#this story has a medieval based setting. the royals are getting all the good food. he’s not gonna be skinny.

[an-absolute-trainwreck]

I was thinking about the possibility of me writing a book with my OCs and if it got a fandom and then I got sad because I realized people would make my prince character either buff or skinny

#he’s NOT he’s CHUBBY AND LOVELY #and he’s a fucking prince I know that there’s this fantasy of the super buff or skinny prince but let’s be honest #this story has a medieval based setting. the royals are getting all the good food. he’s not gonna be skinny. #he’s also the only straight character in the main group so they’re lucky they got that #you dont get a cishet skinny white prince in this house it’s my story and I’ve decided those people don’t actually exist #so um… if this story ever gets published sorry not sorry @ the straight girl ya readers 😌

[liquid-luck-00]

Seven Deadly Sins x Maribat

Medieval Au

@maribat-bdbwm

Based on this idea

~~~~~~~~~~

Ten years ago.

On the outskirts of the city of Liones, of the capital of the country Liones, in the land of Britannia, homes destroyed, and countless holy knights laid butchered in the streets.

That day will go down in history for its infamy, the day the Seven Deadly Sins betrayed the country of Liones.

---

This is a tale of ancient times, an era before the human and non-human worlds were forever divided. When the Holy Knights, defended the realm, wielding their magical powers they were feared and highly respected. But among them a group emerged, that betrayed the kingdom, and became mortal enemies to all Holy Knights. They were known throughout the land as the Seven Deadly Sins.

---

Present day.

Near the Kaynes Village, there was a new tavern that was a buzz with customers.

“Here you go, drink up.” A young girl placed five steins of ale on the table. She had dark black hair that shown blue, pulled into twin pigtails by two pink ribbons, and bangs that framed her face and blue eyes. She wore a collared off-white shirt under a black vest with green panels. A pink skirt over leggings that reached halfway down her calf. And wore black and green boots. As more people come in, she directs them all with a smile.

“For a little lady, she is one hard working waitress.” A customer acknowledges.

“Oh no, I’m not the waiter, Buddy” She turns around. “I’m the owner of this place.” She turns to walk away.

“She’s the owner?!? A young kid like that.” But she doesn’t hear them.

“Alright, fresh from the oven. The meat pie that made the Boar Hat famous. Enjoy.” Three patrons dug into the pie, and promptly got sick. “You should have known. Our reputation is for having really good booze, but the food not so much.” She said with a completely straight face.

“Are trying to mess with us you little punk.” One shouted ready to fight.

“Wait guys, she’s packing a sword.” Another of the three pointed out. The handle was an emerald green and looked like a dragon with ruby eyes.

“Well, you guys, looks like we have a problem.” Her smile fell and she snapped her fingers. “Now let’s fix it.”

“Come on you call that a mess.” Out trotted a shiny black pig, wearing an earring tag. “Really what do you need me for?”

“Wait!!! That pig. He’s talking.”

“Yes, I’m a talking pig, what a bunch of dum-dums.”

“Plagg, we need to get this floor cleaned.” She spoke.

“Ugh, what a hassle.” Plagg complained. “Scrap disposal is a tough business.” He ate leaving, but before he did, he retorted. “Next time there better be some decent sized scraps.”

“You know I have an old family recipe for whole roasted hog.” She spoke to no one in particular, but with a deadpanned expression. Which changed Plagg’s tune quickly.

Then someone barged in. “I saw it. I really saw it.” He sat down. “I swear to all that is holy. I saw the wandering Rust Knight.”

“That’s just a made-up story, like how parents get their kids to stop misbehaving. The Seven Deadly Sins will come in blood rusted armor, oooh ahhh.”

“The Seven Deadly Sins?” She asks from behind the bar.

“You’ve never heard of them? They’re wanted posters are hanging everywhere, like those over there.”

She looks at the board and there were seven faces and seven names. Marinette, Chloe, Adrien, Luka, Felix, Lila, and Kagami.

“How long has it been? Ten years. When all those holy knights were slaughtered so fast, they couldn’t defend themselves. It was the Seven Deadly Sins that did it. From what I've been told the way the holy Knights’ grandmaster was killed was too gruesome for anyone to look at.” They began to talk amongst themselves.

“They say their captain, Marinette, is the scariest of them all. It's even said that she's brought down whole countries on her own.” Everything went quiet.

Until another patron spoke up. “Well none of them have been caught yet have not a single one.”

“They’re dead, they have to be the new Holy Knights would never let them live after what they've done.”

“Yeah you've got a point even now with the kings sick. The Holy Knights are making sure that the Kingdom stays safe for all its people. But those notices up on the board get updated every single year. Doesn’t that mean those seven criminals are still out there?”

“Yeah well some spooky knight walking around in rusty armor sounds pretty ridiculous to me.”

“You’re right.”

A crash, scraping, and banging was heard just outside the Tavern door.

“That smells an awful lot like rust to me.” Plagg sniffed the air and then cowered behind the counter.

The door opened and there stood the rusted knight. “The Seven Deadly Sins…” Hhe moaned as he entered the Tavern.

Screaming, panic, and everyone rushing out of the Tavern ensued. Fleeing from the rusted knight.

The girl jumped over the counter and stood her ground defiantly looking at the Rust knight. “Now who are you?”

The Rust knight swayed and then fell to the ground collapsed. His helmet rolled off of him. And then they saw his face, his eyes shut tight in the pain and exhaustion, his black hair short and messy stuck to his face from the sweat. And he wore a singular earring, a true blue engraved with something in red and gold.

“This kid is one of the Seven Deadly Sins?” Plagg asked the girl, and they took him up to the room taking the armor off of him. “He's just a boy.”

“Let’s just make sure.” The girl went up to the boy and started poking him first on his thigh, then his stomached, his bicep, she was leaning over him and was about to poke his cheek when his eyes flew open. “Yep, he's a boy.”

“Um, pardon me but what am I doing here?” He was quiet and soft spoken.

“Oh yeah you came into my bar then you passed out cold.”

“Your bar?”

“Yeah, the Boar Hat, my Tavern.”

“You’re the owner?”

“Is that so weird?”

“I just saw that sword, so I naturally assumed.”

“Oh, this old thing.” She motioned and pulled the sword from its scabbard. “Ha ha ha. Yeah, I guess if you only see the handle, it can fool ya huh.” All that rose up and out with her hand was the handle and a small stub was left of the blade, which was practically worthless in a fight. “It makes guests think twice about skipping out on their tabs.” She put the sword handle back into its scabbard on her back.

Which was when they moved downstairs to the raven again. Marinette cooked up something for the boy, and set the plate in front of him.

“First you nurse me back to health, now you're feeding me, how can I possibly thank you enough.” He barely choked out.

“First before saying thanks you should probably try the food first.” Plagg’s nasally voice cut into his words.

“What do you think? Awful isn't it.” She leaned down on the bar now watching him eat with a grin on her face.

“Yes.” He responded.

Which caused both her and Plagg to respond in unison. “Knew it was.”

But then something shocked them, he started to cry.

“Still its delicious.” Tears fell down his face.

“So what exactly were you doing walking around in that old armor, anyways?” She asked the boy.

“I'm on a personal quest to find the Seven Deadly Sins.” He answered.

“Why would you do that? You don’t even know if those guys are even still alive or not, and they’re serious villains.” Plagg reasoned.

That was when banging was heard on the tavern door, knights banged on the door, and ordered them to open up for them.

That was when she noticed the boy got slightly afraid at the mention of Knights.

After a moment of the Knights bickering to themselves, that gave her just enough time to think. She went and opened the door.

“Who are you?” One of the Knights asked her as she opened the door.

“I'm the owner of this place. What do you want?” She was relaxed.

“The Rust Knight is in there, send him out!” The same knight answered.

“Alright.” She turned around and looked back. “You might want to come out now.”

They all looked past her and saw Plagg dressed in the armor that the boy was wearing walk out.

“You have some nerve mocking the Knights of this land like this.” He grabbed her by the shirt and lifted her up off the ground. She was small, sure but he still held her up a meter off the ground.

That’s when the boy had snuck out of the back and made a run for it into the forest. Unfortunately, he was seen. “Look a boy just ran out, after him.”

The knight threw her back to the ground and she and Plagg shared a worried look.

The two of them ran after the boy and the Knights, Plagg mowed down, tackling each and every one, while she went after the boy. The last knight got pushed down off of the cliff at the edge of the forest by Plagg. While she and the boy were safely out of the way in one of the trees at the edge.

“So why are you looking for the Seven Deadly Sins anyways?” She asked him once they were back on the ground.

“To stop the Holy Knights.” He answered.

“Are you serious!! Why in the world would you wanna do that?” Plagg exclaimed. “The Holy Knights are the king’s men, the knights are here to protect us they are heroes.”

“But what if they were behind a plot to start a war in our country. Except for the king himself, the entire royal family was arrested and is being held by the Holy Knights.”

“Does that mean the king isn't really sick in bed?” Plagg asked the boy.

“That’s just a cover story the Holy Knights are using. I don't know what they think they can accomplish by driving the nation to war, but now they're drafting people. Taking men wherever they can get them they're preparing for war everywhere you look. So their reach will even extend all the way out here.” He shook his head.

“Yeah tough break, huh?” She finally responded.

“Wow you don't have any empathy at all. How does this tie back to the Seven Deadly Sins again?” Plagg shook his head.

“If there's even the slightest hope of preventing the Holy Knights from doing this. I know they're the only ones who can.” He was resolute.

“Just checking here.” She Butt in again. “You’re trying to find those guys even though you know what kind of people they are?”

“The Seven Deadly Sins are the most vile Order of Knights the Kingdom ever produced, made up of seven vicious bloodthirsty criminals each one branded with the mark of the beast. Ten years ago when they were suspected of trying to overthrow the Kingdom the Knights of the realm launched a full force attack scattering them to the four winds.”

“Well if you believe the rumors they each died a long time ago.” She spoke distractedly.

“Such amazing people wouldn't possibly let themselves get killed!”

“But they are criminals aren't they causing the suffering of the people right now?” She asked confused.

“When I was small, only five or six years old, my father would tell me stories about them and that's when I learned they are the most powerful Knights!”

A rumbling was heard and then the edge of the cliff they were on started to crumble and fall beneath them, dropping them down.

“I did not confirm whether or not they were people named in the report. Conclusion two individuals of unknown origin dead. What do you think men that sounds about right?” A man wearing red armor, silver grey hair and mustache.

“But Sir Twiggle, one of our knights was still under the cliff.”

“Simply put three fatalities in the report then.” Twiggle answered haughtily.

“But Sir, you can't! That’s too far even for you”

“How about seven fatalities instead?” The knight in red armor moved towards the rest of his men, but that was also when she jumped back up on to the cliff with not only the boy and Plagg in her arms but also the knight who fell.

“When I give a signal to you run into the forest got it.” She spoke quietly to the boy.

“Which one of them would you believe to be a member of the Seven Deadly Sins. Neither bears any resemblance to the wanted posters?” He then noticed something. “God is smiling upon me today, the crystal earring you're wearing is from the royal family. Conclusion you are Prince Jonathan!”

“Wait hold on Prince Jonathan?” The knights shouted.

“You're a Prince?” She added softly.

“Orders from the Capital are to determine your whereabouts. the order was to capture you alive and in healthy condition, but if you lost your life in an unfortunate accident…” Twiggle spoke aloud.

“I can't allow myself to get captured not yet!”

“Conclusion accidental death.” Sir Twiggle let off a shockwave of air magic chopping the entire forest down to the ground.

“Hi there, you alright?” She had pulled him down and covered him from the blast. “Plagg?”

“Seriously I'm a shaved pork on a skewer.” He cried. A single small little twig had splintered in his back. And he went off crying and screaming Tikki.

Johnathan stood and started to walk towards Twiggle. “Johnathan. Hey! What are you doing?” She called after him.

“There’s no escape.”

“Wait hang on you just said you couldn't afford to be caught or to give up.”

“Maybe if I surrender myself peacefully, he'll agree to take me back with him and your life can be spared.”

Sir Twiggle sent off another blast cutting into everything again, but she was able to tackle him out of the way just in time.

“Please get out of here while you still can.” He begged her.

“I think he wants to make sure neither one of us gets out of here alive.” She noticed as She was above him once more. After the attack ensuring he was fine yet again, the only real damage done to her, and that was her left sleeve was completely torn revealing her entire arm from shoulder to fingers. A mark barely visible on her shoulder.

“I was so happy when I met you. Searching for the Seven Deadly Sins, I so scared alone in that rusty armor. There wasn't any help I could ask for. Then you show up and show me such kindness, someone that you've never met before. I don't wanna see you hurt my problems anymore when I don’t even know your name.”

Memories flashed behind her eyes and a smile spread on her lips.

“Marinette. If you really wanna know.” She grinned from ear to ear.

“I… I don't believe it you can't be you're just.” Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

That was when the knight who fell with them regained consciousness jumping up. “Where's the girl the one with the sword. I saw it when she saved me from the cliff the symbol it was right there. The symbol on her shoulder it… it… it’s her.”

Sir Twiggle struck again now closer, right on top of them. The magic was unleashed but Marinette stood up and was now facing the Knight.

“How is this possible? My technique was flawless I am certain my blade struck her!” Twiggle began to look even more and more frazzled. “But I was the one who felt the force of the blow. How could it have hit me?! And what is that in your hand?! A broken blade! Broken blade… now your face is beginning to look familiar. Truly it can’t! How can you look exactly the same as you did then?!? No matter your time's up! How dare you still exist!”

Their blades clashed their magic erupted, which sent Twiggle and his men flying high, high into the sky almost like a meteorite.

“Extraordinary power.” Johnathan breathed.

“Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, the Dragon sin of Wrath, Marinette.” She announced.

~~~~~~~~~~

Permanent Taglist: @itsmeevie01 @adrestar @miraculouspenta @vixen-uchiha @animegirlweeb @jumpingjoy82 @thedragonbug @astoriaandroses @icerosecrystal @t1dwarrior-of-earth @moon5606 @zalladane @midnightrosecrystal @myazael @prettylittlebutterflie @toodaloo-kangaroo @roseisred @galaxymoon @queenz-z @mystery-5-5

Event Taglist: @ladybug-182 @nerd-nowandforever @stelliones @trippingovermyfeet @thepaceperson @all-mights-asscheeks @another-cancer @alyssadeliv @mep-kittyjustkillme @ravennm84 @chocolatecatstheron @jayjayspixiepop @missanalysis @lost-in-the-world-of-maribat @aespades @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks @ritacrow-blog @frieddonutsweets @laurcad123 @ashbrea381writings @jjmjjktth @alexizlazy @ultimatetornshipper @kashlyn @how-to-function-properly

Story Taglist: just ask because after the bio dad even I won’t add the Event Taglist

#yes we won5 find out that Bruce is Mari’s father for a long time #but it’s there #sort of #maribat #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #dc x miraculous #miraculous x dc #miraculous x nanatsu no taizai #maribat x nanatsu no taizai #nanatsu no taizai x maribat #nanatsu no taizai #mdcu marinette #mdcu jon #mdcu plagg #bio!dad bruce wayne #bio!dad bruce #bdbwm2021

[ofbatsandwhitenights]

The world building in “Seduce the Villain’s Father“ is TRASH and Erudian is an angel

I would like to start this post by apologizing to @vanillaamoursucrethings and @isekaithatplease for butting in on your conversation regarding the manhwa “Seduce the Villain’s Father”. You were having a very wholesome, healthy discussion and I chose to make a different post so I wouldn’t poison that with my angry rant. So feel free to ignore me. Btw, I haven’t read the novel, so I’m basing myself on the manhwa and on the spoilers on said post regarding the novel to write this.

This is the post: https://isekaithatplease.tumblr.com/post/631162614195634176/vanillaamoursucrethings-isekaithatplease

Anyone who knows me would be able to tell you that I’m a HUGE fan of fantasy and that I have been addicted to isekai stories with female protagonists for the last few months. But I also graduated in International Relations, and suspension of disbelief has it’s limits. And chapter 4 of “Seduce the Villain’s Father” blew up all of them.

 Like @vanillaamoursucrethings and @isekaithatplease​ pointed out in the other post, “Seduce the Villain’s Father” is a pretty good story, with well written characters, cute romance, pretty art... but only IF YOU IGNORE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS BEFORE YENNI GETS TO BELGOAT. I’m sorry, but had to go back and re-read that mess in order to write this, so forgive me if I sound a little angry. I haven’t gotten this pissed off about an awful political setting since “The Evil Lady Will Change”(ABSOLUTE GARBAGE).

So what is going on?

First of all, this is a map of the world of our story:

We got Azekien, Belgoat and this tiny thing in the middle is our MC’s kingdom, Lebovny. So Belgoat is supposed to be this all-powerfull empire who specializes in magic. But they didn’t have any mana stones in their territory, which they need in order to “protect the Yellow Sea and the border” (whatever that means). Azekien, another big kingdom, had A LOT of mana stones underneath their territory, so they agreed to mine them and sell to Belgoat. But since they didn’t have a common border, they made a deal with tiny, insignificant Lebovny in order to use the Glucaman Road to do it. In return for the usage of the road, Lebovny would get some of the mana stones. And they called this alliance “The Glucaman Tripartite Agreement”.

I don’t get why Lebovny would even want the mana stones, considering that they are shown to barely use magic, but back to the main point.

Everything was working fine until the king of Lebovny (Yenni’s father) got greedy and demanded 10% of the total of transactions being made between Azekien and Belgoat. And threatened to close off Glucaman Road if they refused - which of course they did.

So here is where my blood starts to boil. Not only Lebovny followed through the threat, but IT HAS BEEN 2 FUCKING YEARS! AND NOTHING HAPPENED!

NOTHING!

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!

And what is the excuse?

“Oh, we signed a peace treaty! Belgoat wouldn’t dare to break it!”

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

You are telling me that this super powerful empire sat back and let this tiny little excuse of a kingdom get in between them and this super important resources FOR 2 ENTIRE FUCKING YEARS AND DID NOTHING?!

Oh! And it gets worse! After 2 years of standing still, Belgoat invades Lebovny, kidnaps a princess, and then WAITS ANOTHER 10 YEARS TO SOLVE THIS MESS!

If Erudian was half the ruthless ruler they say he is, he wouldn’t have just kidnapped a princess and waited for Lebovny’s king to get his shit together, oh no.

