression dripping with amusement. "Y/n, I'm not good at keeping secrets, and you're not good at it either. My mask is hanging up on the hook by the door and you hung up my keys next to it and didn't even blink."

Y/n's head whipped around and - sure enough - there was the mask.

Damnit.

He looked back sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I... just..."

Peter laughed, standing from the couch. "It's okay. I... appreciate it, honestly. Most people demand explanations or details or ask an overwhelming questions. When I realize you knew?" He shook his head. "How long have you known?"

Y/n pursed his lip, shrugging. A... while."

Peter snorted. "Since the beginning then."

Y/n winced. "Not the very beginning."

Peter laughed again, this time closing the distance between them. "I don't know what you were beating yourself up for but I hope you realize that you don't have to. I was drunk, and that made me much more affectionate than I usually am... but, it was the affection itself that drove me insane.  It was likeI'd been starving." He shrugged. "I probably was. But kissing you..." He smiled sweetly.

Y/n blushed. It was quiet for a moment before he asked, “So you’re glad last night happened?”

Peter grinned. “Yes. I am.” He shuffled, as if he wanted to ask something but felt too silly to do so.

“I’m glad it happened too,” Y/n eased. Peter melted in relief, his expression blooming with adoration - so close to the way he had looked at Y/n last night. Y/n took his hand, tracing the bones and veins. “Do you… want to be my boyfriend?” He cringed - it felt so silly to ask. Like he was in middle school all over again.

A chuckle came from Peter, but his answer didn’t follow in the form of words. Instead he reached over, catching Y/n’s chin and leaning into a kiss. They sighed blissfully at the same time, and Y/n divided that was answer enough.

-

Male Readers: @ravenpuff-oli @sortzz @fadedver

[xtruss]

Native Tribe To Get Back Land 160 Years After Largest Mass Hanging In US History

Upper Sioux Agency state park in Minnesota, where bodies of those killed after US-Dakota war are buried, to be transferred

— Associated Press | Sunday 3 September, 2023

The Upper Sioux Agency State Park near Granite Falls, Minnesota. Photograph: Trisha Ahmed/AP

Golden prairies and winding rivers of a Minnesota state park also hold the secret burial sites of Dakota people who died as the United States failed to fulfill treaties with Native Americans more than a century ago. Now their descendants are getting the land back.

The state is taking the rare step of transferring the park with a fraught history back to a Dakota tribe, trying to make amends for events that led to a war and the largest mass hanging in US history.

“It’s a place of holocaust. Our people starved to death there,” said Kevin Jensvold, chairman of the Upper Sioux Community, a small tribe with about 550 members just outside the park.

The Upper Sioux Agency state park in south-western Minnesota spans a little more than 2 sq miles (about 5 sq km) and includes the ruins of a federal complex where officers withheld supplies from Dakota people, leading to starvation and deaths.

Decades of tension exploded into the US-Dakota war of 1862 between settler-colonists and a faction of Dakota people, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. After the US won the war, the government hanged more people than in any other execution in the nation. A memorial honors the 38 Dakota men killed in Mankato, 110 miles (177km) from the park.

Jensvold said he has spent 18 years asking the state to return the park to his tribe. He began when a tribal elder told him it was unjust Dakota people at the time needed to pay a state fee for each visit to the graves of their ancestors there.

Native American tribe in Maine buys back Island taken 160 years ago! The Passamaquoddy’s purchase of Pine Island for $355,000 is the latest in a series of successful ‘land back’ campaigns for indigenous people in the US. Pine Island. Photograph: Courtesy the writer, Alice Hutton. Friday 4 June, 2021

Lawmakers finally authorized the transfer this year when Democrats took control of the house, senate and governor’s office for the first time in nearly a decade, said State Senator Mary Kunesh, a Democrat and descendant of the Standing Rock Nation.

Tribes speaking out about injustices have helped more people understand how lands were taken and treaties were often not upheld, Kunesh said, adding that people seem more interested now in “doing the right thing and getting lands back to tribes”.

But the transfer also would mean fewer tourists and less money for the nearby town of Granite Falls, said Mayor Dave Smiglewski. He and other opponents say recreational land and historic sites should be publicly owned, not given to a few people, though lawmakers set aside funding for the state to buy land to replace losses in the transfer.

The park is dotted with hiking trails, campsites, picnic tables, fishing access, snowmobiling and horseback riding routes and tall grasses with wildflowers that dance in hot summer winds.

“People that want to make things right with history’s injustices are compelled often to support action like this without thinking about other ramifications,” Smiglewski said. “A number, if not a majority, of state parks have similar sacred meaning to Indigenous tribes. So where would it stop?”

In recent years, some tribes in the US, Canada and Australia have gotten their rights to ancestral lands restored with the growth of the Land Back movement, which seeks to return lands to Indigenous people.

‘It’s a powerful feeling’: the Indigenous American tribe helping to bring back buffalo 🦬! Matt Krupnick in Wolakota Buffalo Range, South Dakota. Sunday 20 February, 2022. The Wolakota Buffalo Range in South Dakota has swelled to 750 bison with a goal of reaching 1,200. Photograph: Matt Krupnick

A National Park has never been transferred from the US government to a tribal nation, but a handful are Co-managed with Tribes, including Grand Portage National Nonument in northern Minnesota, Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles of the National Park Service said.

This will be the first time Minnesota transfers a state park to a Native American community, said Ann Pierce, director of Minnesota State Parks and trails at the natural resources department.

Minnesota’s transfer, expected to take years to finish, is tucked into several large bills covering several issues. The bills allocate more than $6m to facilitate the transfer by 2033. The money can be used to buy land with recreational opportunities and pay for appraisals, road and bridge demolition and other engineering.

Chris Swedzinski and Gary Dahms, the Republican lawmakers representing the portion of the state encompassing the park, declined through their aides to comment about their stances on the transfer.

— The Guardian USA

[0-amateur-writer-0]

Lines

Characters: Stan Pines, Ford pines.

Tags: Angst, Hurt no comfort, Character study.

Wordcount: 1,810

Summary:

“You really don’t understand why I want this place to be shut down, do you?”

Stan sniffs. “I think I got some ideas.”

Ford narrows his eyes. “Do you?”

#

He’s home. He’s actually home. Back in his Earth—in Gravity Falls, Oregon.

Hard to believe that a few days ago, he was at the precipice of life and death. About to end things once, and for all with Bill. That’s how it was supposed to be. One way or another, everything was supposed end that day. But now he’s honest to God walking through his house. Opening cupboards, and drawers. Studying every nook, and cranny. Observing how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same.

The house definitely had seen better days. Everything was aged, and weathered. You could even spot some awkward patch jobs here, and there. The ones you do on your own to save money, instead of by someone who actually knew what they were doing.

Indeed, Stan must’ve been a stingy on the upkeep. He could hear a lot of new creaks, and sounds now. But…the house is somewhat neat, and tidy at least.

He supposes he should be thankful if for that. That his home is still here after all this time. Still standing. Still livable. When he already made peace long ago, that his house would be left to rot—reduced to a pile of would-be firewood.

Ford rounded a corner, and stops in his tracks. Any feelings of gratitude he had had quickly went down the drain.

Now this is a change he could really do without.

The house doubles as a hokey tourist trap now. One that’s entire gimmick was based on showcasing a variety of very made-up anomalies.

Being in this room is already starting to royally piss him off. Though for some reason that escapes him, he decided to stay and look around. Making his way the first exhibit that caught his eye.

Ford glares at the taxidermized monstrosity before him. It was obviously meant to resemble sasquatch, or even bigfoot. Brown fur, big feet, and ape-like features, though a striking difference could be seen on how it’s…wearing an underwear.

(Why even? What evolutionary need could it possibly fulfill by wearing one?)

“Sascrotch,” He sneers. “I can’t believe people actually—"

“Yeah, ya don’t like the Shack. We get it. Keep steppin’, and move on already.” A gruff voice piped up from his left.

Ford turns his head to the source of said voice, to find Stan leaning against the counter—counting the money he made off from the last group of tourists.

(Has he always been there?)

“You really don’t understand why I want this place to be shut down, do you?”

Stan sniffs. “I think I got some ideas.”

Ford narrows his eyes. “Do you?” He challenges.

Stan muttered something under his breath, but otherwise did nothing but continue to count the money in his hands. The sound of paper bills being shuffled seemed to fill the empty gift shop. It grated on his nerves. Then again, everything that Stan does seem to grate on his nerves these days.

Ford made his way to the next set of exhibits. The Six Pack O’ Lope. The Cornicorn. He swears some of them looked more like one of Mabel’s arts and crafts projects.

“I have spent most of my life studying the weird. Trying to make sense of the nonsense. Trying to prove their existence to the scientific community.”

“I had to take on twelve PhDs to get people to take me seriously. Twelve. And that wasn’t even accounting the number of favors, and good standing I had to build up just so I could get my grant approved by the committee.”

