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serrj215 · 3 years

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Road Trip

"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair" He sang with the radio. He couldn't be more off-key if he tried. As the song went on he fumbled and mumbled half the words. "da da Hoooteeel California"

Beast Boy found himself looking out a windshield. He was in a car, traveling on a highway heading north. It was either very late or ungodly early. Rain was lightly falling on the windshield and save for the headlights and the occasional street lamp it was pitch black. His head was resting against the passenger window. He sat up in the seat, straitening his back trying to remember where he was and what was going on.

"There he is!" The driver says. "You've been out for almost 300 miles, you missed me doing a heartbreaking rendition of Margaritaville about an hour ago. I might have missed my calling."

Beast Boy turned to see a skinny but older man in the driver's seat. He had shaggy blond hair that was months overdue for a trim, and was graying around the temples. When the street lights passed through the windows, he could see he had grey-blue eyes behind chrome wire-rimmed glasses. He must not have shaved for the last few days. The driver's voice was friendly and familiar but Beast Boy couldn’t place it.

The driver arched his back in his seat, stretching tired muscles. "Aggh, I am fading. Don’t get old Gar, trust me. You ready to switch?"

Beast Boy just sat there staring at him as the music ended and the driver turned down the radio.

"Gar, you still asleep?" He asked glancing at him before turning his attention back to the road. "Will stop for gas soon, I will buy you a cup of coffee. Three sugars right?"

"Um, Yea." Beast Boy didn’t know what to say which was new for him. He knew the driver and the driver knew him or at least knew him well enough to know how he likes his coffee. He just couldn’t pull the name from his mind. This man was important, he was safe with him but at that moment he would love to see his driver's license.

"If you pay a few more bucks for the good stuff you don’t need all that sugar. There used to be a little coffee place near the university, they roasted their own beans. I will take you, If it is still there it's been almost 20 years."

"What time is it?" Beast Boy asked.

"Well it's too early for breakfast and too late for dinner " He replied with a smile "but we’re making good time."

Beast Boy knew he had heard that expression before. In fact he was sure that he had used the expression before. But before he could think too much about it.

"Please thank Raven for me," he said. "You found a good one Gar, It's not many women that would be okay with this. I mean especially with a little on the way. " He flipped the turn signal and started merging to the right. "I just hate planes. I think it's worth it taking 14 hours to get someplace if it means I get to pick what and when I eat and I am not stuck in a metal tube with no leg room."

"I guess I am lucky I can fly myself " Beast Boy responded then in unison they both said.

"But boy do your/my arms get tired!"

They both started laughing at the very old humor.

"So when is Raven due again?" the driver asked

"Late September."

"So that means you and Raven got frisky right around New Year’s or the Christmas party?

"HEY!?" He responded he could feel the blood rush up his neck.

"Oh, what?!" The driver expounded. "I am one of the foremost experts in primate biology, also I used to be 22 with a hot wife. " He laughed to himself. "You going to tell me that you and Raven go out and save the world, then go home and play Jenga?"

Beast Boy just retreated a bit in embarrassment leaning back against the door.

"You know you should keep it up, it can help with a lot of the pregnancy symptoms. The stress management and blood pressure benefits alone-"

"I do not want to talk about this!"

"Okay. Okay, changing the subject. Have you settled on names yet?" He started again not letting this conversation end. "I know its tradition to name the firstborn son after the Mother's father but I doubt you're going to do that!"

"Yea that’s a no." "We were thinking of Marie for a girl."

"Your mother would love that."

The exit came up and the driver pulled off the highway into a gas station. He turned off the car and tossed Beast Boy the keys. "Okay throw $20 in it, I will get the coffee and you one of those peanut butter jobs if you don’t tell your mother I am getting one too. She worries"

"Dad?!"

"Yea?" he said looking at his son straight on.

Beast Boy really saw him for the first time with the car's dome light.

"Your dead."

Mark Logan heard that statement and mentally weighed it, after a moment. He said with a smile that Beast Boy had only seen in old photos. "Yea, but I am still around."

The door slammed.

Beast Boy shot up in bed and then tumbled out of it onto the floor, taking the covers with him. He pushed himself up onto his hands and knees trying to get a hold of reality.

"eg Gar are you okay?" Raven struggled a bit to sit up in bed. She wrapped her arms around herself. "And may I have the blanket back?"

Beast Boy got up, gathered the covers, and made the bed over his pregnant wife. As he tucked her in he told her about the dream.

"Are you okay? She asked laying on her side looking up at him.

"Yea, I mean it was weird but it was just a dream." he said not sure if he was buying that himself.

"Was it?"

"Rae? Are you saying that was real?”

"Gar, we have seen so much, different dimensions, time travel, different levels of existence. We have been to so many places and met beings that can use reality as a plaything. it wouldn’t be unheard of that you were visited." she said just before a long yawn.

"Really?"

"No." she put a small but sympathetic smile on her sleepy face. A pale hand slipped out of the blankets to take his. "We have talked about this before Gar. I know you are-"

"Scared shitless"

"Apprehensive." she corrected "But I know you are going to be a good father. I know you wish your parents were here to help, but we have family and we are going to be okay."

"Yea I know Rae, there is just so much I wish I could ask."

"We will figure it out. Try to relax we have a big day tomorrow. Now come to bed, you neglecting your duties as my personal bed warmer."

He kissed her hand before letting it disappear back under the blanket. "Okay, I will be there in a minute," he said before walking off.

Beast Boy looked flipped on the bathroom light and went to the sink. He splashed some water on his face a few times and ran his wet fingers through his hair. He straightened up and looked in the mirror, when he saw his face he jumped back a bit.

He slowly touched his face, making sure that the person in the glass was doing the same. Somehow he had missed it. He would look at himself every day, and see the goofy kid he was when he joined the Titans. That night he looked in the mirror and saw his father. His skin, eyes, and hair were still green but his chin, and nose, even the barely controlled chaos of his hair was the same as his Dad's.

Maybe Rae was right. Could it be he was trying to tell himself something? Could it be that in the vastness of creation and all of the unknown his father did visit him? Could it be that he just saw the Lion King too many times?

He took a few deep breaths and headed back to bed. He found his wife where he left her lying on her side, the blankets pulled tight around her. He carefully climbed into bed kissing Raven's head. But before he settled in he leaned over to whisper to his wife's belly. "Grandpa says hello, and he loves you."

***************************

This story has been with me for a bit. My father passed a year ago this month. We didn't see eye to eye about many things as I got older. When I do remember when we did get along it was when we were on the road together. Long road trips going up and down I-95, where we could talk. In the passenger seat is where my father would forget that I was his son and we could talk like two men.

#bbrae #bbrae fanfiction #Serrj215 Original

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comma57 · 2 years

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so anyways . Before i post stuff tomorrow im going to post my thoughts in advance. ff7r dlc spoilers ig

obsessed w how sonon was some guy that died for yuffie pain (#feminism #equality) i think that was funny. it still got to me though bc im a sucker for older brother /type figures (do i want u or do i want to be you) and also when adults r nice to children. but anyways besides that i do like his voice (and yuffies <:-) ) i liked his character for what it was in relation to yuffie, and less so himself bc they rly did try to cram in a backstory and stuff only to kill him off. still miles above clay terran and [redacted for those who know] but yknow like. short dlc. some guy.

SO.

it was interesting to see yuffie deal w someone who was simultaneously protective of her (as any adult should be) but also respected her capabilities. (also them bonding over the da chao beans as a familiar food to both of them :-) very familiar). like well. Yuffie's whole deal makes me😭 shes only 16 sob and wutai and midgar's deal...

back to their relationship (for the short time we've seen them (💔) i rly rly enjoyed yuffie rebuffing sonon's projecting onto her a bit (a lot? They made his sister look very similar to yuffie on purpose) bc yuffies like im not your sister. and maybe she couldve had more tact about it but shes yuffie but i think she absolutely was justified in getting put off by that. and getting back to the point abt yuffie not being taken seriously like there were those moments sonon was like *slightly exasperated rolling eyes* just as like. Perhaps also a justified reaction to yuffies antics LOL but he rly called her "boss" from the start and not in a joking matter ever as i recall. so like, yippee for yuffie.

i just think its rly interesting dynamic o)-< and i was not expecting a scene like that.. that would make me think so in depth abt it LOL i only know yuffies character from the original and now remake and havent even seen crisis core so i am missing some pieces of her story but even what i have the original really makes me o(-< yuffie... shes so important. i hope remake does .. good with wutai but im still sad abt the leviathan materia ur supposed to get in wutai from that tower for yuffies battle sidequest that its just given to u in remake wherever else and not tied to that as i was told -_- i did like seeing the random ppls dialogue include talk of wutai so i hope that goes somewhere ..

in conclusion i think it wasnt necessarily. i think introducing sonon and his tragic backstory just for him to die for yuffie pain was .like okay LOL but u know what. he did rly complement yuffie and they were fun. top some guys for sure (as in not a main character who is some guy but a some guy who is some guy like this is getting too long as it is maybe ill explain the some guy rating later).

#long to expand..btw #i wrote this bc i didnt want to go to sleep yet help me #im going to rewatch his intro svene bc u missed some of the dialogue for that for more context #and then if that gives me any other thoughts.. idk. yuffie :-) of all time. teenage girls r kinda the best characters of ever #long post

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trashystar420 · 4 years

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Babysitter Maribat AU AGE Reversed Chapter 2!

“I am very sorry for the delay, Ms. Dupain-Cheng, it is a pleasure to meet you” Bruce Wayne spoke. Marinette had to resist the urge to gap like a fish, because god damn, he hot. Selina definitely knows how to pick em. But due to her years of masking her own emotions with a smile, she responds back in kind.

“The pleasure is all mine, sir” and giving a knowing look to Selina, who rolled her eyes and gave one back.

“Just be sure to treat her right.” She warned playfully, but the venom was there. Selina had to cover herself, lest she burst into a fit of giggles, while the man she wrapped her arms around had to do a double take. Giving a dutiful nod, he starts to introduce his boys.

“This is my youngest son, Dick Grayson.” Mari had to refrain herself from cooing at the adorable kid before her. But the sparkle in her eyes was fully noted by everyone else, and they felt pity for her. ‘She won’t be thinking that for long.’ Bruce thought bitterly.

“My second youngest, Jason Todd.” Jason merely rolls his eyes at her, and Mari can’t help but give a knowing smile.

“My second oldest, Tim Drake.” Said boy was too busy on his phone, and barely acknowledges her. Giving a meek wave. Bruce and Alfred both gave dejected sighs at the rude behavior of the young teen. Damien rolled his eyes, and shakes the hand of his replacement.

“Damien, Damien Wayne” he answers, the Bluenette returns the handshake politely. And with some serious warnings from Bruce, and some recommendations on what to do and what NOT to do, and a lot of pulling on Selina’s part, Bruce reluctantly went. Once the mansion door closed chaos ensued.

“Think you can manage?” Damien asked haughtily. Mari simply rolled her eyes at him and walked towards the two troublemakers. Dick noticed first, and hid behind Jason. Jason made an intimidating face to the Bluenette. Mari gave a nod, knowing that the warning was received. After staring into the young boy’s blue eyes, the babysitter gave a warm smile. One that threw off the the troubled child.

“I know this might seem tedious, but how about we introduce ourselves again? I didn’t get to hear your voices.” She offered. Jason gave a guarded expression, while Dick reluctantly looked up at the Bluenette, still clutching his older brother. Damien could only watch the scene, completely confused as to what was going on, even Tim looked slightly apprehensive.

“My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and I’ll be your babysitter” she outstretched her hand, offering a handshake to the two.” Jason looked at it wearily, but Dick took it first. ‘So cute’ she thought

“D-Dick Grayson” said boy answered timidly. That had Tim and Damien gap. It took Tim a week for Dick to even speak to him. For Damien it took a good year for Dick to gain the courage to look at him. A pang of jealousy went through the older boys. Alfred was shocked again, for the second time.

Giving a warm smile, she spoke.

“I really love your voice, Mr. Grayson, I hope to hear it more.” Dick blushed , but remained eye contact. Jason was smirking.