HE WOULD HAVE INVADED, KILLED EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF LEBOVNY’S ROYAL FAMILY AND ADDED LEBOVNY TO THE EMPIRE.

And no one would be able to blame him. Look! Now they have a border with Azekien! Yay! PROBLEM SOLVED.

Oh, that’s too bloody? You want another solution? Sure!

Azekien and Belgoat could have refused to trade in any shape or form with Lebovny until the stupid king got his shit together. And threatened to do the same with any other kingdom who continued to trade with Lebovny.

Let all the merchant companies know that if they sell or buy anything from Lebovny they would be banned from the Belgoat Empire, Azekien and any allied kingdom. Close off the boarders completely.

I wouldn’t give them 6 months. Even if the peasants could survive that, considering that they most likely produce all the food they consume, the nobles would NEVER accept it. Most luxury items, such as fancy fabrics and sugar are most likely imported. The nobility would trow a fit and pressure the king to back down.

PROBLEM SOLVED.

You might be wondering:

“But what is so terrible about the peace treaty excuse?”

I’ll explain! Ok, so according to Yenni:

Belgoat is supposed to be THE MOST POWERFUL estate in this half of the continent. What does that mean? It means that there is no entity that can stop them if they ever decide to break the status quo. And if they can’t receive any sort of punishment no matter what they do, what stops them from invading their neighbors or committing war crimes? Logistics and internal politics. That’s all.

THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT AND NOBODY WOULD BE ABLE TO STOP THEM.

Lets use a real life example, shall we?

Ok, so you know about the UN, right? It’s the most important international organization we have. In order to be a part of the United Nations, a country needs to agree to respect the United Nations Charter. And one of the main points of that Charter, is to uphold and defend human rights. Who is a member of the UN? Well, most of the recognized countries in the world. That includes, of course, China and USA, the 2 most powerful and influential countries. They are also members of the UN Security Council - the highest stance of the organization.

So one would assume that since they are such a vital part of the organization, they would be the ones to uphold their beliefs the most, right? Wrong:

Know their names: Black people killed by the police in the US

Are ICE Detention Centers Concentration Camps? | BU Today

Does this looks like upholding and defending human rights to you? And don’t even get me started on China!

Data leak reveals how China 'brainwashes' Uighurs in prison ... 

World Report 2020: China's Global Threat to Human Rights ... 

China is committing human rights abuses in Hong Kong ... 

You got the idea. These are public knowledge. Is China and the US gonna be kicked out of the UN? No. Is the UN gonna end, now that one of their most vital principles was broken by it’s most important members? No. Are they gonna change the rules? No. Why? Because they are so powerful that they can do whatever they want and no country does a thing about because they fear the repercussions. The only one who can tell the US what to do is China and vice-versa. Does either of them care about human rights? No.

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES ARE FOR THE WEAK AND POOR. THE POWERFUL DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

Do you get it now why it sounds so goddamn stupid to me when I read that Belgoat just sat back and accepted not having access to a resource they need because of a “small and weak” (Yenni’s worlds, not mine) kingdom? And waiting another 10 fucking years to finish it? That’s just pathetic.

Yenni was SO FUCKING LUCKY that not only her Kingdom got out of this mess with a slap on the hand, but that she was given her own palace AND allowed to roam free through the castle.

ERUDIAN IS THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE ANGEL OF MERCY.

And his officials probably think he is crazy. Who the fuck would let go of precious resources for 12 years?! Belgoat’s military must be very happy with their emperor for neglecting the security of their borders for so long.

Are we done? Nope.

Ok, so we all know that all these isekai stories don’t give a flying fuck to historical accuracy. The outfits, the tools, the food... God, the outfits! We KNOW it’s wrong, but we let it slide because of suspension of disbelief and all that. BUT THERE ARE LIMITS!

I present to you Lebovny’s architecture:

How the fuck do you expect me to believe that this is a palace in isekai-medieval-Europe?!

This is the kind of structure one would see in a mosque or in India. It’s BIZARRE to see people walking through this scenario wearing isekai-medieval outfits. Why not go all out instead? Make your MC look like the people who built these structures! But nooooooo. She must be white and completely obliterate any chance I’ve ever had of believing this crap.

@vanillaamoursucrethings​ please feel free to correct me. You said that Erudian is neither a good person nor a benevolent emperor. Is there something I’m missing? Because other than the kidnapping I can’t recall anything that could have earned him that reputation.

Anyway, thank you for reading this mess of a rant.

Oh, and if you ever read this, @vanillaamoursucrethings​ eu admiro muito a sua paciência de ainda jogar Amor Doce kkkkkkkkkk

#isekai #seduce the villain's father #villainess #manhwa #webcomic #light novel

[patandpran]

The Nuisance and the Handsome Prince - A Sarawatine Medieval AU - Chapter 3

Tine is an aspiring Squire who has been training his whole life to work alongside the Kingdom's finest Knights. Sarawat is a Prince who, on the outside, seems fierce and unapproachable. He is disinterested in any of his royal duties, namely his Knight training.

What happens when Tine is assigned to be the fierce and handsome prince's Squire?

Aka The Medieval AU that I can't get out of my head.

Read on Archiveofourown here, Read the prequel by the lovely @sarawatism here

The Prince stood mere feet from Tine and Tine was suddenly pulled back into the memory of their first and only proper meeting. The look of disappointment that had been etched across Prince’s face was enough to make Tine cringe in the present. Tine currently had two options: follow the order of propriety and bow to Sarawat or follow his upbringing and stick it to tradition with a more equalizing approach. Both could potentially get him in trouble, depending on how the Prince was feeling that evening but Tine decided to follow his instincts.

“I did not mean to offend with the critique but this feels more like a dungeon than a study.” Tine expressed boldly, bowing his head slightly. “Thank you for the invitation nonetheless.”

Sarawat seemed slightly taken aback by the lack of decorum but did nothing to make Tine worried that he might take any action on the matter. Sarawat’s expression was closed but there was a slight twinkle of something in his eyes that mirrored how he had regarded Tine during their first encounter ten years earlier. While Tine doubted that he would ever win Sarawat over as a friend, especially according to Fong’s report of how selective Sarawat was with his socialization, but he thought that they could at least have the base of a civil working relationship.

“Your feedback is duly noted.” Sarawat answered before leaning against the stone wall in a very unprincely and casual fashion. “But we should get down to business. I didn’t invite you up here to give you a tour of the tower, I wanted to meet with you before training begins tomorrow to be clear that about my complete lack of interest in becoming a Knight.”

Something twisted violently in Tine’s chest and he clenched his fists involuntarily. How could Prince Sarawat have such complete disregard for his duties as a member of the Royal Family? It astounded and enraged Tine beyond belief as it had always been his dream to work beside a strong and passionate Knight and the reality that had been paired up with someone who wanted nothing to do with the Knight training was such an utter slap in the face that it had Tine internally fuming.

“Squire Tine, it doesn’t seem like you are happy with that response.” Sarawat lifted one eyebrow as he regarded Tine with an air of complete indifference.

Tine had never been skilled at keeping his emotions at bay and this exchange was not an exception to that. Tine flinched when Sarawat said his name and put his hand defensively on his hilt as the tension in the room grew. He knew that if he tried anything, his head would displayed on a post on the castle wall by morning so, for his mother’s sake, Tine took a deep breath and collected himself. It was no doubt that the Prince was just trying to get a rise out of him but he wasn’t going to let Sarawat win this round.

Tine straightened his spine and stood with purpose. “My duty as your Squire is to support you in your training and protect you on the Field. Whether it be in battle or during competitions, I will be at your side. Whether you are passionate about your Knighthood or not, I will do my very best to support you in becoming the best Knight you can be and when you become King..”

“Enough!” Sarawat interrupted Tine in a tone that resembled a growl. He matched Tine’s stance and the intense stare in the Prince’s eyes mirrored the flickering flames of the candles that lit the room.

The sudden ferociousness that emanated from the Prince was startling and though Tine did not fear much, he found himself afraid of Sarawat in that moment. For someone so fierce to deny the chance to learn the skills of Knighthood seemed like a complete waste to Tine. Sarawat would not doubt be a King to be feared when he someday took the Throne from his father. These were thoughts that Tine knew could get him killed so he kept them to himself just as his own Father had taught him. Having forbidden and treasonous opinions was one thing but sharing them aloud outside of the confines of your own home got you killed.

“I apologize, my Prince.” Tine murmured and whatever semblance of a budding connection between them was instantly shattered. “I will take my leave and see you at training tomorrow.”

Sarawat turned swiftly and stalked toward the sole window in the East tower. He put his hands down on the edge and clenched the windowsill. The moon was in full force that evening and the silence that filled the room was consuming. Tine wondered if it was possible to drown in the absence of sound.

Tine watched in fascination as Sarawat’s breath seemed to steady slightly. He knew he should leave before he earned himself an injury but there was something about the Prince that froze Tine in place.

Sarawat did not turn but he cleared his throat before muttering, “Do me one favour, Tine, please never call me ‘Prince’ or ‘Your Highness’. If we are going to somehow be able to tolerate one another, just call me ‘Wat’.”

The intimacy of the exchange was not lose on Tine. He knew that this was not technically a royal decree or order but the least that he could was respect the Prince’s request, regardless of what the possible implication of it might be. Tine would just have to avoid addressing the Prince in public lest someone overhear someone of a lower rank calling Sarawat by a nickname.

“I think that can be arranged.” Tine responded softly, studying the way that the moon danced off of the Prince’s dark locks. “Good night, Wat.”

Tine raced down the stairs before Sarawat even had the chance to respond. Tine was not sure if this exchange had gone any better than their first but he knew that this whole experience was truly going to test him and his dedication to his mission.

Once he made it back to his room, Tine fell into the deepest sleep that he had ever experienced.

*******

“Tine…. Tine. You really have to wake up now.”

Tine heard a voice coaxing him awake and as soon as his eyes sprung open, he saw Fong hovered above him with a concerned look on his face. Tine immediately bounded out of bed, pulled on his training garments that Fong had laid out for him and stuffed his face with food.

“You’re expected on the training field in ten minutes.” Fong explained with an amused look on his face. “I suggest you run a brush through that hair of yours before you let anyone else see you.”

Tine grumbled but did as Fong suggested. He had never been one to care too much about his physical appearance but it wouldn’t hurt to try to at least appear presentable on the first day of training. After he was finished, Tine shared, “You can have the rest of my breakfast, Fong and I will see you at the end of the day.”

“Good luck, Tine.” Fong greeted as he sat down to finish the remaining food. “With the mood that I heard the Prince is in this morning from some of the other staff, you will definitely need good fortune on your side.”

Tine knew that some of the Prince’s poor mood was likely his fault but he charged through the halls with confidence nonetheless. Tine wasn’t going to let Sarawat’s bad temperament ruin the experience that he had been working his entire life toward.

Tine made it to the training field in a timely fashion and quickly began to set up Sarawat’s armour and horse. Some of the other Knights in training had already arrived like Sir Man and Sir Boss. Tine was in the middle of sharpening Sarawat’s sword when his heart lurched at the sight of another Knight in training approaching the field: Lord Mil, the son of the Head Knight and the sole reason that Tine’s father had been attacked.

Hatred suddenly consumed Tine entirely and though he had never met Lord Mil personally, Tine found himself seething. Tine did not loathe many but the feeling that he was currently experiencing was beyond his control: those who hurt his family deserved to be hurt in return. Tine would have to patient about exacting his revenge but seeing Lord Mil was enough to spark the flame of his purpose again.

Lord Mil passed by Tine and as he did, he made direct eye contact and nodded curtly at Tine. The interaction was shocking in itself as Lords usually did not interact with lower ranks but Lord Mil seemed to be a bizarre exception to this rule which suddenly made Tine feel conflicted about his feelings toward the young man.

The confusing emotions quickly dissipated when he saw the Squire that was trailing after Lord Mil: it was Ohm!

Tine was delighted beyond belief to see his childhood friend and while it would be improper to celebrate in that very moment, when Ohm saw Tine, he winked at his friend and continued on his way. Tine was beyond relieved to have another ally within the castle walls even if he was working with the enemy but that was obviously out of Ohm’s control.

From afar, Tine could see Ohm helping Lord Mil into his armour and Tine couldn’t help but wonder what was taking Sarawat so long to show up to the training field. He wondered if the Prince would even bother to show up at all. Ohm gave Tine a sympathetic look as Tine finished fitting Sarawat’s horse with its protective equipment. Tine noticed that all of Sarawat’s gear bore the same wolf insignia as the East Tower had featured. There was something about the beast that reminded Tine of the fierce side of the Prince. It was a very apt symbol.

The Head Trainer stepped onto the field and cleared his throat. Tine had only ever seen the man from afar and heard stories from Ohm’s father about the Trainer and Tine could not wait to hear what he was going to say, although Tine wasn’t sure how long he was going to be allowed to remain on the field without Sarawat present - a Squire without a Knight was just another body taking up room on the field. Tine cursed the prince internally to have already ruined their first day.

“How lovely of you to join us at the eleventh hour, Your Highness.” The Head Trainer boomed from his position on the raised platform at the south side of the training field. He was likely the only person in the kingdom who could get away with addressing the Prince with such disdain in a public manner.

Tine turned to see Sarawat strolling onto the field looking as bored as ever and completely unapologetic for his late entrance. He completely ignored the Head Trainer’s comment and made his way toward Tine. Tine’s face burned with an embarrassed flush but he masked it by turning away from Sarawat and busying himself with last minute prep.

“Good morning, Tine.” Sarawat addressed Tine cooly as he approached his horse.

Tine turned to see Sarawat nose to nose with his horse, humming what sounded similar to the melody from the evening before in the creature’s ear. It surprisingly seemed to soothe the animal and Tine’s breath hitched at how gentle Sarawat was with the horse. It seemed like they had quite a deep connection which always made for a reliable steed in competition or even battle.

“You look surprised to see me.” Sarawat shared, looking to Tine suddenly. “If you want to know a secret, I only showed up because I knew how ashamed you would have been if I didn’t. I didn’t want to have to bear the guilt of that.”

Tine’s eyes widened at Sarawat’s words but wasn’t sure if he could trust the honesty of them or not. It could be another game that the Prince wanted to play with him to test him in some way. He wasn’t sure how to acknowledge it other than to mutter out a stifled, “Thank you, Wat.”

It was the Prince’s turn to look surprised as he heard Tine actually use his nickname. But before he could react, his Squire was back to business and was outfitting him with his training armour. It was incredibly uncomfortable and restrictive but was at least a little bit lighter than his usual armour which made it easier to move in for training purposes.

While Sarawat was being outfitted, the Head Trainer had moved forward with the practice by reciting the duties of Knights and Squires. As he helped outfit Sarawat, Tine murmured them along with the Head Trainer as he had memorized them as well as his own name. After the declaration of duties, it was time for some sparring practice so the Head Trainer paired each Knight in training with another to practice their sword skills.

Sarawat was paired with Lord Mil and Sir Man and Sir Boss were paired together. The Head Trainer had some more experienced Knights demonstrate the skills that they were to focus on during their sparring and Tine watched in horror as Sarawat continued to ignore the Trainer’s words.

“You know, if you don’t focus, you are going to get hurt.” Tine whispered to the Prince.

Sarawat got a smug look on his face and he murmured, “While I am flattered that you already care so much about me, Tine, there’s no need to worry. Lord Mil and I have an understanding. He won’t hurt me as long as he gets to look good when we spar.”

Tine’s jaw dropped in surprise. While he knew that Lord Mil and Sarawat had grown up together in court, he didn’t think that Fong’s words about their friendship had been true. He had hoped that part of the gossip was not real but it seemed he was to be proven wrong.

Before Tine could respond, Sarawat took off to meet up with Mil on the training field. The Lord clapped a hand down on Sarawat’s shoulder and gave the Prince a friendly smile before backing away and getting into fighting stance. Tine watched in awe as the two knights in training began to circle one another, their swords raised. Tine had all the necessary equipment at the ready if the Prince needed anything during his training.

“Looks like our two Knights are as thick as thieves.” Ohm shared in a quite voice, hands full of the same equipment as Tine if Lord Mil needed anything. “Kind of reminds me of us.”

“Don’t ever compare me to Lord Mil.” Tine glowered in a grumpy tone. “And don’t distract me while they’re training. We have as much to learn as they do.”

Ohm rolled his eyes fondly at the seriousness that his friend was already bringing to his duties as a Squire. Ohm put on a mocking tone, “Yes, Ohm, it’s really nice to see you too. Congratulations on your appointment with such a high Lord. You deserve it and I’m really proud of you too.”

Tine realized how rude he was being to his best friend and turned to Ohm, “I’m sorry. This has been a bizarre transition and I am so relieved to see you. It’s so nice to see a familiar face on this field.”

“I will keep an eye on Mil for you.” Ohm remarked, instantly accepting Tine’s apology. “I suspect he is very different than his father but no matter how he is, I keep my allegiances to those I share kinship with, not those who I serve by duty.”

At that very moment, Lord Mil struck the Prince with immense force in the perfect technique that matched exactly what the Head Trainer was envisioning. Sarawat stumbled backward a few paces but recovered quickly. He advanced upon Mil with an intensity that reminded Tine of the ferocity that he had showcased the evening before. It quickly made Tine realize that while Sarawat remained entirely disinterested in the notion of battle, he had natural knack for the art of Swordmanship.

“You are an equal opponent, Your Highness.” Lord Mil remarked with a hint to sarcasm to his tone as he regained his composure.

Sarawat furrowed his brow before throwing his sword to the ground. He had a frustrated look on his face and before responding to Mil’s comment, he stalked toward Tine and muttered, “I am done with training today, Squire. Let us take our leave.”

Tine felt a jolt of annoyance rush through him as Sarawat breezed past him back into the confines of the castle. Tine nodded in departure and got a sympathetic look from Ohm. Tine followed after Sarawat with a hint of reluctance but knew his duty was more important than his personal opinion on the matter.

Sarawat walked into a set of stalls that were meant to house the Knight’s armour and quickly shed the layers of uncomfortable chainmail before collapsing down onto a wooden bench. Tine watched as the Prince held his head in his hands, looking utterly exhausted.

Tine let the silence hang for a moment before questioning, “Is there anything that I can do for you? If it means anything, you were a strong opponent today on the field, although my opinion might not mean much.”

Sarawat lifted his head and Tine saw a completely unguarded and vulnerable look on the Prince’s face. “I saw you fight during the Squire Trials. Your opinion means more than you think it does, Tine. You are quiet the skilled fighter.”