Of course, I could’ve avoided all that if I had gone to West Coast Tech instead. He almost wanted to say, but quickly bit his tongue.

“Well, that’s kinda’ dumb.” Stan comments.

(If his ears weren’t mistaken, Ford could’ve sworn there was a note of genuine sympathy in Stan’s voice.)

Ford just shook his head. “The committee didn’t see my want to research anomalies as top priority. Especially when compared to things like researching the cure for cancer, or alternative energy, or artificial intelligence and whatnot.”

“But one way, or another. I managed to show them my worth. I gave them reason, after reason as to how my research could be beneficial. And eventually, they decided to give me a chance.”

Ford wrinkled his nose when he passes by some shelves filled with tacky souvenirs. One lined with snow globes, another with Mr. Mystery bobbleheads, and another filled with…ugh, those horrific Burpin’ Stanford Pines figurines. Though he stops when he comes across a nearly empty shelf lined with empty glass jars. A sign nearby tells him that these are ‘invisible fairy companions! Only $35!’.

His attention wasn’t on the obvious scam in front of him. Instead, Ford watches his face being reflected on the glass jars.

“I thought,” he says. “If I did all of that, then…maybe I could finally change the way people view them.”

“I wasn’t hoping to change everyone’s minds, but if I could get a few people to stop looking at them like something to be afraid of. Like something to be pointed, and gawked at…” He pauses, and then turns to look at Stan. “Do you see where I’m going with this?”

Stan just stares at him with a blank expression on his face.

(Dear Tesla, does he really have to spell this out?)

Ford took a deep calming breath, before saying: “What you’re doing here with the Mystery Shack. Not only is it a mockery of my life’s work, it’s a mockery of me.”

Stan narrows his eyes. “What are you talkin’ about?”

Ford could feel the threads of his self-control being cut. “Do you really not realize what you’re doing here!? You’re bringing all sorts of people in here, and teaching them it’s okay to point, and laugh at things they don’t understand. You’re teaching them to point, and laugh at things like me!”

Ford clicked his tongue. Whether Stan’s earlier confusion was genuine, or an act mattered little to him at the moment. The damage was done. To his house. To his reputation. To his life’s work.

--You’re a six-fingered freak!

And they would be right. That’s all he is. All he will ever be.

He’d lost the chance to ever prove them wrong.

“Be honest,” Ford demanded. “All those times you told me that I wasn’t a freak was a lie, wasn’t it?” He gestures towards the various exhibits in the Shack. “This is how you actually feel about me.”

“Do you also have stuffed six-fingered hand lying around? I’m surprised I haven’t seen it yet. An exhibit like that will surely—"

“You think I’d do that?” Stan asks.

Ford pauses, and then turns to Stan. And once his eyes landed on his brother, the red mist that clouded his vision seemed to dissipate at that moment.

Stan was staring at him, and though his expression was blank—there was a gamut of emotions swirling in the depths of his brother’s eyes. Raw and honest emotions that Ford didn’t want to look too closely into.

“You really think I’d do that to you?” Stan asks again. His voice quiet.

Ford opens his mouth, but he quickly finds that no words could come out. Something in Stan’s eyes. Something in the way his brother spoke, seemed to sap all the remaining fight and anger in him.

“I used to beat up every single punk who bad-mouthed you when we were kids. And ya really think that I’m gonna’ turn around, and start doin’ all that crap they did to you?” A pause. “You really think that I’m no better than guys like Crampelter?”

Ford’s looks down—suddenly finding it hard to look Stan in the eyes. “That isn’t what I…”

He tries to find something to defend himself with, but nothing kept coming up. After all, that was essentially what he had just implied wasn’t it?

The silence hung between them until Stan took several steps forward, only stopping when he’s at an arms-length in front of Ford.

“…Y’know,” Stan says. “I got a lotta reasons for starting the Mystery Shack. And that thing you just said… You think that folks come through here to point and laugh at all these arts and crafts rejects. But the only thing being pointed and laughed at in here…is me.”

“Cause you wanna’ know something?” He jabbed a finger onto Ford’s chest. “Just because you got no problems callin’ me worthless, that doesn’t mean I’m gonna’ stoop to your level and start callin’ you a…”

It took everything in him to not look away—to return Stan’s glare head on. On the outside, one might mistake him for being the picture of indifference. The only thing anyone could see was a mask of cold, hard disapproval plastered on his face

But on the inside, in the deepest parts of him where no one was privy to—part of him dreaded of what’s to come. The part of him that used to go on adventures with Stan on the beach. The part of him that used to spend whatever free time available, to work on an old derelict sailboat. The part of him that used stay up to the late hours of the night talking, and planning about the places they’d sail away to one day.

That part of him was terrified of his twin brother calling him that word.

But he knew it was coming. It’s only a matter of time. He braces himself and…

…nothing happened.

Stan just looks down, his hand falling limply back to his side. And Ford found himself letting out a breath he didn’t even knew he was holding.

Both men stood at the middle of the empty gift shop. Stan kept looking down at the floor, and Ford couldn’t seem to peel his eyes away from his brother—at how tired, and defeated he looked. His right-hand twitches, and then starts to lift and inch itself closer towards Stan.

He didn’t really know what he was trying to do. He just…has a sudden urge to reach out. But before he could make any contact, Stan took a step back from him.

“Believe it or not, I actually got lines I ain’t never gonna’ cross.” Was all Stan said to him, before he made his way outside.

The front door slammed shut.

Ford watches the door for a moment. Before his gaze, inexplicably, wanders back to the shelf lined with those Burpin’ Stanford Pines toys. It was an insult. It was his name being printed on those boxes, but looking at those figurines again—at how it was wearing a bright red fez, and a black tuxedo…the similarities that he somehow hadn’t seen before became so clear.

It was Stan.

Ford pinches the bridge of his nose. “What the hell am I doing?”

[handspunyarns]

You Were Marked: Day Thirty.

pairing: din djarin x fem!O/C  

word count: 4.3K  

chapter summary: Din gets Marathel to a medical center on Canto Bight. 

warnings:  female bodily functions, descriptions of injuries, mention of wounds, blood, past abuse, rape, object rape, and medical procedures, English and Mando’a cursing  

***Please feel free to comment, kvetch, or otherwise speak your mind about my work. ***     

You Were Marked: Masterlist    

You Were Marked: <- Previous Chapter 

Siewan sighed as she entered her notes from her last patient into her charting system.  Normally, she wouldn’t be down here in the trauma center — her usual gig was up on the women’s floor — but they’d been short-handed again in trauma and it was slow upstairs.  Besides, she got an extra spiff for picking up the extra shift, and the adrenaline kept her on her toes.  Tonight, they’d had an entire wedding party — along with most of their guests — wigged out on synthetic spice edibles.  They were legal here on Canto, much to the dismay of the local medical community.  Siewan enjoyed a bit of the stuff herself from time to time, but it seemed that tourists had a problem with moderation.  So far, that had been their biggest bit of excitement this night, and Siewan was now enjoying the relative quiet at time-and-a-half, thank you very much. 

From her vantage point behind the check-in desk, she could hear the outer doors hiss open.  She heard the guard say no weapons to whomever had come in, but she didn’t bother looking up until she heard a mechanical but distinctly male voice say: 

“Weapons are part of my religion.��� 

Siewan looked up to see a Mandalorian, in full armor, helmet, and weapons, carrying what appeared to be an unconscious woman wrapped in a blanket.  The security guard said, “No weapons in the trauma center.  You can put them in the lockers over there, or take off.” 

The Mandalorian looked down at the woman he was holding, then over at the lockers, then back at the security guard. “This woman needs medical help.” 

“And you need to ditch the weapons.  You can’t come in until you lose them.” 

“She’s unconscious.” 

“I don’t care.” 

The Mandalorian tilted his helmet in vexation.  “Tell me where I’m supposed to put her while I do that.” 

Siewan came through the inner doors with a gurney.  “Put her here, sir Mandalorian.” 

The security guard sighed.  “You’re not supposed to do that, Siewan …” 

“Yeah, well, he has a point, Gid, he can’t very well hold her and take the weapons off at the same time.”  The armored man carefully placed the woman on the gurney, making sure she was lying flat and that her braid was not trapped under her head.  Siewan watched his gloved hand briefly linger on her cheek, and then she pulled up her chart tracker.  “What’s your name, sweetheart?” she asked the unconscious woman. 

“Her name is …” began the Mandalorian, already pulling off weapons to stack in a locker. 

The chart tracker beeped.  “Oh, I can get her chip, sir.  Let’s see … Marathel ap Un … Unmapeth.  From Jakuu?” 

“Uh … yeah,” said the Mandalorian, now starting to fill a second locker with his arsenal.  He finally removed enough weaponry to appease the security guard, and he followed the nurse through the inner doors. 