“And hello to you-“ Mari purposely pauses for Jason to say his name. Jason sighs, and playfully rolls his eyes at his new babysitter. However, that did not deter the young woman’s hand away. The boy reluctantly returned the handshake. Muttering his name, his eyes casted down.

“Jason Todd.” He meekly gave. Marinette has to RESIST the urge to hug out the two precious beans before her. It gets harder by the minute. Jason then pointed out the box she placed on a nearby table.

“What’s that?” He asked hopefully knowing the answer. Dick also noticed the box and was curious as well. Marinette gave another warm smile as she got up from her crouched position.

“How about I show you instead?” As she retrieve the box and opened it. The mansion was flooded with the sweet aromas of the mysterious French pastries. Strawberry, blueberry, chocolate, vanilla, and many more. It was a colorful batch of delicious looking goods. The boys all stared hungrily at the baked goods, wanting them soo badly, but refrained from taking them. Tim also looked hungry, while Damien scowled at the scene before him.

“What are those?” Dick meekly asked, while Jason nodded. She giggles again and responds in kind.

“These are called Macaroons. They are a dessert back in France. I didn’t know what kind of flavors you two liked, so I just made a bunch and hoped for the best.”

“T-t-those are f-f-for us!?!?” Jason pointed to himself and his baby bro. Marinette couldn’t help herself, she was laughing at their stunned faces. It was just soo fricken CUTE.

“Yes. Think of this as a bribe for you two to behave. And if it goes well, then I can come back again with even more treats.” Dick was clutching Jason’s jacket even tighter, while Jason was drooling like a dog. Afred sighed at their rude behavior. Tim was trying so hard not to laugh, while Damien was seething. Whoever this harlot was, is obviously using magic.

“Hey Alfred, is it ok if I can give them their treats now?” She asked, Alfred gave the nod.

“Thank you Alfred!!”

“You da best!!!”

...

“Do you think the mansion will stay in one place Selina?” The apprehensive bat asked, poking his medium done stake with a fancy fork. Selina rolled her eyes.

“Relax Bruce dear, my girl’s got this. If there is anything you need to know, it’s that Marinette Dupain-Cheng is not a quitter. Trust me, she’s even more stubborn than me.” Bruce still eyes her warily, but let’s out another sign. Selina felt bad for her lover, and put a reassuring hand on his.

“You need to destress a little dear. Say, how about we stay at my place for tonight?” Bruce perked up at the offer, and off the two went to do god knows what (ya I know what they do but do you?!).

...

“Wow Pixie-Bob you’re really good at this.” Jason complimented as he was beat yet again in ultimate Mecha strike three. Dick wanted to fight Mari next so the older bro gave the controller to him.

Damien had already left to the bat cave to let off some steam after the events that went on in the house. It was a miracle the house didn’t even burn down yet. Tim was also down there doing a real quick scan over the ungodly stack of papers,on another case in Killer Frost. The atmosphere was tense, until Tim spoke up first.

“What do you think of the babysitter, Demon Spawn” Demon spawn growled at the nickname, but gave his answer.

“A witch.”

“I am genuinely surprised she hasn’t been killed yet. And all those two are doing are playing video games!?!? Like NOrMAL kids!!!! How did she do that?”

Damien also wished to know how a stranger such as her, could lower the guards of his brothers when he’s spent years with them, and never seemed to get along with them.

He proceeds to cut another dummy into sixteen pieces with deathly accurate precision. Sheathing the blade, the older boy made his way to the costume racks.

“What are you doing?” Tim asked, already knowing the answer.

“ patrol” he answered. Tim sighed.

“Well try not to kill anyone demon spawn” he chided. Damien ignored him as he went off into the night as Robin.

...

“But Mari I wanna stay up longer!” Jason protested to the stern babysitter, already holding a sleepy Dick.

“No means no mister, what did we talk about with behaving?” Mari reminded him. Jason widened his eyes and pouted to the floor. The Bluenette made a sympathetic smile, and gingerly places a delicate finger on the chin of the child.

“How about a bed time story?” Jason practically jumped.

...

“I am terribly sorry if any of the boys gave you a difficult time” Alfred began, only to falter when the Bluenette giggles again.

“Don’t worry about it Alfred, the boys were absolute angels.” Now Alfred couldn’t help himself, try as he might, as he started to laugh at that. Marinette gave her farewells and went off into the night. Bruce returned the following morning.

A nervous knock, and Alfred answers the door.

“H-how much damage did they do, oh god I can’t look!” Bruce covered his eyes, wanting to deny the harsh reality that would come to him. However Alfred simply patted the man out of his breakdown.

“I assure you Master Bruce, the mansion is still in one piece, all thanks to Marinette.” Bruce gatherer the remaining courage he had and scanned the entire mansion. Not taking off his coat he ran to every nook and cranny. He checked every closet, only to find them all clean. He checked the bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways and dining halls. Going so far as to check under the rug to see if there were any hidden messes.

Nothing. The mansion stayed in one piece.

“The BATCAVE!!!!” He practically screeched as he bolted towards the supposed secret lair of his ‘secret’ vigilantie work. Only to find that it was neat. Everything was were it was supposed to be.

Feeling his knees go weak, he collapsed to the floor, not caring how he looked and laughed. He fricken laughs. As tears stream down his face. Tears of unbridled joy. The family butler offers him a handkerchief, the bat gladly accepting it.

“I believe a thank you card should be addressed to one Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Along with a rather generous tip, don’t you think?” Bruce was still crying, and only gave a nod. As if out of habit, the man summoned a blank check , signed his name and wrote $10,000 on it.

“Be sure to deliver this to Ms.Dupain Cheng for me Alfred. Make sure to include a gift along with a card as a part of my gratitude. If you will excuse me I need to make a phone call.” Bruce left to recollect his thoughts, while Alfred left with the check already on the task at hand.

Holy shit you guys chapter one was well recieved and I thank you all for reading, liking, and reblogging the shit out of it. I couldn’t wait I had to write chapter two to get it out of my system. You all really mean so much to me ahhhhh

@BlueRosette23

@novicevoice

@weird-pale-blonde-person

@theatrendcomicfreak

@Caffeinetheory

@liawinchester67

#marinette dupen chang #miraculous ladybug #maridami #maribat #older damian wayne #damien #bruce wayne #bruce x selina #selina kyle #batfam #batman #damien x marinette

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violetganache42 · 5 years

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tails, knuckles, eggman, espio, mighty and ray

Tails: In any continuity, games, comics, etc., who is your favorite character?

This one is going to be a doozy because I have a shit ton of favorites, and in most continuities (depending on who is there and how they are portrayed), my top favorite is easily Sonic. Some of my other faves include Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Silver, Cream and Cheese, Eggman, Cubot and Orbot, Team Chaotix (Vector, Espio, and Charmy), Blaze, the Babylon Rogues (Jet, Wave, and Storm), etc. Of course, each continuity has their own exclusive set of characters, so I'm going to list—on top of my head—some of my favorites from each continuity based on what I have watched/read and what content I have seen (screenshots, posts, etc.) from anything I haven't gotten a chance to properly watch or read.

Archie - Sally, Nicole, Scourge, Rosy, Breezie, Cassia and Clove, Nigel, Jules, Bernadette, Uncle Chuck, Fiona, Mina, Lara-Su/Jani-Ca, Julie-Su, Lien-Da, Dr. Finitevus, Janelle-Li (Thanks, @sally-mun!), Enerjak, Professor Von Schlemmer, Gold, Eclipse, Razor, Coral, Pearly

IDW - All the characters introduced thus far have been so charming, but my favorites may have to be Tangle, Whisper, and Dr. Starline.

Fleetway - I haven't even read STC, but based on what I've seen, my favorites would have to be Fleetway!Amy, Tekno, and Fleetway!Super Sonic.

Animation - Cosmo, Helen, the Metarex, Decoe, Bocoe, and Bokkun (Sonic X); Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog); SatAM!KnotholeFreedom Fighters, King Acorn, Naugus (Sonic SatAM); Sonia, Manic, and Aleena (Sonic Underground); Sara (Sonic OVA); Perci, Zooey, Sticks, Team Cyborg Sonic (Sonic Boom)

Game - Shade (She is the only pro I can give to Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood because she looks so cool.), G-Merl, Mephiles, Infinite, Yacker, Cyan Wisp, Ivory Wisp, the Chao

Knuckles: What's your favorite game?

Classic - Sonic CD, SegaSonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Sonic the Fighters, and Sonic Mania/Sonic Mania Plus

Modern - Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, Sonic Generations, and Team Sonic Racing

I haven't played any of the Boom games, but I will say that the cartoon is definitely my favorite from the Boomverse.

Eggman: Who's your favorite villain?

Eggman is definitely one of my favorites. I'm also partial to Mephiles and Infinite. …Oh, how could I forget Finitevus and Starline? Those two are quite the good choices, along with Rough and Tumble. You know what? Let's just say my favorite villains are those seven.

Espio: Which game(s) has your favorite style?

Sonic CD, Sonic Riders, and Sonic Mania. I mean, have you seen the opening animations for these games? Their respective styles look so breathtaking!

Mighty and Ray: Who's your favorite "forgotten" character?

Obviously Mighty and Ray… though I highly doubt they actually count since they appeared in their first game in over 20 years, especially considering the huge reception they got when Sonic Mania Plus was announced. XD There is also Honey because Sonic the Fighters is literally the only game she is in, both as a scrapped character in the original and as a playable character in the re-release; then again, she was fleshed out nicely in the Archie comics, along with Fang, Bean, and Bark… Now that I think about it, part of me feels like there isn't enough Team Hooligan content. Aside from those six, I'm also gonna have to say Tiara because she was set to appear in a game of her own, Sonic X-Treme, only for it to be ultimately cancelled. It honestly would be interesting to see how she would play out if the game got released. Makes me wonder if she would have ended up joining the main cast, either in the Classicverse, Modernverse, or both. Heck, aside from a cameo in an Archie Sonic issue I refuse to mention, what role would she play if she appeared in any other continuity? 🤔

#my inbox #anonymous #sonic series #sonic 28th

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thedreaminus · 6 years

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Rebels

ff.net | A03

Summary: When the Union gets problems in its own ranks. A Noblesse AU about the Trio.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

Their nerves were blank. A mixture of tense expectation and fear. The latter came from Kranz, who came to them shortly after midnight to speak to them. Takeo did not think he would blame Tao and him for the behavior of the other DA-5 members. But Kranz has always had far-reaching disciplinary procedures. Excuses from their side would only make things worse.

Takeo did not have much time. he made a rough plan with which words he wanted to distract Krantz best. Shortly after the alarm, Krantz was already at the door. Takeo caught him with the news that the headquarter of the 12th Elder was being attacked. This commanded Krantz the hoped-for stop. Their leader immediately focused his thoughts on the essential.

"When did this happen?"

"Ten minutes?" Takeo estimated, stepping back to give Krantz a better view. He had not replaced any instructions, caused any trouble. Unlike Tao, he had a certain fighting ability that could not be dispensed with so quickly. That had always made him one of the better DA-5 agents in Krantz's eyes. Now that the trouble with Shark and Hammer was so fresh and certainly would not be so easy to clean up - Takeo did not even want to waste a friendly or neutral thought on Shark - it was all the more important to draw Krantz on their side.

"Why I was not informed earlier?"

"Not all drives were connected because of ... a lack of manpower" Tao intervened and glanced over to M-21, "I'm afraid the existing storage capacity would be insufficient once I started to reflect the data on the sever. Takeo was so nice to help me out."

Krantz sorted the information he heard. "How much do you have?"

"Hard to say," Tao put his laptop aside, swung his legs across the table and walked over to the server, looking at the hard drives in different colors and tones signals. "Six of the disks are full," the hacker replied. "The seventh, in part. That's roughly between 50-70 terabytes of data I could save before the connection broke. I can't say how much total data was there. I also can not rule out that a part is damaged because it was quite hectic."

Krantz turned on his heel. "I'll contact the Sits," he said, meaning the rest of Elder. "Shark and Hammer are not supposed to approach for now and ..." Krantz stopped beside M-21's camp bed, "What's up with that?"