Tine busied himself with the storage tasks for Sarawat’s armour and tried desperately to keep his composure. He did not understand how the Prince operated. He ran cool and then scaling and there was no in between. Tine did not know how to react to the compliment that had he had been given.

“You have a natural talent for sword skills yourself, Wat.” Tine turned back toward the Prince, his arms heaving with amour to be stored. “You know, I could help you to improve those skills if you would let me.”

Sarawat seemed to chewing over the idea for a moment before responding, “I know it means a lot to you to work alongside a prolific Knight so I am willing to train with you if it would make you more agreeable on the training field.”

For some reason having more alone time with Sarawat did not terrify Tine as much as it had the evening before. Tine seemed to be slowly chipping away at the stone walls that Prince Sarawat had erected to protect himself.  

Tine answered, trying to keep the satisfied smile from his lips. “As you wish, Wat.”

#2gether #Sarawat x Tine #sarawatine #tinesarawat #2gether the series #thai bl #brightwin #bright vachirawit #win metawin #gmmtv #my writing #2gether fanfic #the nuisance and the handsome prince

[loveceit]

can i just have fun facts about the universe? favorite colors, best friend, etc.

...we may have different interpretations of "fun"

General:

It's based loosely on medieval Europe, what with nobility ranks, roles in a castle, apprenticeships. I will attempt to push the fantasy element of it more, since right now it's just dragons, fae, curses and magic.

Homosexuality and queer identities aren't actually a problem, unless you're the sole heir to your family. Logan is an only child, which is why his parents are against him being in love with Thomas. Continuing the bloodline is the most important thing, especially among nobility. If either Thomas or Logan was afab and therefore able to have a biological child, Logan's parents would have accepted it.

At least the continent where the story takes place is peaceful, since war isn't the focus of the story. It may be referenced later. International conflicts are another matter.

The Mage:

His scales are permanent; no magic will make them disappear. They're in patches all over his body, although some parts are completely scaled. See this very basic illustration that isn't 100% accurate:

Has been without a name for so long that he doesn't feel a need for one. Accepts whatever the others calls him, with the exception of his deadname and royal titles.

While very knowledgeable about any subject that he has read about, he hasn't interacted with another human/humanoid being in seven years. He isn't used to having company that speaks, and has no knowledge about body language or what's "acceptable" behaviour.

Virgil:

He is the one providing food and necessities. The old advisor was kind enough to set up weekly deliveries that Virgil can pick up and bring to the tower.

Most of his time is spent watching the horizon. He only leaves the tower once a week, taking his job as guardian/bodyguard seriously. He could have easily prevented Roman from coming close, but decided that his charge needed some social interaction.

As bad at social interaction as his charge, but dragons aren't known for being social anyway. This is not helped by the guilt issues he has related to his inability to provide his charge real company before now.

Roman:

He doesn't realise, but his parents have let him live life with rose tinted glasses. They encouraged his dreams of finding the princess of Eswyae, and let him become a knight, which forced the responsibility of taking over the trade onto Remus.

Although he has no idea about fabrics or how to sew, he enjoys designing clothes in his spare time. Had his parents not encouraged him, Roman would still have thrived as a tailor.

Genuinely believes that the mage is one of the fae until Remus joins them at the tower, since unlike him, Remus has no qualms about asking outright about the scales.

Remus:

He loves Roman, but he hates that his twin gets to follow a stupid dream while he's forced to be the responsible one that will continue on the family name and trade. When Roman leaves for Eswyae, Remus only waits a week before following him. To be more exact, he sneaks out in the middle of the night.

Remus doesn't know how to ride a horse, but he's very good at jumping onto passing carriages and the like. It's still a mystery how exactly he found the tower.

He knows a lot more about dragons, fae, etc. than Roman does. It's very helpful in getting Virgil to take humanoid form.

Remy:

They like the apothecary well enough, but their life is so... monotone and boring. There are only so many attractive peers to fool around with. If it wasn't for the safety that came with having a job, they wouldn't mind going on an adventure.

Remy hears that Thomas is asking about the princess, so they appoint themself as the best source of information. To be fair, they remember what happened to the princess the best, thanks to their grandfather.

Thomas and Remy instantly become best friends. Together, they convince Logan that the best route to take would be to look for the lost princess so that she can take over for her father. The plan is that if they find her and either set her up with someone else or come to some sort of agreement, Logan and Thomas can remain together. Remy is all for playing matchmaker.

Plot:

Remus is the one that gets the mage and Virgil to leave the tower, by pointing out that since they've been forgotten, horrible things could have happened to his father and people. The mage agrees if only because the tower is getting cramped, and being abme to get new books wouldn't hurt.

Remus, Roman, the mage and Virgil meet up with Logan, Thomas and Remy somewhere between the tower and the castle. They would have completely missed each other if not for the mage and Remy vaguely recognising each other.

All seven of them traveling together to the castle! And maybe they run into a certain fae.

#fairytale au

[livefuntravelposts]

Six exotic must-see attractions in Morocco

Destination Morocco. The Northern Africa country borders the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the north and in the west respectively. It’s just miles away from Spain (in Europe). The country has mixed cultures of  Arabic and  French, influenced by colonization and migration back in the day. Kati has traveled to Morocco with her grandmother when she was younger.  For me, the movie Casablanca always enticed me to go. Though the movie was actually filmed in California with the outdoor filming at the Van Nuys Airport (yes, I went there too), the story itself is based in Morocco.  We love Morocco for its strong traditional ties to the Arabic way of life, alive with bustling medieval cities and grandiose landscapes. The pristine beaches and vibrant waters offer luxury in the simplest form, coupled with diving and snorkeling sea activities. The streets of Marrakech are lively with Moroccan historical monuments, souks, luring you with bright saffron and gold colors; spicy aromatic herbs and spices, and snake charmers. Imagine snake charmers in the streets! Yikes! We love Africa.  When we talk about Africa, most people picture lions and elephants.  This a different version of Africa. An Arabic peaceful atmosphere, a beautiful blend of cultures, and an amazing experience at the serene Canary Islands.  You’re going to love every bit of your stay in Morocco.   So what’s so special in this desert-ish country? Flanked by the Canary Islands on the northern-west corner, Morocco is a land full of endless contrasts with a stunning outstretched coastline on one side and a touch of the Sahara desert on the other side. The country is exemplified for its breathtaking sceneries, an abundance of different cultures, tasty food, and hospitable people. Not to forget, Morocco plays homage to the Majestic Atlas Mountains, with Toubkal being the highest peak in North Africa.  

How to get to Morocco

Interestingly, the country is positioned on the north-west edge of the African continent, which is just a short flight away from Spain and the surrounding countries in Europe. For less than $ 100, budget airlines such as Ryanair fly to Morocco, making it super easy to include Morocco into any European travel itinerary. Other cities such as Casablanca and Marrakech also have international airports with reputable airlines flying in and out every day.  

Unique Tourist Attractions in Morocco

- The Canary Islands Canary Islands boarders  a significant part of the  Spanish territory, but they are considered as part of  Morocco in Africa. Fuerteventura Island is just a few hundred kilometers from the northern coast of Morocco; it is so close that its beaches are made of Sahara desert sand. The Islands have long been popular with sun-seekers from Britain and Northern Europe. So it is not a surprise that English is a common language in most of the Islands.

Fuerteventura Island

The best spots to tour  in the Canary Island

Tenerife Mount Teide is a popular attraction in the Canaries. This world heritage site is borders the Moroccan national park right in the heart of the island. Mount Teide is enclosed by a beautiful, celestial landscape that keeps changing in texture and tone very often, that hikers sometimes have a feeling they are walking in a sea of clouds. Icod de Los Vinos, a little town in Tenerife, has its fair share of artistic and symbolic value, such as the famous Dragon Tree that is rumored to be over a thousand years old. Not far from the Dragon tree lies  San Marcos Church, Where you will get symbolic statues and images of St Mark the Evangelist and other paintings. Things to Do in Tenerife - Beautiful Beaches, de Gran Canaria The southern coast of Gran Canaria is an almost endless succession of stunning golden sandy beaches. Touring visitors  can choose where to go from the six major beaches between Puerto de Mogan  and Playa de San Agustin located in the extreme east and west sides of the Island. Maspalomas, the largest beach, is considered the Island's most preferred popular beach. It is a serene and secluded beach you’ll have such a swell time on this beach. Las Palmas Las Palmas is another popular holiday spot in the Canary Islands. Not only is it the biggest city in the Canaries, but it also has a wide range of world-class attractions. Las Palmas beaches include; the Playa Las Canteras, which has a broad sandy shoreline and calm waters, influenced by surrounding volcanic reefs that form a natural barrier. Another important site to note is the La Catedral(Cathedral), in which locals here think that it is the most stunning and important religious building on the island, if not the Canary Islands. Cueva de los Verdes, Lanzarote This is one of the nicest Canary Islands when it comes to weather. The majority of its beaches have black sand because of their volcanic origin. However, you will find one or two golden sandy beaches in some areas. Conquering the seven-kilometer volcanic tube that stretches from La Coruna all the way to the sea is one of the most excruciating activities that one can do. In addition to that, Lanzarote has some scenic volcanic landscape, such as the Timanfaya National Park. Things to Do in Lanzarote: Volcanoes Route Dolphin watching tour Cesar Manrique artistic tour Visiting the Maspalomas dunes Palma   Life on La Palma is vibrant and colorful Island. Nature lovers can explore the never-ending mountain trails or take long lazy walks on the vast scenic fields. At night the sky above is clear, making it one of the best places to see the Milky Way. Things to Do in La Palma: Hiking along some of the best mountain trails in the Canary Islands   

Other Unique Places To Visit in Morocco

  - Marrakech – Buzzing City With a Great Medina Positioned at the bottom of the "Atlas Mountains," Marrakech, sometimes known as the Red City, is a vibrant and colorful city with a large medina. Marrakesh's bustling and colorful vibe pretty much sums up Morocco as a major tourism attraction for many tourists. To get to the city, you will have to pass through the Djemma El-Fna Square, where snake charmers, local musicians, and shop vendors tend to compete for your attention amid a lively, noisy and vibrant bustle that captures the passionate soul of Morocco. For shoppers, this town is famous for being a frenzied center for good bargain deals. For history lovers, the numerous monuments and museums are some of the must-do sightseeing activities in the region. Staying in the typical traditional Moroccan Riad is also a must when in Marrakech, with plenty of choices available for all budgets. How to get there: - The place is well linked to the rest of the world and receives a large number of airlines to Marrakesh Menara Airport. Things to Do in Marrakech: Enjoy a relaxing dinner in Djemma el Fna. Uncover unbinding History at the Saadian Tombs. Attend the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival. Go shopping at the souks. Visit the Dar Si Said Museum.

A market in Marrakech Meknes – The 9th Century Medina Despite of its old age and architecture, Meknes is one of the best places to visit in morocco. This 9th- century Medina town is located in the northern part of Morocco. The city’s setting is fairly relaxed compared to Marrakech and Rabat, so it's an excellent choice if you are looking for a laid back experience. The Meknes Royal Palace and other ancient sites are a perfect stop if you want to learn about the Moroccan lifestyle. While you are still in Meknes, don't forget to check out one of its charming attractions, "The Roman ruins." This attraction is very popular with tourists, especially those looking for an exotic Arabic experience. How to get there:- You can choose to hire a taxi or board a local train to take you to Meknes city. Things to Do in Meknes: Do a field trip to the hilltop town of Moulay Idriss. Take photos of the beautiful Bab Mansour Gate. Visit Dar Jamai Museum and learn about Morocco's history.   - Chefchaouen – Painted feel  Positioned in the center of the Rif Mountains, the city is commonly referred to as the Blue City It is a tiny beautiful town located in the  expansive countryside. Among all the cities in Morocco to visit, this one is widely popular for solo travelers who like to explore exotic places. You’ll love the city's famous white and blue painted buildings stretched on narrow hilly towns, projecting a beautiful artistic architecture. The people here are super friendly, so you are sure to enjoy delightful hospitality in Chefchaouen. Don't forget to try out the quiet and secluded Ras el Maa, one of the most secret and fascinating places in the town. How to get there: - To get here, you will take a flight from Marrakech to either Fez, Tangier Tetouan, or Casablanca. From there, you can use a taxi to get you to the main CTM bus station for a prebooked bus to Chefchaouen. Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Go swimming and hiking in the countryside. Take a shower in the enthralling Ras El Maa waterfalls. Enjoy your evening amidst the historical structural Outa el Hammam square. See the grand mosque   - Sahara Desert – Glance Sunset Over Dunes The Sahara desert is a must stop when you are in Morocco, from enjoying the stunning sunset over the canyons to staring at the sky, which is full of bright stars. Every experience in the Sahara desert is enthralling and unforgettable. How to get there: - the most common route is from Marrakech to Merzouga by public means. You can either choose to take a bus or hire a cab. Things to Do in the Desert: Try desert safaris or camel caravans. Socialize with the locals Go for a camel ride. -

The Sahara Fez – The old Historical City Fez, one of Morocco's most exciting cultural destinations. This old city holds  some of the most authentic historical attractions. One exciting site to visit is Fes El-Bali – an old walled town with beautifully designed back alleys where you can easily get lost. You can also decide to have a look at the famous leather tanneries, that is if you can handle the smell. Another historical attraction is the elegant walkways of Ville Nouvelle, where the French built beautiful palm-lined avenues and stunning fountains along the streets. How to get there: - Fez-Saiss Airport is the closest airport to Fez. If you're going by rail, take the train to Fès-Ville Train Station. Things to Do in Fez: Experience tasty cuisines in the various local hotels Admire beautiful architecture   - Tangier –Moroccan City with a European style Of all the European-looking Moroccan towns, Tangier is the most scenic tourist destination in the country. This intriguing city played a significant role in developing Morocco's literary history in the 20th-century and is also responsible for shaping the economic front as we know it today. It is the enchanting history that draws tourists from all over. In fact, Tangier has inspired some notable works such as Naked Lunch by William Burroughs. Apart from the historical buzz, you will also come across some western bars and bohemian cafés to hang out and relax. How to get there: - The most popular and preferred way to get to Tangier is by ferry. It takes about 30 minutes. Things to do: See the Tangier historical caves. Dine at the romantic cafés Learn about the rich history  

Other things to do in Morocco

Learn how to prepare Moroccan Cuisine -  Moroccan Cuisine is popular all over the world for its aromatic Spices and creative cooking methods. Steam in a Traditional Hammam – the Hamman is considered a rite of passage in Morocco. Back then, when private bathrooms did not exist, the hammams were social places where people would come to bathe and snorkel. In conclusion We hope you’re enticed you enough to visit this enchanting country with a fantastic array of places to visit coupled with a cosmopolitan environment in an African setting. Going to the canaries during the holiday season is a great idea because of the great weather and plenty of activities to do. You can choose to stay in the bustling cities (mostly filled with visiting tourists) or the laid back, secluded Islands.

Related Posts

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#AfricaTravel #CanaryIslandsTravel #Fez #MoroccoTravel #SaharaDesert

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/top-21-things-to-do-for-free-in-york/

Top 21 Things to do for Free in York

York is one of the UK’s gems. A wonderfully preserved medieval city, walking down its cobbled streets is like taking a trip into the past. With a wealth of attractions, you could happily spend a couple of weeks in York and not get bored. Even better, there’s an abundance of free activities to do and places to visit. Here’s a guide to the top 21 things to do for free in York.

Outdoor Spaces and Activities

The Shambles Possibly the most famous part of York, The Shambles is an old street in the city centre with a number of overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century. The name comes from its old Anglo-Saxon name Fleshammels, literally translating to ‘flesh-shelves’, as the street used to be filled with butchers’ shops and it was possible to see the cuts of meat hanging in the windows. Now the butchers’ shops don’t exist, but as you walk down this delightful cobblestone street, you will find a great mix of shops and restaurants. The street is also the location of the home of Saint Margaret Clitherow, who was married to a butcher on the street and was pressed to death for harbouring Catholic priests; you can still see the priest hole fireplace where she hid priests at number ten, now a cufflinks shop.

  The Snickelways As well as the Shambles, there are dozens of small streets running off the main thoroughfares in the city centre of York. Most of these narrow streets, big enough only for pedestrians to pass down, are medieval, although a few are more modern. The name ‘Snickelways’ is a portmanteau of the words snicket, ginnel and alleyway, coined by Mark W. Jones in 1983. It is cool to wander around the city seeking out all these little streets which usually have quirky names like Mad Alice Lane, Pope’s Head Alley and Grape Lane. York City Walls The impressive city walls of York have guarded the city for over 700 years. At approximately two miles long, they are the longest medieval walls in England. A walk along the walls takes about two hours and takes you past five main gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern and 45 towers. Free Guided Walking Tours There are a number of companies which offer free walking tours of the city. The Association of Voluntary Guides leads a two-hour tour taking you past some of York’s biggest attractions and sights, including York Minster, Monk Bar, St Mary’s Abbey and The Shambles, as well as telling you many stories about the city and its history. The great thing about this tour company is that not only is the tour completely free, they don’t insist on tips either. Other walking tour companies to consider are: White Rose York Tours; Footprints Tours; and Strawberry Tours. The Cat Trail Since records began in the city of York, cats have been considered lucky and have played a major part in city life. For about two centuries, statues of cats have been placed on buildings in an attempt to frighten away rats and mice and therefore reduce the risk of disease; they were also believed to ward off evil spirits and to generally bring good luck to the occupants of the property. It is possible to download a Cat Trail map from the website of the Cat Gallery; not only will you be able to seek out the cats of York, but it will take you past some of the most beautiful parts of the city. Shambles Market In the heart of the city is Shambles Market, a vibrant market consisting of 85 different stalls selling a wide variety goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, books, cosmetics, flowers, crafts and gifts. There’s also a really great street food area; be sure to try out the North African and Levantine food. The market is open seven days a week from 7am. Shakespeare’s Village Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is Europe’s firs pop-up theatre. Although you have to pay for the plays which are performed, it is free to wander around the Shakespeare’s Village the theatre is set in. Located in the car park next to Clifford’s Tower, the village captures the atmosphere of a medieval village, with oak-framed, reed-thatched buildings offering the finest Yorkshire food and drink along with wagon entertainment, minstrels and even a lovely Elizabethan garden with flower and herb beds. The theatre and village only pop up in York during the summer months; in 2019, the village and performances will start in June and run until the beginning of September. Museums and Libraries National Railway Museum One of the city’s most popular museums, the National Railway Museum is the largest museum of its kind in Britain. The museum details the history of rail transport and the impact it has had on society. It has a collection of over 100 locomotives and around 300 other items connected with trains and railways. Some of the most impressive trains in its collection include: a 1938 Mallard; a working replica of the steam locomotive the Rocket; an 1846 Coppernob; and a 1976 Shinkansen bullet train, the only one on display outside of Japan. Other highlights of the museum are: the George Cross medal awarded posthumously to train driver Wallace Oakes for staying on a burning train after it had been involved in an accident; the Royal trains, including a carriage that was used by Queen Victoria; and the warehouse, which houses a permanent exhibition telling the story of the Flying Scotsman.

