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travelwiide · 4 years

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7 things that astounded me when living in Vienna, Austria

What astounded me the most when I moved to Vienna, Austria? I've needed to expound on it for quite a while. I went through a year in Vienna and this experience showed me a great deal and in some sense changed my perspective. I concede I didn't encounter any social stun because Austria and Poland share a considerable amount for all intents and purposes. In any case, there are a couple of things that astounded me when living in Vienna, Austria. Here are some of them.

1. Snow-capped spring water in a tap.

One of the principal things that astounded me in the wake of moving to Vienna was the way that there was an extremely little choice of packaged despite everything water in the close-by grocery stores. Following a couple of days, I discovered that it is because everybody is drinking faucet water here. Maybe for some of you, there will be nothing peculiar in it, however in where I originate from, it isn't so self-evident. Drinking faucet water without bubbling it or sifting it? No chance! altered my perspective when I was clarified that Viennese water originates from Elevated mountain sources (look at: Where the Alps start and Climbing in the Viennese Alps). Springwater is provided to Vienna by a 120 km reservoir conduit, which, as I heard, was worked for the Sovereign and his court, yet later it was chosen to make this gem understood water accessible to others. What's intriguing, the watercourses through the hydroelectric force plant, delivering 65 million kilowatt-long stretches of vitality, which is sufficient to cover the power request of the whole city of Vienna! Smart, right? I need to concede that Viennese water tastes great. Also, there is nothing more invigorating than having a glass of cold water on a sweltering summer's day. You don't need to place it in the ice chest, toss ice 3D squares, etc. You simply turn on the tap and drink. Furthermore, there are sources in the city where you can empty drinking water into your jug. It's something I miss when I don't live in Vienna any longer.

2. How the Danube stream looks these days.

Let me come clean with you. Before I moved to Vienna, I had never been there. I knew this city just from photographs and I had some thought about what the city would resemble. I'm certain the majority of you know the well known three-step dance "The Blue Danube" formed by Johann Strauss II. Each time I heard this song, I envisioned a blue, wide stream that streams stately by delegate structures and noteworthy dwellings. I don't have the foggiest idea, possibly I believed that the Danube in Vienna looks somewhat like in Budapest. What's more, truly, what I saw shocked me a piece. Nonetheless, I imagine that Johann Strauss II himself would likewise be stunned on the off chance that he perceived how the Danube looks today. Over the previous century, the Danube has been controlled and is currently totally not at all like the stream it used to be. It is somewhat further from the notable focus of the city and separated by a portion of land into two troughs: the Danube (Dunau) and New Danube (Neue Donau). The water that streams close to the old town is the Danube Trench (Donaukanal), the arm of the Danube. Likewise, there is additionally the Old Danube (Alte Donau). No big surprise a few voyagers are somewhat befuddled. The Danube Waterway, which streams close to the old town, additionally looks very explicit. The dividers are painted with spray paint, there are gardens where individuals develop vegetables, flower child bars and some road fine arts. Try not to misunderstand me, I like the vibes of this spot and when I lived in Vienna I frequently strolled there, however it's simply not what I envisioned, so it totally amazed me.

3. The island in the city.

'I will be on the island this evening. Will we meet someplace at Depressed City or Copa Cagrana? I heard that they have great beverages in Sansibar. What do you think?' Did you comprehend anything about this? Provided that I hadn't lived in Vienna for some time, I wouldn't understand what it was about However, let me disclose everything to you. Indeed, in the focal point of Vienna is an island with seashore bars, grill territories, bike and roller ways, and even nudist seashores. Danube Island (Donauinsel) is now and then called 'Spaghetti Island'. This is a direct result of its shape: it is limited and more than 20 km long! It was made because of the waterway guideline and partitions the Danube into two troughs: the Danube (Donau) and New Danube (Neue Donau). You can likewise find out about it in my blog entries: Fascinating realities about Vienna and 5 elective activities in Vienna. The island, which was worked to shield Vienna from floods, has become a most loved recreational region in the city and a gathering place for local people. Depressed City and Copa Cagrana are particularly well known in summer nighttimes. It is the waterfront with various bars and cafés associated by the Ponte Cagrana barge connect. Some bar names are very entertaining, as Sansibar. If you have additional time, make certain to visit this clamoring and laid-back spot in Vienna.