Takeo's stomach churned. "Will recover, but that will take a few days". How should they convince Krantz - without sounding suspecious - that the M-21 was useful? Currently, M-21 had no value except as an additional worker.

"How long?"

"We do not know," Tao sat down again with his laptop, "But it takes several days to retrain someone." More contradictions thrown in hopes that Krantz will bite onto someting. They could not afford more opposition. Krantz thought for too long for Takeo's taste. Finally he turned and left the room. As soon as the door slammed and Krantz's footsteps ceased, Tao hissed and let his breath out. Even Takeo kneaded his fingers to release a bit of tension.

Tao chuckled and it sounded a bit manic. "In the next few days and months, much depends on our acting performance!" He stopped laughing and gasped excitedly for air. Takeo brought him some water and watched as he drank. Apparently M-21's action had done exactly what they had hoped for. From now on, things would be twice as dangerous.

Behind Tao's forehead was chaos already, that much was clearly visible. Takeo stood patiently beside his partner and took the bottle after a few minutes. He knew too well how much depended on Tao now. Neither M-21 nor he could develop a system to infiltrate the Union, they could only help and try to keep most of the stress away from Tao. Takeo had already experienced Tao in high work mode. Too many tasks, stress and then no sleep. In addition, the hacker in the last few hours had to deal with M-21's attack and the incident with Shark and Hammer. Enduring Shark was no easy feat.

Takeo knew he had to take care of him.

"I need a new laptop. Help me choose a few items." Tao was at a speed on the legs, which Takeo had to respect. He held up a part, looked at it and casually let it fall back into the box.

"Why?" Takeo made his way over to help him. A laptop? He should be able to manage that. Roughly, Takeo knew what was involved, and he started looking for the power cables.

"I want to build a laptop or a mini-computer," Tao formed an appropriate size with his hands. "It would be awkward if the Union finds the data from their labs on my laptop." The hacker nervously gnawed on his lower lip, "I love my baby," he murmured, glancing at his laptop, "But I should not hoard any borrowed data on it"

Takeo nodded and knelt beside another box to look for those useful parts that Tao had asked him to find. "Would not it be better to just access the data?" He asked, looking at two cables to see if they differed.

"Sure. Seventy terabytes is already a lot of data and with only one-small-equipment." Tao underlined the last three words with a corresponding gesture. "Hell ... I mean we alone may need a separate terminal server that we have to hide somewhere."

"This is very expensive."

Tao nodded. "From the beginning I had put backdoors in the standard programs. Well hidden, of course. A laptop with a virtual machine is enough for me. I can access and then use their server and their memory. But what if we want to send it to the Noblesse? A link over a longer distance with a system that I don't even know about? I would have to send the data in pure form, through the lines!"

Which none of them had thought about. M-21 had contacted Noblesse, but would they continue to listen to what he had to tell them in future? When it came to building an interface? Tao patted him on the shoulder.

"Let's focus on my new laptop first."

"Ah."

It was probably the best.

-.-.-

The Union did not take long to react to the attack. Not twenty-four hours after the attack on Union base and all its quarters hummed like a hive. Unfortunately, the 12th Elder was not in the lab at the time of attack and had survived. He had himself, via a remote switch, let Tao salvage the data and his server through his personal security code. He was very suspicious and reminded Takeo of an angry pig.

Starting in the morning, more and more workers, more temporary workers, more technicians and more material would come to help build the servers. They only had a short time window to prepare and make plans. Fortunately, Tao's new laptop was already ready and only needed to be introduced to the standing server.

Takeo had managed to find some cans. 'Pork with beans' was labeled on the already fading wrapping paper. It tasted only slightly better than the bars they usually took, but they still liked it. A little change was good.

As modified humans, they did not need food for weeks. They did not have to eat, but were able to recharge their energy reserves as normal people did. They only ate now to occupy themselves more than anything else. Eating together was comfortable and they felt more like human when they were doing such a normal, humane activity. Last but not least, it was M-21 who had brought it to them since he had to eat - despite modification - much more often than Tao and Takeo.

So they sat quietly talking to each other on their provisional seating and ate. They still had to make the server room and take away their personal belongings. After all, soon the place would be swamped with dozens of technicians and assistants. It was only convenient to look for a room from where they were hopefully only minimally disturbed.

"You know," Tao mumbled with his mouth full of beans, "Now that it's obvious we're still spending some time here, we should get ourselves a stove and a pot." Takeo squinted over to him and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Then we can warm up our food! Maybe it will taste better."

Takeo took the effort to look into the can. The pulp he saw in it did not make him want to warm it up. Who knew if the stuff would come to life and attack him?

"How is M-21?" Tao put his can aside. They both looked over at the couch where the gray-haired man had been lying and sleeping since last night. This was not the first time Tao had inquired about M-21 and Takeo went over to check on him. M-21 did not move and showed no signs of waking up anytime soon. Neither of them could say if this was good or bad.

"No abnormalities so far," Takeo informed and added after a moment: "We have to carry away our equipment..." in one of the lower rooms. The room they had chosen as their base of operation. Did that mean M-21 had to go down with them? They could not leave him up here. Could they move him?

With renewed anxiety he strode over to the patient's bed again. Tao followed him.

"His complexion looks a little better," Tao remarked as they both leaned over the wounded man.

Otherwise nothing. "Maybe we should change the associations," suggested Takeo, waiting for Tao's nod. So they could see the wounds and could estimate how far the healing process had advanced. With an army knife and a lot of patience, they opened the knots one after the other. However as soon as the bare skin appeared, they froze.

"That's ... shit," Tao cursed under his breath and Takeo agreed with his heart. There was nothing left. No wound, not even a scratch, just some dried blood and a few faded bruises. He scanned the ribs and bones. Everything seemed to be alright there too.

"I suppose we can just carry him down."

"Ah ... let's put the bandages back so no one can see."

"Good idea."

They both set to work quickly. More to calm their troubled nerves. M-21 should not be able to recover so fast. Not from the injuries he had, not during this period. "We need Crombel's data as soon as possible," Tao whispered hastily, "I like this less and less."

"I know someone who is a hundred times more uncomfortable," Takeo replied quietly. But Tao was right. They had to access Crombel's data to find out what was going on with M-21. For his own sake.

-.-.-

"What do you think?"

"Hm ... looks like a headband."

"Nobody will see that later. Not with your hair anyway. It's more important that nobody can hear us later and you have no button in the ear! This goes directly over the temporal bone. "

"I don't know …"

"Hng ..."

Takeo interrupted his conversation with Tao and thus his attempt to turn this invention on its head. As soon as they could spare a little time, he would exchange a serious word with Tao. About personal boundaries for example. Tao showed impressively that he did not believe in this concept and leaned so close to M-21 that their noses almost touched.

"You are in my face," M-21 did not mumble, fully awake and blinked up at Tao, who grinned at him. Noticing that Tao's grin was turned-up a bit too much because of his excitement, Takeo pulled him back by the collar. M-21 took the opportunity to sit up. The man grimaced and shook himself as if he needed to get rid of an uncomfortable feeling.

"How long?"

"Not twenty-four hours."

M-21 raised his eyebrow and scanned his torso. Then he paused, considered and pulled one of the bandages away completely. They waited quietly until he realized what he was seeing and what it meant.

"Yes, fuck my life," grunted the gray-haired and threw the bandage carelessly behind him.

"Want to hear something good? The headquarter of the 12th Elder was completely destroyed," babbled Tao carelessly to distract M-21. "Unfortunately he was not present at the time."

"That was too good to be true, right?" M-21 remained in his ironic mode, ignoring Tao's distraction attempts. He clenched his fists several times and then sighed heavily. They could see how he had pulled himself together and his face showed no signs of discomfort. But he could not fool Tao and him. They knew he was anything but calm and they knew he did not want to talk about it.

"What is the current status?"

"Well ..." Tao gave him an overview of the developments of the last few hours. Takeo brought a can and some water to M-21. To his irritation, he only took the water and put the can away from him.

"Not hungry?"

"Yet," M-21 slowly and thoughtfully opened the bottle cap, "But, maybe I should not."

To keep himself weak. Takeo frowned, skipping the pros and cons that came with M-21's statement. It was natural to suspect that M-21 changes were related to the better lifestyles they offered him here. That his body could now resort to more energy reserves. On the other hand, M-21 did not even admit to knowing how much he had changed before their meeting. Food deprivation could slow down his progress, but it was not a certainty. Therefore, this was probably just an indefinite test. Takeo took the can and put it back.

"Not for long," he added for safety's sake. M-21 nodded in agreement, or he nodded reassuringly. The man was more stubborn than the concealed barrel of a semi-automatic.

"Say M-21," Tao sat down on the cot next to M-21 and besieged him. Takeo could see how M-21 paused briefly in his movement, probably not knowing how to respond to this sudden approach. Takeo watched as Tao moved so close to M-21 that their shoulders touched. M-21 remained in his posture, still holding the bottle in his hand. Takeo saw his muscles twitch.

"How were they?"

"Who?"

"The Noblesse."

M-21 curled his lips and his eyes became ice cold. The change came so suddenly that Tao, who was immune to mood swings, jerked back. Takeo got worried, but M-21 was back in control. This was another point that made it so hard for him to get warm with M-21. He was unpredictable and even Tao had a hard time assessing his temperament. The gray-haired hid his emotions too well.

"I suppose Noblesse do not like modified human," laughed Tao, trying to lessen the tense situation.

"... Yeah," M-21 growled trying not to dump his emotions on them. "I ... I spoke with the boy I had saved," half whispering he added something like: ungrateful brat. "Turns out he was trying to find his father back then."

"His father?" Takeo pulled another bed closer to sit down, "Did the Union kidnap him?"

"Probably. He talked a lot and also a lot of stupid stuff. Something about the fact that the Union has almost wiped out his family or relatives and probably abducted his father. In any case, he believes that."

"And then he wants to alone...?"

M-21 laughed. "I told him same. But he just said that he is older than me and he's such a shit."

Takeo thought the child must've said a lot more about M-21. M-21 seemed emotionally charged and these were certainly not just matter-of-fact words. The gray-haired man looked gloomily and brooding to the ground.

"They do not like modified humans," he mumbled then and kept all that the Noblesse must have thrown in his face for himself. But the spoken was already enough. Takeo and Tao were silent with him and all of them were thinking.

Takeo stared at his hands, at the scarred, calloused skin. That was fine. They did not know the Noblesse and it was probably too much to expect that this species was positive about any aspect of the Union. Only that was the point. They also detested the Union. Disdained their actions, what had been done to them, and what they were forced to do. But they were still part of this organization.

"We can not expect from a child, who has lost his family at the hands of the Union and whose father is probably imprisoned, to see the difference." The difference between wanted and forced.

"Sure, the only party that's interested in us ..." M-21 started to spit out, but left it at the gesture itself. "We do not want anything else from them". Beside him, Tao gave an infinately sad expression, just before M-21 clutched at his nape with one hand, the other entangled in his hair almost tearing them out.

"M!?"

"I just feel like it," M-21 growled near Tao's ear and continued on with this strange attempt to distract Tao. Takeo sighed and counted out the seconds. Normally, M-21 let go himself. He did not like physical contact very much.

Yeah! Next chapter! And the number 6 is already done ( nearly ). So it should not take ssooo much time. I am aware that not so much action happens in this chapter, but there will be enough of that. This is more of a trio-bonding chapter^^

#noblesse #Noblesse: Rebels #M-21 #Takeo #Tao

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survivor-mountmerapi · 3 years

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Ep. 7: “[whoopi voice] You in danger, girls.” - Gian

DeNara

Let the chaos start! Nicholas going home was a 10/10 tribal. 😈 Now I need to figure out who I can trust. I feel like I can keep working with the people on my tribe for sure. Can I trust my old warriors? Not sure yet. Elle says they havent been spoken too since tribal but who knows what happened over there.

Rachel

OMG. So glad Gian and Madi have made it through that tribal! I literally have so much to tell them, but I also have a feeling they have a lot to tell me. This is going to be a crazy next couple days, but at least i don't work! I am also way too nervous to join this merged call right now, but i'm glad my homies are here and happy to meet some new ones!