The Bar Convent Founded in 1686, the Bar Convent is England’s oldest living convent. Originally founded as a school for girls, it still has members of the Congregation of Jesus living there today. Housed in grade I-listed 18th-century buildings, they are open to the public. Here you can visit an exhibition on the interesting history of the convent; at the time the convent was founded, practising Catholicism was very dangerous, so the ladies who lived there had to be very secretive about what they were doing. You will learn about radical nun Mary Ward who traversed the Alps twice on foot and get the chance to hide yourself in a priest hole. There’s also a cafe and accommodation on site.

Parks and Gardens Rowntree Park Located just a ten- to 15-minute walk south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is a wonderful place to take a long stroll. As well as the well-kept gardens, there is also a lake, canal and water cascade which are home to a number of swans, ducks and Canada geese. There’s plenty of facilities to make use of, such as tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court and bowling greens. If the weather is nice, there are also some picnic areas for you to enjoy a meal in the sun. Kids will enjoy the excellent play area which has climbing frames and a zip wire. Dean’s Park Located north of York Minster, the main draw of Dean’s Park is that it offers spectacular views of this fabulous church. Although you need to pay to enter the Minster, it is free to admire the wonderful exterior. It’s a lovely spot to take some time to relax during a hard day’s sightseeing, and during the summer there are places to buy ice cream and soft drinks. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Observatory Set in the grounds of St Mary’s Abbey, Yorkshire Museum Gardens is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet in the middle of the city. There’s a lot of things to see in the gardens. It houses the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built between 1832 and 1833; the telescope inside was built by Thomas Cooke, the man who went on to build what was then the largest telescope in the world. The observatory is also home to a clock dating back to 1811 which tells the time based on the positioning of the stars; it is the clock that all others in the city were set by back in the 19th century. There is also an abundance of flora and 40 species of bird to spot. Homestead Park One of the most beautiful natural areas of the city, Homestead Park is located in Clifton, 1 ½ miles from the city centre. The park’s main features include: a wild flower meadow; a tree-lined avenue; herbaceous and extensive shrub borders; and the Backhouse pond and rock garden. There’s loads of facilities for children in the popular play area, such as a paddling pool, table tennis, a monkey gym and helter skelter rides. The park also offer leaflets with different walks, such as several tree-trail walks and a wildlife walk. Yorkshire Lavender Technically not in York itself but only a short 15-mile drive away, Yorkshire Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery offers some of the best views in the county, being set in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as the award-winning lavender gardens, there is a sculpture park to explore, a lavender maze to get lost in, a sensory garden, and Highland cattle and lambs to pet. Churches York St Mary’s Dating back to 1020, this beautiful medieval church is known for having the city’s tallest spire, standing at 47 metres high. Having been consecrated in 1958, it spent a few decades as a heritage centre before being transformed into a contemporary art gallery in 2004. Exhibitions change regularly and the church makes an ambient place to view the artworks. St Michael le Belfry Known primarily as the church where Guy Fawkes was baptised in 1570, St Michael le Belfry is an impressive building. It is free to enter but tours of the church are run entirely by volunteers, so it is best to check before you visit whether it is possible for you to enter. St Mary’s Abbey Established in 1088, St Mary’s Abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. The history of the abbey connects two very important events in England’s history: the abbey was built by order of William the Conqueror as a way of exerting control of the north, and was destroyed under the reign of Henry VIII as a consequence of his Reformation of the church. Visitors can see the remains of the nave and crossing of the abbey church. The walls surrounding the abbey, built in the 1260s, are considered to be the most complete set of abbey walls in the country.

Festivals and Events York Food and Drink Festival One of the most popular festivals in the city, this year the York Food and Drink Festival are running three events in 2019: the Chocolate Festival in April; the Taster Festival in June; and the main festival in September. It’s a complete not-for-profit event; the festivals and demos are free to enter and any money that is made from food and drinks sales goes back into funding for the festival the next year. Their aim is to promote local food and drink producers, to put York on the map as a culinary destination and to provide educational workshops on food and cooking.

Jorvik Viking Festival Possibly the city’s most famous festival, the Jorvik Viking Festival celebrates York’s history as a Viking settlement. It takes place in February every year to coincide with the Viking festival of ‘Jolablot’, which was a celebration to say goodbye to winter and herald the coming of spring. Although you have to pay for some of the events, there are also free events during the week-long festivities. Events include workshops, talks and re-enactments. York Festival of Traditional Dance Taking place in September every year, for two days you will hear the sounds of jingling bells, tapping clogs and clashing sticks during the York Festival of Traditional Dance. Throughout the city you will see over 100 dancers and musicians performing a wide variety of dance styles. York Christmas Market From November to December every year, York is transformed into even more of a wonderland than it usually is. Tens of wooden chalets set up shop selling all kinds of festive goods. The Christmas standards of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and grilled sausages can be found all around the city centre. Kids will love Santa’s grotto and adults will love Thor’s Tipi, a Scandi pop-up bar complete with warm open fires and cosy fur hides. York is a stunning city to visit whatever the season. And with this list of free things to do, you can enjoy the city for less.

[mst3kproject]

617: The Sword and the Dragon

We're back in Aleksandr Ptushko land!  The title of this movie in its homeland was simply Ilya Muromets.  Like Sadko the Sailor, Ilya Muromets is a hero of Russian folklore, the subject of much poetry, art, and opera.  He is thought to be based on Saint Ilya Pechersky, a medieval knight-errant who became a monk later in life, and what we see here in the movie is only a sampling of the stories told about him.  He's supposed to have once fought off a band of robbers, using no weapon but a boot – now that is a scene I would have liked to see in the movie!

After farmer's son Ilya Muromets is cured of his paraplegia by drinking the dew of the magic grass, he takes up the sword of the hero Invincor and sets out to do some questin'.  His first heroic deed is to defeat a wind demon, which impresses the royal court and wins Ilya many friends – but also some powerful enemies, and his fall is as meteoric as his rise.  His wife, whom he'd only just rescued from the Mongols, is recaptured, and Ilya himself is accused of treason and locked up without food.  Years pass, and Ilya's son grows up in the Mongol court, adopted by the Khan.  Finally, with the Mongols at his very gates, the Prince goes to let Ilya out of the dungeon and finds he has not starved thanks to his wife's magical tablecloth.  Ilya comes up with a plan to waste as much of the Khan's time as possible so that the Prince can assemble his armies, but that can't last forever.  When the fighting finally begins, Ilya realizes his son is among the Mongol forces, and the two reconcile.  It looks like the Khan is due to get his ass kicked, but he's got an ace up his sleeve: a three-headed dragon!

As a first impression, I have to say that this movie is absolutely beautiful.  It's full of intricate costumes, stunning scenery, and magnificent cloudscapes.  There are creepy forests of giant trees, the bone-littered wasteland where Ilya meets the Wind Demon, fairytale cities, fields of wildflowers, ice-choked rivers, sheer cliffs (frequently with people falling off them)... it's spectacular, and the crappy print MST3K used does justice to none of it.  The movie must also have been unbelievably expensive, especially when one considers this was well before computers allowed animators to create of legions of Uruk-Hai that never actually existed.  Some of the scenes in this film would have required hundreds, if not literally thousands, of extras (one poster offers the stupefying figure of a hundred and six thousand for the whole film), all of whom would have needed costumes and prop weapons!

Sets, costumes, props, and cinematography are uniformly excellent, but the quality of the special effects varies wildly.  Some of the more subtle ones are fabulous: the way the Wind Demon's cheeks puff up, for example, works beautifully and it's not until you've seen the movie a couple of times that you consciously realize it's an effect. The shots of the demon blowing things away in the city are also very well-executed, even if one of them is very obviously a piece of film being played backwards.  A shot of a Mongol being held in the air by multiple spears through his body is viscerally brutal, especially when the actor screams like that.

The more spectacular The Sword and the Dragon's effects try to be, however, the worse they're likely to look.  The scene of Mrs. Muromets singing with the forest creatures contains a variety of puppetry and stop motion as well as actual animals – some of this is very good and some is dreadful.  The dragon never looks remotely real, and its mobility is severely limited.  It's a beautiful puppet, but it never feels as threatening as the movie wants us to believe it is. Even in these cases, though, you really want to give them points for ambition.  No matter how you feel about the result, you can't deny that they gave it everything they had.

The problem with this is that the movie's visuals kind of overwhelm everything else.  There's lots to look at, but the plot feels like barely a sketch.  Beauty can go a long way towards saving a lousy plot, but the story and characters are what leave an impression that lingers – Avatar was gorgeous, but never developed the kind of personal investment among its fans that, for example, Harry Potter did.  The same is kind of true of The Sword and the Dragon. It's pretty, but not pretty enough to distract you from a couple of glaring problems with the story.

Most obvious of these is the timeline.  A traitor among the russians sends the Mongols a signal to let them know Ilya has been imprisoned... and yet they wait around for eighteen years, until Ilya's son is grown, before they actually invade.  The movie, at least in its English cut, offers no explanation for this.  Everybody at the Mongol court seems pretty satisfied that it's time to go, and yet they wait. I suppose it's also possible that Ilya's son miraculously grew up in a short time, since the makeup people didn't try to make anybody else look older (not even the horse), but if so it's never remarked upon and it doesn't seem like Ilya would realize the boy is his son if he encounters a grown man a few months after leaving his pregnant wife.

Another gaping plothole occurs when Ilya's son realizes that he is face-to-face with his biological father.  Why does he immediately switch sides?  He claims to have never known any parent but the Khan, so why suddenly turn on the man who raised him and with whom he seems to have a strong familial bond?  Why reject that in favour of a foreign culture he has always thought of as wicked and savage?  It's necessary for the plot, sure, but in terms of human psychology this development makes no sense.  The viewer feels the kid would be more likely to be horrified that he comes of this barbarian stock.  Some time really ought to have been spent on this, and on the friendship that develops between Ilya and two other knights, who swear an oath of loyalty as BFFs on the first day they meet.

The geography is a little questionable, too.  An awful lot of people seem able to cross the six thousand kilometers from Kharakorum to St. Petersburg in an afternoon.  A couple of them even do it on foot.

Characters also kind of fall by the wayside in this movie.  A lot of them are mere sterotypes – the Mongols are uniformly cackling evil, and the traitor within the Russian court is a snivelling coward. Ilya's wife never evinces any real personality.  The movie tries to set her up as brave and spirited with her use of a bow against the invading Mongols in the opening, but her archery is never important to the plot and once married to Ilya she is completely subservient to him.  Her son is quite bland and his sudden change of loyalties doesn't give us a great impression of him.  The Prince is generous but proud.  Alexei likes to kiss girls.

Ilya Muromets himself is never a very complex character, either – we're supposed to take it for granted that he's always right and always good.  We don't ever really identify with him, but I don't think we're supposed to.  Ilya Muromets is more an ideal we should strive to live up to than a human being in whom we can see ourselves... yet he's not quite a paragon of goodness, either. He's got a bad temper and he's often an arrogant jerk, which comes close to undoing him completely when he is accused of treason.  He enjoys showing people up, as when he embarrasses the man who claims to have defeated the Wind Demon himself.  I found myself wanting to see him humbled a little, but this never happens.

Fairy tales generally have morals, and The Sword and the Dragon is no exception.  Most obviously, it contrasts Ilya's desire to do good for its own sake with the courtiers and their jockeying for the Prince's favour.  On a slightly (but only slightly) more subtle level, it also juxtaposes good and bad rulers in the form of the Prince and the Khan.  Neither of them are 'nice' people – they're both spoiled, egotistical, and hate to admit they're wrong – but they relate to their subjects in completely different ways.  The Prince is constantly engaging in acts of generosity, distributing money, gifts, and food not just to his favourites but to the populace at large.  The Khan, however, is almost always shown as literally sitting on 'lesser' people.  His throne is supported on the backs of prisoners, and in one scene he orders his soldiers to make a human pyramid so he can survey the countryside, and then he rides a horse up it.  The Prince sees his people as something to care for and protect, while the Khan sees his as literal furniture.

While we're on the subject of 'meaning,' it also occurs to me that by choosing the road that leads to death, Ilya actually found both riches and a wife.  This probably has some significance, perhaps related to the idea that all roads lead to death when you think about it, but if it was supposed to be explicit it seems to have gotten lost in translating the movie into English.

So far I've liked all MST3K's Aleksandr Ptushko movies a lot better than I remember liking them in their episodes.  This is true of The Sword and the Dragon, too, but not so much as the other two.  It just doesn't hang together the way The Magic Voyage of Sinbad and The Day the Earth Froze do – it spends too much time on things, like the making of the magical tablecloth, that aren't that important, and not nearly enough on the things that are.  It wallows in beautiful imagery, but neglects its plot and characters. Yet it's easily the most ambitious movie ever to be on MST3K, and well worth a watch in its unriffed form.

#mst3k #reviews #the sword and the dragon #50s #russofinnish coproduction

[easytravelpw-blog]

Full text write on https://easy-travel.pw/48-hours-in-calais-the-perfect-itinerary/france/

48 Hours in Calais: The Perfect Itinerary

01 of 09

How to Get to Calais

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If you're coming from the U.K. by car, then the best route to cross the Channel is via Dover, taking 90 minutes. DFDS runs an excellent service, and the port is also served by P&O Ferries. It is also a great value as prices for travel with DFDS from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk start from 39 pounds each way for a car and nine people. You can upgrade to include premium lounge access  for an additional 12 pounds per person each way and with a complimentary glass of bubbly, coffee and snacks as well as a great lunge, it is well worth the small extra. 

Some Eurostar London to Brussels trains stop at Calais Frethune, 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside Calais. There is a free shuttle bus (navette) between Calais Frethune and the main Calais Ville Station in central Calais.

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02 of 09

Morning Day 1: The Lace Makers of Calais

Cité Internationale de la dentelle et de la mode de Calais

10 a.m.: Start with a trip to the Lace Museum, officially the Cité Internationale de la dentelle et de la mode de Calais (International Centre of Lace and Fashion), housed in a former lace factory in the area of Calais that dominated lace making in France in the 19th and 20th centuries. You get a fascinating walk through the history of lace, starting in a darkened space with displays about the history of lace and fashion from the Renaissance when no female or male attire was without those glorious hand-made lace skirts and ruffs.

On the second floor the story moves into the Industrial Revolution which began in England and changed the world. In France in 1816, an English mechanic Robert Webster with two others brought an English-manufactured machine into Calais and installed it in Saint-Pierre-les-Calais, at that time a small village. A whole colony of English workers arrived to teach their French counterparts how to work the new machinery, making the huge and complex Jacquard designs, which successfully imitated hand-woven lace. It’s rather incongruous to see the vast machine shaking the floor and drowning out conversation as it makes the gossamer-thin, elegant lace. 

Then it’s on to videos showing all stages of lace making, from the designer to the draughtsmen who drew the designer’s inspiration onto the papers that are then turned into a wooden pattern of holes that is loaded into the machines. It’s very complicated, time-consuming, and involves skills which are now dying out.

12.30 p.m.: There’s a good café, Les Petites Mains, serving lunch and snacks throughout the day. There’s also a good museum shop where you can buy lace products, books, and gifts.

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03 of 09

Afternoon Day 1: Reminders of War Ancient and Modern

Frauke Scholz/Getty Images

2 p.m.: Walk out of the Lace Museum and turn left along the Quai du Commerce that runs beside the canal. You can’t miss the road that leads to the flamboyant Town Hall. Rodin’s famous Monument of the Burghers of Calais stands outside, commemorating the six burghers condemned to death but saved by queen Philippa of Hainault.

If you’ve come into Calais by ferry from the UK and driven out or if you’ve gone past it by train, you can’t miss the high belfry that dominates the landscape, listed as one of France's UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005. The flamboyant Flemish neo-classical style makes the building look much older than it is; it was begun in 1911 and finished in 1925. Check with the tourist office on opening times (it’s closed for lunch from noon to 2 p.m. for instance) as it’s worth a visit. The grand staircase takes you up to the wedding room where the future war leader and President of France, Charles de Gaulle, and local girl Yvonne Vendroux married in 1921. Stained glass windows decorate the rooms, showing the story of the liberation of Calais from the English in 1558. You can either take the lift or walk up to the top of the belfry, 75 meters high, with a view taking you across the flat landscape to Flanders and on a clear day to the white cliffs of Dover. 

4 p.m.: Walk across the little park to a blockhouse built by the Germany Navy and now housing the Musée Memoire, 1939-45. Right in the heart of the town, it was well camouflaged and hidden by the trees. It’s a small but effective museum from the point of view of the locals living through the war plus references to the concentration camps.

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04 of 09

Evening Day 1: Traditional Bistro Food

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7 p.m.: Walk to Au Calice on Boulevard Jacquard. This reliable brasserie with its wooden floors and banquette seating and an outdoor garden hits the spot for traditional eating. With an estaminet type menu, choose from Flemish stew or mussels and chips. This place is cheap and cheerful.

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05 of 09

Morning Day 2: A Medieval Tower and a Modern President

Philippe Turpin/Getty

Spend today in the central, old part of Calais, originally a fortified town on an island but rebuilt after World War II.

9 a.m.: Start with a brisk walk north, over the Pont Henri Henon and up Avenue R. Pouncaré and you’ll reach the beach with its little cabins and brave swimmers, where the energetic walk with Nordic walking sticks or jog past you while the cross-channel ferries pass in and out of the busy port. Walk back past Fort Risban, its serious defenses bearing witness to the importance of the port for both the French and the English.

10 a.m.: Cross back over the bridge and make a left. Straight ahead you see the column dedicated to Louis XVIII to mark the return of the monarchy to France on April 24, 1814 after the fall of Napoleon. It sounds like an accolade for the town, but in reality, the new king came via Calais because it was the quickest route.

