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casimirtully · 5 months

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To all Beloved Lords, Ladies, and Distinguished Guests of The Riverlands,

May the light of the hearth and the warmth of kinship guide your path, for it is with great joy and an open heart that we, under the watchful eye of our esteemed king, Casimir Tully, extend a heartfelt invitation to the Seven Winter Feasts. The gates of Riverrun stand open and welcome you in the spirit of warmth in mirth in our darkest season.

Let joy, life, and even humor be found in winter. The Mud King welcomes you and yours.

The proud and noble House Tully, in keeping with cherished Riverlands Winter customs, extends the most heartfelt of greetings. Let the melodies of home and the hearty laughter of loved ones weave through the halls of Riverrun, embracing the spirit of unity and tradition. As The Trident’s many branches converge into one, let us, in times of hardship, embrace the differences and strength found in unity. House Tully extends this invitation to honor the merging of our many Noble Houses, like tributaries merging into a resilient river.

The Seven Winter Feasts will be hosted as followed:

The First Feast — House Bracken The Second Feast — House Frey The Third Feast — House Piper The Forth Feast — House Mallister The Fifth Feast, or The Feast of Furs — House Blackwood The Sixth Feast — House Mooton The Seventh Feast — House Tully

HAPPY FEASTING, AND MAY YOUR HEART AND HEARTH KEEP WARM

ooc: hi, friends! The Seven Winter Feasts will take place roughly a few weeks after this invitation is sent in canon. The Seven Winter Feasts takes place only over seven days and nights near 25th after everybody has arrived, but due to travel times, holiday cheer begins at the beginning of december as travel parties of the noble houses begging to arrive and settle in. riverrun’s kitchens and hearths are buzzing, and most of the court quarters are filled to the brim. There are tons of people and tons of things to do. Lots of time before the feasts begin and during the days before the nightly feasts. They get greater and bigger as the week goes on! Heads of Houses, I have drafts I will be sending for approval as we near the “day” of your feast! stay tuned for the info post about the holiday, as well as the info on the first night.

#|| the riverlands ||#|| the seven winter feasts ||#|| regional plot drop ||

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alainas-adventures · 7 years

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Kyoto, Osaka, come on pretty mama

From July 22-24, I took a long weekend to Osaka, Japan. I was super excited to return to this beautiful country after visiting Tokyo last fall, but Osaka was an entirely different (and equally amazing) place.

Saturday, July 22

I left my apartment at 6AM and grabbed a cab to the airport. It was so early when I got there that nothing was open – not even 7-11! Luckily, by the time I got to my terminal, my ~*white girl senses*~ detected the lone Starbucks, which had just opened for the day. I enjoyed a light breakfast while browsing the web on one of Hong Kong International’s iMacs with free internet access. (CC Every other airport: GET ON THIS LEVEL!)

I landed at Kansai International Airport just before 2:00 PM, and breezed through Customs and baggage claim. I was a little nervous about the next part: finding my way to my hotel via public transportation. Handily, I still had my Pasmo card from my Tokyo trip (basically a personalized subway card that works throughout Japan), and I was relieved to find that the add value machines could be toggled to English. I had no trouble finding the train to Tennoji, where I would be staying for the next two nights. (By the way, this was a NICE TRAIN. We’re talking comfy seats, plenty of storage room for luggage, and free WiFi.) (Other things I’d like to borrow from Japan: public restrooms in every train station, boarding areas and train cars for women only, and people willingly helping you if you appear to be lost or in need.)

After just over thirty minutes, I arrived in Tennoji. Google Maps was quickly becoming my best friend; I soon found that my hotel was just steps away from the station. My room was a shoebox, but I didn’t need much space for just myself – and I knew I wouldn’t be spending much time there anyway.

After checking in and freshening up, it was time to embark on my first adventures in Osaka.

Knowing I would only have about half a day in the city, I didn’t plan too much to do. I headed straight for Dotonbori, a popular shopping and dining district parted by a canal. It only took about 15 minutes to get there from Tennoji. Quickly I realized that this was indeed the Times Square of Osaka; the walls were plastered with flashy, vibrant billboards and LED screens, and the crowded streets headlined big name brands like Forever21, Starbucks, and H&M.