DeNara

Looks like Raffy, Steven, Ginnifer, Madi, Gian and myself are gonna try to take out Julia and Pietro. Hopefully we can plan that

DeNara

Lol, Julia and I arent even pretending to talk to each other. We both know it DeNara vs Julia lol

Elle

🎶MERGE, BABY MERGE (ᵈᶦˢᶜᵒ ᶦⁿᶠᵉʳⁿᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒᵒ)🎶🕺🏾WE MADE IT :DDDDD

Honestly roll credits like right now for me 😂😂😂😂. I do Not have high hopes!!! I'm gonna be voted out with a quickness I just know it :')

So anyway Do Not Cry for me Argentina, winning for me was making it to merge and guys: ✨we did it✨

(Just to be clear I'm still going to try my darndest *to* win; I'm just not all that hopeful for the prospects)

Julia

I literally hate merge. I never do well at merge. This is going to suck so much. I just know raffy is coming for me

Raffy

Merge! I did what I, honestly, didn't expect to do this game. We love to see it. According to Madi and Gian, Julia has been spreading to her tribe that I am the one with the idol. Thankfully, I implanted the seeds into those two already, so they seem to really think Julia has an idol (which she does). However, due to this, I feel that I should play my idol soon to avoid any future hurt feelings from my lying. Thanks to my connection with Madi and Gian, Rachel and Anastasia seem to now not believe that I have the idol. Those two are doing the work for me which is fun. I want to bring in Elle and Moth to our little group to ensure numbers. I am unsure where Ginnifer's loyalties lie as she still seems to not trust me. Which is fair. Plus, she did vote for me which is..... Tragic. I think I will stick to the group I'm already in and try to get people to target Julia and Pietro for being far bigger strategic threats than me.

DeNara

Merge tribe is going well. Anastasia and Rachel apparently really like me, so I am hoping to use that to my advantage. Hopefully they arent just playing me for Julia. She is such a great player she could have them with her.

Gian

Winning both reward and immunity challenge makes complete sense with my fantasy 😌 -from a deluded gay

Gian

The merge being 4 winners vs. 4 warriors vs. 4 wannabes just screams chaos. The war is here!

DeNara

I have to say, I am super nervous for the first tribal council. Raffy and Steven have kind of been quiet since the merge and I am paranoid they might have flipped and joined the winners to get me out. Nobody seems to be talking strategy except Gian which is worrying me. I have no idea of our plan is to go after Julia and Pietro with the newbies, or with the warriors. Everyone could be playing each other. Honestly, I feel good with Rachel from the OG wannabe's tribe because we have connected well, but who knows if I can work with her. I am struggling between checking in with Raffyy and Steven about what to do, or try to start calling the shots now and make my own alliances. That could end up biting me in the butt so I am super stressing over what to do. Plus we have the auction today and that could either be really good or really bad for me.... guess we will find out 🤷‍♀️

Moth

Sooooo the merge is here

I have no clue what is happening I don’t wanna be the merge boot, so I’m hoping that I can glide by

DeNara

We just had our auction and I spent $500 on literally nothing. Oof, now to play it as something or to tell the truth....I am thinking I might say it is a disadvantage and I lose my vote at next tribal just to see what comes of it, but who knows. So many things I can do! Also I was giving Raffy a play by play of what was happening and he told me to stop, then immediately started asking questions about what was happening in other chats.... oof

Gian

The way I won absolutely nothing in the auction is... homophobic. How am I supposed to send these people home in caskets without an arsenal?

Anastasia

so we merged and I just went to the auction and I bought some magic beans for like all of my money.. I don't really know exactly what to do with them but I did tell Madi about what they do so hopefully that will make her trust me more and she can help me come up with a plan to trick someone!!

Raffy

I wasn't at the auction, but Julia is already trying to pin that I have an advantage. Ginnifer is on exile, so that means Julia is trying to target me this round. I hope I win immunity so I don't have to use either of my advantages. Gian was trying to push me to reveal what I got, but.......... I don't like that. It's disgusting. Like, please back off. Otherwise, the plan should still be splitting between Julia and Pietro.

Madi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PpAuWdOpVHtYEN6F8hFrr9M1gk0_J0rh/view?usp=drivesdk

Raffy

Right now, there should be a split vote between Pietro and Julia. Steven, Gian, and Madi are going to be voting for Pietro. Meanwhile, everyone else will be voting for Julia. Pietro and Julia will be voting for me. I am a little nervous. I want to use my idol to ensure I survive, but, based on how this game is going, I will most certainly need it for later. I just want everyone to be telling the truth here. Elle has come to me saying how she believes everyone should be voting Julia. If I have Elle, then I think I have Moth. If I have Madi and Gian, then I have Anastasia and Rachel. I want to confirm with people tomorrow without seeming as if I am coming too strong. People already see me as a Big Bad and someone with a chaotic play style. One wrong move and I am toast. For me, this is going to be the most stressful tribal of the whole season. No competition. However, I trust that I have rallied the troops. I have put it in the work. I will succeed. On a side note, I told Steven that I had a Safety Without Power. I know he can use this against me, but I really do trust Steven. I think he's my ride or die at this point. We were talking about how dangerously close the newbies were. It will present a big problem, especially with the Warriors and the Winners being so fractured. Final 9 will be the last chance to get a newbie out in my eyes. From the newbies, Anastasia would be the easiest out of them to get rid of. Plus, she is too inactive to be used as a flipper. After that, I would need to rally against Gian and Madi because Rachel is too tight with them. We need to fracture the newbies before we can go in for the kill. I think if any newbie (besides Anastasia) were to make it to the end, then they will win hands down. I know this is going to get me hate in the VL, but the newbies need to be taken down if I want to win. Right now, I am thinking of taking Steven and DeNara to FTC. This will, undoubtedly, change when I get closer to the goal. However, I'd be happy to see any three of us win the title at this point in time. Additionally, it'd be a great story arc for Steven and I. From enemies at the start to F3 ride or dies at the end. However, they would not crown us the winner. I get the vibe this cast may just very well come to the conclusion of "They have won before, so they should not win again." That's dumb. Should I not win a board game because I won it before? Should I never get an A if I got one already? It SHOULD be the most deserving (or at least most respected), but I have a sinking feeling that it won't be the case.

DeNara

There is soooo much going on, ohmigoodness.... Okay so we had the survivor auction and the thing I bought was a big fat plate of NOTHING. Rip the dream. Then we found out that Rachel won individual immunity so that is good because Julia and Pietro not winning it is the best outcome. After that is when we all really started to talk about tribal. I connected with Moth and Elle and they said they want to vote Julia out. Rachel feels super close with me and she said her and all the newbies have a fake alliance with Julia and are willing to vote her out too. So right now everyone is against Julia and Pietro (or so they say). So we are going to split the vote 6 on Julia and 3 on Pietro. I just don't know who I can truly trust in this game. If we only put 3 votes on Pietro and someone flips and Julia plays an idol, whoever those 4 vote for is going home. Plus if Pietro and Julia both have idols, then someone else will be going home. I am just really nervous this won't go the way I expect it to. Part of me wants to switch my Julia vote to Pietro and make it a 5 Julia, 4 Pietro vote just in case someone flips so we still have numbers on Pietro... the question is, who can I trust? I DON'T KNOW..... cries forever Don't even get me started on what happens after this vote if I am still here....

Elle

Ughhhhhhh I got a 10% DA in the auction which I just knew was gonna happen 😂 Chance hates meeee or at least is like a slightly annoyed ambivalent to me lol. Anyway tribal is tonight and I think Julia is going home if people have lied to me Again Im going to CRY like SOB on call this is a threat 😂😂😂😂 lmao I dont think Steven would lie to me or my tribe mates though and I dont think Raffy is lying in this case (I'm choosing to trust him, ik everybody says he can be a chaotic player but eh I'm not like, calculating enough to like analyze what could be deception so I am choosing Trusttt until choosing trust gets me sent home lol). Just in general I'm not smart enough at this to play it like a game of chess or anything (which reminds me I need to watch Queen's Gambit) so my strategy is: be genuine and hope people believe that I'm actually being genuine and somehow that bringing me to the end 😅 yes great strat i know

Moth

I don’t wanna go home tonight If Julia gets voted out I’ll feel so relieved

Madi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PpAuWdOpVHtYEN6F8hFrr9M1gk0_J0rh/view?usp=drivesdk

Madi

NOT MY GF HAVING TO HOP ON A CONFERENCE CALL WITH JULIA BC SHE PICKED JULIA AS HER DRAFT PICK LMAOOOOO

Madi

jay I only know this bc she I trying to plan it only her calendar bc she is a busy boss bitch and we are always fucking together

Raffy

Julia thinks she some kind of master manipulator. She thinks that she can come in my DMs and act like she had nothing to do with my name being thrown out. Do not come to me with that BS and expect me not to smell it. Allegedly, she claims that she wants to work with me in this game (bullshit). Also, Julia revealed her idol to Anastasia which is going to put a major damper on things. Now, Anastasia is getting paranoid about the idol when she really shouldn't be. She's not the one in danger. Leave it alone. The only time you should care is if the idol will harm you in any way. Julia has successfully caused chaos which is going to put a damper on things. I feel, at this point, that I almost have to use my idol considering that the chaos could easily lead to people stacking their votes on me. Plus, I wouldn't be at a total loss considering I still have the Safety Without Power. I still want the majority of votes on Julia though because I need to get her to use that idol.

Julia

I think the newbies are trying to work with raffy to try to plan shit, especially madi. I do not trust her at all. She’s playing way too hard right now. I know I’ve said this every fucking round but idol is coming out tonight Pietro I think I’m in trouble tonight. Now with that stupid beans Anastasia and everyone knows about Julia’s idol, and I think they will try to pretend to be voting her out to make her flush her idol and get me out instead. I have been able to get closer to Rachel and Gian, I really like them, but they havent talked much with me on the most important day - tribal day. But god sent me to this earth to be the protagonist of everything I put myself into, so going home tonight or not, I can say, I made my own.

Moth

hahahahahahahahah Tribal is scary omg. I'm writing this in class so I dont have too much time, but maaan am I worried for whats to come. It still seems to be Julia Vs. Raffy so as long as its not my name I dont care, but from what I'm hearing there's a lot going on that im not seeing. So I am just gonna sit here and pray no one targets me

Raffy

I think I'll just play my idol to ensure my safety in this round. I still have the SWP. So, it should be good and fun. Julia seems to think I have an idol nullifier. She'll be in for a shock.

Steven

https://youtu.be/gXqEkdyHHgA

Gian

Pietro. Julia. [whoopi voice] You in danger, girls.

DeNaraCouple hours before tribal and Pietro is freaking out. I feel bad but it is also kinda funny since he hasn't talked to me before.

DeNara

This is the most chaotic first tribal and it is still hours away... scared....

Gian

Julia has two options: Play her idol or go home. Stay tuned for a crazy tribal guys 🌞

Rachel

OMG. what am i doing with my life. i really don't know who to trust. i can't trust the winner or warriors and really only have trust in my core OG tribe. thankfully we're in the middle and THANKFULLY i have immunity, but other than that, this vote will really show who's got ties with who. I am so nervous cause this will definitely draw the line in the sand. julia did make a good point. if raffy and steven are controlling this vote and play from the middle, we need to get them out before they can make it any further.

Anastasia

Our main focus this round is to get Julia out. We have the numbers but Julia has an idol. It will hopefully be Julia or Pietro if all goes as plan. I do still like Pietro and I hope he stays in the game but my alliance thinks they are a duo so one of them has to go. I'm pretty sure Julia will play her idol so it might be Pietros time Unless something changes in half an hour.

0 notes

instantdeerlover · 4 years

Text

How COVID-19 Impacts Coffee Production, Consumption, and Sales added to Google Docs

How COVID-19 Impacts Coffee Production, Consumption, and Sales

Today, the world is battling an invisible enemy that shows no mercy to race, social class, religion, and gender. First world nations and developing countries face the same problems: the collapse of the medical system, lack of ventilators, insufficient PPEs (personal protective equipment) for the healthcare workers, and increasing numbers of the sick and dying. To mitigate contagion, many governments have enforced strict quarantine and social distancing measures. As a result, no one goes out to bars, cafes, and restaurants — not even for a cup of coffee.