Take the road down to the 19th-century lighthouse where you’re rewarded for climbing the 271 spiral steps with a fabulous view over the Channel to the white cliffs of Dover.

11 a.m.: Walk back to the Place des Armes which has been renovated from its rather dire condition and is now a lively square which buzzes on Wednesday and Saturday mornings with an open air market. Once the heart of medieval Calais, all that is left is the Tour du Guet. The town has recently added a life-style statue of Charles de Gaulle and his wife, who in 1921 were married in the Notre-Dame church that was built in the 13th and 14th centuries when it was under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It has now been restored, so look at the Tudor-style garden outside then walk in for its mix of English and Flemish styles, 17th-century altar and its tower which was used as an observation point in the late 18th century to calculate the precise distance between the Paris Observatory and the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Lunch

The Place des Armes is full of cafes and restaurants, but consdier Du Vignoble au Verre at No. 43. It’s a cozy restaurant with classic French cooking. Dishes like seafood crepe, pepper steak, and scallops in a cider and apple sauce keep the locals and visitors happy.

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06 of 09

Afternoon Day 2: A Surprising Discovery

OT Calais

2:30 p.m.: The Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts) is a surprising discovery. The works range from 17th century paintings through Impressionism and Picasso to today. There’s an exhibition on Rodin juxtaposed with works by British artist Anthony Caro and everywhere in the museum, the centuries and styles are mixed and contrasted. There are delightful themes like “A Mad Tea Party” from “Alice in Wonderland” where a tea set, hot chocolate pot, and plates with motifs from China, Japan, and popular iconography give a strange disjointed feel, just as Alice felt. It’s all beautifully laid out, giving you a snapshot of art through the centuries. 

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07 of 09

Evening Day 2: Shopping and Dining

Frederik Astier

5 p.m.: Calais has some good shops, mostly open until 7 or 7:30 p.m. As you’re next to the Place des Armes, shop for cheese and wine at La Maison du Fromage et des Vins and La Bar a Vins. Then have a quick drink in any of the bars that line the Rue Royale where you'll find my recommended restaurant. 

7 p.m.: Dine at Histoire Ancienne, a bistro-style restaurant owned and run by chef Patrick Comte with his wife managing front-of-house. Expect classic dishes from snails and pan-fried scallops with  mushrooms and smoked duck, to sea bass, a proper pepper steak, and rack of lamb. 

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08 of 09

Morning Day 3: Serious Shopping or the Start of a New Trip

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If you have come over to visit Calais from the U.K., then a trip to one of the hypermarkets outside the center must be your last port of call before going back. Read the detailed guide to shopping in Calais here.

If you are using Calais as a base for a longer trip, read about the towns, attractions, and glorious beaches along the coast from Calais down to Dieppe, taking in the Somme, making a great road trip of North France.

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09 of 09

A Little History of Calais

Frederik Astier

For the Brits Calais has a special resonance. It was captured by Edward III in 1346 and under English control until 1558 when the Duc de Guise reclaimed the city as French. Mary Tudor mourned the loss: “When I am dead and opened, you shall find Calais engraved on my heart.”

In the 17th century, King Louis XIV employed the great military architect Vauban to reconstruct the Citadelle and build a series of forts, of which the impressive Fort Nieulay is the best example. In 1805 Napoleon turned up, seeing the town as necessary for his proposed invasion of Britain which never took place.

Much of Calais was destroyed by the British in World War II to stop the Germans using it as the obvious port for an invasion of England. Happily much of the Old Town was rebuilt after the war and it is hear you will find the historic buildings on what was originally a fortified town built on an island.

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[oaklandcw-blog]

Soup

Historians will say that the history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking. Meaning, people have been cooking various meat and vegetables together in some sort of broth since as far back as about 20,000 BC. Throughout history, soups have been the meal choice of everybody. Whether rich or poor, stationary villages or nomadic group, health nuts or regular people, there is a type of soup that pleases the masses. The reason for this is the diversity of ingredients and types of soup. Royals would have the finest herbs and spices in their soups while commoners could have soup made out of their homegrown potatoes. Its versatility has made it one of the most popular dishes, and something that has remained part of people’s diets throughout time.

For Thanksgiving, my fifth grade class made an art project out of beans. All of the parents donated different kinds of beans, we put them in a bowl, and glued them to an outline of a turkey on card-stock. For some reason, we spent weeks working on this project, and it was easily my favorite thing I did that whole year. The different patterns on the beans made really good feathers, and the different shades of browns, greens, and reds were the perfect fall colors for a turkey. Something about gluing the beans on to a piece of paper was extremely relaxing to me and I looked forward to it every day. When my turkey was finished, I was very happy with how it turned out, and my parents displayed it on every Thanksgiving after that. The thing I remember most about the bean-turkey project though, was what happened afterwards. A boy in my class’s mother was French, and she had a old family recipe for bean soup. She took all of our left over beans, washed them (they had to be full of germs after 26 of 10 year olds spent the last few weeks digging through them to find what the needed.) and made the most delicious bean soup I have ever eaten.

Recipe for the best butternut squash soup you will ever eat (according to Pinterest user Home Stories A to Z.) Prep time: two hours. Number of servings: six. Ingredients: two butternut squashes, halved and seeded; one honey crisp or pink lady apple, peeled cored, and sliced; two tablespoons of olive oil; salt and pepper to taste; half a teaspoon of nutmeg; half a teaspoon of cinnamon; four tablespoons of butter; one cup of finely diced red onion; one cup of finely diced leeks; one teaspoon of fresh ginger (or half a teaspoon of dry ginger); five cups of chicken or vegetable stock; half a cup of heavy whipping cream. The first step is to roast the squash and the apple. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Peel and slice the apple and cut the squash in half, making sure to get all of the seeds out too. Put both the squash and apple on a cookie tray, with the squash cut side down, and brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bake for 90 minutes. This is the most time consuming step, and may be done the night before. Once the squash is tender, take out of the oven and let cool. You will then be able to scrape the squash off of the skin. It should peel off easily. Next, you must puree the cooked squash and apple. This can be done in a food processor, a blender, or with a hand blender. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Dice the onions, leeks, and ginger. Stir them over low heat in the pot you want to use for the soup along with the butter. Do not let the vegetables brown, cook them until the onions are clear and tender. Finally add in the rest of the ingredients. After adding in the squash mixture, the cinnamon, and whichever stock you choose, bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.  After it has simmered, remove from the heat and whisk in the heavy whipping cream. This will add the extra thickness it needs. Serve immediately and garnish with rosemary if desired.

In medieval times, one of the most popular ways to eat soup was in a bread bowl. This practice is still seen today, but was a status wealth and power back then. The bread bowls were called “trenchers” and were also sometimes flat like a plate. At the end of the meal, the bread would sometimes be eaten with the leftover soup or dipped in a sauce, but oftentimes given as alms to the poor. Over time stone and ceramic plates and bowls became more commonly used, but the bread bowl is still a fun reminder of medieval times today.

My father, being the interesting middle-aged man that he is, has many distinct quirks and traits that stem from none other than his father himself. We often tease my brother that this is what he has to look forward to when we watch my father and grandfather over season their food or zone out and not pay any attention to the conversation. One of the most distinct quirks though is his strange, short-lived obsessions. My dad has done everything. From wood working to learning to play guitar, if he wants to learn how to do something, he will spend months at a time doing so. Recently his obsessions have been more culinary based. He likes to learn new recipes and perfect them until the rest of my family is sick of eating them. The past few winters, his obsession has been with making the best soups and stews he can find. He started by buying a pressure cooker, and every Sunday when he goes grocery shopping, he picks out ingredients for the latest soup he wants to try. This means that all winter long, our Sunday evening family dinners consist of soup. Not that I’m complaining though, he has found some pretty good recipes in the process. And we can no longer go out to dinner without him ordering a soup and then saying “Jillie, take a bite of this. It’s so good! I need to find a recipe and make it myself.”

“The foods we eat do say a lot about who we are as people,” says Brian Wansink, who in late 2000, did a study to see if a person’s soup choices reflect their personality traits. His hypothesis turned out to be correct, and he found many links between soup preferences and personality traits. He surveyed adults over telephone and asked their opinions on 12 common soups. From the 12 types of soup he was able to create “soup personality traits” that everyone who liked the soups had. For example, Wansink found that if you like chicken noodle the best, you are more likely to be stubborn and less like to be outdoorsy. And if you said tomato was your favorite, you would most likely be an adventurous, outgoing, and very social person. He came to the conclusion that soup affects personality traits because it is a comfort food and has the power to remind people of certain childhood memories.

It is 8:00 PM on a Thursday evening. You are just getting back to your dorm room after a long day of class. You feel your stomach start to rumble, but you don’t feel like going somewhere and paying for your food. So you go to your pantry and pull out the quickest and easiest meal you can think of, ramen noodles. Ramen is one of the most cliche meals for college students today, but its origin is actually much deeper than one would think. There are three main theories on how ramen became such a staple in Japanese culture. The first, and least likely, states that a feudal lord, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, was the first person to eat ramen. According to the story, he was given advice from a Chinese refugee on what to put in his soup to make it tastier. And hence, ramen was born. The second theory, and what most say what actually happened, is that ramen was brought to Japan from  China in the nineteenth century. It was more just broth and noodles then, not filled with the extras that people add today, but ramen none the less. The last theory is very similar to the first, in that it is an old wise tale. It is a story claiming that a single shop owner, Osaka Kenichi, started selling the ramen that is widely seen today at his small restaurant in Tokyo. Nobody knows for sure exactly how ramen became such an iconic staple food of Japan, but everyone who has tasted it can agree that its invention was a good one.

My mother’s family is fairly small. My grandparents immigrated to Metro-Detroit from Italy, after getting married in the mid 1960s. They left their big Italian families at home to start a new life in the states. Even after having four children, they remained a very tight knit family and created new traditions of their own. One of those traditions is our Christmas Eve dinner every year where the shining star is my grandmother’s home made pasatini soup. It is an interesting soup that is hard to acquire a taste for. It is a beef broth with homemade noodles made out of parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. When we were children, my cousins and I refused to eat it because we said the noodles looked like caterpillars, but as we got older we realized its unique flavor and have started to enjoy it much more. It is one of the few secret family recipes my grandmother knows and one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Until recent years, soup was a meal that was typically eaten at home. It was something warm to eat on a cold winter night, and easily made since it is typically sold in a can. However, what if you were looking for a good soup on the go? That is where Panera Bread came into the picture. Especially since around 2014, Panera has become one of the top fast food restaurants, because of the fact that it is a quick and easy place to get soup. Their menu features a wide variety of soups and salads, ranging from fan favorites like the broccoli cheddar, to seasonal treats like the autumn squash soup. Panera really stepped up their game, and gave customers a place to get the comfort food they want, but in a quick and manageable fashion. They also started to compete with other fast food restaurants by adding more technology features, like a rewards app and kiosks in stores. In 2016 they also began deliveries, putting them to rivalries with pizzerias as well. Panera has built itself into one of America’s favorite places to get soup, and have changed the way people think about eating the soothing foods they want.

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How the Humble Pork Pie Charmed the English

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A Melton Mowbray pork pie. [Photographs: Katie Quinn, unless otherwise noted]

In British food culture, savory meat pies rank highly as both pocket-sized snacks and meals in their own right. There are steak and ale pies, pastry filled with beef braised in ale (not to be confused with steak and kidney pies, which are pastry filled with a mix of beef and chopped-up offal); there is, of course, the shepherd’s pie, a crowd favorite both in the British Isles and abroad; there are pies filled with all manner of less common beasts and fish and fowl—eel pie, say, and squab pie—and there’s fidget pie, which is more of a bacon tart than a true pie, filled with slices of cured meat, apple, and sometimes onions and potatoes. Meat pies figure heavily in British-inflected popular culture—think of Mrs. Lovett’s meat pie shop in Sweeney Todd, and the old nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” which tells the story of “four and 20 blackbirds, baked in a pie.”

But the squat, round pork pie is arguably the most English one of all. Typically produced and consumed in the eastern half of England, it is rarely spotted in Scotland, Wales, or even the West Country.

The ideal pork pie has a hot-water pastry shell that’s been baked to a golden brown, and comes topped with an equally burnished lid that’s crimped around the edge. It should have a meaty filling made from coarsely ground pork, heavily seasoned with salt and pepper, plus the baker’s secret (and often complex) combination of herbs and spices, all of it encased in a thin layer of wobbly jelly made from a rich stock. Sarah Pettegree, a pork pie connoisseur and owner of Norfolk-based Bray’s Cottage Pork Pies, writes to me that most pie makers have closely guarded seasoning combinations for meat and jelly alike; the meat mixture can include anything from mace to anchovies, and the jelly can be boiled up with veggies, spices, or even citrus zest to add flavor. The closer you slide to the mass-produced end of the pork pie spectrum, the more finely ground and more poorly seasoned the meat filling will be.

Interior of a Melton Mowbray pork pie.

The history of the pork pie is confusing and often contradictory. The first recorded proto–pork pie recipe appears in the medieval manuscript known as The Forme of Cury, attributed to the royal cooks of the court of Richard II and first published around 1390. A close look at the now-digitized recipe collection reveals that the recipe for “Mylates of Pork” is most pork pie–esque, as it contains ground pork (“hewe pork al to pecys”) and is cooked in a rudimentary pastry shell. But there are crucial differences, such as the addition of both cheese and eggs to the seasoned pork mixture, as well as the recipe’s explicit calls for saffron. While it is perhaps more of a borderline quiche than a pork pie, the bones of the modern dish are there.

Pettegree suggests a different 14th-century recipe as a candidate for the original pork pie: the appropriately named “Pig Pye,” printed in Dorothy Hartley’s 1954 Food in England. The recipe calls for pork, plus mace and other seasonings; the dish could be enjoyed hot or cold, but the addition of currants set it apart from our present-day savory versions. However, Laura Mason, a food historian and author of several books on British food, remains skeptical about the reliability of this recipe, noting that Hartley’s research-gathering methods have recently come under scrutiny.

Interior of a gala pie.

What we do know is that early pork pies were dished up in what were rather ominously known as “coffins,” or “cofyns.” Janet Clarkson, in her excellent book Pie: A Global History, writes that the original pork pie crusts were “tall, straight-sided with sealed-on floors and lids,” not unlike today’s gala pies (large, rectangular pork pies, with a signature, somewhat disturbing core of elongated boiled egg). According to Clarkson, modern texts often describe the outer pastry shell as an element that was regularly discarded, in part because the long cooking times of early pork pies would render the crusts tough and inedible by modern standards—a conclusion that, she is quick to note, makes little sense. Regula Ysewijn, in her book Pride and Pudding, also dismisses “the notion…that pastry was never eaten in [the 14th century]” as “nonsense,” and Dr. Annie Gray, a food historian and author of The Greedy Queen: Eating With Victoria, confirms that “the crust was eaten, it’s illogical that anything edible would be thrown away.”

It wasn’t until the 18th century that pork pies more similar to contemporary versions started coming into fashion, and they were especially popular in and around the English East Midlands town of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Why Melton Mowbray? In a word: cheese. The region’s burgeoning dairy industry produced an abundance of whey, a protein-rich and, above all, free source of sustenance for livestock, including pigs. As Dr. Gray says, pigs were animals “associated with poverty” that “anyone could and did keep,” thanks to their handy proclivity to dine on scraps. This, Mason observes, made pork a key part of the rural economy in particular. A proto–pork pie was a handy way of preserving meat and prolonging its shelf life, through the use of salt and limiting its exposure to oxygen, long after the pigs were slaughtered.

It was also a conveniently portable snack. Reportedly, farmhands in the Melton Mowbray region would tuck into these rudimentary pies from time to time; when the upper echelons of English society descended on the area to take part in their pastime of choice, foxhunting, they spotted the farmhands-turned-grooms eating their rough pastry-wrapped pork and wanted a literal slice of the action. In this way, pies gradually became associated with “picnics, high teas and shooting teas [food served to the participants in a hunt],” says Gray. We can safely assume that these early pork pies were a bit plainer than our well-seasoned modern-day iterations: A turn-of-the-19th-century recipe from Maria Eliza Rundell’s A New System of Domestic Cookery describes them as using a “very plain crust,” stuffed with meat seasoned only with salt and pepper.

Around the same period, pork pies were considered “a good solid treat dish for the middle and upper working classes,” adds Gray. After all, making pies at home was time-consuming and required an oven, an appliance many working-class people didn’t have. It makes sense that they were often saved for a once-a-year event like Christmas (which also happens to fall around slaughter season). This consumption pattern endures today, and for many pork pie producers, Christmas remains peak pie-selling time. In the Midlands, pork pies form an integral part of Christmastime traditions for many families, served up for breakfast alongside a pickled onion or a glass of Buck’s Fizz, a mimosa-like concoction of sparkling wine and orange juice. It was said that even author D. H. Lawrence got in on the festive act.

This early Christmastime tradition of pork pie eating may have eventually allowed the dish to shift from a preservative method to a food enjoyed for its distinct culinary virtues. But the advent of industrially milled and thus more affordable white wheat flour certainly played a role as well. As Mason notes, cheaper flour allowed pork pies more akin to our refined, modern versions to become widely available, which paved the way for the dish to cement its place in English cuisine.

Interior of a Yorkshire pie. [Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Melton Mowbray versions, with their bowed, hand-raised sides, well-seasoned aspic, and gray pork center (thanks to the use of raw, uncured meat), are so iconic that they’ve achieved protected geographical status, putting them up there with Champagne and Parma ham. But whether they’re the country’s best pork pies is debatable—northern England also has its fingers in many pies. Yorkshire variations are slightly smaller and molded, but still bear that traditional crimped lid; made from cured instead of raw pork, their meaty core is rather more disconcertingly pink and lends the pie a “hammier” flavor. This type of pie is also known as a “growler,” a name that popular local myths trace back to two possible sources: the rumble of a pre-pie tummy, and the less savory stomach noise made post-pie.

The (somewhat divisive) jelly.