I made an obligatory stop at the massive Forever21, then wandered the streets in search of some local fare. My first pick was Ramune (or Lamune) flavored gelato. Ramune is a soft drink that comes in several flavors, and its name comes from an attempt to translate the English word “lemonade” into Japanese. I was pleasantly surprised with this treat, which was peppered with tiny bursts of sour candy.

I then headed across the canal to Shinsaibashi-Suji (try saying that ten times fast), another shopping area enclosed in a long hallway. Inside were many more famous brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Lush, but what I was in search of was the Disney Store. Obviously.

I’m proud to report that I only bought TWO things for myself (and one for Homer).

After that, it was about time for dinner. I decided to try to find a place along the waterfront, eventually settling on a restaurant that specialized in kushikatsu. This is basically any food you can think of, deep fried and skewered, and Osaka is famous for it. Unfortunately, there was no room outside, so I was seated indoors at the bar. As soon as I walked in, the staff all greeted me with a hearty cheer. I have no idea what they said, but it was definitely an Osaka welcome. I think I ordered a grilled onion, some asparagus wrapped in bacon, duck and scallions, potato, and beef neck. All of them were DELICIOUS, and I got to watch the chefs make them right in front of me.

About five minutes after I was seated, a very friendly local sat down next to me and immediately started talking to me about his basketball game, how much he loved Osaka, and what kind of souvenirs I should bring back. In America, I would have definitely been wary and creeped out by a guy approaching me at a bar. But in Osaka, people are for the most part genuinely friendly and good-natured. We had an enjoyable conversation over kushikatsu, and then parted ways. It was refreshing to feel welcomed by a stranger, rather than creeped out or afraid of being followed. In that way, Japan has a totally different spirit than anywhere I’ve been in the world.

Having finished dinner, I set out to accomplish my next must-do: Shineskai. This is another area famous for its street food and outrageous landmarks: giant 3D octopus signs, a boat hanging over the front of a restaurant, and the Tsutenkaku Tower. Dozens of restaurants advertise every kind of fried food you can imagine, as well as shaved ice, ice cream, and even a restaurant where you go fishing for your own meal! It’s wild, to say the least.

Since I’d already eaten, I mostly just wandered around taking photos and shopping for souvenirs. My hotel was only a 13 minute walk away, but I was pretty tired, so I opted for taking the metro.

Sunday, July 23

This was my big sightseeing day. I was up by 9:00, ready to scout out some breakfast and fuel up for several hours of exploration. Without too much trouble, I located a cafe in the mall attached to the metro station (“Mio”) which advertised pancakes and coffee. That’s really all I wanted.

First on the to-do list was Osaka Castle. This was about a half an hour trek away from Tennoji, and is definitely an Osaka must-do. Osaka Castle dates back to 1597, and is a popular tourist destination. Upon arriving, I learned that a few hundred yen will buy you a buggy ride up to the castle, but the walk wasn’t terribly strenuous, so I opted out. The castle itself was pretty awesome, but I thought somehow it looked bigger in pictures.

Thank you to the kind traveler girls who saved me from my selfie nonsense!

This was a quick stop; I only spent about 15 minutes on the castle grounds before heading out to Kyoto. It took me about 90 minutes to get there (it would have taken less time if I hadn’t at one point boarded an express train that wouldn’t stop at Fushimi-Inari, resulting in one more transfer than I’d planned on). The thing that makes the Japanese subway more confusing than, say, Hong Kong’s, is that it is operated by two different companies. So it’s not enough to know which color line you’re taking; you also need to know which company that line is on. Then you need to make sure the train you’re getting on will actually stop at your destination, because some of them are express. It just takes a little extra diligence, and a lot of help from Google Maps. Because everything in this part of Japan is so spread out, I feel like I spent half of my trip on the train. But when I finally arrived in Kyoto, the fresh air and overcast sky were just what I needed. My destination was Fushimi-Inari Taisha, a famous temple distinguished by its orange arches that seem to go on forever.

On the way to the temple were a multitude of food stands, gift shops, and cafes, which I ignored initially and headed straight up the hill. The main shrine was grand and bright, ornamented with paper lanterns. Inside, people were meditating; outside, people were ringing a ceremonial bell.

More like ka-YOOT-o, amirite?