Before the onset of the pandemic, going to coffeeshops was an everyday social activity to which many people looked forward. Estimates log a whopping 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed every day. Aside from enjoying a cup of java, coffee shops allow us to mingle with friends or sample a pastry. Now, with most people imprisoned at home, we’ve canceled our coffee dates indefinitely. The only way to get our fix is brewing it at home! Before we can talk about exactly how COVID-19 impacts coffee production and consumption, we’ve got to examine some stats.

Let These Jave Stats Perk You Up

Coffee is a favorite is because many are aware of the benefits of caffeine. Caffeine happens to be the primary ingredient of this beautiful bean; hence, coffee is the beverage that you reach for upon waking up. It’s also known for fueling your brain and revving up your metabolism.

Today, this humble coffee bean is the second-most traded commodity next to oil. This magical brew is also the third most sought-after drink in the world, almost tying with water (first) and tea (second). The biggest drinkers of coffee are the Finnish, consuming 9.6kg per capita of coffee. The Norwegians and the Dutch follow them. If you notice, these are all small European countries, that trump the rest of the word when it comes to chugging coffee.

The majority of the world purchases their beans from the number one coffee producer in the world, Brazil, which harvests 2.6 million metric tons annually. Following Brazil, the highest coffee producers (from highest to lowest) are Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Keep in mind that many credit the Ethiopians for discovering the incredible potential of this potent coffee bean during ancient times.

The Coffee Industry Dramatically Declines with COVID-19

Unfortunately, today’s coffee culture is adversely affected by this global pandemic, which has plunged economies (and restaurant traffic!) all over the world into chaos. With people feeling the isolation, those thrills of meeting over a cup of coffee are distant memories. Everyone is afraid to go out, so coffee consumption is at an all-time low. The lack of demand causes the global prices of coffee beans to take a nosedive. The value in April 2020 was around 10% lower compared to the market price in December 2019.

Even if some sources might project Brazil to harvest more coffee beans soon because it has been raining a lot in their region, where will they sell these beans if most coffee shops are closed? In the United States, there are 40,000 cafes across the nation, a humbling reminder not only of how COVID-19 impacts coffee but the restaurant ecosystem at large.

In other COVID-19 hotspots like Italy, Singapore, Japan, Spain, and South Korea, dining outside the home has been discouraged. Severely infected cities have banned congregating outright. There are dismal coffee sales due to the virus with the closure of hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Tourism has stopped, and thousands of people have also lost their jobs. Additionally, many people now no longer even have the funds to spend on designer coffee.

COVID-19 and Caffeine Do Not Brew Well Together

To understand COVID-19 impacts coffee and impedes the growth of the industry, you must understand the variation in coffee houses and restaurants — some are small, independent operations, and others are national chains. The massive losses in the industry hurt the small neighborhood coffee operators more than the franchises, who stand a higher chance of recovery post-quarantine.

Before the outbreak, China happened to be the biggest buyer of Brazilian coffee beans. Today, they’re purchasing a lot less because they’ve closed over 2,000 Starbucks stores. Other coffee shop brands have also been restricted from operating. When you look at the stock market, it’s a bear economy. Results show that Starbucks is down by 6%, and Luckin Coffee has lost a third of its value.

Post-Crisis: The Survival of the Fittest?

The future seems bleak because there is still no cure for the pandemic. People will continue to fear going out if no one develops a vaccine. What will happen from here on depends on when this outbreak will cease. And even if it does end, we have no assurance that people will pick up their old habits. Fear is a terrible enemy to contend with, and sadly, cafes will feel the pinch as people have become used to making their favorite java drinks at home.

Right now, many cafes are closed with numerous cities on lockdown. Sadly, it seems like this pandemic will kill small restaurants and coffee houses. In areas that still permit coffee shops to operate, the owners still see a decline in sales because many prefer to stay home.

These shops that remain open must amp up their marketing efforts, such as improving their website and app to offer free delivery. Other restaurants are trying novel approaches and pivots to survive. Aside from a full menu and price list, operators must make a clear statement that they prepare drinks using the best hygiene practices. They should also sell coffee products for home brewing, along with their ready-to-drink items. Cafe owners who wish to survive this crisis must evolve if they want to thrive.

How Covid-19 Impacts Coffee: The Final Word

Although everything is on a downward trend right now, it’s only a matter of time before things perk up again. No matter where you are in the world, you have your favorite cup of coffee. There’s the Filipinos Kapeng Barako (strong coffee), the Spanish Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk), the Cuban El Pecado (espresso with condensed milk), or the Vietnamese Ca Phe Da (iced coffee). Coffee isn’t just a drink, but it is a powerful bridge between diverse cultures. Coffee will eventually transcend COVID-19!

How has the pandemic altered your course? Click the link below for our COVID-19 Restaurant Resources Page.

COVID-19 Restaurant Resources Page About the Author

Lianna is a digital marketing junkie to the extreme with a knack for social media marketing strategy and implementation at muchneeded.com. She is extreme in her work, with a deep goal of always being updated on online and offline marketing news of the world.

The post How COVID-19 Impacts Coffee Production, Consumption, and Sales appeared first on QSR Automations.

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michaelfallcon · 4 years

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A Coffee Drinker’s Guide To Hanoi, Vietnam

Aerial skyline view of Hanoi. Hanoi cityscape at twilight

Across from a vintage French mansion, a small vanguard of young Vietnamese latte drinkers sit at tables spread along the sidewalk in the hazy late afternoon sun. Above, vines crawl up the sides of faded yellow walls towards quaint green shutters. Motorbikes whiz by beneath. The Vietnamese coffee mavens talk quietly over their coffee, observing the throngs going in and out of the well-known noodle soup shop on the corner.

Hanoi’s coffee culture, like much of its old charm, is connected to the legacy of French colonialism. The French first introduced coffee to Vietnam in 1857 and by 1950, the country was producing and exporting instant coffee, which placed the focus on Robusta. Vietnam is now the world’s second-largest coffee producer, harvesting over 1.5 million tons per year and accounting for as much as 40% of the world’s Robusta.

The city still maintains a sprawling and engrained everyman’s cafe culture. Until recently, the Vietnamese were firmly dedicated to their own coffee tradition, making an art of roasting and brewing thick, brain-shudderingly strong Robustas. But a string of Third Wave coffee shops across the city is building a new side to Vietnamese coffee. These shops find and roast the best of the country’s beans, supporting the small Vietnamese Arabica market while refining the classically fierce Vietnamese Robustas. They also import coffees from around the world to feed the Vietnamese desire for new profiles and inspiration. What follows are a few of these outposts of subtlety and creativity in the Hanoi coffee world.

Kafeville

The go-to specialty coffee spot for many in Hanoi, Kafeville has played a key role in driving the city’s movement for better coffee over the past three years. They were the first cafe in the city to specialize in pour-overs and they roast everything in-house. Today, they offer V60, AeroPress, Chemex, and Vietnamese-style phin drip coffee. They showcase single-origin beans from Vietnam but also import green beans from Burundi, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and elsewhere abroad. Kafeville’s main sources for Robustas, which they primarily use for phin drip, are farms in Gia Lai Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, but most of their Arabica comes from Colombia. They also serve cascara tea and homemade pastries.

While the cafe is fancier than most streetside coffee shops in Hanoi, the design is sparse and doesn’t feel built for Instagram. The shop sits down a dead-end alley across from a post office, between the Hanoi Botanic Gardens and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. They also have a smaller location just to the north in the Truc Bach neighborhood.

Kafeville has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Tranquil Books & Coffee

In some cities, the quiet inside the aptly-named Tranquil Books & Coffee might feel oppressive. But in the unending chaos of Hanoi, this cafe’s little corner of calm is much needed. Just west of the Old Quarter, their main branch is tucked down a short passage off the street: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a small loft, exposed brick, an upright piano, and a John Lennon portrait.

Tranquil has been serving specialty coffee in Hanoi for years. Their commitment to both brewing high-quality coffee and creating a quiet space dedicated to books has caught on with the young Vietnamese crowd. They now have three locations and serve espresso and pour-overs. Their espresso drinks are an 80/20 blend of Vietnamese Arabica and Robusta, while their hand pours are 100% Arabica and their Vietnamese phin drips are full Robusta. Their coffees are primarily microlots from Cau Dat, an area in the coffee hub of Da Lat Province, as well as Dak Nong Province.

Tranquil Books & Coffee has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Blackbird Coffee

Blackbird Coffee sits on a quieter street near the Old Quarter, a warm orange storefront with a small group of chairs outside that are nearly always full. The place is busy nearly all day, open until 10 PM—the Vietnamese never seem too concerned about drinking their coffees late in the day.

Blackbird is both a roaster and cafe, focused on improving Vietnamese coffee and offering their own Vietnamese Arabicas and Robustas. The roasters and founders behind Blackbird are committed to working with every variety of bean they can, but they do have a focus on Arabica for now, offering it brewed with phin as well on a full slow bar, including AeroPress. Their Arabicas are primarily washed-processed beans from Lang Biang in Dalat, while their Robustas are natural-processed from Duc Co in Gia Lai Province.

The space is a staple of local specialty coffee in Hanoi, and it’s close enough to tourist areas to be easily accessible for people just stopping through.

Blackbird Coffee is located at 5 Chân Cầm, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of D’codeS Coffee Lab.

D’codeS Coffee Lab

D’codeS Coffee Lab is a specialty coffee training organization and cafe that works to improve the entire coffee supply chain throughout Vietnam. They’re focused on making coffee more sustainable and more accessible, by showing people that Vietnamese coffee is about more than just dark Robusta with sweetened condensed milk on ice. The name D’codeS is an amalgamation of “decoding the senses.”

The cafe offers every brew method a customer could ask for, and the space is set up to help customers learn all they can from the knowledgeable baristas or roasters—counter seats in front of the slow bar and plenty of beans to sniff.

Opened in 2017, D’codeS is the first Specialty Coffee Association Premier Training Campus in Vietnam. They’re all about helping people build relationships throughout the journey from seed to cup. They offer trainings at their location in Hanoi and on farms in central Vietnam. They research best practices for coffee cultivation and conduct trainings for farmers, traders, roasters, and baristas on how to improve sustainability, quality, and access to markets. They also offer standard SCA trainings, including CQI Q grader and specific classes on everything from extraction to processing and sensory skills.

D’codeS Coffee Lab is located at 127 Bùi Thị Xuân, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Simple Coffee.

Simple Coffee

Tucked away in the Tay Ho neighborhood to the north of the city center, Simple Coffee is a direct trade roaster and cafe that specializes in microlots from farmers in the northern and central highlands of Vietnam. Their producer-focused model helps Simple get to know their farmers’ production methods and work with them to refine their processing and growing methods.

The cafe itself is also set up as a social enterprise, employing young adults with intellectual disabilities and giving them training and support.

Most of Simple’s beans are Arabica and Catimor, though their espresso blend includes about 10 percent Robusta, sourced from a farmer in the northern highlands. They’re also working on bringing in heirloom varieties when possible, including Yellow Bourbon and Typica, as well as honey-processed coffees, a new addition to the shop. Their pour-over bar has around 10 different varieties and roasts on offer.

For regular customers, Simple has also set up a creative loyalty program: you can buy a bag of their coffee to keep on a shelf at the shop so that whenever you come in, they’ll brew from your bag and charge you just a small amount for service.

Simple Coffee has a location in Bangkok as well.

Simple Coffee has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Atelier Coffee.

Atelier Coffee

Atelier Coffee is a roaster and cafe right near Hanoi’s famous train tracks, but they seem to have stayed off the tourists’ radar and they see a mostly Vietnamese clientele. The shop’s design is one of the most modern in Hanoi, with many locals coming to get work done over their coffee. Atelier does all their roasting in-house and focuses on Vietnamese Robustas and Arabicas, though they also highlight other microroasters from Vietnam and around the world.