4. Spittelau and some other peculiar looking structures.

One day when riding the U6 metro I saw the brilliant arch of Spittelau over the structures. I thought it was a castle or a sanctuary. I could never have thought it was only a city squander incinerator! Even such common things can astonish you in Vienna. As I found a workable pace city to an ever-increasing extent, I began to stray from the generally accepted way to go. At that point, I found other bizarre-looking structures like Hundertwasserhaus, KunstHausWien, Willa Wagner II, Vienna Harmony Pagoda and that's only the tip of the iceberg. You can find out about it in the blog entry: Top 10 most odd structures in Vienna.

5. Proficient titles all over.

Dipl. Ing., Mag., MSc, Mama, Dr. and the various expert titles. There is a great deal of them and now and again it is hard to make sense of it. Likewise, in Austria, they are composed all over the place. So on the off chance that you are a guaranteed engineer (Dipl. Ing.), you will have this title composed in reports like a graduation endorsement as well as on such inconsequential things as a metro ticket or even your IKEA card. Same with the ace, specialist, and the rest. Additionally, proficient titles are likewise composed by the names on the radio board, at the passageway to the apartment. Consider the possibility that somebody lives in a disconnected house. At that point frequently a sign is joined going back and forth or veneer of the structure saying that an educator, specialist, ace or confirmed architect lives here. On the off chance that in my nation somebody, aside from perhaps a clinical specialist who has a private center at home, would do something like this, individuals would discover it, in any event, bizarre and neurotic. Be that as it may, in Austria, this is flawlessly typical and nobody is astounded.

6. Contrasts between standard German and Austrian German.

The contrast between standard German and Austrian German is a broad theme. Furthermore, there is likewise the Viennese vernacular. So on the off chance that you just considered Hochdeutsch, you might be a little astonished how individuals talk in Vienna and not see a portion of the words. I never considered German at school and when it worked out that I would have the chance to go through a year in Vienna, I started to concentrate all alone. I purchased books, introduced a few versatile applications, and attempted to discover some new information consistently. All things considered, my language abilities were immediately checked the following morning after moving to Vienna. I went to the market to purchase something for breakfast and heard Grüß Gott rather than Guten Morgen. At the point when I needed to purchase rolls and requested Brötchen, the salesman said they had Semmeln in Austria. I additionally recall that when I needed to purchase cream, I was unable to discover Sahne anyplace. Later I discovered that there is Sauerrahm (harsh cream) or Schlagobers (sweet cream). There are numerous instances of contrasts between standard German and Austrian German. At the point when I understood that what I realize all alone now and then isn't valuable in Austria, I tried out a German course at the College of Vienna. There, aside from Hochdeutsch, I was likewise trained the Austrian rendition of the words and I could generally inquire as to whether I had any questions. Since some interesting circumstances have happened frequently. I recollect one day I needed to purchase frozen yogurt in Tichy and I saw that there is another taste called Weichsel. Inquisitive, I composed the word in the interpreter on the telephone and saw the name of the Vistula Stream in my country Poland. I needed to purchase this frozen yogurt to discover that it is sharp cherry. I could make reference to a lot increasingly such contrasts, perhaps some time or another I will expound more on it on my blog.

7. Drinking matured grape juice.

Toward the start of pre-winter, soon after the grape gather, the Viennese race to the close by vineyards to attempt Sturm. What is that? The sort of mixed beverage I previously expounded on in the blog entry about Top 10 activities in Vienna, Austria. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is called burčák or burčiak, in Germany: Federweißer, Super, Sauser, Neuer Süßer, Junger Wein, Neuer Wein. Sturm is a semi-item made during the creation of wine, which can be expended only a couple of days after the beginning of the maturation of grapes. So at the end of the day, it's never again grape juice, not wine yet. What's more, not Beaujolais. Sturm isn't yet clear, has a wonderful sweet taste and is marginally shimmering. It is hard to decide the liquor substance of this beverage, it is generally 4–10%. In Vienna, you can purchase both white and red Sturm. By and by, I incline toward white, however, it merits attempting the two adaptations. Visiting a winery is the best thought, however, if you don't have a lot of time, you can purchase Sturm even at the general store. It is sold in plastic containers that are not curved (the item is as yet aging), so it's better not to place it in a bag! Did any of the things I referenced here additionally shock you? Have you at any point lived or live someplace abroad? What astonished you in a remote nation?

source https://www.travelwiide.com/2020/04/7-things-that-astounded-me-when-living.html

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shes-soparticular · 5 years

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Slow Burn (Part IV)

Part One. Part Two.

Part Three.