Further up the path was a path through the orange arches, and eventually a staircase leading to Mount Inari. I figured it would be an easy climb, so I attempted it. It was only after climbing 80 million stairs and realizing I was only halfway there that I audibly said, “Nope, I’m done,” and headed back down, much to the amusement of a few English-speaking tourists.

The view from ~*halfway*~ up Mount Inari because I was not about that stair-climbing life anymore.

On the way down, I stopped at a few of the souvenir shops and also snacked on a fried strand of potato chips on a stick, just like the ones we have on Cheung Chau Island. I then stopped at a cafe for lunch before heading out to my final point of interest: Nara Park.

This was perhaps the thing I was looking forward to most about my Japan trip. Nara Park is a large, open area, populated by domesticated deer. Local legends explain the deer as a gift from a Japanese god who once appeared in the area, and they have been under the protection of the government ever since. Today, you’ll see tourists showing up in droves to feed special deer crackers to the creatures. I had so much fun doing this that I bought three packs and spent an hour with these beautiful animals. I had never seen a deer up close before, let alone forty or fifty of them. They were so sweet, and they nuzzle you like puppies. Here are some of our greatest hits...

Taking a selfie with a deer is harder than it looks, especially since they do not care about you after the food is gone.

Perhaps the most en-DEER-ing (haha, ha) thing about this experience is that the deer will actually bow to you. They’re very polite.

On my way out of Nara Park, I stumbled on Kofuku-ji Temple and decided to pop in a take a few photos. There were even more deer in that area! They really do roam free. People were even making sure no cars hit them while they blissfully crossed the road and munched on grass in the median.

Even though I only hit three major attractions that day, I was still exhausted from all the traveling. It took me over an hour to get from Nara back to Dotonbori, where I had planned to have dinner. But when I arrived, I didn’t have the energy to deal with the crowds. So I decided instead to have a low-key dinner in the shopping mall near my hotel. I enjoyed a set of noodles in soup, a rice ball, and some fried dumplings.

Monday, July 24

My last day in Osaka was purposely a lightly-packed one. I had breakfast at a place called Tree Cafe inside Tennoji Station, then did some last-minute shopping in the nearby mall. I then decided to try walking to Shineskai, which would have been a lot more doable if it hadn’t been 90 degrees out and sunny. Overall though, when it comes to weather I was extremely fortunate on this trip; it was supposed to rain all weekend, but I didn’t see a single drop. And most of the time, the cloudy skies prevented it from getting too hot.

Before I knew it, it was time to return to Home Kong. My original flight had been delayed, but miraculously, I was plucked out of the check-in line and offered a spot on an earlier flight! I was given the last available seat in an exit row, which meant more legroom. Definitely nice to end the trip on a high note!

As always when traveling solo, this trip really proved to me that I still have a strong sense of independence. I’m proud to say that I never once got on a train going the wrong way, and I never got lost. I tried new things, but I lived responsibly. This getaway was just the rejuvenating kickstart I needed to return to “normal life” with a fresh outlook.

Just like the last time I visited Japan, I felt that I never wanted to leave. I could definitely see myself living here in the future. The culture in Osaka is one of kindness, humility, and inclusion. The air is clean (everything is clean) and there are still so many more sights to see. Maybe next time I’ll spend some more time in Kyoto, and even stay in an authentic Japanese inn! (But only if I can get the image of a scary yurei haunting a ryokan from Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water’s Edge out of my head.) Until next time, Japan!

Stay tuned for my next adventure: Homer and I will be traveling to Seoul, South Korea, to see my old friend Taryn in the Korean tour of Cats!

#japan #osaka #kyoto #nara #photos #july 2017

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russellolacher · 4 years

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CX Storytime Tale of Have Wine, Might Travel https://ift.tt/1jxl24K

Even when travelling to the most beautiful, exotic destinations, an airline can make, or break your experience. As the first and last chapter in your book of adventure, they have the power to change the narrative.

Stay tuned for a story of changed plans, Airline impacts and new opportunities.

This is the Customer Experience Storytime tale of…. Have Wine, Might Travel

And so it begins…

The Story

ACT ONE:

Summer is an amazing time in British Columbia. It’s one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. So, it’s no surprise that its own residence take advantage of their own back yard whenever they get a chance.

Over those warm months, Paul and his wife Clarissa decided they needed to do just that. Not only for a vacation but also to take a breath. Clarissa recently learned she’d have to return to treatment for a reoccurrence of the cancer she’s been fighting for the past seven years. And before they returned to that trial, they wanted a little solitude.