For their Arabica, they partner with farms in Cau Dat, Lam Dong Province, in the central highlands. Wyatt Pham, found of Atelier, says they’re committed to supporting Vietnamese farmers to produce better cherries and improve their consistency. They rotate varieties every few months, having recently switched from an organic Catimor to full Arabica on their espresso bar.

Atelier Coffee is located at 65A Phố Tôn Thất Thiệp, Điện Bàn, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Gấu Coffee and Bakery

Gấu Coffee and Bakery is hidden in the middle of the Old Quarter amid art stores, tailors, noodle shops, classic colonial architecture, and cafes from the old guard of Hanoi’s coffee culture. But unlike its neighbors, Gấu has no crowd of old Vietnamese men on plastic stools outside.

This third-wave roastery and cafe specializes in Vietnamese Arabicas, serving exceptionally good medium-light roasts, a rarity in Hanoi. On roasting days, a full fruitiness from the newest batch of beans coming out of the roaster in the back mixes with fresh croissants and baguettes. Gấu serves a mix of tourist and local clientele and offers visitors who are only in Hanoi for a short time a chance to explore the newest ideas in Vietnamese coffee or grab a bag to take home. A note on the baked goods: these are also in a whole different category from those in most Vietnamese bakeries or at bahn mi sandwich stands—take the chance while it’s there and get a loaf of sourdough.

Gấu Coffee and Bakery is located at 33 Hàng Bè, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Skylar Lindsay is a freelance journalist based in Southeast Asia. This is Skylar Lindsay’s first feature for Sprudge.

All photos by the author unless otherwise noted

Top image © Adobe Stock/Hanoi Photography

The post A Coffee Drinker’s Guide To Hanoi, Vietnam appeared first on Sprudge.

A Coffee Drinker’s Guide To Hanoi, Vietnam published first on https://medium.com/@LinLinCoffee

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shebreathesslowly · 4 years

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A Coffee Drinker’s Guide To Hanoi, Vietnam

Aerial skyline view of Hanoi. Hanoi cityscape at twilight

Kafeville

Kafeville has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Tranquil Books & Coffee

Tranquil Books & Coffee has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Blackbird Coffee

The space is a staple of local specialty coffee in Hanoi, and it’s close enough to tourist areas to be easily accessible for people just stopping through.

Blackbird Coffee is located at 5 Chân Cầm, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of D’codeS Coffee Lab.

D’codeS Coffee Lab

D’codeS Coffee Lab is located at 127 Bùi Thị Xuân, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Simple Coffee.

Simple Coffee

The cafe itself is also set up as a social enterprise, employing young adults with intellectual disabilities and giving them training and support.

Simple Coffee has a location in Bangkok as well.

Simple Coffee has multiple locations in Hanoi. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Atelier Coffee.

Atelier Coffee

Atelier Coffee is located at 65A Phố Tôn Thất Thiệp, Điện Bàn, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Gấu Coffee and Bakery

Gấu Coffee and Bakery is located at 33 Hàng Bè, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Skylar Lindsay is a freelance journalist based in Southeast Asia. This is Skylar Lindsay’s first feature for Sprudge.

All photos by the author unless otherwise noted

The post A Coffee Drinker’s Guide To Hanoi, Vietnam appeared first on Sprudge.

from Sprudge https://ift.tt/2QhHftI

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charllieeldridge · 5 years

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Where To Go in Bali: 15 Best Places To Visit For Travellers

Bali is one of the most talked-about travel destinations in the world, and for good reason. With hip beach towns, traditional villages, a couple of volcanoes, and even a few smaller islands off the coast, there are plenty of places to visit in Bali.

While Bali may look a bit unassuming on the map next to gargantuan Java – the most populous island of Indonesia and home to the capital of Jakarta – there’s a lot going on here.

A quick ride can bring you from a bustling tourist hot spot to a tranquil Hindu temple in the rice fields. Or perhaps you’d rather cool off with a swim in a rushing waterfall. There are countless things to do in Bali to keep you busy!

I first visited on a short vacation while I was teaching English in China. That trip was the impetus to quit my high-paying job and leave my cushy life to go on a gap year. A second, slightly longer trip to Bali still wasn’t enough, so I applied for the Darmasiswa program and moved there for a year to study the language and culture of Indonesia.

You may be tempted to just plop down in your beach chair, but I’m here to encourage you to get out there and explore all that this idyllic island has to offer. Having made many loops around the island, I know where to go in Bali and am excited to share my list with you.

Here’s my list of the 15 most amazing places to visit in Bali.

1. Seminyak

One of the top places to visit in Bali is the trendy and stylish beach town of Seminyak. It’s just north of the chaos of Kuta-Legian, but it feels worlds apart. Here you’ll find boutique hotels and swanky villas as well as some excellent dining, shopping, and nightlife.

While the town itself is nice, the highlight of Seminyak is definitely Double 6 Beach. The waves are mild here, so it’s a good spot for swimming, boogie-boarding, and surfing. It’s the perfect place for beginners and there are plenty of surf schools around to help you start carving up waves. After all, surfing is huge here in Bali.

This west-facing beach is a prime spot to watch sunset. Locals and tourists alike gather here every night to watch the sun dip below the horizon. One of my favorite things to do in Bali is plopping my sarong down in the sand at Double 6, dumping some rum into a fresh young coconut (I call it a coco-rum-onut) and watching the sunset.

There are also plenty of awesome bars to take in the sunset in Seminyak. My personal favorite is La Plancha, where they have a multitude of colored bean bags and lights on the beach, tasty cocktails, and some fantastic food choices. Other fun spots include the upscale Ku De Ta and the Double Six Rooftop Bar.

With so many amenities and a much more laid-back vibe than its southern neighbors, Seminyak is the perfect beachfront base for your Bali trip. Be sure to check out our guide on where to stay in Seminyak to find the perfect spot.

2. Ubud

Our next stop is the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali – Ubud. Located about an hour north of the capital, this is actually a cluster of different villages that are each run by their own local committee (known as banjar in Indonesian). For the purpose of travel, though, it’s easier to just refer to the whole area as Ubud.

In the central part of town, you’ll find the Ubud Palace and the market. This corner is often clogged with day-trippers and a seemingly never-ending stream of taxi drivers and touts. If it’s a bit of peace and quiet you seek, you’ll have to dig a little deeper in Ubud!

Thankfully it’s not that hard to get your zen on in this town. One of the most popular things to do in Ubud is taking a yoga or meditation class, and there are plenty of excellent studios to choose from. If that’s not your thing, you can always just go for a stroll along the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk out into the rice fields.

Ubud is also home to a few amazing museums, such as the Blanco Renaissance Museum and the Agung Rai Museum of Art. It’s a major center of Balinese dance as well, and there are nightly performances at venues all over town. I recommend grabbing dinner at the Lotus Cafe so you can see a show at the beautiful Water Palace.

Speaking of food, you can try the Balinese specialty babi guling (roast suckling pig) at the famous Ibu Oka restaurant here. There are also some incredible vegetarian restaurants to choose from. Ubud is definitely one of the best places to visit in Bali and should be included in your itinerary.

3. Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung

Indonesia is located in the Ring of Fire, and Bali alone is home to two active volcanoes. If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Bali and are up for a challenging adventure, you can try to reach the peak of one or both of them!

Mt. Batur is the more accessible of the two and is an easier hike. It’s 1,717 meters tall and can be climbed in just a few hours. Even though it’s relatively easy, you really can’t hike Mt. Batur on your own. This is because of the “company” (i.e. local mafia) that controls the trail and access to it. Don’t bother trying to deal with them and just book a tour with a reputable company.

I can personally recommend visiting Mt. Batur with Bali Eco Cycling. They have a variety of options for tours, including their summit, swim, and spa tour that includes a soak in the hot springs and a massage. What better way to relax after climbing an active volcano? Check their website to explore the options.

Those seeking a bit more of a challenge may head to Mt. Agung, Bali’s tallest and holiest mountain. In fact, Bali’s Mother Temple (Pura Besakih) is located on the slopes of the volcano. Towering at 3,031 meters, reaching the peak is no joke! You have to start the trek in the middle of the night to get to the summit for sunrise.

Note: Mt. Agung has actually been quite active these days, having erupted as recently as May, 2019. You may want to check on the activity there before getting your hopes up about going on a trek. Despite being able to see the volcano from my house on a clear day, I never made it to the summit of Mt. Agung. It’s high on my list of things to do in Bali when I make my triumphant return.

4. Canggu

Next up on our list of the best places to visit in Bali is Canggu. This town has long been popular with surfers but is starting to attract more visitors and digital nomads.

Since the beaches here are grey or black sand and the waves can be a bit rough, you won’t find huge crowds of tourists or touts here. It’s nice being able to kick back in a beach chair and crack an ice-cold Bintang without being swarmed by people trying to sell you sarongs. The breaks in Canggu are great for more advanced surfers or for a bit of extreme boogie-boarding.

Not too long ago, the area was nothing but rice paddies. As with much of Bali, change has been quick here. Canggu is now home to plenty of hotels, villas, restaurants, and bars catering to a new wave of visitors. Popular hangouts here include Old Man’s and Finns.

Canggu has become a digital nomad hot spot in Bali, with several co-working spaces and cafes to choose from for your productivity needs. If you’re thinking about working remotely from here, be sure to read this guide to digital nomad life in Canggu. I always enjoyed visiting Canggu, and next time I head to the island I’m hoping to use it as a nomad base.

5. Sidemen

One of my absolute favorite places to visit in Bali is the tranquil town of Sidemen. Just so you know, it’s pronounced “see-da-men” and not “side-men.” If the crowds of the beach towns and Ubud get to be too much for you, this is the perfect place to escape to.

Sidemen is a traditional Balinese village full of terraced rice fields and Hindu temples. You won’t find any McDonald’s or Starbucks out here! That being said, the town has developed into quite the tourist destination in recent years. It’s home to several excellent hotels, spas, and restaurants, making it a great spot for some good old fashioned R&R.

If you’re interested in learning about Balinese culture, Sidemen is an excellent choice. You can head to a workshop to learn about the village’s lovely songket style of weaving or sign up for a cooking class to make Balinese classics like pepes ikan.

Perhaps one of the best things to do in Bali is simply jumping on your motorbike and going for a ride. Sidemen is the perfect base for exploring one of the most beautiful areas of Bali. Just don’t be surprised if you get stuck in a bit of a traffic jam when a traditional funeral procession comes through the streets! Rather than get frustrated, just sit back and take it all in and enjoy this eye-opening cultural experience.

6. Amed

If you’re hoping to spend the majority of your trip to Bali underwater, then Amed is the place to be. Much like Ubud, this is actually a cluster of villages that get grouped together for simplicity’s sake. Amed is located on the northeast coast of Bali, which literally feels like a different planet when compared with the crowded beach towns of the south.

It’s a quiet place where most people make a living off of fishing and salt production rather than hustling tourists. I’ve been all over the island, and I can definitively say that Amed is one of the best places to visit in Bali.

As it’s very near the very active Mt. Agung, the beaches of Amed are black volcanic sand. This deters the throngs of sun-seekers who crowd the beaches of Kuta and makes for a much more relaxed vibe.

A small tourist industry exists here, thanks in large part to the excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities just offshore. There are plenty of dive shops in Amed and a variety of options for exploration under the sea. The most popular dive site in all of Bali is Tulamben, and it’s located just a short drive away.

For more on diving in Indonesia, be sure to check out these posts:

A Guide to Scuba Diving in Alor

Diving in Komodo

Diving in Raja Ampat

You don’t have to be a diver to enjoy Amed, though. There’s some great snorkeling to be had just offshore from many of the beaches. You can simply swim out for a few minutes and look around the amazing Japanese shipwreck. There’s also an easy hike that takes you to a nice viewpoint of the area and plenty of choices when it comes to guest houses and restaurants.

7. Bukit Peninsula

Next up in our grand tour of Bali is the Bukit Peninsula. This rugged and rocky mass of land in the south is just barely connected to Bali. It definitely feels like a whole different island down here.

Even though Bukit is home to some of the best beaches in all of Bali, it’s generally free of the crowds. That’s due to the fact that many of the beaches can only be reached by walking down a few hundred stairs, which means you need to walk back up when you leave!

