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dragon-kazansky · 3 years

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Smile for me | Helmut Zemo

Zemo couldn't stop looking at you. Earlier on Bucky had said something that had you and Sam in stiches, and since then he hadn't been able to stop looking at you. The smile that had been on your face was so pure and full of joy. Your laughter rang like music to his ears. He could still hear it now.

You hadn't laughed or smiled since. You had been all serious game since that moment, and Zemo just couldn't let it go.

How long had it been since he was able to make someone laugh or smile like that? Would he even be able to get you to smile, despite how you perceived him?

He would love to find out.

You were sitting on your own at the moment. Sam had excused himself with his laptop to try and find more information on where the Flag Smashers might be. Bucky had gone for a walk, but you weren't convinced that was all it was.

Zemo was the only other person in the room.

You had a book open in your lap, your thumb brushing along the edge of the page slowly as you absorbed the words. This was the most relaxed you had been since you agreed to come along with Sam and Bucky.

Helmut poured some tea for two and approached you. He put the tray down on the table and took a seat next to you.

"You made me tea?"

You had looked up from the pages of your book to the cup in front of you.

"Yes, is that alright?" Zemo asked, amused by the confusion etched on your face.

"Yes, thank you..."

Zemo watched as you closed the book and put it to one side. You reached out and took the cup he had made for you, letting the tea warm up your hands. You sat back and brought it to your lips.

"It's good."

Zemo smiles. You had yet to smile at him, but he would keep trying. Grabbing his own cup, he made himself comfortable next to you. You seemed content enough to sit next to him.

Once your cup was empty, you put it back down and picked up the book again. Despite the lack of a bookmark, you managed to find where you had left off. Zemo let his gaze rest on you as you lost yourself back within the pages.

You had managed to make him smile just by being you.

You only put the book down again after reaching the end of the chapter. This time around you turn so you're facing him. Zemo hadn't moved since he sat down and you felt bad for ignoring him. That was something you expected to feel considering who he is.

"It's a shame we didn't come to Riga under different circumstances." You sigh.

"Oh? What circumstances would you rather be here under?" Zemo's heart leaped at the fact you were even giving him the time of day. He wouldn't confess that though.

"Well, we need to lay low, which means we can't tour the town."

"You want to go outside?"

"I'd like to see more, not that your safe house isn't lovely, it is."

Zemo grinned. His eyes seemed to light up. "Is that so?"

You nodded your head gently, looking into those deep dark brown eyes of his. Why did his warm gaze make you feel so safe? That's the exact opposite of how you should be feeling either him.

"There is a square just further up the road. I could take you that far." He gave a little shrug.

He saw the way you perked up, sitting more upright, your eyes glistening with interest. He's got you.

"Do you want to go?"

You turn your head in the direction of where Sam had gone.

"I will tell him we are going out, I won't keep you long. If I don't have you back in 15-20 minutes, he can do whatever he wants with me." Zemo raises his hands a bit to show he was serious.

"I won't let him do anything to you, but I would very much like to go out."

Zemo smiles as he gets up and goes to seek out Sam. You wait eagerly. When he returns, Sam in tow, he grabs his coat and slides it on. Sam comes over to you, looking like a big brother about to give a lecture.

"If he tries anything, call me. Bucky is still out, so you let me know. I don't trust him, but I know I trust you. If Zemo so much as makes you think he's up to something, call." Sam glares at Zemo.

You get up from your seat and nod, turning to Zemo and gesturing for him to lead the way.

When you step outside, you stand and let the sun hit you, feeling its warmth. The slight breeze that cuts through the street felt fresh against your skin.

Zemo comes up behind you, placing a hand on your back as he gazes at you.

"Shall we?"

You nod and let him walk with you up the street. There are very few about and it's nice. These buildings around you looked old, yet stunning. You could get used to walking these streets. Maybe you should retire from the whole saving the world thing and live in the backstreet of Europe.

You could dream.

The square opens up just ahead. Still few people were wandering about. Zemo led you to the centre and let you look around. You spun around slowly, taking in the few stalls that were set up, the buildings towering over you, the children playing in one corner. It was so peaceful.

