#also my aunt and uncle's dog is called Bella and my cousin met and started dating a girl with the same name and family holidays were awkward

[omg-snakes]

How does the narrow face affect the chance of that snake’s survival? Or is it just an indicator of probable other defects?

It's pretty bad and I'm not sure if he'll be able to eat. He emerged fully so I was able to get a better look at what's going on.

His bottom jaw is reduced and twisted. He can open his mouth but it looks like his glottis is very narrow, too, and pushed close to the front of his mouth. His trachea may be pinched. The quadrate and/or supratemporal portions of his skull (top back) are also deformed and jut out slightly.

There may be other defects at play. I know it's a boy because his hemipenes are currently everted, which is not normal. He did manage to absorb his yolk, but his navel is not fully sealed shut. He's not kinked, though, and he moves normally so we'll see if his condition improves and if he's able to eat once he's completed a neonatal shed.

He reminds me of an Italian greyhound with a severe overbite. I'm going to call him Iggy, which is the most common name for that particular dog breed.

#it was either Iggy or DIDAS or Shoeface Shippendale #the most common pet name is Bella. #i used to volunteer at a cat shelter and we had a pet psychic who would come in regularly to offer her services to help the cats get adopted #according to her psychic powers every cat wanted to be named Bella #being named Bella was the only thing that would help them express themselves and give a forever home #at one time we had no fewer than five cats called versions of Bell/Bella/Belle/Bellisimo/etc. #fun times #snake #snakes #reptile #reptiles #reptiblr #corn snake #corn snakes #baby snake #iggy #also my aunt and uncle's dog is called Bella and my cousin met and started dating a girl with the same name and family holidays were awkward

[3monthsineurope]

September 17, 2019

Tuesday morning we woke up at 6:30. So early! We both slept well, but definitely not enough, hahah. Ingvar and I brushed our teeth and changed, then Nico gave us a tour of the family house. His grandparents used to live in one third of the house, with its own kitchen and multiple rooms and a bathroom. Unfortunately, Nico’s grandma had passed away within the last month :(. Nico’s part of the house has three bedrooms for him, his brother, and mom, with a kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Then upstairs, his aunt and uncle live, with Nico’s two cousins as well. This is all the same house, with separate entrances. Nico grew up with his whole family, which I think is really cool. The house is close by to a canal, so they watch ships a lot. We were introduced to his female cousin and the family dog, Bella, a German Shepherd (haha). We gathered upall our things, then Nico drove us out of his little town.

He gave me a mini tour, since I was sleeping when he gave Ingvar one the night before. The first stop was a grocery store for some beer that is brewed locally. Even though Nico doesn’t drink, he knows a lot about beer and wanted us to try this one. I did a little make up when they went into the store, and they returned also with some yummy chocolate! Next up, Ingvar wanted to drive the autobahn! Nico drove us for a while, then we pulled over and they switched spots. Ingvar drove us about 120 mph, which is probably the fastest he’s ever driven! But it doesn’t feel too fast, since everyone drives faster than that, haha. We drove back near town, and they switched again, so Nico drove us back to Wolfsburg, where we got off the train the night before.

Nico’s mom had bought us brunch at the Volkswagen campus, which was so nice of her! She didn’t even come with us, since she had to work. Wolfsburg is all about Volkswagen! It’s definitely the main industry and economy. Everyone drives one, haha. The breakfast was buffet style and super tasty! I tried some different jams and spreads, and also some meats. After brunch, we walked around the campus for a bit. It was a super windy day! We were chilly! We went back to Nico’s car and grabbed all our stuff. Nico parked the car super far way, then met up with us. We walked to a nearby outlet mall and bopped around for a bit. We wanted to find some long white socks for Ingvar’s Oktoberfest outfit, but ended up decided to wait until Munich. Ingvar and I got Starbucks (my first pumpkin spice latte of the season! Haha), then we walked back to the HBF (main train station). It started to rain and was so windy! What a bummer.

We got to the train station and got on our 12:53 train to Dortmund, where the soccer match was that night. Our ride was about two and a half hours. I just love being on trains! It’s so relaxing and I love how they drop you off in the middle of the city. Ingvar and Nico talked soccer a lot, while I played around on my phone and snoozed a bit. We were all pretty tired, but they boys were super excited for the soccer game that night!