If you’re willing to sweat a bit and work your leg muscles, you’re spoiled for choices when it comes to beaches. Some of the best include Balangan, Green Bowl, and Padang-Padang. With a rented scooter and a few days, you can try to hit all the beaches of Bukit.

One of the top things to do in Bali is to visit the area in Bukit known as Uluwatu. Here you’ll find the cliff-side Uluwatu temple, which is home to some naughty monkeys and a nightly kecak performance that’s absolutely mind-blowing. I highly recommend adding it to your Bali itinerary.

If you’re wondering where to go in Bali for surfing, Uluwatu is one of the best spots. If you’re like me and can’t stand on a board to save your life, just pull up a chair at one of the bars on the cliff and watch the experts carve up the waves below. Single Fin is the go-to bar/restaurant in the area, especially for their rowdy Sunday night shindigs.

youtube

Take a tour of Bali in just one minute in this video!

8. Candidasa

For those who prefer a more laid-back vibe on vacation, the town of Candidasa on Bali’s east coast is a solid option. Despite being one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bali, it manages to fly under the radar of most visitors.

One reason Candidasa is free of crowds is that there aren’t really any beaches here. They mined the coral reef here a few decades ago in order to get materials for construction, and this caused the beach to be washed away. Don’t freak out, though — you can easily access the Virgin Beach from here, which just might be the best beach in Bali.

The best part about staying in Candidasa is its proximity to Bali’s water palaces. Tirta Ganggaa and Taman Ujung area are both easily visited and are absolutely stunning places to explore. Snap lots of photos here, because these are some of the most Insagram-able places on the island!

Another popular activity in this area is visiting the original Balinese village of Tenganan. The people here have maintained their traditional way of life despite the wave of development on the island. Although arranged tours here are admittedly a bit contrived, it’s still an interesting place to see.

See also: 15 Awesome Things to do in Lombok

9. Munduk

While lounging on the beach is great and all, there are also some awesome places to visit in Bali that are up in the mountains. One such spot is the small town of Munduk. It’s located in northern Bali near the three lakes and the perfect base for exploring the area.

With a day or two in Munduk, you have a lot of options for what to see and do. For starters, you can go hiking around the Tamblingan and Buyan lakes to enjoy some amazing views and cool mountain air.

After a nice hike, head to the nearby Banjar hot springs. Here you’ll find several pools full of therapeutic spring water surrounded by tropical gardens. There are a few dragon fountains spitting water out that make for a great massage as well!

The next day you can head downhill a bit to visit Lake Beratan, which is home to one of Bali’s most important temples. Thanks to its location, Ulun Danu Beratan appears to be floating in the lake! Be sure to bring your camera for this one as it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Bali.

There are a handful of local guest houses and restaurants in Munduk to ensure a comfortable stay. If it’s shopping and nightlife you’re looking for, though, you’ll be disappointed. This is a place to go for some peace and quiet out in nature and it’s one of my all-time favorite spots in Bali.

10. Sanur

I may be a bit biased towards the next destination, as it’s where I spent most of my time living on the island. That being said, I firmly believe Sanur is one of the best places to visit in Bali.

This quiet beach town is located on the southeast coast of Bali and is just a short ride from the airport. I’m not joking when I say it’s a sleepy place. In fact, many people refer to it as “Snore” for that very reason!

Despite being home to a sizable expat population and having a tourist strip full of hotels, spas, and restaurants, Sanur remains a traditional Balinese fishing village at heart. This is a great place to experience the local way of life, especially during major holidays such as the Balinese New Year (Day of Silence) or the annual kite festival.

One of the best ways to experience all that the town has to offer is by joining one of the Sanur Cycle Tours. They’ve got lots of awesome options for exploring Sanur on two wheels, including their popular Jurassic Park Tour. You won’t see any dinosaurs on this one, but you will get to wander around an abandoned theme park.

Since it’s on the east coast, you won’t find big waves here. It might be the best beach in Bali for just chilling in the ocean, and you can enjoy some SUPing here if you’re into that. Sanur also makes a great base to explore the next few spots on our list of the best places to visit in Bali.

11. Serangan Island

In all my time on the Island of the Gods, I found one of the most interesting places to visit in Bali to be Serangan Island. It’s located just south of Sanur and is connected to the main island by a bridge. Even though it’s just a stone’s throw from the over-developed tourist zones of the south, Serangan remains a traditional slice of rural life in Bali.

The island is full of dirt roads and farmland, so the only traffic you’ll have to worry about here are the cows! There are also a few temples you can check out here as well as a turtle conservation center. It’s free to visit, so they fund the place by putting turtles up for “adoption.” With your donation, they let you name a turtle and release it back into the wild.

One thing I love about Serangan Island is just hanging out on the beach. This is very much a local beach with no frills. It’s the kind of place where you lay your towel on the sand, order up some ikan bakar (grilled fish), and maybe sip on some arak (the local spirit). They don’t see many tourists over here, so you won’t find the pushy touts that you get on the west coast beaches.

12. Nusa Islands

From Sanur, you can easily catch a boat to visit the nearby Nusa Islands. Although they’re three separate islands, these are actually a part of Bali. It only takes about half an hour to reach them from Sanur, so you can even pop over just for a day trip.

If you can squeeze it in your itinerary, I highly recommend spending a night or two over here. All three islands are worth taking the time to explore and are home to some stunning beaches. Here you’ll find some solid breaks for surfing as well as some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities in Bali.

The most popular island for tourists is Nusa Lembongan, where you’ll find a good selection of hotels and restaurants. We spent a few days on Lembongan at the end of our first visit to Bali and it was a major highlight of the trip.

In the middle is Nusa Ceningan, which is the smallest of the three. It’s home to the scenic Blue Lagoon and a “Secret Beach” that really isn’t that secret.

The biggest of the islands is Nusa Penida — a rugged, hilly, relatively undeveloped island. I recommend hiring a guide for the day to explore Nusa Penida so you get the most of your visit. When we did that, we were actually allowed to go into this huge temple in a cave during a ceremony since we were with locals.

See also: 10 Awesome Things to Experience on the Gili Islands

13. West Bali National Park

It takes quite a bit of effort to reach, but West Bali National Park is well worth it. This is located in the far northwest corner of the island and is actually very close to the ferry crossing over to Java. If you’re traveling to or from Java, you should definitely be sure to include a stop here.

There are two different park offices where you can go to buy your permit and arrange for a guide. The entrance fee for the park costs about $15 per person and you’ll need to hire a guide if you want to do some hiking here.

The most popular option for hiking here is the Tegal Bunder Trail, which is pretty easy and only takes around two hours. For more of a challenge, you can embark on the Gunung Klatakan Trail, which takes up to eight hours to complete.

In addition to hiking, West Bali National Park is one of the best places to go snorkeling or diving. Sign up for a tour to visit Menjangan Island, which is named after the many deer who call it home. I’ve done snorkeling and diving tours of Menjangan and had a fantastic time on both.

14. Pemuteran and Lovina

Even though they’re two separate towns, I’m grouping a few places in north Bali together. First up, there’s the small town of Pemuteran. There’s not a whole lot going on here, but this is the perfect base for exploring West Bali National Park as it’s just up the road.

In addition to hiking or diving in the park, you can also explore a few temples near town. Pura Pulaki is home to a bunch of monkeys, who are believed to be the guardians of the temple. Just across the street, Pura Pabean boasts some incredible ocean views. Both are easily visited on a half-day trip from Pemuteran.

About an hour or so up the road, you’ll find the sleepy beach town of Lovina. If seeing dolphins is on your list of things to do in Bali, then you’ll definitely want to include a stop here. You can spot the lumba-lumba (Indonesian for dolphin) early in the morning and it’s super easy to arrange a boat tour. There’s even a statue of dolphins right on the beach!

Both Pemuteran and Lovina have a decent selection of hotels, restaurants, and bars. They’re also both devoid of the crowds that plague the southern beach towns, making them some of the most peaceful places to visit in Bali.

15. Denpasar

Last but not least, we head to the capital city of Bali — Denpasar. While most visitors skip out on Denpasar entirely, I think it’s well worth a visit. There’s plenty to see and do here and it’s easily visited on a half-day trip from any of the southern beach towns.

Start your visit to Denpasar off in Puputan Park. This large green space is home to the impressive Bajra Sandhi, which is a monument to the Balinese people. It’s worth it to head inside to see the detailed dioramas that depict the history of Bali and its people. Plus, you get some great views of the park from the third floor.

Another must-see in Denpasar is the Bali Museum. While it’s not the most impressive museum in the world, it’s worth the $1.50 entrance fee to check out the traditional architecture and the unique Balinese artifacts.

Next door, you’ll find one of the most important temples in the city. Pura Agung Jagatnatha is dedicated to the supreme god Sanghyang Widi and is a beautiful place to check out. If you come under-dressed as I did, they’ll let you borrow a sarong to wear so you can go inside and have a look.

In the capital city, it should come as no surprise that there are also plenty of places to shop and eat. Find a local restaurant and sit down to a plate of nasi campur (mixed rice) for a classic Indonesian dining experience.

Why Kuta is Not One of the Best Places to Visit in Bali

You’ll note that I didn’t include the popular Kuta-Legian area of Bali. This is because it’s by far the busiest tourist area of Bali and therefore (in my opinion), it’s also the worst. It’s full of chain hotels, American fast-food restaurants, and obnoxiously loud clubs. It’s also a hot spot for con artists and thieves who prey on clueless, drunk tourists.

When I think of Kuta, I think of people speeding down the street on a motorbike. I also think of the crooked money changers that rip you off and the opportunistic thieves who snatch bags as they drive by. Whenever people ask me where to go in Bali, my first response is “Definitely NOT Kuta!”

There are far too many better places to visit in Bali. As a tourist, Kuta is fun for one night out I suppose, but beyond that, you’re far better off spending your precious time on the Island of the Gods elsewhere and I hope my list helped you decide where to go in Bali to enjoy the pristine nature — away from the crowds.

Ready For Your Trip to Bali?!

If you’re planning a trip to Bali, I recommend trying to mix up your itinerary a bit. Spend a few days in a beach town, then head up in the mountains or rice fields for a change of pace. Add in a side trip to the Nusa Islands if you can, or just cruise up to the north to explore a quieter side of Bali.

Whatever you do, you’re going to love it and will inevitably start planning your return trip before you leave! After traveling there twice and living there for a year, I’m still not even done with Bali. There’s just so much to see and do on this beautiful island that you can keep coming back and always discover something new.

Have you been to Bali and have an awesome recommendation? Leave a comment below and let us know!

The post Where To Go in Bali: 15 Best Places To Visit For Travellers appeared first on Goats On The Road.

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FOR THE KARL MARX Bicentennial Forum, Jason Barker spoke to Clive Coleman, co-writer with Richard Bean of Young Marx, a play about Marx and his family’s early years in London. The play opened at the Bridge Theatre in London on October 27 and ran until December 31, 2017. It was directed by the Royal National Theatre’s former artistic director Sir Nicholas Hytner, and starred Rory Kinnear in the lead role, Oliver Chris as Engels, and Nancy Carroll as Marx’s wife Jenny von Westphalen.

JASON BARKER: Many people will be familiar with your TV credits on The Bill and Spitting Image. How did you come to co-write a play about Karl Marx, which seems like a different proposition entirely?