"Do you like what you see?" Zemo asked.

You stop and look at him. You nod. Then, thought it's slight and barely there, you smile.

Zemo swears his heart stops for a moment.

"I do. Thank you."

Helmut takes a step closer to you, his hands down by his side. Those deep dark eyes of his are focused on you.

"That's the first time you have smiled because of something I did." He speaks quietly, as if this was a secret only for your ears.

"Oh? I think this is the most we have spoken to each other. I've kind of been ignoring you, haven't I?"

"Perhaps, but I'm not offended," he chuckles. "I'm honoured you have shared with me something so beautiful."

You stare at him.

"Are you blushing?" He laughs, the sound makes your heart skip a beat.

"No."

He raises a hand, a gloved finger lightly brushes your cheek. It was so soft and quick, you're not entirely sure you felt it, but it happened. You step back just a little, turning your head to the side slightly, biting back a bigger smile.

"Is that another smile I see?"

"Nope." You shake your head a little vigorously.

"You wound me."

You glance up to see he has a hand over his heart as he leans back, sort of as if he had been shot with an arrow.

With that cheeky grin on his face, and the way he's messing about and teasing you, you can't stop the laughter from spilling out. It's the exact sound he had hoped to hear again.

You place your hands on his shoulders and push him lightly, trying to get him to stop messing around, but he just grabs your hands gently and brings them to his chest, pulling you closer to him.

"I made you laugh! Such an achievement." He grins some more.

"Is that what you wanted?" You ask, happy enough to stand this close with him. His gloved hands were warm on yours.

"Yes."

You don't even bother trying to hide the next smile. This man has made you feel so comfortable in his presence, all while standing in unfamiliar territory.

"I should probably get you back now, but if you ever find yourself here in Riga again, I shall give you a list of places to go and things to see."

He goes to remove his hands from yours, but you are quickly to hold onto one of them with both of yours as you look him in the eye. You shake your head, causing him to furrow his brow at you.

"What's the point if I don't have my tour guide to show me everything?"

"Your tour guide?"

"Well, aren't you?" You tilt your head to the side. Your melting his heart with every little thing you do.

"I suppose I am, but I doubt we'll ever be back here together. I am a criminal, remember?"

"Yeah I remember. Still, I refuse to come back if my favourite tour guide isn't going to be with me." You squeeze his hand.

"I'm your favourite?"

"Well, technically, you're my only tour guide." You give him your best cheeky grin.

"I see." He steps a little closer. "Do I get anything for showing you the square today?"

"Oh, you want payment?" You roll your eyes.

"Perhaps just a little something?"

You smile softly as you brush your nose with his. The fact you're even considering it makes you think you've gone mad, but there's something irresistible about this man in front of you.

Before you even get the chance to kiss him, a cold metal hand grabs Zemo by the shoulder and pulls him back. You step back and look at Bucky, who is glaring at the man you were so close to kissing.

"What are you two doing?"

"Zemo was giving me a tour. Sam knows we're here. I wanted to see Riga." You look down, embarrassed.

Bucky let's go of Zemo and places an arm around you, guiding you back toward the safe house. Zemo straightened his clothes before following after you, annoyed that a perfect moment was disturbed.

When you get back, Bucky gives Zemo a warning before he goes off to brood in the next room. Sam follows after him to find out what happened.

Zemo goes to pour himself a drink, but you slide up beside him and take his hand back in yours.

"I'd like to pay now."

Zemo chuckles softly. "I was only teasing you."

"I know, but still."

Zemo sits there as you lean in place a delicate kiss to his cheek. You pull away and drop his hand.

"If you want anything more, you have to take me on a proper tour."

Zemo smiles softly.

"Is that a promise?" He asks, whispering to you.

"Yes."

"Then I shall have to do everything in my power to make sure I give you that tour."

You give him the brightest smile you can manage and step away before the boys come back.

Zemo gives a subtle wink.

Now there is NO WAY he is going back to prison. Not unless he disappoints someone so special.