Their choice, a 3 day getaway to the Okanagan, an area of lake-dotted communities in the interior of beautiful British Columbia. Their final destination: the Sparkling Hill Luxury Resort Spa in Vernon. They wanted to relax, and they were very serious about it.

To get them there, their choice of airline was based very much on Clarissa’s experience flying. It was to be Pacific Coastal Airlines. Clarissa travelled for work frequently. Almost on a weekly basis between Victoria and Vancouver. And she always loved the flight – something that could be an annoying trial of patience and frustration, but was in fact a journey made so much easier by the airline’s friendly and efficient service. So it had to be them.

Checking in at the gate in Victoria, the Pacific Coastal airline representative at the desk offered them hot drinks and muffins. Paul joked that she must have been up early to bake the goodies and the staff member joked back that she knew he was going to be on the flight so she made the extra effort.

It was a nice moment before they boarded the plane.

ACT TWO:

Upon arriving in the Okanagan and getting settled at the resort. Paul and Clarissa took a well enjoyed wine tour. By well enjoyed, an example would be their need for a nap while being shuttled back to the hotel after partaking in 6 wineries and several samples. They took with them a hearty bounty of 2-4 bottles from each.

This actually isn’t uncommon.

The local area is renowned for its wineries. It’s why a lot of tourists migrate to there over the summer months. As Canada’s 2nd largest wine producer, with more than 60 grape varieties and home to approximately 120 wineries, the Okanagan Valley is a favourite destination for wine lovers.

It was one of the reasons Paula and Clarissa loved travelling there. One of the reasons they didn’t usually partake in the winery adventure was the fact it was difficult to travel with any more than a few bottles. And with so many great wineries, it was a slippery slope when purchasing wine.

The rest of the vacation consisted of long hours of relaxation at the spa, a great way to take their minds off of some of the stresses soon to come.

The following day, feeling refreshed and relaxed, Paul and Clarrisa packed up their suitcases. This is where the wine challenge surfaced. How were they to transport all that wine, safely? Sure they could wrap it up in their shirts and pajamas to cushion against any baggage handling jostling, but what if they break? The only materials for travelling the wineries and wine tour company provided were a few bags and some well worn cardboard boxes. Great for getting the wine to the car but not through checked baggage and across the province.

How were they as tourists, who are just trying to enjoy the number #1 reason people came to the area, going to get their wine bounty home?

ACT THREE:

It’s a good question. And one that didn’t have an answer until a couple of years ago.

Truthfully, Paul and Clarissa were on the fence as to whether they were going to go to any Okanagan wineries at all. They’d been in this situation before and weren’t interested in the stress of trying to get the wine home.

But, remember that Pacific Coastal airline staff member that had joked about baking them muffins?

While she was checking them in, she had asked if they would be visiting any of the wineries around Kelowna. Paul and Clarissa said they thought they would, but truthfully still weren’t sure.

The staff member suggested they take a wine tour and then let them know the airline would provide them with specifically designed boxes, handled with special care, for any wine they brought home.

This clinched it for the couple on deciding whether to do a wine tour or not. The idea of trying to arrange special transport for wine home just seemed too much until she told them of their free service.

So when the couple arrived at the Okanagan airport to travel home, they made their way to the Pacific Coastal desk and were greeted by another friendly staffer who immediately started to bring out proper carrying boxes to transfer their wine in. Each box holding six wine bottles.

And, on the side of each box, there was a note reminding passengers that 50 pounds of their checked luggage always flies for free, and their wine purchases can be included in that, so enjoy the taste of the Okanagan.

Paul and Clarissa looked at each other and smiled when they saw the boxes. Their relaxation got an upgrade by Pacific Coastal airlines.

And that ends the story of… Have Wine, Might Travel

Customer Perceptions

Through the eyes of this customer, let’s look at the emotional impact of this customer experience.

Paul and Clarissa wanted to have, not only a relaxing vacation, but also to enjoy one of the big reasons visitors travel to the Okanagan. Wine!

The spa and the winery tours did their part, but if the airline drops the ball, that’s going to be their last experience of their trip. Not a great final impression. But thankfully that wasn’t the case at all. They were taken care of.