A/N: Part IV of Slow Burn. If you can tell, Kraków is one of my favorite cities and felt like a great point for this particular chapter. Other Alex related one-shots can be found in my Masterlist. Hope you like! Comments, reblogs, likes are always appreciated!

Word Count: 3890

For fear of moments stolen I don't wanna say goodnight But I'll still see you in the morning Still know your heart and still know both your eyes

Since that night the moon has never seemed the same

He wakes up to the faint smell of coconut and a tingling sensation in his left arm. For a split second, the daily feeling of disorientation takes over him as he processes that he’s in yet another hotel room, in yet another country, living this incredibly strange existence. But there’s something different about this morning in particular. The smell of coconut is floating from the head of hair his face is practically buried in, the curls tickling his nose as he tries to take in the scent as deeply as possible and commit it to memory. The state of discomfort in his arm is owed to the fact that it’s nestled under her ribcage, his other arm draped over her stomach with fingers splayed over the skin underneath the t-shirt she’s sleeping in. His t-shirt. Even though his left arm is begging for relief, he doesn’t dare move a muscle. He knows as soon as he does, as soon as she wakes, the moment might be ripped away and brushed under the rug. So for now, for as long as he can, he’s going to breathe her in and relish being pressed against her in the early morning glow. Laying in the silence, basking in it, he lets his mind replay the prior evening. The bandage on the back of her shoulder jogs his memory and immediately takes him back to Kraków’s cobblestoned streets, the moonlight reflecting off of the windows of storefronts long since closed for the night.

They move through the streets slowly, cheeks warm from the Polish Vodka they’d been nursing since the end of that night’s show. A piece of street stall zapiekanka passes back and forth between the two of them, which Alex had spent half the night on the hunt for. When the rest of the group had slowly started breaking off to head back to the hotel in preparation for the early morning drive to Vienna, he had been the one to convince her to stay out just a little longer. Even though he was often mesmerized by her for the simplest of reasons, there was something about Kraków Alex that was more intoxicating than even the vodka. She’d been mentioning since the beginning of tour how much she loved this city, stars in her eyes anytime she spoke about it. But it was different actually watching her wander through Kazimierz and Old Town with her eyes wide, fingers brushing across the brick buildings and taking it all in with nostalgia as if it were a home she’d never known. It was yet another facet of her he hadn’t seen yet, this childlike wonderment, and it only softened his heart for her more. As if it wasn’t already a hopeless puddle anytime she was in front of him. Not wanting to sacrifice a second of watching the flush in her cheeks as the spring night air swept through her hair, he insisted on not letting the night end. Even as the rest of the team, Andrew included, shot him discerning looks on their way out of the final bar, all he could do was shrug his shoulders from behind Alex’s back. It was next to impossible to be rational and lovesick at the same time.

“God, I don’t know what it is about this city,” She sighs to herself, arm tucked through his as they strolled through Old Town. The moon, bigger and brighter than he’d ever seen it, lit their way and reflected off of her eyes as she looked up to him. “I wish we had more time here, I don’t want to leave.” It was clear to him that she was trying to stretch the night out as desperately as he was. There was no other reason she’d still be out in the middle of the night with no destination in mind.

“I know, I can’t believe we’re almost through with Europe.” His forlorn sigh matches hers as they weave past a couple necking on the sidewalk. He and Alex share a momentary smile at the couple’s expense, but there’s an undercurrent of jealousy that they aren’t the ones pushed up against the city walls, lost in one another. Granted, even if they were simply, innocently arm in arm, Shawn still feels as lost in her as if they were tangled in the sheets. “I’m dreading the end of this leg. I’m not ready.” With a rush of nerves, he looked off into the distance, not wanting to make the loaded nature of his statement any more obvious. Because what he was trying to say, what he really meant, was that he wasn’t ready to leave her. Even if it was just for a couple of months, he couldn’t imagine not seeing her every day. Breakfast wouldn’t be the same without listening to her tease Brian. His afternoons wouldn’t be the same without her forcing a smile out of him by asking in a dead serious tone if he ever planned to collaborate with BTS. And the nights? God, the nights definitely wouldn’t be the same. Not without laying across her bed watching her proudly show off her bad dance moves to Lizzo songs. Or listening to her geek out over Game of Thrones theories. He wouldn’t even get tired of the sinking feeling he got every time he caught that last glimpse of her face before her hotel room door shut in front of him. Although, he was certain he’d continue seeing her face nightly anytime he closed his eyes. Nothing was going to match having her in the room, though. The comfort of just knowing she was there and that was enough for all to be right with his world. He just wasn’t ready for anything to change, not in that way at least. What he didn’t realize was that there were plenty of similar thoughts running through her mind at that very moment. She didn’t want to miss out on those sweaty post-show bear hugs, where she’d never felt more at home than wrapped up in his arms. She wasn’t prepared to give up their nightly ramblings about everything and nothing. She was even going to miss bickering with him about the right way to chop vegetables (she truly feared he’d be missing a finger by the time June rolled around). Alex was just as afraid to let this moment in time pass and face the real world again, without one of his smiles to start her day.