“Can you tell me what’s going on with her, sir Mandalorian?” 

“Mando is fine.  She … has injuries, some new, some old.   A concussion, exposure sickness.  And … issues with her cycle.” 

Siewan raised an eyebrow at the Mandalorian.  If he was cognizant of her menstrual cycle, he was rather chummy with her indeed.  They got to the door to the treatment area, and she buzzed the door open.  He made moves to go in with the gurney, but Siewan stopped him.  “Only patients and close others can come back here.” 

He took a quick breath, saying, “I’m a Guild bounty hunter.  She’s my bounty.  I go where she goes.” 

“Credentials,” said Siewan, her friendliness gone.  The Mandalorian reluctantly raised his arm, and she scanned his Guild badge, which did not have his name, only his serial number and standing with the Guild.  “And her fob?” 

“She … doesn’t have one.”  Siewan scoffed and began to push the gurney through before he grabbed her arm.  “Please, Miss …” 

“Remove your hand before I call security.” 

He immediately moved his hand from her arm to Marathel’s gurney.  “Please,” he said again.  “She is … fragile.”  He dropped his voice lower.  “I rescued her from a torture cult situation. She’s been abused since she was a child.” 

Siewan narrowed her eyes.  “You have knowledge of the extent of her injuries?” 

“Yes.” 

“And she’s not in danger from you?” 

“Good lady, on my honor, on the honor of Manda’lor, I am here to protect her.” 

Siewan didn’t know why, but she believed him.  She considered herself a good judge of character, at least when she could see the person’s eyes.  She didn’t know much about Mandalorians — other than the urban legends of them being faceless murder machines — but this one was willing to take off his weapons to make sure this woman got some help.  He was standing still, just looking back at her while she measured his character a little more, and then nodded.  “C’mon, then, let’s get her back so the doc can take a look at her.”   

The Mandalorian breathed a sigh of relief, which cemented her opinion of him.  “Thank you.” 

They went back through into the exam rooms, passing the curtained cubicles, most of which held the wedding guests that hadn’t fully finished blazing yet.  Din shook his head slightly; he was against legalization of synthetic spice products.  Not because he believed drug use was evil, necessarily, but because he made a decent living off hunting marks related to the industry.  

He looked again at this nurse who so far had been kind.  She was another sweet-faced woman, and he hoped that Marathel would feel safe with her.  They came to a large exam room, with windows that fogged over once they were inside to give privacy.  Another nurse came into the room with them, and when he and Siewan moved to lift Marathel off the gurney, Din had already lifted her and moved her to the exam table as if she weighed nothing.  “Mando, my name is Siewan, and this is nurse Brey.  He’s going to get a history from you regarding Marathel’s injuries.” 

Din lifted his hands, shrugging.  “Where do I start?” 

“Most recent first?” asked Brey. 

Din began with the exposure sickness, and then moved on to the concussion and the dislocated shoulder due to her promixity to a chemical explosion.  Noticing that Siewan had a pair of scissors and was about to cut the blanket off Marathel, he cried out, “No!” The two nurses looked at him, puzzled.  “No, please, I can remove the blanket from her.  Please don’t cut that blanket.  It’s a source of comfort for her.”  Siewan and Brey exchanged glances, and then the female nurse stepped back.  Din reached to remove the blanket, then he faltered.  He was reticent to expose her, to see her unclothed and vulnerable while unconscious again, but he carefully unwrapped the blanket from Marathel, doing his best to not let his eyes linger anywhere on her.  He then turned his back as he folded the blanket, unknowingly hugging it to his chest.  Thankfully, the nurses draped her with a sheet to give her some dignity. 

It took some time to catalogue all of Marathel’s injuries.  Siewan asked many questions, and he gave as much information as he could while remaining as vague as possible.  Two doctors had come in as Din began to describe the whip marks on her back — describing them as wounds, but leaving out the whipping part — and the nurses rolled Marathel to her side.  One of the doctors gave a low whistle.  “You said she was in a torture situation?  I’m sorry, you need to be more forthcoming, Mando,” said Siewan. 

Din began to regret this decision.  Yes, Marathel was in distress but she might have been able to get to Tatooine again just fine.  Or he could have shouted out to Fennec to get him the location of those Reconstructionists; but no, he had to go to Canto, because it was close, and he was afraid to have to cope with Marathel bleeding out again, even though he was fairly sure that a woman couldn’t die from having her damn period, but Marathel was exactly the kind of woman who possibly could, for Frith’s sake, because she defied rules of reality.   

For a brief moment, he wished that it was still the time of the Empire.  Back then he could have been as vague as he wished; apparently the era of people minding their own kriffing business was over. 

Yeah, and if you’d minded your own kriffing business you wouldn’t have Grogu. 

As if on cue, a quiet whimper sounded n the room.  Everyone in the room went silent.  One of the doctors asked, “Did anyone else hear a cat?” Meanwhile, Siewan just managed to catch Din moving something he’d had secluded under his cape, trying to conceal it with the blanket.   

Siewan locked eyes — well, visor — with Din.  He heard her mutter to Brey, “Get me security.” 

Din fully turned to the medical crew, holding his hand up to them, clutching the bag.  “No, no, please don’t, I beg of you.” 

“What’s in the bag, Mando?” 

“A child. I have a child in this bag …” 

Siewan rolled her eyes.  “That breaks all the rules of this hospital!” 

“I know, I know.  But I’m bound to keep him safe.  He’s too little to be left alone.  And he loves this woman.  He sees her as his Mama …” 

Siewan listened to Mando’s voice taking on a shrill tone, like he was sliding into panic.  “It’s okay, it’s okay, Mando.  Just … chill.” 

Din took a breath.  “I’m sorry.” 

Siewan thought for a moment.  “Is the child’s presence why you’re being so vague?” 

“… yes.  There were horrible things done to her, and I don’t want to say them aloud in front of him.” 

“Is the child in danger?” 

“I’m his protector. I have to keep him safe and concealed.” 

Siewan came forward, still with her hands raised in front of her.  In the calmest voice she could muster — and she was great at calm voices, if she said so herself — “Look, Mando, this is a safe medical center.  We specialize in protecting women and children, innocent lives.  My usual ward is very secure, and it has a childcare center.  Many of my patients are fleeing a dangerous situation, and often bring their children with them.  Your child will be safe there, I promise.  I have the clearance to take you up there and get the child settled in, so you can concentrate on helping Marathel. Are we cool?” 

“He will be safe?” 

“Absolutely.  Biometric locks, the works.” 

“Are there … any fish or frogs or eggs up there?” 

Siewan stared at Din.  “… why?” 

“I forgot to bring food and the kid eats … interesting things when he’s hungry.” 

Siewan turned to look at her co-workers.  Are you hearing this?  She turned back to Din.  “They have a variety of snacks and food items.” 

Din sighed with relief.  “Wizard.  Let’s go.” 

On the staff turbo lift, Din watched as Siewan swiped a badge, looked into a retinal scan, and tapped in codes to set the lift in motion.  “You weren’t kidding about the security.” 

“Nope.  It’s a source of pride with us.  We have several secure wards and childcare stations.  I don’t even know where they all are.  I’m a floater between two, but I’m taking you to the one I like better.  It will be closer to where Marathel will probably be admitted.” 

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Siewan.” 

“It’s Charge Nurse, buddy, but Siewan will work for you.  And this isn’t kindness.  It’s my job.  Kindness would be pulling rank to make sure I’m Marathel’s charge nurse for her stay.  Think of me as her concierge. And once we get this child of yours checked in you need to fill me in.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” said Din, now thankful that his decisions had led him here.    

The inner set of lift doors opened, and Siewan went through a few security steps to open the outer doors.  Din was impressed.  As they walked to the childcare center, Siewan asked, “So this Marathel is pretty important to you?” 

Din sighed.  “It’s complicated.” 

Siewan chuckled. “It always is.” 

“So everyone keeps telling me.” 

“Then you should believe them, Mando.  Here we are.” They were standing in front of a completely non-descript door that looked nothing like what Din would consider an entrance to a childcare center. Siewan punched in another complicated code, did another retinal scan, and then held up a wristband to a sensor.  The door slid open and they entered a tiny room that resembled an airlock. Siewan waved to a camera above her head.  “See?  Totally secure.” 

“What if you’re brought in here against your will at blaster-point?” 

“We have protocols in that eventuality.  But I can’t tell you about them.” 

“Because then you’d have to kill me?” 

“Yup,” answered Siewan with a grin.  The inner door opened and a short, round, half-Rodian came out.  “Hey, girlfriend, what it is!” 

“Hey yourself, honeybunch, what you got?”  The rotund green woman looked Din up and down.  “He’s a little old for the program.” 

Siewan chuckled and said, “Mando’s got a little one in the bag.” She heard a little mewling sound in the bag, and then she bent down to see the tiny hand gripping Din’s thumb.  “Hey buddy, you wanna come out and say hi?”   