And to extend that feeling, touch point with the airline company, from the muffin lady at the checkin gate to the woman getting their free wine transportation and finally to the pilots themselves.

When Paul and Clarissa were waiting at the gate to come home, the flight crew came out to welcome the passengers –the pilot and co-pilot led them out to the plane and assisted them as they boarded. They were cheerful and friendly as they chatted with Paul, when he asked them how their day had been. This was their last flight of the day.

The pilot shared their daily travels with flights all over BC, but also how grateful they were to be based in Victoria so they could be home with their families every night. Paul’s impression, was that this was like he was talking to a friend rather than feeling like cargo. And that this was a company that has a good relationship with its employees

That’s a great feeling to be left with.

What Worked or Could Have Been Done Better

From this tale, what’s the one thing your business can take away to better serve your customers.

Be a Great Host for your Customers

1) Take every opportunity to welcome your customers – From offering a warm drink and muffins at checkin, to the informal banter between a staff member and Paul to the pilots helping escorting and helping customers with their baggage, make the experience an experience. Rather than transactional. If you provide a service that has moments of downtime or waiting, what can you do to add value?

2) Solve your customers problems – it had long been a challenge for travellers to bring their wine back from the Okanagan. A general manager at Pacific Coastal airlines had recognized they were part of the whole tourism experience to the area so she brought forward the idea of making it easier with this free wine transport service. She told Paul that it seemed obvious to her because that was why so many people flew there. Look at where you fit in your customer’s journey in the larger customer experience, and how you relate to other stops in that journey. Find ways to be thoughtful and help your customers along.

Morale of the Story:

If you help others, then they will also help you

By being thoughtful and helpful to their customers, they are creating an environment that inspires loyalty. As Paul said after this experience, “I would absolutely choose to fly with them over any other airline whenever possible.”

Keep up to date with the latest stories from the customer journey with the CX Storytime Podcast. iTunes/Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts You can also find the podcast on Spotify, Overcast or wherever you find your shows.

The post CX Storytime Tale of Have Wine, Might Travel appeared first on Russel Lolacher.

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#IFTTT #Russel Lolacher December 04 #2019 at 07:01PM Russel

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russellolacher · 4 years

Text

CX Storytime Tale of Have Wine, Might Travel https://ift.tt/1jxl24K http://bit.ly/2qls9J4

Stay tuned for a story of changed plans, Airline impacts and new opportunities.

This is the Customer Experience Storytime tale of…. Have Wine, Might Travel

And so it begins…

The Story

ACT ONE:

It was a nice moment before they boarded the plane.

ACT TWO:

This actually isn’t uncommon.

The rest of the vacation consisted of long hours of relaxation at the spa, a great way to take their minds off of some of the stresses soon to come.

How were they as tourists, who are just trying to enjoy the number #1 reason people came to the area, going to get their wine bounty home?

ACT THREE:

It’s a good question. And one that didn’t have an answer until a couple of years ago.

But, remember that Pacific Coastal airline staff member that had joked about baking them muffins?

While she was checking them in, she had asked if they would be visiting any of the wineries around Kelowna. Paul and Clarissa said they thought they would, but truthfully still weren’t sure.

The staff member suggested they take a wine tour and then let them know the airline would provide them with specifically designed boxes, handled with special care, for any wine they brought home.

Paul and Clarissa looked at each other and smiled when they saw the boxes. Their relaxation got an upgrade by Pacific Coastal airlines.

And that ends the story of… Have Wine, Might Travel

Customer Perceptions

Through the eyes of this customer, let’s look at the emotional impact of this customer experience.

Paul and Clarissa wanted to have, not only a relaxing vacation, but also to enjoy one of the big reasons visitors travel to the Okanagan. Wine!

And to extend that feeling, touch point with the airline company, from the muffin lady at the checkin gate to the woman getting their free wine transportation and finally to the pilots themselves.

That’s a great feeling to be left with.

What Worked or Could Have Been Done Better

From this tale, what’s the one thing your business can take away to better serve your customers.

Be a Great Host for your Customers

Morale of the Story:

If you help others, then they will also help you

The post CX Storytime Tale of Have Wine, Might Travel appeared first on Russel Lolacher.

from Russel Lolacher http://bit.ly/2qls9J4 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Russel Lolacher

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