“We’ll be running around North America before you know it.” Alex replies with as reassuring a tone as she can muster, rubbing his arm for added comfort. “And you have some exciting stuff coming up in May, I’m already planning my SNL watch party. I’m going to make everyone take a shot if you say, “sing it!”. Two shots if you forget the words. Three shots if you fall.” At the look of offense on his face, she hides in his shoulder, her laugh vibrating against his arm.

“Maybe I am ready to be Alex-free for a little while.” Shawn scoffs, shaking his head but secretly eating up her mocking. “I’m glad to hear you believe in me, feels great.” He still can’t help but laugh along with her. When so many people line up to kiss your ass, it’s always a breath of fresh air to hear from someone who doesn’t mind poking fun. Who can keep you grounded. “What are you going to be up to with your time off?”

She takes a beat to consider the question, obviously not having as impressive of an answer. “I don’t know, I mean, I’ll be back in the office.” It’s easy for him to forget that she has a real job, one with a desk and a cubicle and probably one of those “hang in there” posters with a kitten on it. And far more likely, a bottle of Maker’s Mark in her desk drawer. “I have a lot of contracting to do for a few fall tours, but I should be able to handle all of that from Chicago. I guess I’ll just be hanging out, back to the boring old grind. Gonna be tough to go back to civilian life.”

Continuing their aimless walk, the sound of a busker strumming away on his guitar fills the air. Neither of them recognizes the song, but it’s soft and sweet and only makes his hands itch to pull her in. Not letting himself hesitate any longer, he grabs her hand and gives her a sloppy spin into his chest, grinning at the way he’s managed to catch her off guard. Being that she had more of an impulsive streak than he did, it wasn’t an easy feat. A giggle leaves her lips as she lets herself lean into him, the hand that isn’t in his moving to his shoulder. “I guess I should ask first, if you want to dance.”

He’s fully expecting a snarky response from her, something just sharp enough to keep his ego in check but still kind enough not to bruise it. Surprisingly, all she does is look up at him, the moon lighting her features. “I’d love to.” Her hand brushes further across his upper back, settling on the nape of his neck. It sends shivers down his spine and he can’t decide whether he wants her to notice what she does to him. However, the way she’s melting into him? He’s confident the feeling is mutual. That maybe he isn’t exaggerating this connection between them. Maybe she’s in as deep as he is. They keep swaying together in the empty street, even after the busker starts packing up to leave. He imagines that had neon lights not caught the eyes of this spontaneous girl, that they’d have kept right on dancing until sunrise.

“Hey, I have an idea.” She squeezes his hand, already biting her lip the way she does when a scheme is turning it’s wheels through her brain. “Come with me.” Reluctantly, he drops his hand from her waist, trailing behind her as she takes off with purpose towards one of the few windows that’s still lit up. When he finally takes his eyes off of her long enough to judge the place she’s whisking him towards, he realizes with a chuckle that it’s a tattoo parlor of all places. While it’s true he hasn’t known Alex for long, he knows her well enough to be a little jittery about her plans. When they make their way into the small shop, he stands back and lets her do the talking. He watches as she digs through her purse for her phone, quickly bringing up a picture of a floral sketch she’d already had saved. Listening intently to her rambling, the artist starts drawing out his own version, a small branch of cherry blossoms. He already knew she had several existing tattoos, mostly small and simple. A sailboat on her inner ankle to represent her life growing up on Lake Michigan. A small mountain range on the back of her arm that she’d gotten after spending the summer between high school and college hiking Pacific Crest Trail with friends. The doodle made by her late grandmother dotting her right wrist was her favorite, and the way tears had welled up in the corner of her eyes when she explained it to him made him want to hold her and never let go. In the scavenger hunts to uncover her existing tattoos, she’d never mentioned having another one planned. But clearly, based on the photos saved to her phone, it’s something she’d been thinking deeply about. Being that he’s lost in his own thoughts of her, he almost doesn’t hear her when she turns to him, asking his opinion. “I think under the branch, he should add the words ‘let’s get lost’, what do you think?” The way her eyes flash this vulnerable look she only seems to have when she’s looking at him, he instantly understands the meaning without having to ask. It’s his lyric. A lyric to the first song she ever saw him play live. A lyric that easily represented the way they’d been stumbling together through Europe, falling harder for one another in each new city.