CLIVE COLEMAN: As a writing partnership Richard [Bean, co-writer] and I go back a long way. We used to write comedy together in the mid-1990s. We wrote a sketch show called Control Group Six for BBC Radio 4, so we’d always been in touch. Richard became a well-known playwright and I went on to work for the BBC as its legal correspondent. We worked together on a play about phone hacking called Great Britain within five days of the verdict in the big criminal phone hacking trial in which Rebekah Brooks was acquitted and Andy Coulson convicted. [1] We worked on that in 2014 and wanted to do something else. Then Richard was approached initially to write the libretto for an opera about Karl Marx. That didn’t happen for various reasons but through talking to him about it we started reading around Marx — we read a number of biographies — and were just amazed by the fact that in 1850, as a young man, all the things you would never have imagined of this imposing figure — this bust in Highgate Cemetery — actually happened to him. He lived the most extraordinary life. All the incidents in the play actually happened. He did apply for a job on the railway as a clerk, he did have terrible boils on his backside, he fathered a child illegitimately with his housekeeper, and he lived in absolutely penurious circumstances. At one point the Prussian spy who was spying on him reported back to Berlin that Marx hadn’t left his Soho apartment for five days. Why? Because he’d pawned all of his own clothes; he was too poor to leave the house. So there was a ready-made door-slamming farce right there, with bailiffs banging on the door and his beautiful German wife fobbing them off while he hid in the cupboard. There was an amazing collection of ingredients that we thought would make a fantastic play. Initially we thought of it as a pure farce. Then we backtracked slightly because when you’re putting a genius on the stage farce is actually too slight a vehicle … That was basically it. I think we slightly fell in love with the young Marx because he was such an amazing character. Flawed but charismatic, energetic, crackling with intelligence, and the kind of person to whom things happened and who made things happen. So the character we found magnetic and fascinating.

I agree that farce is too slight a vehicle for Marx. But I could have imagined the play as an opera. You focus on a lot of material that lends itself to melodrama.

The producers were keen to have an opera with Freddy Demuth, who was Marx’s illegitimate son, grown up, but we fastened on 1850 as the play’s setting because it was a time when an awful lot was happening. We really wanted to focus on Marx as a young man, the one people don’t really know about. Some of the information has been hidden from the public …

Almost certainly a lot was censored by Marx’s daughters, maybe self-censored.

Yes. People are more comfortable thinking about him as an austere and iconic figure who gave birth to communism then Stalinism, et cetera. No one’s thought about lifting the curtain and looking at the life he was living, all the normal problems, so for us this presented an irresistible opportunity. No one’s written a play about Marx and put it on the English stage, even though he lived in England for the majority of his adult life.

In focusing on the young Marx you’re perhaps contradicting the audience’s expectations, both of the image of the man as well as Marxology. It’s easier to think of Marx as a great thinker when we’re presented with him as this sedentary old sage with a big beard in the way that all the Victorian sages are presented: Darwin, Dickens, et cetera. Did you deliberately set out to smash this image?

The thing that comes across if you read Marx’s letters, particularly those to Engels, is how funny he was; witty, funny, very well read. He would quote Shakespeare at length, he knew poetry, literature. He and Engels would ridicule their opponents, quite cruelly, actually. I’m not sure that this ritualistic side to Marx and this caustic wit ever really left him; I’m not sure he became so different to the way he was previously in terms of his sense of mischief and ribaldry. That bust of him at Highgate Cemetery — somewhat strangely — casts a long shadow. I happen to believe that lurking in the background there’s a real person. One of the things that draws you to him is this incredible intellectual energy he had. Maybe that magnetism is in some respect what makes him into a leader. If there was a room with five hundred people in it and he walked in you’d know he was there. He was someone who drew your attention. That energy was something that everyone found attractive. So in that sense I don’t think there was a deliberate effort to smash the image of him as an older man.

I’d like to come back to the question of farce. Young Marx is a very dynamic play and there’s a lot of outrageous physical comedy, like the fight scene in the British Museum, where Marx meets Charles Darwin (apparently without realizing who he is). But the mood of the play shifts with the death of Marx’s son, at which point it becomes a tragedy; Marx realizes the error of his ways and makes peace with the chaos. In reality, of course, when his son Guido dies in 1850, it turns out to be only the beginning of a long sequence of tragic events. In 1851 his wife Jenny gives birth to a daughter, Franziska, who only survives a year; then Edgar, his eldest son, dies in 1855. And for the next 15 years Marx is still persecuted much as he was before by bailiffs and landlords, and he doesn’t make serious headway on his “economics shit” for years. Even after Das Kapital is published in 1867 he complains to Engels that he’s never been in more dire financial straits and feels like he’s at death’s door. In 1860 he writes a work entitled Herr Vogt, which is this huge exposé of an obscure German activist who, years later in 1870, turns out to be a spy of Napoleon III. By this point Engels is almost tearing his hair out, imploring Marx to finish his book on capital. But he can’t. In this sense one could say that the farce is never-ending. Why did you decide to curtail the farce at the point you did, in 1850 or thereabouts, when in reality it had only just got going?

In any piece of drama or comedy, when you’re dealing with such a full and eventful life, you have to bite off a digestible chunk. But you’re absolutely right, we compressed a lot. The Marxes lost several children, whereas we focused on Fawksey. In fact it was Edgar who lived up until just before he was eight years old, who Marx absolutely adored, and who was a brilliant Artful Dodger–type character. He would stand outside their Soho apartment and fob the debt-collectors off as well. All of that is equally great material but we wanted to get as much of his young life into as short a period as we could. So much happened in 1850; that year draws in all of the incidents that took place around it. You’ve only got two hours on stage. Had it been a box-set TV series we could have expanded it. You mention how he felt as if he was at death’s door. He was frequently ill due to a terrible lifestyle of smoking cigars and drinking far too much but also just getting through the run-of-the-mill everyday things of life. As writers, we had to make a decision about what a reasonable chunk of his life is, and if there were great things that happened outside of that then which ones we should try and work into that space.

I suppose the staging of the play might also have encouraged that compression. Young Marx is performed at the Bridge Theatre in London, a purpose-built brand-new state-of-the-art theater on the Thames at Tower Bridge. You have this fantastic revolving stage that allows the action to change locations in an instant, from Soho to Brussels, and which serves the piece very well. Did knowing you had that machinery at your fingertips influence the way you wrote the play?

It started quite raw. The Marxes lived in two rooms in London’s Soho in what’s now the Quo Vadis restaurant. We knew we wanted to have scenes in the Red Lion, where the Communist League met. We also knew that we wanted the duel scene, which actually took place in Antwerp, and where Konrad Schramm went to fight August Willich on Marx’s behalf. Schramm was grazed by a bullet, everyone thought he was dead, and then he turned up in Soho a few days later. But, actually, the truth is we wrote the play and Mark Thompson, the brilliant set designer, came up with this amazing revolving set. There were still a few scenes that the director cut. But we wanted the London of the time, which was a dirty, grubby Soho, awash with émigrés and revolutionaries from the 1848 revolutions in Europe. So we wanted this Dickensian pea-souper type of London together with this fetid atmosphere of revolutionaries plotting and planning. And also factions splitting. At least one of the communist factions wanted to spark revolution through pure violence. Marx never wanted that and believed things would happen through a historical process. It was all those things together that led to the way in which it was staged.

Whenever I fall into conversations with people about Marx, people always tend to express the same opinion. Armchair enthusiasts, people who haven’t read him much, or at all, usually start by insisting that while they admire Marx and agree wholeheartedly with his ideas in theory, they don’t see how they could possibly work in practice. I’m curious to know whether you’ve had similar conversations with people and whether you share the sentiment. The reason I ask is because that skepticism doesn’t come across in the play at all. Overall it ends up feeling optimistic and dispenses with the lunacy, along with the cliched idea that Marx is a utopian fantasist, irresponsible, nothing but a drunken raver, et cetera.

I’m someone who’s sympathetic to the man and his dilemmas. Marx was a young man married to a beautiful German aristocrat who was four years his senior. He was living in difficult, penurious circumstances, managing a young family and trying to hold a political movement together through the Communist League at a time when it was splitting up. So he had a lot on his plate! But can I answer the question in a slightly different way?

Sure.

Put it this way. A play about Karl Marx cannot avoid his writings. It would be absurd to try to do that. No one goes to the theater to have two hours of Marx’s theories rammed down their throat. That would not be a particularly entertaining evening. But we wanted to tackle his writings and we thought long and hard about finding ways and the right speeches in order for him to do that. So there’s a scene in the play where they’re making breakfast and Marx has an epiphany, and it’s through making breakfast that he manages to expound upon alienation. Something like alienation is a difficult concept to get across and we wanted to find ways to ground things like that in situations that might have sparked his imagination and enabled him to come up with them. And especially in those domestic situations. But I don’t think we ever took on or made a value judgment about whether these concepts were workable in practice. It was a moment in time. It was 1850. So no one had really put any of this stuff into practice. We were many years away from him actually completing Das Kapital. He’d been working on it for about five years and hadn’t done much, I think. So that wasn’t the focus of the play. I’ve slightly dodged your question there.

I think it’s fair to say that Marx in 1850 is an unusual character. At the time he was experimenting with communism and socialism, which were still fairly minority underground sects. He doesn’t know how things are going to work out, he’s grappling with it all; even though Marx’s “theory” is itself a practical undertaking. He’s not an abstract theorist.

There was one speech we put in the play and which I was very keen to have in. Marx had a great optimism that history would play out in a particular way and in the speech at the Red Lion he says there will be a time when the money’s eaten itself, banks will be bust, there will be no money to pay the police or the army and so we won’t need a revolution; we shall simply walk in and take over. There was also another speech we put in. Although he had this optimism, capitalism has clearly turned out to be hugely elastic and shape-shifting. It hits one crisis then it finds a way, whether through the invention of credit cards or state intervention to prop up banks. So in actual fact it’s proved to be a very powerful foe and perhaps more so than Marx imagined. So in the play he gives another speech when he’s at his nadir and in which he describes capitalism as a seven-headed hydra that can never be beaten. And I wonder whether he ever thought like that. Did he ever consider: What if I’m wrong about this? What if the enemy is more powerful than I thought? I take the view that anyone who believes so much in something must at some point reflect and think: what if the thing is more difficult to beat than I ever imagined?

It’s the Marx bicentennial this year and Marx’s ideas about class struggle and economic exploitation are still live issues. I wonder whether this explains why there have been so few TV or theater dramatizations of Marx’s life. Do you think producers are frightened, not so much of Marx, but of what he represents? Or do you think there’s a more innocent explanation? In passing I’ve heard it said that the Raoul Peck movie The Young Karl Marx has been struggling to secure an English distributor, which may go some way toward explaining why more Marx films don’t get made. Clearly it can’t be for lack of a good story, or one that’s worth telling.

I don’t think there’s a big capitalist conspiracy to blunt any drama about Karl Marx. There have been lots of documentaries and books. I think it’s because people associate him so much with the writings and the history that followed it. And for a lot of people that’s a bit of a turn off.

But it’s still very visual. Your play has a great visual language in terms of the spies and all these archetypes you have in it. It’s interesting that the Marx story should remain so overwhelmingly on the page.

Well, having said that the Young Marx play has been on about a thousand cinema screens on National Theatre Live, so it has been seen in cinemas. There may end up being a film of the play. Who knows? You have these sleeping giants. For years and years, when I was writing sitcom, everyone said you cannot write a sitcom about people being in an office. People are in an office all day and they do not want to come home and sit for another half an hour and watch people in an office. And then Ricky Gervais wrote The Office. Sometimes you have a long period where people think things aren’t doable. Then suddenly times change, attitudes change, and those things become popular. So you never know. This may be a time when people are going to look again at Karl Marx. He certainly deserves a look.

And as a dialectical thinker of contraries he’s perhaps the greatest sleeping giant of them all. One should never say never with Marx.

Well, exactly. Maybe we’ve helped to start something new.

Jason Barker is professor of English at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. He is the writer-director of the German documentary Marx Reloaded and author of the novel Marx Returns.

[1] In 2011, it emerged that The News of the World, a mass circulation UK tabloid Sunday newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News International, had hired a private investigator to hack into the phone records of Milly Dowler, a young British teenager who went missing in March 2002, and whose body was eventually discovered six months later. In July 2011, it was reported that during the period of Dowler’s disappearance, during which the newspaper supported a public campaign to find her, the private investigator and journalists from the paper listened to voice messages left on her phone, and deleted others in order to free space for new incoming messages. This created the false impression that Dowler was still alive. Following pubic outrage the paper ceased publication in July 2011. In 2013, former editors of The News of the World, including Brooks and Coulson, were prosecuted for their involvement in the related phone-hacking scandal.

The post “Young Marx” at the Bridge Theatre London: An Interview with the Writer Clive Coleman appeared first on Los Angeles Review of Books.

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