#tfatws #helmut zemo #zemo x reader #helmut zemo x reader #zemo #marvel

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loth-wolffe · 3 years

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(not me making this awful cover but i wanted this to have one lmao. i do not own the picture i used, so credits to whomever made this lovely pic)

So first of all, I just wanted to say thank you so much for the 100 followers LIKE?????? where did thAT come from I just- you guys are sO AMAZING !!! I am beyond grateful for all of your support and your kindness and I'm so happy interact with you pretty people.

I really don't have any rules, nor characters I don't wanna write of that I can think of as in right now. (please if state if u want it to be nsfw bc my first instinct is write sfw stuff)

ANd, as a thank you, I made this super duper fantastic song lyric prompt list that you can choose from (you can absolutely send in a lyric that isn't in the list if you want) and just send me a sw character and we'll see how that goes!

SO HERE IT IS:

Song lyric prompt list

• already requested, but you can ask for them again!

1. I don't need anything fancy, I just need me and you slow dancing. - Slow dancing by Aly and AJ.

2. I've been trying hard not to talk to you/act a fool. - Sunflower vol. 6 by Harry Styles

3. Say it's been long six months, and you were too afraid to tell her what you want. - How you get the girl by Taylor Swift

4. And if you have a minute, why don't we go? Talk about it, somewhere only we know. - Somewhere only we know by Keane

5. To the strand, a picnic planned, for you and me. - From Eden by Hozier

6. Why she had to go? I don't know, she wouldn't say. - Yesterday by The Beatles

7. I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you. - Fallingforyou by the 1975

8. Take on me, take me on, I'll be gone, in a day or two. - Take on me by a-ha

9. Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips, we should just kiss like real people do. - Like real people do by Hozier

10. You wanna say no, no, it ain't gonna work, but then you fumble your words, oh you're running out of reasons. - Running out of reasons by The Wanted

11. You love me, but you don't know it yet. - Happy accidents by Saint Motel

12. I don't really care what they would say, I'm asking you to stay. - Level of concern by twenty one pilots

13. You know I talk too much, honey come put your lips on mine and shut me up. - Talk too much by COIN.

14. I know that you're scared because hearts get broken. - Golden by Harry Styles

15. I try and try to erase you, but you won't disappear - Everywhere by Niall Horan

16. I heard you ask about me through a friend, my adrenaline kicked in, because I've been asking 'bout you too - Nervous by Shawn Mendes

17. Every time I'm leavin' you, you don't make it easy. - Sunflower by Post Malone and Swae Lee.

18. I wish that I could believe, that there's a day you'll come back to me, but still have to say, I'd do it all again. - Just want you to know by Backstreet Boys

19. Well, tell me do you hate me or do you wanna date me? - Van Horn by Saint Motel

20. Can't help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain. - Hey Stephen by Taylor Swift

21. I know I would rather be together alone, in a big top circle and a world we can call our own. - All our own by Radio Company

22. Every time I find the words to end it, something in your eyes won't let it. - Shandi by KISS

23. Just dance in my living room, love with an attitude, drunk to an 80's groove - Only human by Jonas Brothers

24. I spend all my time, waiting all night for you. - No going back by Yuno

25. I need to know, if this is mutual, before I go. - Mutual by Shawn Mendes

26. I will sing to your every day, if it will take away your pain - Miss missing you by Fall out Boy

27. If I could fly, I'd be coming right back home to you. - If I could fly by One Direction

28. When you rise in the morning sun, I feel your touch in the pouring rain, and the moment that you wander far from me, I wanna feel you in my arms again. - How deep is your love by Bee Gees

29. If I wake, I'll move closer without waking you, sleeper, sleeper, what's been tiring you. - Rise by Helena Deland

30. All we do is think about the feelings that we hide, all we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign. - Drive by Halsey

31. I never sat by the shore, under the sun with my feet in the sand, but you brought me here. - Malibu by Miley Cyrus

32. With a sunset and a moonrise not so far behind, to give us enough light, to lay down underneath the stars. - Constellations by Jack Johnson