“Really?” There’s this weird sense of pride and humility that fills him, to know that a piece of their time together, a piece of him, was important enough to her that she wanted it to be emblazoned on her body. “I love it, Alex, I really do.” This earns the biggest smile he’s seen from her yet and somehow, he’s never been this tempted to kiss her. Even though that’s the baseline feeling he has every time he wants to kiss her…which is pretty much constant.

Before long, the artist has the design prepared and the stencil complete. For a moment, Shawn is nervous that she’ll want him to wait for her out front. But there’s something about her going off with a stranger that’s going to inflict a certain amount of pain on her that makes him immediately protective. Fortunately, she grabs his hand without hesitation and pulls him along with her to the back of the shop, not letting go as she lays chest down on the cushioned table. Leaning on her elbows for a second, she shimmies down the straps of her dress and bra, leaving her right shoulder bare. She does have to let go of his hand briefly to accomplish this, but quickly grasps it again as soon as she’s finished. When she blows out a shaky breath, he realizes she’s more anxious than he expected. Squeezing her hand as the artist makes the final preparations and applies the stencil, he gives her the same reassuring smile she’d flashed him earlier in the evening.

“So how long have you been thinking about getting this tattoo? You never mentioned it.” He wants to hear the answer almost as much as he wants to keep her mind occupied as the tattoo gun makes it’s first contact with her skin. When she winces, he almost can’t bear it. Seeing her in pain, even at her own request, stings in a way he almost can’t understand. But she’s resolute and manages a smile through the pain.

“Oh, I don’t know, a month or so, I guess?” Alex bites her lip, but it’s out of exposing herself rather than the physical pain. “I’ve been having the time of my life.” This time, she squeezes his hand instead. “I never want to forget it.” He doesn’t even think before reaching up with his free hand to brush her hair back, thumb brushing against her cheek and resting there too long to be considered innocent. They sit in silence for awhile, interrupted only by the sound of the tattoo gun, until the artist announces that he’s finished the line work and ready to start shading the flowers. Clearly picking up on the tender moment between them, a gleam enters the older man’s eyes.

“You know, I never do this,” He chuckles in a thick polish accent, “But would you like to fill in the flowers? I’ll tell you what to do, very easy.” He says this with confidence, as if it’s no big deal to jab a needle into someone’s skin. Especially someone you’re falling head over heels for. To say Shawn is caught off guard is an understatement. No way in hell does he trust himself to do this, to anyone, much less Alex. But the way her face lights up, brighter than when it was awash in moonlight, he knows there’s no way he can get out of it.

“Yes, Shawn, please.” She whines, knowing it’ll be an uphill battle to convince him. The look of determination in her eyes tells him that even if he fights her on this, tooth and nail, he’s going to lose. Now it’s him taking a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair while racking his brain for an excuse that will appease her. Unfortunately, nothing comes to mind.

“Are you absolutely sure? What if I hurt you? What if I fuck it up?” He rattles on, hand still snuggly grasped in hers. “Alex, this will be on your skin for the rest of your life. You need to be sure.”

At his reluctance, she raises to her elbows again for a second, wanting to be even the littlest bit closer to him. “Shawn, I’m sure. You won’t hurt me, you won’t fuck it up. Even if you do, I’d rather have it be your mistake than someone else’s best work.” She lowers her voice at the last part, not wanting to offend the artist that still has a certain amount of her fate in his hands. “If you’re not comfortable doing it, that’s totally okay. I get it. But I’d love it if you did.” Will he ever be able to say no to this woman? Taking one last nervous breath, Shawn accepts the gun from the artist and listens carefully to his instructions, asking him to repeat multiple points before he feels confident enough to move forward. It takes one last soothing look from Alex before he’s finally ready to bring the needle to the skin of her shoulder. Unexpectedly, he feels her relax instantly under his touch. The tension leaves her shoulders, melts from her back. The mere fact that she trusts him to do this, that she wants him to leave this permanent mark on her, something that might outlast them. Something that will be a part of her until her dying day. His imprint on her for a lifetime.