The half-Rodian introduced herself as M’nka and ushered them through the second door into a larger room that held a desk, an exam table, and a large wall of frosted glass.  M’nka patted the exam table, saying, “Pop the kid up here and let’s take a look, Mando.” 

Din opened the bag and Grogu buried himself as deep in the bag as he could go.  “Hey, kid, these nice ladies want to see you.” 

“Mama!” cried Grogu. 

Din sighed and stroked Grogu’s ear.  “I know, buddy.  But this is another one of those times where I have to help Mama. There are doctors who need me to talk to them, and I need you to be brave, and stay here with M’nka.  I think she’s very nice. And I think you’ll like her.” 

“Mama,” muttered Grogu, and he scowled. Still, he stood up in the bag and allowed Din to pull him out and set him on the exam table.  Both M’nka and Siewan squealed and exclaimed how adorable Grogu was, fluffing his hair and tickling him, making the boy laugh.  Din noticed however, that their tickling and playing with Grogu was merely a distraction so that they could examine him, scan his vitals, swab his saliva, and get a retinal scan without upsetting him. Within moments, Grogu’s biomedical information was downloaded into a pair of wristbands: one for Grogu, one for Din.  Din noticed they were yellow, same as Marathel’s yellow dress, and his heart stuttered for a moment.   Finally, he noticed that M’nka was talking to him.  “I’m sorry?” 

“I need to get your retinal scan as well,” said M’nka. 

Din shook his head.  “I am unable to do that.  I cannot remove my helmet.” 

“Okay, then, you get to spit in a bag.” 

“I beg your pardon?” 

M’nka held up a small clear bag that contained a fibrous material inside.  “Turn and face the wall, we will turn our backs, and spit in here until all of the fiber is moistened.” 

“You must be pulling my leg.” 

“Not at all.  This is how we will test if it’s you requesting access back in here, as you cannot do a retinal scan.  You spit in here now.  Then you take these fiber cards for access later.  When you come back, you will put a fiber card in your mouth until it turns pink.  That’s when you insert it into the slot under the retinal scanner.  If it matches your sample, you will gain access to this space.” 

Din tilted his helmet and sighed.  “Do I need to avoid any food or drink before using the cards?” 

M’nka replied, “Red gelatin.  Anything red, really.  It totally messes up the scanner and it might pop out you’re a Sleestak or something.  And any sort of alcohol, or recreational drugs.  That includes synthetic spice.  You cannot gain access if you’ve been imbibing.” She tilted her head to match his.  “This is the way we protect your child.” 

Din nodded, and replied, “This is the way.”  He gave Grogu another cuddle, pressing his forehead against Grogu’s and promising to come get him as soon as Mama was taken care of.  Grogu still looked dubious but allowed another childcare worker to take him into the glass-walled room, where Din caught a glimpse of some laughing kids and brightly colored toys through the door.  He faced a corner and spit into the bag as best he could after gratefully accepting a cup of water from Siewan.   

M’nka thanked Din and turned to process his saliva sample, saying, “Hold up your wristband to the scanner by the door.”  Din did so, and the glass cleared to allow him to see the large room where many children of different ages were happily involved with activities.  Grogu was already at a low table, eating a cookie while scribbling on a large piece of paper with a brown crayon, along with several other small children.  “Your son seems to have settled in already.” 

“Cookies have that effect on him.  Just don’t give him a lot of fruit.” 

Back in the lift, Siewan went through the security protocol, and asked, “Is that secure enough for you, chief?” 

Din nodded.  “It is very good, yes.  Thank you.” 

“Now we can get back to Marathel.”  Din nodded again, but said nothing. “It’s really bad, what’s been done to that woman, isn’t it?” 

“Are you going to contact the authorities?” 

“Not yet.  I’m sure the shrinks would like a chat with her, but she will be free to leave if she decides to do so when she wakes up.” 

“What if she … requires surgery, or something?” 

Siewan turned her head to look at him.  “Legally, you can play your bounty hunter card and claim responsibility for her, make choices for her… even without a fob.”  Din looked down to his feet.  “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.” 

When they got back to the room, the doctors had Marathel’s feet in the stirrups.  Din turned his back immediately. Marathel was fully draped, but he still felt like a voyeur.  He wondered if he should hold her hand.  A third doctor had joined the discussion, and one said, “The bacta tank should help with most of her issues.” 

Din shook his head.  “She doesn’t respond to bacta.” 

All the medics sighed deeply.  “Well, that changes everything.”  Siewan asked Brey to contact a couple of specialists.  “Think maybe you should have led with that, Mando?” 

“I’m sorry,” muttered Din.  He was distracted, still not quite right in his head, it seemed.  Brey and Siewan continued to take notes from both Din and the doctors.  Din then had to explain how Marathel had been repeatedly raped, both by males and by foreign objects, briefly describing the Dilimgau.  There was a short silence in the room after that, then the doctors — one of whom was apparently a gynecological surgeon �� went back to their examination.   

The gyno doc asked for a speculum and Din wracked his brain to remember what one of those was, and then he heard her say, “All this … scar tissue.  Do we have a child’s speculum in here?” Din suddenly realized what they doing, guessing what a speculum was, and then he had to stop breathing for a moment when it finally got through to him that a trauma center needed such a device that was small enough for a child, and Din thought he might lose it altogether, and then he heard Marathel whimper.   

Whirling around, he did his best to focus on her face as he went to her side and touched her shoulder.  “Marathel?” he whispered. 

One of the doctors replied, “She’s all right, Mando, we have given her some tranquilizers and lightly sedated her.  She woke up briefly when we began the IV and a synth-blood transfusion.  Despite her injuries, she is still quite strong and fighting hard.  Even without bacta, she should recover just fine.  We do think she should have a D&C to help her acute menstrual issues, though.” 

“And that is …?” 

“Dilation and curettage.  It’s a surgical procedure where I will open her cervix and remove the uterine lining, along with all these clots she’s experiencing.  Do you have any knowledge of when her last cycle was, before this one?” 

Din shook his head.  “All she told me was that her cycle was ‘seldom and strange’, to use her words.  And she recently found out that she is sterile, but knows no details.” 

“Recently found out …?” 

Din rolled his eyes, annoyed with himself for getting too specific again.  “She received some medical care recently, but I am not aware of what was done for her at that time.”  That, at least, was the partial truth. 

Siewan narrowed her eyes.  “What was the time span between her first set of injuries and her most recent injuries?” 

“… three weeks or so.” 

“Care to explain that?” 

“If I don’t, will that affect your level of care for her?” 

“No,” replied Siewan. 

 “Then … no, I don’t care to explain that.”  He took a breath.  “This D&C … is this a permanent procedure?” 

The gynecologist replied, “No.  It is strictly for her current condition.  It will also allow us to assess her state of healing.  From what I can tell, the care she’s already received was strictly for repair but not reconstruction.  Were you aware of that?” 

Din’s stomach turned over.  “Yes, that was her decision.”  He felt their stares on his back.  “I … want her to make those decisions for herself.  Please do what needs to be done for her so that she can do that.” 

Siewan watched him watching Marathel’s face.  She looked at his hand on her shoulder, and wondered if he realized he was gently stroking her skin with his gloved thumb.  Wondered just how complicated his feelings were.  Wondered if this Mandalorian was simply making things more complicated than they needed to be.   She quietly scoffed.  Mandalorians are just as dopey as any other man in the galaxy.  What a bunch of derping nerfherders.  She said, “Hey, Mando?” 

He shook himself out of his reverie and turned to Siewan, who was holding out a holopad to him.  “… what?” 

“You need to put your mark on this, so they can take her to surgery.” 

Din looked to the rest of the medics, standing around Marathel’s feet, which were out of the stirrups and lying flat.  He looked at the holopad and saw the line he was meant to sign.  Under the line it simply said Mandalorian and his guild serial number, protecting his anonymity as a bounty hunter.  He touched his gloved finger to the screen, but the connective fiber in his fingertip didn’t register on the screen, for whatever reason.  He paused, knowing he’d have to remove his glove before all these people. 

“You need to let them take her up, Mando.  You have to sign for her, since she can’t.  You said you were responsible for her,” said Siewan in a firm tone. 

Din gulped and reminded himself that Marathel’s needs were more important than his Creed — once again.  Perhaps always flashed briefly though his mind, so quickly he didn’t quite register it.  He pulled off his glove, exposing his hand to the medics as he scrawled a mark across the screen.  Siewan handed off the holopad to Brey, and the group of medics pushed Marathel out of the room and away.   

Siewan reached out and patted his arm.  “They’re going to do their best by her.” 

Din nodded, pulling on his glove and trying to shake off the shame and conflict he felt.  “How long does this procedure take?” 