Regional rivalries aside, the English have opinions on every aspect of pork pies, from temperature to toppings. Are they best served at room temperature with brown sauce (the tangy yin to ketchup’s sweeter yang, not dissimilar to A1 sauce) for a ploughman’s lunch or a picnic in the park? Or should they be enjoyed warm, perhaps with an unnaturally green dollop of mushy peas? Preferences are defined as much by generational tastes as regional ones; Pettegree notes that “older people, especially from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire” regularly mention queueing to get pork pies fresh from the oven, adding (rightly, if you ask me) that “a hot pork pie is indeed a rare joy.” And the jelly, too, remains divisive, as gelatinous substances tend to be. Some pork pie eaters pick it out before devouring the meat and pastry, while others relish the wobbly addition. The one thing pork pie aficionados can agree on? Mass-produced pork pies are a travesty.

Over the centuries of its existence, the pork pie’s evolution has been a winding path, from the homely stuff of peasants to the snack-on-the-go of the British elite to a democratic comfort food for all. Nowadays, pork pies are no longer relegated to buffet-style teas and picnics (although they’re still mainstays of both) and instead take center stage at all manner of celebrations. Along with that shift has come a new form and a new stage of life: the custom pork pie. From lettering-topped birthday pies to desirable stylized stacks for couples who want to seal their union with a pork pie wedding cake, “bespoke, commissioned pork pie has definitely become a thing,” confirms Pettegree. Once again, the humble pork pie has ascended from practical to fashionable.

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ON NOVEMBER 10, 2015, in a televised debate in the Republican presidential primary, Senator Marco Rubio took a blowtorch to philosophy: “Welders make more money than philosophers,” he claimed. “We need more welders and less philosophers.” Rubio was mercilessly fact-checked, with particular reference to a report in The Wall Street Journal. At the 75th percentile of mid-career salary, the report explained, philosophers make about as much as physicists and engineers. The fact-checking was trailed by a predictable wave of complaints that there is more to life than financial gain and that the value of the humanities cannot be captured in such terms. The surprise came later, on March 28, 2018, with a Marco Rubio tweet: “I made fun of philosophy 3 years ago but then I was challenged to study it, so I started reading the stoics. I’ve changed my view on philosophy. But not on welders. We need both! Vocational training for workers & philosophers to make sense of the world.”

One way to put the central thought of Jennifer Summit and Blakey Vermeule’s engaging new book, Action versus Contemplation, is that Rubio did not go far enough. We should not merely see the value of action and contemplation in their separate spheres. We should aim for integration, for lives that weld engagement to reflection, at once active and contemplative.

This book emerged from a freshman class the authors taught at Stanford University. Their students were stressed. Fresh from the over-scheduled teenage years that took them to an elite university, they looked forward to a future of unpaid internships, competition for jobs, and frenetic activity with moments snatched for leisure. Their immediate anxiety was whether to join the pensive “fuzzies” who major in English, history, and philosophy, or the enterprising “techies” who study science and engineering. Not guidance counselors but intellectual guides, Summit and Vermeule trace their students’ predicament to the origins of Western philosophy. “The rhetoric of action and contemplation,” they proclaim, “is nothing less than the unacknowledged medium of self-understanding in the modern world.” In their telling, it becomes a medium in which to understand, and criticize, not just the culture of fuzzies and techies at Stanford, but the nature of stress, the appeal of cowboy politicians, the point of education, and the search for meaningful work.

In gathering so many issues under the title of “action versus contemplation,” Summit and Vermeule require a lot of fluidity in their key terms. This is part of their point. The valences of “action” and “contemplation” have been recruited in many ways, in contrasts of activity and thought, skill and knowledge, work and leisure — and the contrast between productive work and philosophical reflection that remains in place through Rubio’s change of heart.

Although it ends up taking many forms, the story of action versus contemplation has a specific source. It begins with Aristotle, whose Nicomachean Ethics veers abruptly from sustained investment in the life of practical virtue, exemplified by the Athenian statesman, to a celebration of “theoria” or contemplation, detached from worldly concerns. For Aristotle, the highest good is found not in political activity but in the leisure it makes possible, its ultimate purpose: the useless but divine activity of theorizing. Aristotle’s radical turn leaves readers floundering with the division in themselves, a need to reconcile the practical and theoretical in their lives.

Summit and Vermeule find Aristotle’s opposition at work in the shifting self-conceptions of humanists and scientists, fuzzies and techies, over time. The humanities were not always aligned with useless contemplation, they argue, nor was modern science born pragmatic. The studia humanitatis of the 14th century aimed at useful knowledge: languages, history, and rhetoric were the tools of public service. In contrast, the experimental scientists of the Royal Society in the 17th century compared themselves to monks and hermits. John Evelyn’s plan for their headquarters took as its model a medieval monastery. Finding it expedient to be apolitical during the English Civil War, scientists later reversed course. As Charles II joked that scientists were “spending time only in the weighing of ayre,” John Evelyn extolled the employment of science for the public good. When the modern humanities were established in the early 20th century, they distanced themselves from the practical skills honed by the studia humanitatis, forging their identity around the task of human self-understanding. The upshot is the division between useless humanities and useful STEM subjects that frames contemporary debates about education.

What Summit and Vermeule infer from this narrative, which they tell with authority and vigor, is that the division is contingent, artificial, and flawed. Signs of its inadequacy show up in the uncomfortable positions of rhetoric, composition, and communications among the humanities, of pure mathematics and basic science in STEM, and of the social sciences in general. They make a convincing case that students picking majors, their parents, politicians, and administrators of higher education risk being misled by associations both imperfect and impermanent. Humanists should be less embarrassed to teach applicable skills; scientists should be more honest about the attractions of theory, as such.

Summit and Vermeule associate the contrast between useful skills and useless knowledge that distorts our understanding of the humanities and sciences with other misplaced oppositions. Their hero is John Dewey, who fought educational division as it was cementing at the turn of the 20th century. Dewey argued against the divorce of vocational training from the liberal arts, with separate schools for welders and philosophers. And he urged a “transdisciplinary” synthesis of the humanities with scientific knowledge.

For Summit and Vermeule, the final development, toward the merging of the disciplines, is an inevitable and happy consequence of their argument. I am not persuaded that it is either. Citing Dewey’s defense of humanistic knowledge, they note that, for him, “our logic in social and humane subjects is still largely that of definition and classification as until the seventeenth century it was in natural science.” Their response is optimistic: Dewey “holds out hope that the humanities will experience a renewal in the same way that science did in the age of Bacon”; he “offers a vision of truly transdisciplinary knowledge that bridges artificial distinctions of learning.” But in the passage they quote, the vision looks more like a reductive “consilience” in which the humanities are subsumed by science. Respect for humanistic knowledge would not view it as a primitive version of something else.

The deeper question is why any convergence of disciplines should follow when we contest the opposition between practical and theoretical, active and contemplative. Breaking down this opposition would mean breaking down the barriers between disciplines, and between the humanities and sciences, only if the disciplines lined up on either side of the opposition, which Summit and Vermeule rightly dispute. In leveraging their argument into a plea for transdisciplinarity, they appear to be climbing a ladder they have already thrown away. At any rate, one can question the rhetorical associations Summit and Vermeule historicize without questioning the integrity of academic disciplines as they stand.

Summit and Vermeule find other false dichotomies in recent accounts of education and employment. Their undergraduates were vexed by a question that transcends the fuzzy-techie dilemma: “Should you pick your major based on your interests or on its potential financial return?” The conventional wisdom is that undergraduates now care more about making money than they did in the 1960s, and less about making meaning. The American Freshman, a study conducted by UCLA, rates “objectives considered to be essential or very important” to incoming college students. In 1967, nearly 85 percent hoped “to develop a meaningful philosophy of life”; that figure was roughly 45 percent in 2016. Meanwhile, the proportion of students who consider it important “to be very well off financially” has jumped from roughly 51 percent to roughly 82.

Summit and Vermeule are not convinced that these numbers show a fundamental change in orientation, as opposed to shifting fears. If you finish college burdened by debt, making money may well seem more imperative. They note that the percentage of students who care about developing a philosophy of life has risen from its nadir in 1986. But their most trenchant observation is that the goals are not exclusive: most students want both. Other measures confirm this. For instance, asked about the purpose of going to college, 83.8 percent of freshman say “to learn more about things that interest me”; only one percent more cite getting a better job. Where others see materialism and a spiritual void, Summit and Vermeule see “the emergence of a new attitude, one that hopes to synthesize philosophical meaning and professional success, personal fulfillment and material well-being.” This hope informs their treatment of the governing fable of the book.

In its original versions, which date to Greek and Roman antiquity, “The Ants and the Grasshopper” sets industrious ants who work all summer to save food for the winter against the idle grasshopper who sings through the seasons only to beg for alms as the cold descends. The ants refuse to help. The affirmation of hard work and seeming critique of charity persist in la Fontaine’s 17th-century adaptation. But Summit and Vermeule resist the opposition of work and play. As they slyly observe, the fable is self-subversive: its overt message, that art is good for nothing, is made memorable by art.

Summit and Vermeule pursue the fable’s transformation through two emblematic rewrites. In the 1934 Disney adaptation, the queen ant relents, allowing the grasshopper to earn his keep by playing the fiddle. The effect is to commodify art, a metonym for Disney itself. The history culminates with an ecstatic reading of Pixar’s 1998 animation, A Bug’s Life. Here the grasshoppers are bullies who demand an offering of grain in return for the ants’ survival. Under the influence of the joyously inventive Flik, the ants team up with a troupe of jaded circus bugs to replace their dismal labor with creative work, defeating the grasshoppers in the process. For Summit and Vermeule, the transformation of work into play is a model for their students and for us: “They are fortunate to live in a place and time in which meaningful work can be a valid aspiration — and not one restricted to the graduates of selective universities.”

It is not obvious how far the aspiration is meant to go. Summit and Vermeule are largely concerned with higher education, so it is natural to read the final clause as pointing beyond Stanford to the graduates of less selective universities. But there is no reason to assume that meaningful work is confined to “knowledge workers” rather than welders, nurses, or janitors. At one point, Summit and Vermeule invoke Matthew Crawford’s idea of “shop class as soulcraft,” or the meaningfulness of manual labor, which suggests a more expansive view.

It is easy to share the dream of meaningful work for all, understood in this inclusive way, but it is less easy to see how we get there from here. Summit and Vermeule do not address the political economy of employment, the disappearing middle class, or the coming automation of labor. The spirit of their book is more utopian. Its aim is to show that familiar oppositions can in principle be overcome. The question they invite is not how to achieve the dream, but how it dissolves the contrast between action and contemplation. What is contemplative about meaningful work?

One idea is that contemplative values are the values of leisure, as they are for Aristotle. In a fascinating chapter, Summit and Vermeule recount the history of stress and relaxation, “poor successors” to the older, richer concepts of action and contemplation. The metaphor of stress originates with pioneering endocrinologist Hans Selye in the 1950s. It was popularized in 1983 by a Time cover story on the “stress epidemic.” According to Summit and Vermeule, Selye believed that “the ultimate protection against stress […] is ‘a satisfactory philosophy of life.’ […] To remain healthy, he observed, ‘man must have some goal, some purpose in life than he can respect and be proud to work for.’” But the suggestion that meaningful work is bound to be leisurely or low-stress is doubtful. Burn-out rates among social workers indicate that pursuing a goal one can be proud of may be hugely stressful. Finding meaning in what one does may well be part of healthy living; it is not proof against stress or the need for a separate sphere of relaxation. Leisurely activities are distinctive, among the sources of meaning, in that they are non-ameliorative: they do not respond to needs and problems we would rather be without. This is what Aristotle prized about contemplation, that it would have purpose even in an ideal world. Some meaningful work is like that, but much is not. The dream of non-ameliorative work for all is truly utopian.

If meaningful work need not be leisurely, it could be contemplative in being philosophical. Both Selye and The American Freshman invoke the need for a “philosophy of life.” This is the well-trodden territory of Socrates’s dictum that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” or, in Diogenes’s more pungent formulation, “to manage our lives properly, we need either reason or a rope.” Summit and Vermeule give fresh voice to a generous, democratic version of this idea, drawing on sources from the Bible to the Dutch masters to George Eliot, Herman Melville, and Hannah Arendt. Still, I find myself listening to voices on the other side, as when Iris Murdoch opens her masterpiece, The Sovereignty of Good (1970), by reminding us of facts that tend to be “forgotten or ‘theorized away’”: for instance, “the fact that an unexamined life can be virtuous.” Can’t I find meaning in my life, and know well enough how to live, Murdoch asks, without engaging in sustained reflection of the sort philosophers love? Many philosophers have thought so. Still less am I compelled to take up questions in metaphysics or epistemology that have no practical bearing on my life. An intricate philosophy may guide the Stanford graduate in Pixar’s studio or Rubio’s welder. But it need not do so. Philosophy is not a condition of meaningful work.

For all their eloquence, Summit and Vermeule have not cured me of my pluralism, my belief that philosophy is just one of the meaningful activities that can occupy a life, and that it may not be for everyone. There is a division of spiritual labor. This is not to deny that everyone should have the chance to study philosophy, as everyone should have the chance to play a musical instrument or learn a craft. But it is to write a sentence I never thought I would: when it comes to the value of philosophy, I side with Marco Rubio.

¤

Kieran Setiya teaches philosophy at MIT and is the author of Midlife: A Philosophical Guide.

The post Either Reason or a Rope: On Jennifer Summit and Blakey Vermeule’s “Action versus Contemplation: Why an Ancient Debate Still Matters” appeared first on Los Angeles Review of Books.

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Play Station: Bread and Circus for the new jobless society

Lawrence Lek, Play Station, 2017

Lawrence Lek, The Nøtel (with Steve Goodman/Kode9), 2015

In Ancient Rome, politicians used to court the approval of the masses with circus games and cheap food. The satisfaction of citizen’s immediate needs distracted them from any concern regarding the management of the state and made them more likely to vote for lavish politicians. Satirical poet Juvenal found the political strategy disgraceful and talked about panem et circenses.

What will be the 21st century’s bread and circus when the unavoidable impact of job automation puts many of us out of work? Where are we going to find satisfaction and self-worth in the coming years when, as experts predict, automated systems replace 50 percent of all jobs? Will our countries have to face waves of unrest as citizens flood the streets asking for employment, dignity and a reason to get up in the morning? If a universal basic income provides us with bread, what will be our circus?

Artist Lawrence Lek’s latest utopian fiction VR game imagines that in the near future tech companies might throw us a bone:

Set in 2037, Play Station takes place in a futuristic version of the White Chapel Building, the London headquarters of a mysterious technology start-up known as Farsight. A world leader in digital automation, Farsight trains employees to outsource their jobs as much as possible, rewarding top performers with access to exclusive entertainment and e-holidays.

Play Station is ‘a useless-job simulator’. Farsight has no need for human workers, because it relies on automation to ensure profit and growth. The VR simulation is only there to give people a sense of fulfillment. Because Lek trained and worked as an architect, most of his works are site-specific. Play Station, for example, will be installed in the atrium of the recently re-invented White Chapel Building in London where it will stand as a critical comment on the changing boundaries between workplace and playground.

I had a quick email conversation with Lek ahead of the launch of the work for Art Night 2017 on July 1:

Hi Lawrence! Should we rejoice at the idea that playing video games might one day become the new form of work? Or is there something more sinister behind the idea?

In the training and promotional video for Play Station, the guide explains, ‘It’s work! It’s Play! No, it’s Playwork™!’

Play Station is a VR simulation set in 2037 London, where the player is a new employee in a warehouse distribution training centre for Farsight Corporation, a company that specialises in AI automation technology. Here, all work is disguised as play.

The project continues my hybrid site-specific/science-fiction world of Sinofuturism, exploring scenarios where advanced technology, driven by Asian research and investment, poses an existential problem for humanity’s heroic vision of itself. In the Nøtel (made in collaboration with Steve Goodman/Kode9), a fully-automated luxury hotel has its staff replaced completely by drones; In Geomancer, a Singaporean satellite AI comes to earth, hoping to become an artist. With Play Station, I asked – if mechanical automation and AI have kept on replacing the human workforce, could this be seen as an unexpected form of utopia?

I think it would lead to some kind of crisis about work because so much human self-worth is defined in relation to an individual’s value as a labour-provider. It’s a universal syndrome. Whether these beliefs stem from the Protestant Christian or Chinese work ethic, an individual’s relevance to society has extremely deep-set roots in the basis of civilization in agricultural societies, where labour was necessary for survival and (hopefully) prosperity.

Modern work culture has its roots in the transition from an agriculture to the Victorian mechanised workforce; jobs that used to be performed by human labour have repeatedly been augmented and replaced by technology. But what if the ultimate conclusion of the Marxist liberation from drudgery was actually a life of leisure? What would people do if they had universal basic income and they never no longer had to work in order to enjoy a sustainable living?

One idealistic possibility is that everybody will be an artist, free to express themselves and explore the highest forms of human creativity (with lots of government grants and charitable funding of course). More realistically, people would spend time playing computer games, hanging out, and indulging in some kind of play. And at its most extreme, there will be a crisis when the justification for our place in society is no longer predicated on our ability to work.

Lawrence Lek, The Nøtel (with Steve Goodman/Kode9), 2015

Why did you chose a Virtual Reality game to explore post work society?

Play Station is essentially a useless-job simulator. In a way, it’s a future version of medieval re-enactment cosplay scenarios, where people dress up as knights and gather for banquets, tournaments and archery.

In the game, you’re being trained to perform a job that isn’t actually a financial necessity for Farsight corporation. They’ve made billions through AI automation projects. Play Station is one of their charitable goodwill projects. In the future, maybe ‘corporate social responsibility’ goes beyond sponsoring charities. The VR simulation is to give people the illusion that they are productive members of society!

Lawrence Lek, Play Station, 2017

Should we be worried that, soon, all we will have left to spend time is going to be game and VR?

Virtual reality is just the latest in a long line of entertainment mediums that seek to be more immersive. From theatre, to cinema, television, and video games, I think these forms of mass media are designed to envelop the viewer in ever-increasing forms of immersion. That’s why there’s been such a big push in investment, from Facebook acquiring Oculus, to Samsung and Sony developing their own forms of VR. It’s compelling from a multinational business perspective, because the medium can be distributed and domesticated into individual households. There’s a huge potential market for the devices.

So in a post-work society, if everybody has 100% leisure time then VR might be the new opiate of the masses.

Geomancer (Trailer), 2017

Your visions of the future tend to be quite dystopian. But is Play Station anchored in actual examples of trends, news stories and practices? How much of this piece and how much of your work in general is tied to reality and how much of it is the result of your own imagination?

In Geomancer, set in Singapore in 2065, the curator AI says, ‘Utopia VR is big business these days.’