Through some miracle, he’s able to finish filling in the petals as instructed without making any mistakes or causing her an undue amount of pain. For a second, he almost thinks she’s drifted off to sleep before he’s finished, with the way she’s relaxed beneath his hand. But after the tattoo artist takes over to finish some final touches and wrap her tattoo, her eyes flutter open with a look of contentment. He feels her gratitude without her having to say a word, and he hopes she feels his. For letting him in like this, for sharing this moment with him. It’s so strange how something as simple of a tattoo can make him feel so bound to her, which is both euphoric and terrifying all at once.

It’s not long before they’ve finished up and are cast back on to the streets, the back of her shoulder bandaged and their hands interlocked once more. She goes back to leaning into him with her good shoulder and by the time they’re in the elevator up to their rooms, he doesn’t think twice about planting a kiss on the crown of her head. Even if they never go any further, they’ll always have this night. And it alone means the world to him.

They pass his door first and he’s surprised when she comes to a stop. It’s part of their routine that he always walks her back to her room first. “I…” Alex stammers for a second, eyes flicking between him and the door. “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight. Can I…can I stay with you?” The pleading look she’s giving him isn’t even necessary, he wonders if she knows that, if she has any idea that he’d do anything for her. Without a thought. He’s aware how dangerous that could be, but so far, if it just boils down to tattoos and sleepovers, he’s more than ready to give her anything she wants.

“Of course.” He fumbles with the room key momentarily before getting them both inside. While he would have expected there to be an awkward tension in the air, there’s a comfortable familiarity instead. The way they maneuver around each other as they get ready for bed, it’s what he imagines a seasoned married couple is able to do. Except that he respectfully turns around as she changes into the t-shirt he’s tossed her, her boyshorts peeking out from under the bottom once he faces her. That sight alone is enough to make him blush, which he knows is a tad pathetic considering he’s not fourteen.

“Which side?” She asks as she glides towards the end of the bed, debating where to crawl in.

“Count of three?” He crosses his arms with a playful grin, earning one right back from her.

“Okay, one, two, three,” She counts off on her fingers before they both announce their preference. For once, their disagreement works in their favor as he says left and she says right. One more check in the mental “pro” column he’s been logging. He waits for her to crawl in and get comfortable before flipping off the light and crawling in after her. Not wanting to assume this is more than it is, he settles directly on to his back, leaving plenty of space between them across the king sized bed.

“You know, I can take the couch if you want, it’s actually super comfortable,” He has absolutely no clue if it’s comfortable or not…actually, he’s not even sure he’s picturing the right hotel room and couldn’t say for certain that there’s even a couch in the room at all.

“No, please stay.” Her voice is soft, the playfulness replaced ever so slightly with the same softness that was present during their impromptu dance. “Unless you want to, I mean, I don’t want to force you to cuddle with me. Please don’t feel obligated.” The way she sounds seriously concerned, as though she’s the one that’s overstepped, causes him to chuckle louder than intended.

“Cuddle? You didn’t say anything about that…” He inches closer to her, almost an unnoticeable distance, still reluctant to take a mile if she only means to give an inch.

“Shawn, I let you poke me with needles, I think you owe me a little TLC,” She rolls closer to him until they’re nearly touching.

“Okay, that does not get to be a thing you say to people by the way, you asked me to. Begged.” He can see her pout lip even in the darkness of the room, and just like in the elevator, his body moves faster than his mind as he pulls her into his chest. “But I’m glad you did. I hope you like the final result, it’s going to be there forever.” He’s beyond relieved when she settles into him, nuzzling her face into his neck, arm draping over his hip.

“I love it.” Her words are the last thing either of them hears before they succumb to sleep. Wrapped in one another in a way that they know they shouldn’t be but can no longer resist.

Which is what makes it that much fucking worse when the first face to greet them in the lobby of their Viennese hotel is that of a guy he’s seen only in Facebook photos and Instagram posts. A guy he frankly hoped he’d never see in person. Of course, he is tired as hell and probably not seeing clearly, so he’s fully prepared to ignore the dude entirely. That is until he hears the quaking of Alex’s voice next to him.

“Ethan? What are you doing here?”

A/N #2: Okay, yes, this was inspired by a tattoo I got last night. Check my blog for a picture of the fresh product, that’s basically what Alex got ;) Art imitates life, right?