“Couple of hours.  They need to fully sedate her, then however long they need to go the job, then recovery.  They’re going to put her on my ward when she’s done.  In the meantime, let’s take you back up to your boy, spend some time with him.  I just got a page that he’s tried to eat the room Derbit Lizard three times.” 

“I told you he goes for critters when he’s hungry.” 

“Yeah, you mentioned fish, frogs, and eggs, metal man.  So, let’s grab some food for both of you and I’ll take you back up.  They have some private rooms up there; I can put you guys in one so you can eat and wait.” 

“Thank you for your kindness, Siewan.” 

Siewan snorted, and led Din back down the hallway.  “Kindness, nothing.  You’re buying me some food, too.  I need to crash for a while so I can meet this Marathel of yours when she wakes up, get her situated on my ward.” 

“I think you’ll like her.” 

Siewan smiled and patted Din’s arm again.  “I think I already do.” 

You Were Marked: Day Thirty-One. ->

[ape-apocalypse]

Road To The Kingdom - Before The Dawn YouTube Shorts

The three 'Before The Dawn' short films were created by Motherboard in association with 20th Century Fox, the studio running the Planet of the Apes films. They were aired as promos in the months before Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, meant to bridge the gap between Rise and Dawn. They focus on human survivors trying to make it through each day as society falls apart around them.

Spread Of Simian Flu takes place in Year 1 post-outbreak and features a family where the mother is locked in quarantine while the father and daughter visit her. The mother tries to be cheery for her daughter while the father lies about them having a safe place to live. It is bittersweet to see the family on both sides of the quarantine glass lying to the other to keep their spirits up. They hold onto hope for one another while searching for food and shelter.

Struggling To Survive is five years after the outbreak. The focus of this short is a woman and the boy in her care trying to survive while power begins to fail in the city. She finds luxury items and trades them for food and other necessities, thinking on how those she trades with are clinging to the past rather than planning for the future. This internal monologue is very condescending, a stark contrast to the strained but still present hope of the family in the first short. Perhaps that was the intent, showing the bitterness needed to survive as the years go on.

Story of the Gun covers a full decade through the fall of society. As the title states, a shotgun is the main character of this video as we follow it from human owner to owner through the years. We don't spend enough time with any one person to get attached to any particular character (though I do enjoy the conspiracy rambling guy, he gets a chuckle out of me) but the whirlwind of moving from person to person really conveys the chaotic feeling of the apocalypse. The ending, with the shotgun being abandoned at the feet of unseen apes, hints at the violence to come in Dawn, one that will lead to the film getting nicknamed as simply "The Apes Riding Horses With Guns Movie".

Motherboard also released a 15 minute documentary alongside the fictional shorts called The Real Planet Of The Apes, a true story that I'd never heard before: an island in Liberia where chimpanzees who were once laboratory test apes are the sole inhabitants and many humans fear to visit. Though not having anything to do with the fictional POTA, it is interesting to see apes interacting with humans. They are gentle and playful with humans they trust but can be aggressive to those they don't know, with locals telling tourists they will be killed if they go there. Major content warning for this short; it talks about and shows videos of real world ape testing and injuries, as well as human death/murder, starvation and violence. The good news is that, as of a 2022 article, the apes are still being cared for by the locals.

The video shorts are a fun little dive into the collapse of human society; personally I'll never pass up the opportunity to see that in fiction. They're good quality for being promotional videos on YouTube. The main downside is there is very little to make them stand out as being part of Planet Of The Apes. No apes are seen (which makes sense; they likely didn't have any budget for a CG ape), just alluded to through shadows and sound effects. Because of this, they feel pretty typical of any apocalyptic story without being entirely unique to the POTA franchise. But they're still well done, even eerier now after 2020 Covid lockdowns than when they first released in 2014. Watching all three fictional shorts back-to-back-to-back takes only 30 minutes so, even without any apes, they're a quick but enjoyable viewing experience. 

Intro / Previous / Next

[bignosebaby]

The monkeys in clothes at the tip of an animal cruelty iceberg

(TW for discussion of animal abuse)

Reaction images are a popular staple of online culture, and in recent years primates have grown substantially in popularity. Orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and monkeys of all species have become the subject of online meme pages. Many of these pages, especially those run by self-described primate enthusiasts post images from accredited zoos and sanctuaries with individuals such as Shabani the gorilla, Kanzi the bonobo, Beni of orangutan jungle school fame, and others known for exhibiting amusing natural behaviour at the forefront.

[Image ID: A meme from monkey.posting of 2 photos on a white background with black text. The text reads: “*Our First Date*” With “Her” above a photo of a thin person with long dark hair wearing a white t-shirt and black mini skirt taking a mirror selfie with an iphone and “Me” above a photo of an adult orangutan with a blue blanket draped over its head. End ID]

Memes like this are widely enjoyed and harmless. The primates are engaging in natural behaviours, the pictures in the memes are primarily sourced from the social media accounts of zoos and sanctuaries, and the consumers of the memes are animal lovers. Further from the primate posters of Instagram and Tumblr, other primate pictures are used. These pictures more commonly depict monkeys in baby clothes, in urban settings, being fed by tourists, and grimacing or swatting. The original context for these pictures is lost, and they are reposted with relatable captions, like the image below.

[Image ID: a baby macaque in a fuzzy purple hoodie wearing lipstick, purple eyeshadow, and eyeliner with its eyes closed. The caption is overlayed and reads “i pretend i do not see it.......”. End ID]

What the average person who posts these reaction images sees is a funny picture, and with the rapid rate of posting and viewing the idea of interrogating the background of every meme and image you see online seems exhausting, and ridiculous. However, the one piece of context that connects every image of a primate in baby clothes is that these images all depict animal cruelty. Not only that, but the producers of these images are making money off of animal abuse.

Monkeys are extremely intelligent and have very demanding social, physical, and intellectual needs. No pet primate is living a life that can meet these needs, which would involve massive enclosures with diverse diets, many other monkeys to form relationships with, and daily enrichment. While some pet primate owners try to give their unfortunate and expensive pets the best life they can, on YouTube and other social media sites the algorithm rules and leads to dark places.

A regular viewer of monkey and ape videos will be recommended videos of pet primates at an increasing frequency, with abuse and neglect becoming more and more common. In a BBC article studying the online groups of dedicated “monkey haters“ whom delight in videos depicting the abuse and neglect of monkeys, the algorithmic pipeline towards animal abuse is documented: “Kapetanich saw monkeys dressed up in baby clothes, monkeys being bathed, forced to walk upright or do other unnatural tasks. Then the algorithm served her videos of monkeys being slapped and sprayed with water. These videos violated YouTube’s terms of service, so she reported them, but the platform didn’t seem to take any action." Without ever leaving YouTube or actively searching, a regular person was served videos of baby monkeys being abused. After continued viewership, YouTube recommended a video of baby monkeys being tortured. Most shocking of all, is that the comments on these videos are mostly supportive, with many suggesting torture methods they want to see in future videos. Some monkey haters are willing to pay, and contact pet primate owners who post videos of them scolding or pushing their monkeys with requests for more brutal punishments.

The BBC article is here for those who wish to read, but I warn against those sensitive to disturbing articles to avoid or do so with caution. While my mission stays on social media and the clear web, the article dives into the dark web and encrypted telegram groups where the most extreme animal abusers congregate. My point is not to disturb people, but to educate on how even innocent looking images of dressed up monkeys are the start of a pipeline that leads to animal abuse. In fact, many of the exact same monkeys start their lives as dress up candidates and end their lives before reaching adulthood, as their owners profit off their suffering.

What can you do?

No one likes to think that they are involved, even implicitly, in the suffering of others. Many critiques of reaction images featuring abused animals will be met with dismissals, that “it’s not that deep“. While it is not your fault that animals are being abused if you shared images of dressed-up monkeys online, using these images normalizes the most socially acceptable form of their mistreatment. There are small and simple changes to your online presence you can make to help:

Use reaction images of primates from wildlife photographers, zoogoers, and the social media accounts of high-quality zoos and sanctuaries.

Report images and videos of animal mistreatment you see on social media as animal cruelty.

Contact YouTube and other social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook to tell them that hosting animal abuse videos and images is unacceptable.

You don’t need to be an expert in primate welfare! Avoiding any photos where a primate is clothed is enough to reduce your chances of accidentally using images depicting abuse by a substantial margin. Being mindful, kind, and open to learning goes a long way.

[thedungeonbat]

Monday, September 9ᯓ★

To be honest, today was rough. Finding out that the AP Politics exam on Friday is actually taking place really stressed me out and math class gave me even more anxiety.

I was in the library from 11:30am - 2pm and mainly lend out books to grades 10-12. We had some issues with the geography books but I couldn’t fix it since I ran out of time. I’ll either figure something out tomorrow, on wednesday or move it to my tutors to do list.

Didn’t go to pe but instead went out to run a few errands. Shops were crowded with tourists- it was horrible.