Although it’s often set in the future, my own work is very much tied to reality and what I see in everyday life, from promotional stands at Westfield shopping centre to the hyperactive ads that pop up before Youtube videos. Play Station and Farsight are fictional entities based on how tech companies continuously attempt to improve their public persona through architecture and branding. As part of the installation, I’m creating a marketing video based on promotional videos for hi-tech companies seeking investors and customers. Many of these companies’ founders have genuine utopian dreams about the potential of technology to create a thriving company and to benefit humanity. Naturally, those two things don’t always work together. But in the fictional world of the promo trailer or the VR playground, they do.

I don’t make these works as judgemental criticisms, they are simply more of a reflection of the symbiosis of society, culture, technology, and corporate growth. Whether that’s dystopian or not, I don’t know. But it’s what I see around me every day.

Lawrence Lek, Play Station, 2017

Lawrence Lek, Play Station, 2017

Is there anything about The White Chapel Building that call for this type of post-work/game scenario?

I’m very interested in the interdependent relationship of property economics and architectural aesthetics. The White Chapel Building itself is a newly-renovated former centre for the Royal Bank of Scotland. It’s now leased out to digitally-driven companies and agencies. The new interior reflects trends in workplace design; the 1980s anonymity of big-business architecture (stone cladding, vast central atrium, muted colours) has given way to the post-Millennial workplace (the atrium has a cafe and is open to the public, and you can see the open-plan offices, colourful furniture, and contemporary artwork all around).

We know the ‘playground’ aesthetic of Google workplaces, and Play Station is an imagined continuation of this kind of primary-colours-and-bean-bags aesthetic. But while the interior design of the future workplace will look ever more playful, the underlying economic prerogatives won’t change.

Could you describe the interaction? How do people explore the game and participate?

Play Station is set up as a mandala-like pentagon in the atrium of the White Chapel Building, with each of the five points housing a ‘promo’ station with an Oculus headset, PC, and TV screens playing the instructional video for Farsight Corporation’s ‘new brand of automated workplaces’. The video is for training new employees how to become more efficient workers. Once they put on the VR headset, players engaged in a variety of tasks for fulfilment services (goods distribution). Lucky employees even get to go on Farsight’s rollercoaster ride…

Just like Amazon’s distribution warehouses combine robot and human workforces, there’s a certain kind of automated performance that the player has to learn in order to progress in the game. I’m interested in how video games use ‘fun’ and interactivity to make the player forget the actual physical work and repetitive motion required to play the game.

I actually really dislike putting on those ugly, unhygienic VR goggles. And i’ve had to wear them A LOT over the past few years. Sometimes it was worth it though. What do you find compelling and relevant in VR technology? What makes you want to work with this technology?

I’m most interested in the how the player becomes a performer to other members of the audience, who are also waiting for their turn to become a performer themselves.

There’s a huge difference between ‘ideal’ VR where the virtual world is indistinguishable from the physical one, and the sheer clumsiness of the technology itself. VR headsets add a comedic element to interaction in a public space. At its most basic level, putting on goggles is being blindfolded to your immediate surroundings. When you’re playing, you become the object of attention for other viewers to look at, but you remain happily complicit in this relationship because you’re in another world. This results in a strange kind of reverse voyeurism, where the player’s mind is in another world, but their body stays in the public space of the exhibition.

I find these invisible relationships and social connections very interesting. While exploring, people express subconscious parts of their personality in how they interact with virtual worlds. Some want to win the game by exhausting all possible routes; others want to walk off the edge of the planet. All of these approaches express an attempt to make sense of the world, to master it, to explore the joy or sadness within it; except that it’s literally through the lens of this absurd VR technology that we see as somehow ‘advanced’.

Lawrence Lek, Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD), 2016 

Lawrence Lek, Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD), 2016

Lawrence Lek, Geomancer, Commissioned for the Jerwood/FVU Awards 2017

Lawrence Lek, Geomancer, Commissioned for the Jerwood/FVU Awards 2017

Is the future of work something that concerns you personally? Because i suspect that one day AI will take an even more ‘active’ role in the field of creativity as well.

I think AI will increasingly learn to perform ever more complex and creative tasks. I’m interested what this means in my own role as an artist. Can every job be replaced? Is being a writer and artist any different in essence from being a warehouse worker or stockbroker? We all have to make decisions based on certain rules that govern our task. Of course, there’s the romantic ideal of an artist making genius masterpieces. But these are also the result of a very large series of decisions, tastes and preferences as well as the mastery of a range of skills.

My last film, Geomancer, addresses this a problem specifically. While seeking independence from the Singapore government, the satellite AI decides that the most illogical (and therefore most compelling) thing for them to do is to become an artist. What kind of art work would a consciousness create if they had the whole store of human knowledge, of every human and machine language, the entire archive of the internet from 1969 to 2065? And also the capacity to use machine vision on an unimaginable scale, perceiving and recording the movement of every wave and living creature within the ocean? The places where this posthuman idea of creativity will lead are terrifying and beautiful, and maybe even sublime. I think that’s where technology and art are heading.

Thanks Lawrence!

You can experience Play Station at The White Chapel Building for Art Night 2017 on July 1. Lawrence Lek will also be joining Art Night curator, Fatos Üstek at Whitechapel Gallery on Thursday 6 July to discuss his new project.

Play Station by Lawrence Lek for Art Night 2017 is a co-commission by Outset Young Patron Circle and Art Night, supported by Derwent London.

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[konnl]

G.W. Renshaw –Speculative Fiction Author

This month’s guest is G.W. Renshaw who writes speculative fiction. His work is seen in The Chandler Affairs series: “The Stable Vices Affair“, “The Prince and Puppet Affair“, and “The Kalevala Affair“. He has a wide background of being a TV writer, gunner in the Canadian Forces, forest ranger, a computer programmer, among many more.

G.W. Renshaw lives in Calgary with his lovey wife. Let’s welcome him to the blog!

G.W. Renshaw, introduce yourself to us.

Hi, Konn. Thanks for having me here. I’ve done a lot of things in my life, some of which weren’t my fault.

I was born in Toronto, did a stint in The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, was a forest ranger for a summer, moved to Calgary, went to university (once for computer science, once for psychology), and spent a long time as a computer programmer. I’ve also been a teacher, which I loved, and worked in two biochemistry research labs. After that I became an actor, because why not? That led me to being a writer, science, and military consultant for a TV show that never got made. I’ve also taught medical students how to do pelvic exams, but that’s another story. Oh yes, and my lovely wife and I are also critical incident stress counsellors.

As far as non-job things go, I’ve been ice climbing, rock climbing, caving, spent over a decade in Search and Rescue (above and below ground). Driven in car rallyes. Taught wilderness survival. Learned man tracking from Terry Grant. Spent fifteen years or so in the SCA doing medieval things including archery, woodworking and blacksmithing.

And, of course, I write.

Tell us about your Chandler Affairs series.

It’s about a woman named Veronica Irene Chandler. Despite her mother being a Calgary homicide detective, Veronica is determined to be a private investigator. Her cases, however, turn out to be weirder than she could have imagined. The mysteries are more along the lines of “what’s happening” rather than “who done it.” Something like the Dresden Files if Harry Dresden was a complete Muggle.

In Veronica’s words, “It’s frustrating. Ancient and magical beings of great power keep interfering in my cases. Depending, of course, on exactly what you mean by ancient, magical, power, and interfering. Against this vast array of cosmic forces I have my own magic. I can tie a knot in a piece of string.”

Also, she’s been trained by her father as a chef, so expect good food in the books.

 Currently there are three, do you plan to write a fourth?

I’m way ahead of you. Number four, The True Love Affair, is in the hands of the editors and will be out Real Soon Now. After that will be number five, currently untitled, the rest of the series, and The Private Investigator’s Cooking Course.

I’ve written the final chapters so I do know where the series is going. It’s all outlined but I’m not sure how many books it will take to tell the story.

Nice! Do you have a preferred genre to write in? Or possibly one you do not like?

Much to my mother’s horror, I’ve always majored in science fiction with a strong minor in fantasy. She wanted me to read “real” books, but when I was a wee lad I was mostly into Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, and Robert Heinlein.

Apart from The Chandler Affairs, I also have a short story collection called Odd Thoughts. The stories in that are definitely on the creepy, bordering on the horror, side of things.

An editor once asked me what genre The Chandler Affairs belongs to, and my answer was mystery/urban fantasy/women’s/New Adult/science fiction/paranormal.

I’ll probably never write a Western or a Regency Romance simply because I don’t connect with those cultures.

What was the first literary piece that you wrote?

The first piece I wrote with the intention of it going somewhere was an SF short story called Vacation in 2012. I entered it in a contest and won second place, then sold it to On Spec Magazine a few months later. The Chandler Affairs followed right after that.

When did you first decide to pursue writing?

The first story I remember writing was almost 50 years ago when I was in grade seven. These days it would be called fan-fic and was titled The Vulcan’s Triumph. I’ll let people guess which fandom. It was written by hand because I didn’t have a typewriter and it was awful. I think I still have it around somewhere…

For many years I did some writing but I was too busy with other things. In 2012, I decided to get serious and start writing things that would be published.

With your vast background, how would you say these experiences have helped your writing?

To quote from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: In every way.

I’ve met a lot of people would like to believe that writing fiction means that they can just make everything up. That’s not true. Even if your story is based in a world completely unlike ours, the characters will still have to have recognizable motives and actions. If they don’t, you are either the best writer the world has ever known or nobody will read your work.

The more you know about how this world works, and how people work, the more believable your stories will be. Apart from my personal experiences, I also to do a lot of research for my stories. A good example is police procedure. Almost everything we as Canadians think we know about the legal system is actually American stuff from TV. I don’t want a Canadian police officer to throw my book across the room because I’ve said something wrong.

What will be your next project?

I’m not certain. I have a pile of ideas filed away. There’s a hard SF novel about my favourite planet outlined, so that’s a top contender. There’s also a YA based on the early 1900s-era Hardy Boys/Doc Savage types of adventures, but set in modern times and with, of course, plot twists from the original testosterone-fest.

Thank you for joining us G.W. Renshaw to talk about your writing!

You can find G.W. Renshaw’s work on his website and on Amazon:

https://www.gwrenshaw.ca

Amazon

You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter at:

https://www.facebook.com/GWRenshaw/

https://twitter.com/gwrenshaw

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[vacationsoup]

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Top 21 Things to do for Free in York

York is one of the UK’s gems. A wonderfully preserved medieval city, walking down its cobbled streets is like taking a trip into the past. With a wealth of attractions, you could happily spend a couple of weeks in York and not get bored. Even better, there’s an abundance of free activities to do and places to visit. Here’s a guide to the top 21 things to do for free in York.

Outdoor Spaces and Activities

The Shambles Possibly the most famous part of York, The Shambles is an old street in the city centre with a number of overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century. The name comes from its old Anglo-Saxon name Fleshammels, literally translating to ‘flesh-shelves’, as the street used to be filled with butchers’ shops and it was possible to see the cuts of meat hanging in the windows. Now the butchers’ shops don’t exist, but as you walk down this delightful cobblestone street, you will find a great mix of shops and restaurants. The street is also the location of the home of Saint Margaret Clitherow, who was married to a butcher on the street and was pressed to death for harbouring Catholic priests; you can still see the priest hole fireplace where she hid priests at number ten, now a cufflinks shop.

The Snickelways As well as the Shambles, there are dozens of small streets running off the main thoroughfares in the city centre of York. Most of these narrow streets, big enough only for pedestrians to pass down, are medieval, although a few are more modern. The name ‘Snickelways’ is a portmanteau of the words snicket, ginnel and alleyway, coined by Mark W. Jones in 1983. It is cool to wander around the city seeking out all these little streets which usually have quirky names like Mad Alice Lane, Pope’s Head Alley and Grape Lane. York City Walls The impressive city walls of York have guarded the city for over 700 years. At approximately two miles long, they are the longest medieval walls in England. A walk along the walls takes about two hours and takes you past five main gateways, one Victorian gateway, one postern and 45 towers. Free Guided Walking Tours There are a number of companies which offer free walking tours of the city. The Association of Voluntary Guides leads a two-hour tour taking you past some of York’s biggest attractions and sights, including York Minster, Monk Bar, St Mary’s Abbey and The Shambles, as well as telling you many stories about the city and its history. The great thing about this tour company is that not only is the tour completely free, they don’t insist on tips either. Other walking tour companies to consider are: White Rose York Tours; Footprints Tours; and Strawberry Tours. The Cat Trail Since records began in the city of York, cats have been considered lucky and have played a major part in city life. For about two centuries, statues of cats have been placed on buildings in an attempt to frighten away rats and mice and therefore reduce the risk of disease; they were also believed to ward off evil spirits and generally to bring good luck to the occupants of the property. It is possible to download a Cat Trail map from the website of the Cat Gallery; not only will you be able to seek out the cats of York, but it will take you past some of the most beautiful parts of the city. Shambles Market In the heart of the city is Shambles Market, a vibrant market consisting of 85 different stalls selling a wide variety goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, books, cosmetics, flowers, crafts and gifts. There’s also a really great street food area; be sure to try out the North African and Levantine food. The market is open seven days a week from 7am. Shakespeare’s Village Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre is Europe’s first pop-up theatre. Although you have to pay for the plays which are performed, it is free to wander around the Shakespeare’s Village the theatre is set in. Located in the car park next to Clifford’s Tower, the village captures the atmosphere of a medieval village, with oak-framed, reed-thatched buildings offering the finest Yorkshire food and drink along with wagon entertainment, minstrels and even a lovely Elizabethan garden with flower and herb beds. The theatre and village only pop up in York during the summer months; in 2019, the village and performances will start in June and run until the beginning of September. Museums and Libraries National Railway Museum One of the city’s most popular museums, the National Railway Museum is the largest museum of its kind in Britain. The museum details the history of rail transport and the impact it has had on society. It has a collection of over 100 locomotives and around 300 other items connected with trains and railways. Some of the most impressive trains in its collection include: a 1938 Mallard; a working replica of the steam locomotive the Rocket; an 1846 Coppernob; and a 1976 Shinkansen bullet train, the only one on display outside of Japan. Other highlights of the museum are: the George Cross medal awarded posthumously to train driver Wallace Oakes for staying on a burning train after it had been involved in an accident; the Royal trains, including a carriage that was used by Queen Victoria; and the warehouse, which houses a permanent exhibition telling the story of the Flying Scotsman.

The Bar Convent Founded in 1686, the Bar Convent is England’s oldest living convent. Originally founded as a school for girls, it still has members of the Congregation of Jesus living there today. Housed in grade I-listed 18th-century buildings, they are open to the public. Here you can visit an exhibition on the interesting history of the convent; at the time the convent was founded, practising Catholicism was very dangerous, so the ladies who lived there had to be very secretive about what they were doing. You will learn about radical nun Mary Ward who traversed the Alps twice on foot and get the chance to hide yourself in a priest hole. There’s also a cafe and accommodation on site.

Parks and Gardens Rowntree Park Located just a 10- to 15-minute walk south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is a wonderful place to take a long stroll. As well as the well-kept gardens, there is also a lake, canal and water cascade which are home to a number of swans, ducks and Canada geese. There are plenty of facilities to make use of, such as tennis courts, a skate park, a basketball court and bowling greens. If the weather is nice, there are also some picnic areas for you to enjoy a meal in the sun. Kids will enjoy the excellent play area which has climbing frames and a zip wire. Dean’s Park Located north of York Minster, the main draw of Dean’s Park is that it offers spectacular views of this fabulous church. Although you need to pay to enter the Minster, it is free to admire the wonderful exterior. It’s a lovely spot to take some time to relax during a hard day’s sightseeing, and during the summer there are places to buy ice cream and soft drinks. Yorkshire Museum Gardens and Observatory Set in the grounds of St Mary’s Abbey, Yorkshire Museum Gardens is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet in the middle of the city. There’s a lot of things to see in the gardens. It houses the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire, built between 1832 and 1833; the telescope inside was built by Thomas Cooke, the man who went on to build what was then the largest telescope in the world. The observatory is also home to a clock dating back to 1811 which tells the time based on the positioning of the stars; it is the clock that all others in the city were set by back in the 19th century. There is also an abundance of flora and 40 species of bird to spot. Homestead Park One of the most beautiful natural areas of the city, Homestead Park is located in Clifton, 1 ½ miles from the city centre. The park’s main features include: a wild flower meadow; a tree-lined avenue; herbaceous and extensive shrub borders; and the Backhouse pond and rock garden. There’s loads of facilities for children in the popular play area, such as a paddling pool, table tennis, a monkey gym and helter skelter rides. The park also offer leaflets with different walks, such as several tree-trail walks and a wildlife walk. Yorkshire Lavender Technically not in York itself but only a short 15-mile drive away, Yorkshire Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery offers some of the best views in the county, being set in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as the award-winning lavender gardens, there is a sculpture park to explore, a lavender maze to get lost in, a sensory garden, and Highland cattle and lambs to pet. Churches York St Mary’s Dating back to 1020, this beautiful medieval church is known for having the city’s tallest spire, standing at 47 metres high. Having been consecrated in 1958, it spent a few decades as a heritage centre before being transformed into a contemporary art gallery in 2004. Exhibitions change regularly and the church makes an ambient place to view the artworks. St Michael le Belfry Known primarily as the church where Guy Fawkes was baptised in 1570, St Michael le Belfry is an impressive building. It is free to enter but tours of the church are run entirely by volunteers, so it is best to check before you visit whether it is possible for you to enter. St Mary’s Abbey Established in 1088, St Mary’s Abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. The history of the abbey connects two very important events in England’s history: the abbey was built by order of William the Conqueror as a way of exerting control of the north, and was destroyed under the reign of Henry VIII as a consequence of his Reformation of the church. Visitors can see the remains of the nave and crossing of the abbey church. The walls surrounding the abbey, built in the 1260s, are considered to be the most complete set of abbey walls in the country.

Festivals and Events York Food and Drink Festival One of the most popular festivals in the city, the York Food and Drink Festival is running three events in 2019: the Chocolate Festival in April; the Taster Festival in June; and the main festival in September. It’s a complete not-for-profit event; the festivals and demos are free to enter and any money that is made from food and drinks sales goes back into funding for the festival the next year. Their aim is to promote local food and drink producers, to put York on the map as a culinary destination and to provide educational workshops on food and cooking.