#shawn mendes #shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes fic #slow burn fic #slow burn

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lesliehofftravels · 5 years

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Planning trips...

March 8, 2019

I’ve been trying to work out what traveling I can do from Adelaide. I am planning a trip to Sydney and to the Great Barrier Reef for the end of May (with a multiple destination airline ticket). My son, Alex, will be joining us.

Since I have so much time on my hands (read - bored!!!), I’m trying to see if maybe I can take another trip. I’ve been really spoiled by Europe, where travel between countries is quick and relatively cheap. In Australia, everything is really spread out, nothing is close, and everything requires lots of time. For example: if you want to go to Tasmania, you need to fly, rent a car, and stay in several different areas to get a real feel of the place. Most people go there for 2-3 weeks. Bill doesn’t have that kind of time off, and I’m not interested in doing that by myself (esp. the driving on the “wrong” side of the road part).

I’ve been looking into Thailand, since I’ve been wanting to visit there. The flight from here is about 11 hours, from the US it’s about 27 and more expensive. I have been talking with my friend, Lisa in Vienna, to see if she could manage to meet me there. So far it looks like it could happen, but the time frame isn’t looking good. If she goes, it would have to begin in less than 2 weeks, and she only has about 7 days at the most. It’s still about an $800/plane ticket, so I want to get the most out of the trip. I’d like to see Bangkok for a few days, then go to an island, and then maybe to one other city. I think this will take a minimum of 10 days. The food and accommodations are cheap, so that helps. We’ll see what happens... I spent most of my day trying to come up with a plan and messaging back and forth with Lisa.

In the evening Bill and I went out for burritos in Semaphore, and then we went to see the movie “Green Book”. We enjoyed it, and it was fun to see my home town, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, mentioned in it. On our way out of the parking lot I saw this sign (above). The “Reading Cinema” where the movie was, is in a shopping center. They call their grocery carts “trolleys”. We also thought it was interesting that the mall was all closed down except for the cinema before 9pm, even the restaurants!

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rickyatradboud · 7 years

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home away from home

I am almost always going somewhere. When I am at school in Ohio I was constantly making little trips back and forth from my on campus activities- friends, clubs, classes- and my off-campus Billy. When I’m home in New Jersey, I’m going from North and South between one side of the family to the other, all the while stopping in the middle to visit my best friends in my old town. I am not complaining- but I really am almost always on the go.

Over the past few years I’ve started to become really anxious about how I am spending my time and who I am spending it with. Family time became much more important to me when I left for school; I took living in the same state for granted. I stress about the decisions I make and the plans I agree to. Sometimes it always feels like I’m letting someone down for not spending more time with them and I have come to figure out that the person I am letting down is me.

I am the only one who is this hard on myself for what days I spend with whom. For the next few months I want to try and completely break this habit.

The expectation for one to travel to other countries to Europe is pretty high.. with all the promise of “cheap and fast trains to any country you like!” This is pretty true- I am very close to the German boarder which makes busses to destinations such as Brussels and Munich cheap and popular day or one night trips. There are round trip overnight busses to Paris and Berlin for about 50 euro, or you could go to Prague, Switzerland, Budapest or Austria for about 100. Then factor in all of the other transportation fees such as busses or the metro!

Moving on to the promise of “Super cheap Hostels up to 10 euro a night!” —-ehhhhhhhhhh. Questionable. I mean yes- these do exist in some cool places! There are even luxury hostels! This type of environment is good for groups, with options to fill up a room anywhere to 4 -8 people and upward! Or you can opt for the large shared rooms which are great if you want to wake up early and start your day… because you will not sleep in so great in with the noise of 16 other people in the same room, or at least I won’t! But that is the whole experience, and I do believe I should take advantage of the cheap option- I just have reservations about opting for a hostel when I am a lone traveler. (I could write back in a few weeks thinking I sounded ridiculous here, you never know!)

Options like a private room can run from 60 euro a night, which I think is super reasonable if split between two! We’re talking your own private shower (that you don’t have to wear flip flops in) and some privacy/peace from noise along with a fluffy double bed (I am still getting used to my tiny twin).

Hotels in the larger cities I would like to visit are about 70-100 per night, which is okay if split between 2 in a double bed or better yet 4 with two double beds…. but for two a private room in a hostel or the large shared rooms could be fine, too! Basically I am so grossed out by my shared (1) shower/ (1) toilet with 16 other people that I dream of traveling to other places and staying in a nice fluffy bed and taking a warm, clean shower… but who am I to complain about a once in a lifetime experience on a college students budget?!