Finished Greys Anatomy and Station 19 tonight which left me feeling not so great.

I’ll go to sleep now; tomorrow will be a better day.

[strawberryteabunny]

Netherlands Day 3: Zaanse Schans ☀️🌿

This was my third day in the Netherlands! I took a day trip out to Zaanse Schans, this gorgeous traditional Dutch village. There were a ton of small museums and reenactment exhibits dotted around to educate visitors about the history of the Netherlands, along with some reenactors.

There were clearly also people who lived in the village, and while it looks like an absolutely gorgeous place to live, I don’t think I could live somewhere that had so many tourists walking right past my house and taking photos of my garden!

Coord rundown:

JSK: BTSSB Sweet Cherry and Berry

Blouse: secondhand offbrand

OTKs: AP Strawberry Strawberry OTKs

Headdress: Frilly Affair

Bloomers: Fan + Friend

Shoes: Cotton Candy Feet

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from the Associated Press (AP):

Playful large white beluga whales bring joy and healing to Hudson Bay. Their happy chirps leap out in an environment and economy threatened by the warming water melting sea ice, starving polar bears and changing the entire food chain.

Loud and curious belugas swarm boats here, clicking, nudging and frolicking. At any given summer moment on the Churchill River that flows into the Hudson Bay, as many as 4,000 belugas can be up and down the waterway, surrounding vessels of all sizes. That makes it hard to find a place where you don’t see them, said whale biologist Valeria Vergara, senior scientist at the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. It’s in their nature.

“The social butterflies of the whale world... You can see it in Churchill,” Vergara said.

The town of Churchill is counting on that to continue. The mostly Indigenous community, pulled out of economic doldrums by polar bear tourism, faces the prospect of a dwindling number of bears because of climate change. So it is counting on another white beast, the beluga, to come to the rescue and entice summer tourists — if the sea mammals can also survive the changes to this gateway to the Arctic.

But it’s not just her, she said. When she brings her customers into the water, inches from the whales, they also feel better.

“I’ve never seen an animal except for maybe puppies bring that amount and capacity of joy to people,” Greene said. “Everybody’s smiling when they get off the water... Everybody’s just experiencing joy. And it’s the whales that provide that.”

“With the beluga whales, I think it’s quite a different connection than with any other animal because the whales are truly choosing to socialize with you. They want to play,” Greene said. “That’s really what sets them apart from other animals. They’re so gentle. They have no desire to hurt the human.”

[ausetkmt]

Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel info from state website

FILE - Hundreds of people line Central Avenue and cheer during the 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival & Promenade in St. Petersburg, Fla. on June 30, 2012.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and St. Petersburg are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise this week when travelers learned that Florida's tourism marketing agency quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website sometime in the past few months.

Business owners who cater to Florida's LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it marked the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously championed a bill to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, and supported a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as well as a law meant to keep children out of drag shows.

“It's just disgusting to see this,” said Keith Blackburn, who heads the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “They seem to want to erase us.”

The change to Visit Florida's website was first reported by NBC News, which noted a search query still pulls up some listings for LGBTQ+-friendly places despite the elimination of the section.

John Lai, who chairs Visit Florida's board, didn't respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Dana Young, Visit Florida's CEO and president, didn't respond to a voicemail message Wednesday, and neither did the agency's public relations director.

Visit Florida is a public-private partnership between the state of Florida and the state's tourism industry. The state contributes about $50 million each year to the quasi-public agency from two tourism and economic development funds.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. Nearly 141 million tourists visited Florida in 2023, with out-of-state visitors contributing more than $102 billion to Florida’s economy.

Before the change, the LGBTQ+ section on Visit Florida's website had read, “There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

Blackburn said the change and other anti-LGBTQ+ policies out of Tallahassee make it more difficult for him to promote South Florida tourism since he encounters prospective travelers or travel promoters who say they don't want to do business in the state.

Last year, for instance, several civil rights groups issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that policies championed by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

But visitors should also understand that many Florida cities are extremely inclusive, with gay elected officials and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and they don't reflect the policies coming from state government, Blackburn added.

“It’s difficult when these kinds of stories come out, and the state does these things, and we hear people calling for a boycott,” Blackburn said. “On one level, it’s embarrassing to have to explain why people should come to South Florida and our destination when the state is doing these things.”

[newstfionline]

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Canada to cut immigration levels in major reversal, Trudeau says (Washington Post) Canada is set to slash the number of immigrants that it welcomes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday, in a sharp reversal for a country that bet big on immigration to boost economic prosperity and that has long cast itself as open to newcomers. The about-face comes as public opinion polls show waning support for immigration amid concerns that it is exacerbating long-standing housing shortages, pushing up rents and deepening stresses on an already overburdened health-care system. Canada is to admit 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, a 21 percent drop from the target of 500,000 it set last year. That number will fall further to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. All are below the goal of 485,000 set for this year.

Asheville Has Tap Water, but No One Knows When It Will Be Drinkable (NYT) Nearly a month after the remnants of Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina, running water has now been restored to most of the region around Asheville—but you can’t drink it yet. What comes out of the tap is often yellow or brown, and while it can be used to flush toilets and take showers, it is still unsafe for human consumption. Officials have given no indication of when the water will be safe to drink again, and the reservoir that feeds the system still looks like it is filled with chocolate milk rather than pristine water. Obtaining clean water remains a daily concern for many residents, who head to disaster relief sites to bathe, do their laundry and pick up bottles of drinking water. Large canisters stocked with well water dot some neighborhoods. Many restaurants and breweries that lack a clean water source remain closed. “It’s the new normal, going around to find places to do everyday stuff,” said Lisa Nowell of Swannanoa, N.C., after she did laundry with her daughter at a disaster relief site. “It has changed life so instantly.”

Thousands of adoptees live in limbo without citizenship (AP) The 50-year-old newspaper was turning yellow and its edges fraying, so she had it laminated, not as a memento but as proof—America made a promise to her, and did not keep it. She pointed to the picture in the corner of her as a little girl in the rural Midwest, hugging the family Yorkshire terrier, with dark pigtails and brown eyes so round people called her Buttons. Next to her sit smiling, proud parents—her father an Air Force veteran who had survived a German prison camp in World War II and found her in an orphanage in Iran. She was a skinny, sickly 2-year-old; he and his wife decided in 1972 to take her home and make her their American daughter. They brought her to the United States on a tourist visa, which in the eyes of the government she soon overstayed as a toddler—and that is an offense that cannot be rectified. She is one of thousands of children adopted from abroad by American parents—many of them military service members—who were left without citizenship by loopholes in American law that Congress has been aware of for decades, yet remains unwilling to fix. She is technically living here illegally, and eligible for deportation. “My dad died thinking, ‘I raised my daughter. I did my part,’ but not knowing it put me on a path of instability and fear,” she said. “Adoption tells you: You’re an American, this is your home. But the United States doesn’t see me as an American.”

Billionaire Esteves Sounds Alarm on US Deficit, Money ‘Printer’ (Bloomberg) Billionaire Andre Esteves, the chairman of Banco BTG Pactual SA, said he’s worried about the lack of debate over the ballooning US deficit and what he sees as the excessive printing of money. The Brazilian banker compared investor concern about his own country’s fiscal situation, which has been whipsawing financial markets, with relative quiet around the situation at the US Federal Reserve. The “reality is, even if you are the owner of the printer, there is a limit to print,” he said. While the fiscal situation [in Brazil] is being discussed daily by newspapers, politicians and investors, there’s been no similar talk in the US, he said. “The difference is that we don’t own a printer and need to be more rigorous.”

Molotov cocktail explodes in a Chilean high school, injuring at least 35 (AP) A homemade firebomb exploded inside a public high school in Chile on Wednesday, igniting a blaze that injured at least 34 students and one teacher, with several in serious condition, firefighters said. A group of students ages 15 to 18 at the school in central Santiago, the capital, were making Molotov cocktails in a bathroom to be thrown at a protest later when one exploded, said police Lt. Col. Fernando Albornoz. It was not clear what caused the blast. Police said they found bottles and fuel cans likely to make the explosives.

A loneliness epidemic is spreading worldwide. Seoul is spending $327 million to stop it (CNN) In South Korea, the city authorities of Seoul have announced they will spend 451.3 billion won (around $327 million) in the next five years to “create a city where no-one is lonely.” Every year, thousands of South Koreans die alone every year, a phenomenon known as “lonely deaths” and part of a larger problem of isolation from society. The initiative will include counselors, in-person visits and consultations, more green spaces and activities to encourage people to connect. “Loneliness and isolation are not just individual problems, but tasks that society must solve together,” Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon said in a news release. The problem of loneliness has gained national attention over the past decade as the number of related issues increased—such as young people who withdraw from the world and spend their days isolated at home, often for months at a time. The phenomenon, known by the Japanese term “hikikomori,” has become increasingly common; South Korea had up to 244,000 such recluses in 2022 by one estimate. The number of lonely deaths has also been rising—reaching 3,661 last year.