Jorvik Viking Festival Possibly the city’s most famous festival, the Jorvik Viking Festival celebrates York’s history as a Viking settlement. It takes place in February every year to coincide with the Viking festival of ‘Jolablot’, which was a celebration to say goodbye to winter and herald the coming of spring. Although you have to pay for some of the events, there are also free events during the week-long festivities. Events include workshops, talks and re-enactments. York Festival of Traditional Dance Taking place in September every year, for two days you will hear the sounds of jingling bells, tapping clogs and clashing sticks during the York Festival of Traditional Dance. Throughout the city you will see over 100 dancers and musicians performing a wide variety of dance styles. York Christmas Market From November to December every year, York is transformed into even more of a wonderland than it usually is. Tens of wooden chalets set up shop selling all kinds of festive goods. The Christmas standards of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and grilled sausages can be found all around the city centre. Kids will love Santa’s grotto and adults will love Thor’s Tipi, a Scandi pop-up bar complete with warm open fires and cosy fur hides. York is a stunning city to visit whatever the season. And with this list of free things to do, you can enjoy the city for less.

#foodie #groupaccommodationyork #HolidayInYork #NorthYorkshire #VacationInYork #VacationSoup #whatson #whattodo #York

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Antwerp in Belgium: a Spellbinding City Where Medieval Meets Tomorrow

01 of 20

Antwerp Is Amazing and Easy to Get To

©Mike Smith/Flickr

Antwerp is a favorite destination of luxury travelers who know Europe well. It is a tolerant and progressive city, and one where English is widely spoken. Antwerp was one of Europe's richest and most inventive cities in the 1600s and 1700s, the Golden Age of the Low Countries (Holland and Belgium).

Antwerp is in its second Golden Age. It absolutely sparkles, and not just because it's the world's biggest diamond hub. This slideshow will give you 16 reasons (and photos) that show you why Antwerp in Belgium is an incredible place to visit.

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02 of 20

Antwerp Is in the Middle of Everything

©Erik_V/GettyImages

Antwerp Is Very Easy to Get To

Antwerp, in Belgium, is less than a one-hour ride by car or train from the capital, Brussels, the seat of the European Union. Antwerp feels very international, which is no surprise: it has been ruled by monarchs from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.

Antwerp has a unique personality: artistic and progressive yet heritage-proud and dignified. Its population is diverse. You will see Orthodox Jewish residents who work in Antwerp's tremendous diamond trade. And you will see locals whose forebears came from the Belgian Congo (today's Democratic Republic of the Congo). The official language is Flemish, a variation of the Dutch language. Most Antwerpers also speak French and English.

Antwerp grew by leaps and bounds in the Middle Ages partly due to its location on the Scheldt River a few hours south of the English Channel. Rivers were the superhighways of the time, carrying people, goods, and ideas from place to place. Nowadays you can take a leisurely river cruise that features Antwerp as a port. (Curious? See how river cruises are different from ocean cruises.)

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03 of 20

Getting to Antwerp on Brussels Airlines

©Rudi Boigelot

ic pAcross the Atlantic to Belgium Aboard Brussels Airlines 

Numerous airlines fly nonstop from U.S. gateways to Brussels, Belgium's capital, a one-hour ride from Antwerp. But if you're the kind of traveler who likes to get into the spirit of the destination by flying on its national airline — on a comfy and well-priced flight to boot — your choice is Brussels Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance mileage group.

Brussels Airlines flies nonstop between New York, Washington  D.C., and Toronto. Elsewhere Americans can connect to a Brussels-bound flight through Brussels Airlines' partner, United,

Coach seating on Brussels Airlines is relatively quite comfortable. And business class is a lovely experience. Your pod-style seat feels like a cozy cocoon. And the personal attention never ends. You're welcomed with a glass of Champagne and royally fed and pampered for the rest of your flight. Think Belgian chocolates and Belgian beer. This is a flight you won't want to sleep through.

What Are You Passionate About? You Might Find It on Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is a lot like Antwerp—a historic pedigree and a flair for contemporary tastes and trends. Its jet exteriors honor Belgium's cultural icons such as the comic-book hero Tintin (in the photo above) and Surrealist painter René Magritte (you know his depictions of black umbrellas in the sky). Check out Brussels Airlines' b inspired magazine.

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04 of 20

Take Your Pick of Refined Hotels in Antwerp

©Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Your Choice of Tempting Hotels in Antwerp

Antwerp takes its tourism trade seriously, and treats its visitors well. You'd expect a range of hotels in a city this stylish and this enterprising. And you'll get just that.

Accommodations include from elegant B&Bs, inexpensive Airbnb apartments, super-stylish boutique hotels, and well-known major hotel names. Stylish visitors like  Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt: a boutique hotel just off the Grand Place, and Hotel Les Nuits, a seductive design hotel whose 22 rooms have a black-dominant palette.

An Easy Decision: Hilton Old Town Antwerp

The U.S.-based Hilton brand offers Antwerp visitors a refined full-service hotel with one of the city's best locations, right on the central square. Hilton Old Town Antwerp's draws include spacious, quiet rooms with comforts like super-quality beds and pillows, coffeemakers, American-style showers with Peter Thomas Roth toiletries; a 24-hour gym; VIP Club Floor with a snack-filled lounge and a scenic deck (shown above); Brasserie Flo, overlooking the square and serving sparkling-fresh seafood and Belgian specialties.

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05 of 20

Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady Is a Must-Visit

©VISITFLANDERS/www.milo-profi.be

Antwerp Has One of Europe's Great Cathedrals

Even if you're used to checking out the big church in every European city you visit, Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady will impress you. The biggest Gothic church in Europe's Low Countries, it was begun in the early 1100s and is still being refined with new artworks. The cathedral is a source of pride and joy to the Flemish people, and welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually.

The Cathedral's Paintings Are By Rubens, Antwerp's Hometown Genius

Gothic cathedrals flaunting the work of legendary painter Peter Paul Rubens are rare. The Cathedral of Our Lady flaunts four masterpieces by this master of the Flemish Baroque style, painted over a period of 15 years. And Our Lady contains many other masterworks in paint, marble, and sculpted wood.

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06 of 20

Antwerp Sparkles with Diamonds

©VISITFLANDERS/Kris Jacobs

Antwerp is the global diamond trade's busiest center — busier than Johannesburg or New York. Antwerp's diamond trade is on both the wholesale and retail levels. It is estimated that two-thirds of the world's gem-quality diamonds pass through Antwerp. This is where diamonds are brought to be traded, cut, polished, graded, set, and sold. 

Diamonds, Diamonds Everywhere

With the dollar rising against the Euro, Antwerp is a brilliant place to buy diamond jewelry…or just window-shop and dream. Many of the city's diamond stores are in the Diamond District near Central Station, and other diamond shops are scattered about. in Antwerp, you are never far from a dazzling diamond window display.

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07 of 20

DIVA Antwerp, for Diamond Intrigue and Adventure

©Louise Mertens for DIVA Antwerp

DIVA, opened in Spring 2018 in Antwerp's historic center, is an interactive adventure that immerses you in the diamond mystique. Your guide is the virtual DIVA, an Antwerp glamourpuss who leads you through her house and shows you its sparkling treasures. The way DIVA tells it, the story of the world's diamond trade is in many ways the story of Antwerp.

Can You Escape with a Diamond?

Visitors can also try on (virtually, that is) stunning creations involving the world's most precious substance, and learn about the world's most notorious diamond heists and forgeries. Your newfound diamond knowledge will come to the test in DIVA’s Escape Room. In this 60-minute challenge, your only way out is to solve riddles and find objects. Diamonds are forever, but let's hope your stay in the Escape Room is temporary.

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08 of 20

Antwerp Shopping and the Stadsfeestzaal Designer Mall

©Antwerpen Toerisme & Congres

Antwerp is a world center of edgy modern fashion, and shopping is an avid pursuit here. The upshot: you'll find lots of high-end fashion but also many bargains. The city's main shopping street, Meir, is a pedestrian promenade that runs over a mile. You'll see many of Europe's popular retail brands. Some, like Zara, H&M, and Mexx, you can find in the States. But others, like C&A, will be fresh pickings. Prices range from super-cheap to high-ticket.

Stadsfeestzaal on Meir Street shelters around 40 stores, but it's a shame to call it a mall. This elegant late-1800s arcade is so upscale, its refreshment stand is a Champagne bar.

You're Never Far from a Designer Boutique

European and Flemish designer shops are scattered around the neighborhoods surrounding Old Town. Have fun. Know that some retailers accept only cash for sale items. Here's where to find the shops by name.

Fashionistas plan their Antwerp visit around the Antwerp Fashion Festival, held annually in early fall. You can expect late-night shopping, runway shows, juicy discounts, pop-up “fashion villages,” style meetups, and other insider events. Antwerp Fashion weekends occur throughout the year.

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09 of 20

Belgian Food in Antwerp: Some of the Best Snacks on Earth

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Antwerp Cuisine Thinks Global But Cooks Local

Antwerp's delicious cuisine evolved on its own path. As a port city, Antwerp absorbed influences and seasonings from far and wide. The basis of the cuisine is Flanders' hearty meat and fresh produce, with unique flavors thanks to Antwerpers' way with spices.

Antwerp is a sophisticated multicultural town where you can find a myriad of global cuisines. French restaurants abound (including around a dozen with Michelin stars). And if you seek an Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, African, Asian, or Kosher restaurant, you can find it. Find out more about restaurants in Antwerp.

Eat These in Antwerp

But if you want to eat like an Antwerper, consider these local specialties: mussels and fries (mosselen–friet); waterzooi (a saucy chicken or fish casserole); carbonnade Flamande (beef stew made with beer instead of red wine). Belgian waffles are a sweet treat you cannot deny yourself. Choose a topping, or several. Loco for cocoa? Antwerp's divine Belgian chocolate awaits.

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10 of 20

Calling All Chocoholics to Antwerp

©VISITFLANDERS/www.milo-profi.be

In a World of Standout Chocolate Countries, Belgium Could Be the Best

Belgium is not the only great producer of chocolate. What chocoholic would turn down Swiss, French, or Dutch chocolate? But if you're a certified chocoholic, you may fall hard for Belgian chocolate. It's creamier and silkier, with an intriguing variety of flavors (fruit, nut, spice, liqueur) worked into a velvety-smooth ganache texture.

In Antwerp, chocolate is a passion. The local chocolate is made by hand and gorgeously packaged with ribbons. Dainty shops here resemble lingerie boutiques. After all, fine chocolate is a sensuous pleasure.

Hand Me Some of that Antwerp Chocolate

Antwerp's signature chocolate treat is small chocolates shaped like hands. This tradition is part of Antwerp's mythology about a mean giant who lived on the river. The hands symbolize what happened to him. And the statue in the Grand Place, showing a Roman soldier hoisting a severed hand, tells you the end of the story. Forget the story but remember the chocolate!

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11 of 20

Antwerp Is a City of Parks

©VISITFLANDERS/Misjel Decleer

Antwerp Has a Park You'll Fall in Love With

Antwerpers work hard and play hard. They planned their city with green space everywhere, and you'll encounter huge parks where yo can lose yourself for a half-day. And as you explore Antwerp's medieval street plan, you'll stumble upon its public gardens and secret glades.

One favorite is Stadspark, a large triangular patch a few minutes' walk from Old Town and the Meir Street shopping district. Everyone comes here, and you should, too. Stadspark is the place for a walk, run, or spin on a citybike. Or you can take it easy. Read on a bench, sunbathe on the thick grass, or feed ducks by the pond.

All the while, you'll do some inspired people-watching. And you'll come away refreshed by nature and armed with an inside take on Antwerp. Here's more about Antwerp's lovely parks.

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12 of 20

Antwerp’s Tomorrowland Festival

©Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland, a Revel of a Festival

Tomorrowland is up there with the world's best annual festivals, attracting and entertaining some 200,000 fun-seekers. This summer sensation is a celebration of electronic music and its liberating effect. Founded in 2004, Tomorrowland is held in Boom, 10 miles from Antwerp. It has grown to encompass an entire lifestyle and has two spinoffs, Tomorrowland Brasil and Tomorrowland Dubai.

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13 of 20

Antwerp’s Glorious Central Station

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Antwerp's Railroad Station Is One of Its Greatest & Most Famous Buildings

Central Station is an Antwerp landmark, and one of the great railroad stations of the world. This glorious, church-like building, completed in 1905, brings the romance back to train travel. It resembles a palace, with a soaring glass dome and a monumental marble staircase. One of the station's local nicknames is “railroad cathedral” (Spoorwegkathedraal).

At Central Station, you will see as many admirers with cameras as travelers with luggage. This magnificent structure is one of Antwerp's treasures and definitely worth a visit.

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14 of 20

Fall in Love with Belgian Beer in Antwerp

©Karen Tina Harrison

  You know how passionate beer-lovers are. And no beer fan is more ardent than the partisan of Belgian beer. These brews are a breed apart. They are thick, creamy, and golden, more like a kiss than a pucker. 

Belgian beer was developed by monks in the Middle Ages, and medieval monks clearly had fantastic taste. At a time when hardly anyone could read, let alone create a recipe, monks were their eras' intellectuals, chemists, inventors, and taste-makers.

Why Is Belgian Beer Such a Cult Thing? Find Out in Antwerp

Today, Belgian beer is exported everywhere, but it's thrilling to drink it on home soil. The place to indulge is the De Koninck brewery right in Antwerp. 

Duvel Beer is an icon of Belgium. Its Antwerp brewery offers an absorbing tour that spotlights the history of the brand and the uncompromising Antwerp family behind it. The tour ends with an ample tasting of several De Koninck beers. You can decide which one is your favorite. For many, it is Duvel. Don't be surprised if it becomes the beer you always look for. (Order it right: the name Duvel is Flemish, not French, and pronounced DO-v'l.) Find out about visiting De Koninck Brewery and tasting its beers.

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15 of 20

Cutting-Edge Fashion in Antwerp

©Modeafdeling Antwerpen

Multiple Generations of Disruptive Design in Antwerp

Antwerpers have always cherished their creative side. In the 1980s, the city burst upon the international fashion scene with the attention-getting Antwerp Six, a half-dozen designers who changed everything.

The Antwerp Six's approach—architectural, dark, hand-made—continues to influence fashion design. Whenever you see the word “minimalist” in fashion copy, that's a tribute to Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and the other fashion radicals of the Antwerp Six.

A School for Ambitious Antwerp Designers

Antwerp has long been a sanctuary for artists, and the Fashion Department of the Antwerp Academy trains designers. It attracts style-mad, innovative young people from all over the world (but especially the E.U.). Find out more about contemporary fashion in Antwerp and MoMu, Antwerp's Fashion Museum.

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16 of 20

The Rubens House: Now, This Was Livin’

©VISITFLANDERS

Time to dream: imagine an extravagantly talented creative type whose ground-breaking work creates a sensation. People talk about him and are eager to see his latest. He becomes the top guy in his field and extremely wealthy. He buys a fabulous home and fills it with precious objects, and showers his first and second wives with diamonds. His renown is such that he's a kind of diplomat, hobnobbing with world leaders.

We are not talking about an entertainment superstar or a Silicon Valley visionary. We are talking about Antwerp's artistic genius, Peter Paul Rubens. He was the painter of his day (late 1500s and early 1600s). Kings, cardinals, and moguls wanted him to paint their portraits or their palaces and cathedrals. Here's Rubens'​ incredible bio and complete painting gallery.

Visit Rubens' House in Antwerp

Rubens owned one of the grandest private houses in Antwerp, with galleries galore and a sculpture garden. Today's visitors can tour the home. It adds up to more than a museum studded with timeless paintings by Rubens. It's a place that makes you think about just how much one person can achieve. Rubens was an artist, and a personality, for the ages. Check out Rubens' House (Rubenshuis).

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The Cycling Life in Antwerp

©Wikimedia Commons/François

Antwerp Is a Two-Wheeled Town

Belgium is a progressive country that long ago recognized the bicycle as a form of transportation as well as relaxation. And Antwerpers are passionate about the two-wheeled lifestyle. You'll see locals of all ages getting around on their bikes: going to work, doing their shopping, taking in the splendid sights of their city. Find out how to rent a bike in Antwerp and meet people on small-group Antwerp bike tours.

A Bike Ride You Can't Take Anywhere Else: Through St. Anna Tunnel 

One of the many mesmerizing rides you can take in Antwerp traverses the Scheldt River. Unlike in other cities, this bike path doesn't go over the river on a bridge. It goes under the river in a tunnel. St. Anna Tunnel is a feat of engineering that has made Antwerpers proud since it opened in 1933. (They call it simply “the underpass.”) The tunnel is for walkers and cyclists only.

St. Anna tunnel's rare wooden escalator still take you (and your bike) up and down. What's new and delightful: mood lighting in the tunnel. If you find yourself on a bike during your Antwerp visit, a colorful spin through St. Anna Tunnel will be a thrill you don't soon forget.

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Zip Around Free with the Antwerp City Card

©Karen Tina Harrison

The Best Bargain in a City of Bargain-Hunters

Antwerpers are practical folks who love a bargain — and they know that visitors do, too. One of Antwerp's best travel deals is the Antwerp City Card, a discount program for visitors. It gives you a lot for a little (or for free). And the card allows you to do it all without constantly dipping into your wallet or backpack.

The benefits of the Antwerp City Card are exceptional. For starters, you get free entry to most tourism attractions, such as museums and the cathedral. Plus free passage on city transportation and the HopNStop downtown shuttle. Not to mention discounts on things like bike rentals and waffle shops.

24, 48, or 72 Hours?

The Antwerp City Card is sold for one, two, or three days. The best deal is the 72-hour card, only 40 Euros as of 2018, around $48USD. (The discount coupon book that comes with the card is good for the whole year.)

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Antwerp’s Thriving Jewish Community

©Karen Tina Harrison

Yiddish Culture Lives On in Antwerp

A vibrant Jewish community exists in Antwerp. Many of its residents are involved with Antwerp's diamond trade, the world's most significant. 

Back when, Antwerp welcomed Jews who had fled or been expelled from Spain following the anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim Spanish Inquisition of 1492, and for successive generations. Today's Jewish citizens of Antwerp are Orthodox Jews whose forebears came from Eastern Europe. Their neighborhood is the only Yiddish-speaking district that remains in Europe, a fact that thrills Jewish visitors. Find out more about the dramatic history of Antwerp's Jewish residents.

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How to Start Planning a Visit to Antwerp

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Inspired to Visit? Start with These Antwerp Connections

Visit Antwerp online and Visit Flanders  

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