Air BnB is an option that I am using for an upcoming trip to Amsterdam as well as Barcelona! Both trips have a full apartment to ourselves and will cost about 40 euro per night. I hope to cancel out the higher cost by utilizing the kitchen and cooking with friends! The groceries here are very fresh and delicious– I have to work on my cooking skills ASAP.

I want to see the world- and for now I have too many destinations in mind…

NExt up on the list is a trip back to Amsterdam for one night in our own appartment!!! It is a high school friend’s birthday and we are celebrating! Since we have so many people it will only be about 35 euro.

Next up is a bus trip to Switzerland at the beginning of March. For 65 euro I am going to see beautiful and amazing sights I have only seen in movies. The other 3 UD students are coming along as well, and we will leave Friday evening from Amsterdam on a 7 hour overnight bus to the Rheinfalls… to see a beautiful waterfall! Then to Lucern and an hour to Zurich where there will be lakes and mountains to explore!

At the beginning of May, I will take a trip to Barcelona to visit my future housemate Meg!!!! We are staying in our own apartment through air bnb and it will cost about the same as Amsterdam. I am excited to enjoy the architecture and soak up the sun!

Then… Hopefully Billy will come visit during my break at the end of April! A whole ten days with no classes .. and a small room to escape…where to go?!?!

… In no particular order (trust me- I’m trying to prioritize) ….

Wishlist: France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Chez Republic, Scotland and Norway. I am even interested in Romania…!!

France may start in Paris (I NEED A CREPE RIGHT NOW) ugh the food is so amazing and I love it here. I would also like to take a day trip to Loire Valley for wine tasting! 4 hours South takes you to Lyon- the french countryside! Close to Lyon is Alsace, too! (busses to paris can be 50 euro roundtrip)

I actually hear that ROMANIA is “dirt cheap” costing about 30 US per day total and the crowds are not as high as many of the other popular cities I am interested in. From travel blogs I have read that Romania is home to many medieval towns as well as beautiful beaches/hiking!

GERMANY is very close- and I have gathered a lot of advice/information about where to go! In the order of how close to how far- reaching all the way from Nijmegen to the bottom of Germany, as well as a national park which boarders France! Wurzburg, Hohenlohe, Schwabish Hall and small historic towns around it such as Langenburg, Ohringen, Vellberg, Hopfach and Waldenburg! Imagine me saying that out loud!!!!! All of these towns have buildings preserved from the Middle Ages with castles and forests… or so I hope to see for myself! Then on to Munich (note that there is a Berchtesgaden National Parkand and Salzburg, Austria near this) and down to the town of Fusen! There is even a “Romantische” Road which takes you the four hours from Fusen to Wurzburg! There is also the “Black Forest” where one can hike for hundreds of miles through the pine trees (Backpacking Germany?!) (very affordable travel from Nijmegen to all of Germany)

AUSTRIA: two hours from Salzburg brings you to Vienna….. SOUND OF MUSIC! <3 I am also considering checking out the Mozart festival in June for some classical wine and dinning. (travel starting at 100 euro)

In BELGIUM - Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, and Brussles are ahead of me! (very affordable)

ITALY: My dream of visiting the Italian coast may become a reality this semester- if I can find the right deals! Venice is the closest city to me, with Milan not too far away.

On my way down to the coast brings you to Florence (MY FAVORITE) and Siena! Florence is somewhere I have always wanted to visit again for the street markets and restaurants.

Sienna is also close by and everyone always says they looooovvveeeeeee Sienna!

I hear that the the “Cinque Terre” is an amazing location on the West Coast of Italy with five villages on cliffs! Imagine a nice hike followed by fresh seafood and wine… oh man.

7 hours further down the coast, near Naples, holds “Amalfi Coast” which apparently is Cinqueterre but less crowded! This is also close by to Sorrento in the South of Italy. Friends have told me to visit Ischia instead of Capri - both small islands that seem amazing.

The islands are off of Naples! Pompeii for a day trip is an ancient city near Naples that intrigues me a lot. Here there are the islands of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Ischia (I should pick just one?)- beaches and castles… need I say more? (travel in Italy is not cheap)

PRAUGE and BUDAPEST: Ruin bars, castles, Hungarian Thermal Bathhouses… I am saving this trip to take with Clare! Berlin, as well! (100 euro travel)

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