Japan’s ruling party may struggle in Sunday’s vote, but its decades of dominance won’t end (AP) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ‘s ruling party, dogged by corruption scandals and plunging support, faces its toughest challenge in more than a decade in Sunday’s parliamentary election. This could set up a very short-lived time in office for Ishiba, who only took power earlier this month. But even if he may have to take responsibility and step down as head of the party and prime minister, it won’t cause his Liberal Democratic Party to fall from power. That’s because the party, which has had a stranglehold on power since 1955, easily dominates a fractured, weak opposition, which has only ruled twice, and briefly, during that time. The LDP has built its juggernaut of support through a network of bureaucrats, businesses and regional leaders. While opposition parties have made inroads in cities, the LDP controls the countryside, funneling huge government subsidies to rural areas.

Storm blows away from northern Philippines leaving 65 dead but forecasters warn it may do a U-turn (AP) Tropical Storm Trami blew away from the northwestern Philippines on Friday, leaving at least 65 people dead in landslides and extensive flooding that forced authorities to scramble for more rescue boats to save thousands of terrified people, who were trapped, some on their roofs. But the onslaught may not be over: State forecasters raised the rare possibility that the storm—the 11th and one of the deadliest to hit the Philippines this year—could make a U-turn next week as it is pushed back by high-pressure winds in the South China Sea.

Israel attacks Iran in series of pre-dawn airstrikes targeting military infrastructure (AP) Israel attacked Iran with a series of pre-dawn airstrikes Saturday in what it said was a response to the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier in the month. The Israeli military said its aircraft targeted facilities that Iran used to make missiles fired at Israel as well as surface-to-air missile sites. There was no immediate indication that oil or missile sites were hit—strikes that would have marked a much more serious escalation—and Israel offered no immediate damage assessment. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though the Islamic Republic insisted they caused only “limited damage” and Iranian state-run media downplayed the attacks. Still, the strikes risk pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of spiraling violence across the Middle East, where militant groups backed by Iran—including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—are already at war with Israel. The strikes filled the air for hours until sunrise in Iran. They marked the first time Israel’s military has openly attacked Iran, which hasn’t faced a sustained barrage of fire from a foreign enemy since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Hezbollah proving a formidable foe against Israeli forces in Lebanon (Washington Post) After a series of staggering losses, Hezbollah is putting up a stiff fight against Israeli forces in Lebanon’s south while continuing to rain down rockets across the border, underscoring the group’s resilience and the limitations of Israel’s ground campaign. When Israel sent troops across the border on Oct. 1, officials estimated military operations would last for a few weeks. More than three weeks later, officials have said they will likely need a few weeks longer, raising concerns over the kind of mission creep that has defined Israel’s past wars in Lebanon. The militant group has bounced back from its unprecedented setbacks—including the penetration of its electronic devices and the assassination of most of its senior leadership—thanks to a flexible command structure, help from Iran and years of planning for an Israeli invasion, current and former Lebanese officials said. “They are a formidable foe,” said an official with the Israel Defense Forces. The official said Hezbollah militants are better trained, more experienced after fighting in Syria and armed with more advanced weaponry than in 2006, during their last war with Israel.

In Gaza Camps Where Tents Are Now a Luxury, a Harsh Winter Looms (NYT) A year into the war in Gaza, the prices of ready-made tents and supplies to build even flimsy shelters are soaring. Warm blankets, clothes and firewood are hard to get or prohibitively expensive. Finding a vacant apartment is out of the question for most displaced civilians. And many have no income at all. So people eking out an existence in tattered tents and makeshift shelters across the enclave are bracing for a tough, rainy winter. This one, many expect, will be worse than the last. Most of the roughly two million people in Gaza have been displaced at least once by the war, compounding the hardships of a population enduring waves of Israeli bombardment and widespread lawlessness.

[sunnyie-eve]

15 | LA

Series: Odds Together

Paring: Ryan Dunn x OFC Margera!

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: None

| MASTERLIST |

~

"You guys gotta fuck everything up, don't you." I see Ryan let the mailbox fall to the ground as I come outside to check the mail.

"He did it on purpose." Bam goes through the mail.

"You put the stupid thing in potting soil inside cement." Ryan starts to walk towards the house to call Glomb to come do it.

"This is yours." Bam hands me mine as we all go into the house and I see it was stuff from my job.

"Bam. What happened to the mailbox?" Mom shows up so he tells her Ryan did it.

"We'll never be able to get mail." She tells him as we all go over to the door.

"Well lucky tomorrow's Saturday. We don't get mail." He tells her making me laugh at him.

"We get mail on Saturday's." I lean on his back as he thinks and Ryan lets out a chuckle. "It's okay. I know you guys aren't smart." I leave them alone with her.

Today we landed in LA to get Hollywood things for the snakerun driveway. "So are we supposed to get as much stuff as we can?" Mom asks Bam as we all sit in a restaurant.

"No Ape just get one thing and be happy. Stop trying to be greedy all the time and get the most. Every time you do that eggway change all the rules." Vito tells her.

"What are you gonna do?" She asks and he told her he was going to the Playboy Mansion.

"You're gonna knock on the gates and they're just gonna let you in? Yeah, right." I laugh at him and he stars to speak gibberish.

"It's a house. It's not some tourist attraction." Bam tells him and he goes off getting up and leaves determined.

Mom and Dad team up, Raab and Rake go to keep Bito from going to Jail, and Bam said Ryan, Jenn and I were going with him. "Actually gonna go with mom and dad." I follow them. "Mom, can I go off on my own? I need go see a friend." I ask her.

"Just check in with Bam at times. Do try to get something though." She says so I get a ride to Johnny's.

When I get to his place I knock on the door and Melanie opens it. "Anna, it's a surprise to see you. I'm just picking up Madison. He's talking his time packing her bags back. Come in. I'm guessing you're here to surprise him?" She smiles. When I stayed with Johnny in the past and they were co parenting she tried helping me since I told her why I came to LA.

"Okay, I'm sure everything is in here. Madison is just getting certain toys. Anna!" He looks up to see me with Melanie. "What are you doing here?" He pulls me into a hug.

"My family and I are here for like a day I think. I don't really know my brother's plan." I hug him back.

"Anna! I thought I heard dad yell your name." Madison runs over giving me a hug. "Man, and I have to leave." She pouts.

"Maybe next time since we have places to be. Oh, I recently just got sent this adorable dress design and it had your name. They want to me make it." She says making me happy. Also yeah, only she knew my full name. I explained my whole reason to her and she understood my reasoning and promised to keep it a secret.

"Really? They're actually doing things with what I sent?"

"Yeah. We can't make any changes or say it's our own so you get credit for it." She says making me clap my hands. "I'll leave you two to catch up. It's good seeing you." She gives me a hug then Madison before leaving.

"Why didn't you text me?" Johnny hits my arm.

"I wanted to surprise you." I hit him back.

"Well you did." He just stares at me before giving me a kiss.

"What was that for?"

"I still miss you and wish you could stay. It's hard trying to move on from you. You're just so perfect." He pulls me to sit with him on his couch turning on his tv.

"I'm not perfect. I'm far from perfect. I still don't have a steady job, I live with parents and brother and his friends, most of my family doesn't like me, everyone where I live thinks I'm a terrible person still from lies years ago, my dating life is eternally dead."

"It's not that bad. No jobs just start off perfect it takes time. There is nothing wrong living at home especially when you are still trying to get your life started. Fuck your family, and fuck what people think about you. Show them who you really are. And your dating life isn't eternally dead. What was us?" He messes with my hand.

"Thank your for everything you said. And I don't know we never had a conversation about us. You took me in and helped me start a life here. Slower along the way we got closer and made this connection. Things happen then I went back home."

Johnny leans in placing a gentle kiss on my lips so I melt into the kiss. Wanting more he kissed me rougher almost hungry, his hands slowly moving down pulling me to straddle his lap. As Johnny tries to lay me back on the couch he accidentally changes the tv channel.

"We told her you were the one who stole it and she just freaked out."

"No you didn't."

"We told her you had to borrow it for three days and she went through the roof."

"She's gonna lose it she hates my driving. Her and Anna both."

I finally realized what's on the tv and shove Johnny off me to find the remote. "What you don't like Viva La Bam." Johnny laughs.

"Mixed feelings actually. Umm it's just ruining the mood." I smile turning the tv off.

"Yeah, it's weird hearing two friends while I'm in the mood with someone." He gets back on the couch pulling me back into a kiss.

Just when we were getting into it again my phone has to go off, "What?!" I answer it.

"Have you three found anything yet? We got Dave Grohl belt and now we're heard to Tommy Lee's place." Bam tells me.