We arrived in Dortmund around 3:10. Nico and I both tried to figure out how to buy a group day pass for the trains, like the one we used in Berlin the day before. Neither of us could figure it out, in German or English, so we ran up to the platform where Ingvar was waiting with our bags for the train. We were in a bit of a rush, because we were meeting Nico’s friend, so he could take all of Nico’s things, since he was staying the night with him after the game. We made the right train and only had to go one stop to the stadium. Which is good, because we didn’t have a ticket! And a ticket checker was starting at the front of the train. We hopped off before she got to us, then we had to hustle to the team store. Nico took both roller bags and sped way ahead of Ingvar and I. We were all spaced out, with me in the back, speed walking, because my legs are so short, haha. Nico ran into the team store and bought a few things for his mom, then we ditched all his bags with his friend, who was waiting in the car for Nico. Once all that was taken care of, Ingvar and I took about 15 minutes to explore the team store. It was HUGE—two stories! We looked around at what Ingvar would like to buy, then went outside to trade with Nico. I stayed outside with Ingvar and I’s bags, while they went in and explored the whole shop. They were inside for about 40 minutes, so I got to call up Dad and talk to him, since there was WiFi. It was good to talk to him! Nico ended up getting a lot of stuff, including a jersey which he got embroidered. Ingvar got a windbreaker and a scarf, and a magnet for our fridge. They were getting so excited for the game!

Next up, we took two metro trains to get to Ingvar and I’s Airbnb. We picked up the key at the corner store, which was kind of funny, then dropped our bags. The place was super nice! It had a super nice bathroom (with a bath!), a bedroom, living room, and kitchen. We all charged up our phones for a bit, and the boys changed into their new gear. We figured out the route Ingvar was going to take home, by metro, since Nico would go home with his friend, then we headed out. I really wanted to try a Dortmund tradition, stößchen. Which is a super little beer, in a cute cup. It was a tradition stared by a bar next to a train stop, where the owner started selling little beers people could finish before getting on their train. We went to one of the main squares of town, right next to this church I wanted to see, too, called St. Reinold’s. The square was so cute, I definitely could have spent more time there. Tons of Dortmund and Barcelona fans were decked out in the square, getting food and beer before the big game. It was a big game because the teams rarely play each other, it was the first game of the Champion League, and Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world.

Nico realized he forgot one of his jackets in Ingvar’s backpack, so he decided to take the metro back to our place and grab it. It was actually pretty crazy, every time we were on the metro, we tried to buy a ticket, and the machines kept malfunctioning! It was wild. Ingvar and I sat down outside in Alter Markt, and got some food while Nico was going back. Unfortunately, since it was a game day, they weren’t selling the little beers, wahhh, what a bummer! Oh, well. Ingvar and I each had a beer and shared some food. I got pork wiener snitzel and Ingvar got sausage. It was really tasty! German food is good, but really heavy and filling. Nico made it back when we were finishing dinner, anxious to go to the game. We all took some pictures then headed to the station. Ingvar and Nico went to the stadium, Signal Iduna Park, while I managed to actually buy a ticket back to our stop. I was so excited for them to go to the game! They were gonna have a blast. I said goodbye to Nico, it was really good to meet him! I’m happy that Ingvar got to spend time with him after all the years apart.

I rode the four stops to our street, then walked the five minutes to our Airbnb. It was about 7:30, so not dark yet, and the neighborhood felt pretty safe. When I got to our door, I actually couldn’t get the lock to unlock! I was a little worried, since my phone was at less than 20% battery, but thankfully it eventually turned. Phew! When I got inside, I realized the WiFi wasn’t working, which was a bummer. I messed around with the router, but couldn’t figure it out. Eventually I turned on the data on my phone. I took a bath and talked to Mom on the phone for a half hour, which was so nice! The bath felt so good after running around for the last few days! I spent the evening lounging around and doing some self care, like clipping my nails and rubbing lotion on my achy feet.

Ingvar came back around 12:20 that night/morning. I had the bedroom window open, since it was street side, so he called out to me when he arrived, since we only had one set of keys. We brushed our teeth and called it a night. Ingvar told me about the game, which needed in a tie, 0-0. A tie this early on in the season is okay, and it’s especially okay, since Barcelona is such a good team! Ingvar got to see Messi play, one of the best players in the world. And I was proud of him for getting back to the Airbnb on public transport alone. :]

#germany #deutschland #wolfsburg #dortmund #train #soccer #football #volswagen #friends #airbnb