"Tommy Lee! You know how much I like Motey Crue you asshat. On but yeah I'm not with mom and dad so I don't know if they found anything yet." I tell him.

"Where are you then?!" He gets loud.

"Busy with someone, now leave me alone." I hang up on him. "I'm sorry. That was my brother." I look at Johnny.

"It's okay. The mood keeps getting interrupted so let's just cuddle and watch TV." He puts it on and keeps Viva La Bam on.

I was just happy that for this episode I wasn't really in it because I just watched everything from a distance.

"You know what's annoying this episode is that Ape ended up not caring about her car getting messed up. She has it easier compared to three other people." I sigh as Johnny tickles my arm.

"Three?"

"Did I say three? I meant two. Phil and Vito." I hate that I slightly slipped.

"Also all the blue hurt my eyes when I watched this episode." I laugh when they show Ryan look at the camera when dad said it was decorative and designish.

"Whose your favorite from the CKY crew?" Johnny asks me.

"Are you counting Ryan and Bam too since that's what they are outside of Jackass?"

"Yeah." He messes with my hair as I look at him.

"Ryan. Bam dead last." I laugh because he was the most annoying plus I was still pissed at him for my hell day.

"You say their names like you know why you put them in that spot for personal reasons." He laughs making me giggle.

"Just by what I see. If I was Ape and Bam was my son, I'd kill him."

"Me too." He laughs as another episode starts.

As it starts I see it was the Vegas one, "Let's just see what else is on." I change the channel right before I come up. "Have you ever seen a full episode?"

"I'm a bad friend to Bam... No, I haven't. I've only seen parts." He says so I nod my head. "Come on." He picks me up carrying me to his room.

"You suddenly in the mood again?" I giggle as he lays me back on his head slowly pulling my shirt up and off.

"Yes. Theses are new." He touches my tattoos. What's RD mean?" He asks.

"It's a friends a friend initials. I lost a bet you can kinda say... We had to design a tattoo for the other and they came up with their initials while they got a inside thing between us of me. Now shut up." I pull him down into a kiss.

-

"Okay, Ape and Phil are going to meet all of us at a restaurant." Bam tells Ryan.

"What about Anna? Has anyone talked to her after you did?"

"Call her and tell her we're all done and meeting up again." Bam says so Ryan calls her.

"What up?" Anna walks back into Johnny's living room to answer her phone.

"We got everything, Vito is also banned from the playboy mansion, and we're all meeting up to go eat. Bam wanted me to let you know so getting going." Ryan tells her so she looks at the time.

"Okay, bye." She hangs up on him.

"What do you think she's been up to all day?" Ryan asks bam.

"I have no idea. Just heard she didn't want any of the crew following her so it was all personal stuff." Bam tells him what he heard when he called his parent earlier.

"I wonder who she went to go see." Ryan says curious as they all arrive at the restaurant.

After everyone was sitting and looking through the menu, Anna shows up taking a seat at the table. "Sorry, I'm last to show up. My friend was determined to give me a ride here and I didn't want him to."

"Your friend was a guy..." April eyes her.

"I hung out with a girl too." Anna technically was telling the truth since she saw Melanie.

"What did you guys do all day?" Bam asks her.

"Caught up." She looks through her menu.

Everyone talks about there day and what they got before Bam said it was time to head back home to see the finished driveway and add the goodies to it.

[beardedmrbean]

MADRID (AP) — Fourteen workers at one of Spain's main airports for tourists were arrested on suspicion of stealing items from checked-in luggage, police said Friday.

Police seized allegedly stolen items worth almost 2 million euros ($2.2 million), including around 13,000 euros ($14,000) in cash, from the group of employees at the largest airport in Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, a statement said. Another 20 airport employees are under investigation in the same case.

The Tenerife South airport handles about 11 million passengers a year, most of them European tourists seeking the pleasant climate of the islands off the coast of northwest Africa.

The investigation began after an increase in passenger complaints about items missing from their luggage, the police statement said.

The thefts occurred as baggage was being placed in the aircrafts’ hold, police said. Inside the hold, the alleged thieves forced open suitcases, took out valuables and shut them again.

Authorities seized 29 luxury wristwatches, 120 items of jewelry, 22 high-end cellphones and assorted electronic devices. The suspects had sold many other items online or in local stores, police believe.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 1: Place Japan

Howdy y’all, it’s me Connor, checking in after my first week here in Nagoya, Japan.

First off, holy guacamole the culture shock is real. Who could have guessed being in a country 6000 miles away from home is a bit disorienting. However, I have begun to get used to all the changes. Because classes have yet to start I have done nothing but eat, explore and experience this amazing country, that I have somehow found myself in. So let’s go over some highlights together:

First day in I visited the forefront tourist destination the Nagoya Castle. There is nothing I can say about this location other than stunning, an absolute marvel of scale and human ability. Every inch was intricate and precisely made.

This is a photo of me in front of Nagoya Castle. Sadly the main portion (The white building) was closed to visitors however I was able to tour the palace (The smaller wooden building) which was astoundingly beautiful. The entire area was filled with history and I was able to learn so much. I even got to see the largest stone ever placed in a handmade stone wall (Photo not included).

(left) A cup of matcha and a green tea mochi dessert I had. Both had a wonderful earthy flavor which I really loved. I even got to sit at a traditional Japanese table on the ground it was a ton of fun. (right) a photo I got with two real life ninjas at Nagoya Castle. Later this week we even got to explore Iga, a city renown for the Ninja arts.

Day two was orientation, this is the first day where I met all the new people I’m going to be spending the next month with. Luckily everyone was super friendly so I had no problems introducing myself. I moved in with little issue and got done with the orientation for classes quickly. We even had a huge party afterwards with the professors and some other Nagoya University students.

A banquet and party held by the staff. This is where I met a lot of the tutors who are current Nagoya University students who are helping us adjust to life here. They are all super cool and telling me I shouldn't be a Chunichi Dragons fan (The local major league baseball team) but I still can't wait to go to a game (Hopefully next Friday).

This is my dorm room, it is actually smaller in real life but I can't wait to call it home for the next month.

The next couple days were spent on a huge group trip to the cultural capital of the country, Kyoto. We saw a ton of amazing architecture between the number of castles and shrines we visited along with the clustered and vibrant streets of the downtown. This trip is when I met a lot of my new friends too. I had such an amazing time and plan on going back at some point later this trip.

The first of the temples we visited in Kyoto, this was the Kinkaku-Ji. It was a massive gold structure surrounded by beautifully cut wilderness. This will truly be a place I will never forget. Funny enough this temple was also known for its mochi, I got the brown sugar flavor which was quite delicious.

This was our trip to the Kiyomizu-Dera one of the most famous temples in the entire world. This is where you wash yourself with sacred water which was a wonderful time. Another absolute wonder of human ingenuity. Most of it was built simply with wood fittings and no nails.

I lit incense and candles at temples for a number of reasons. I was shown how to by some of the staff for the NUSIP program and how to properly pray to ensure my wishes come true.

This was me visiting the Fushimi-Inari Shrine (More commonly known as the primary Torii Gate Shrine). Fun fact I woke up at 3:45 am to see this and it was well worth it. Another absolute marvel of scale with there being about 10,000 gates you can walk through.

On the left I am joined by some friends at a river in Kyoto we actually took a quick dip in because it has been exceptionally hot and humid out this week. On the right it is another group of friends I have made at an Izakaya, a type of Japanese restaurant often know for its large number of appetizer-like courses and large drink menus.

During the Kyoto excursion we also stopped in Nara, another huge cultural center of Buddhism within Japan, more important though, THEY HAVE SUPER FRIENDLY DEER THAT YOU CAN FEED AND PET.

Finally the weekend came and we were left to our own devices:

Saturday we has a chock full day of visiting Nagoya's very own shrines which although less impressive than the ones in Kyoto were beautiful never-the-less. This day also included a trip to the Nagoya Port Aquarium where we saw an amazing dolphin show.

Sunday we went to Nagoya Spaland. It is a combination amusement park, water park and spa. It was so much fun and there were no lines and I even went on the longest roller coaster in the world. Sadly we got caught in a massive rainstorm and you can see me and my friends rocking trash bag ponchos to protect ourselves. We got laughed at by everyone but we made the bus so it all ended well.

Classes are finally going to start this week and I am eagerly awaiting them. I have gone over all of the syllabus for my engineering course and I am going to learn an incredible amount about the automotive industry. I truly cannot express my excitement as Japan is just filled to the brim with automotive history. I am also ready for my Japanese skills to improve with class. Its been fun being the Americans who don't speak any Japanese but it has made traveling quite a bit harder.

Lastly for a little surprise here is a tik I made in Kyoto to the song Kyoto by Phoebe Bridgers :)

Until next time, さようなら, また 来週

Connor Gilfillan

Mechanical Engineering

NUSIP Automotive Engineering in Nagoya, Japan