33. Dancing through our house with the ghost of you. - Ghost of you by 5sos

34. And we all sit around the fire, we feel a little warmer now. - Woods by Hollow Coves

35. Won't you kiss me once, baby? Just a kiss goodnight, maybe. - Put your head on my shoulder by Paul Anka

36. If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?- Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

37. Baby just came back around, said she needs time to explore, said I can’t love her no more - Baby came home by The Neighborhood

38. When I kissed you I meant it. / I wanna be more than a friend. - Do it again by Pia Mia

39. I thought that I was dreaming when you said you loved me. - Ivy by Frank Ocean

40. If you're awake then I am too. If you're lost then I'll find you. If you're hurt then I'll fix you. - It's U by Cavetown

41. They don't know about the things we do, they don't know about the I love you's. - They don't know about us by One Direction

42. Can I kiss you or not? / Are you still mad at me? I'm hoping not. - Like to be you by Shawn Mendes and Julia Michaels

43. Kiss me once, then kiss me twice, then kiss me once again, it's been a long, long time. - It's been a long, long time by Harry James

44. Kiss me hard before you go. - Summertime sadness by Lana del Rey

45. You said you'd meet me out there tomorrow, but tomorrow never came. - Tomorrow never came by Lana del Rey ft. Sean Ono Lennon

46. How can I miss you so much when you're right here? - Miss you so much by Miley Cyrus

47. The way she tells me I'm hers and she's mine. - Cherry wine by Hozier

48. No need to say goodbye, you'll come back, when it's over. - The Call by Regina Spektor.

49. Common sense tells me kiss the girl goodbye / I think I love you - Common sense by Joshua Bassett

50. If I could tell her how she's everything to me, but we are a million worlds apart and I don't know how I would even start - If I could tell her by Ben Platt ft Laura Dreyfruss

51. I'm giving you a night call to tell you how I feel - Nightcall by Kavinsky

52. We went for a drive, at 2:30 in the morning. I kissed you, it was pouring. - Remember that night? by Sara Kays

53. Don't wanna hand you all my trouble, don't wanna give you all my demons, you'll have to watch me struggle from several rooms away, but tonight I'll need you to stay - The run and go by twenty one pilots

#crosshair x reader #hunter x reader #wrecker x reader #tech x reader #echo x reader #the bad batch x reader #arc trooper jesse x reader #arc trooper fives x reader #clone trooper x reader #obi wan kenobi x reader #maul x reader #captain rex x reader #commander wolffe x reader #commander cody x reader #kix x reader #pls don't let me flop #i'd love to make some drabbles for you lovely people

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chrysaliseuro2019 · 5 years

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May the Gods be With You

Thursday 27/6 and we are off to Gatwick to fly to Athens. Despite a bit of a rush getting to Victoria we managed to leave Pimlico at just after 11.00, catch the express train to Gatwick at 11.30 with about 90 seconds to spare (as Liz says, similar to my daily work habit whereby if I'm not running for the tram I consider myself early) and be at Gatwick at 12.00pm. Not bad going. An uneventful, though very crowded and over 1 hour late EzyJet flight to Athens followed, and given a 9.15pm arrival, we had arranged to be picked up from the airport. This was the best value thing as our driver had perfect English and was a font of knowledge on both Athens and the Peloppenese. He also discussed islands though thoroughly approved of the two we have booked to visit - Folegandros and Milos which was reassuring. He mentioned that he tries to encourage people to go to some of the lesser known ones. He actually suggested we pulled our phones out and took notes of his suggestions which we duly did. Great to have a welcoming and friendly intro to a country as opposed to some of the surly or disinterested and monosyllabic cabbies you can get. We always muse after the occasional bad experience (like the guy who terrified us with his driving and then short changed us in Istanbul or the guy in Valletta who spent the journey screaming down the phone at someone) as to why there is not some better intro to many countries. Still, luckily these are generally exceptions though the good guys like this one and a chap in Kraków stick out. Most fall into the disinterested segment. Guess country publicist and tour guide is not what they are paid to do. Anyway I digress. We reached our quite central hotel the Evripides in about an hour, checked in and headed out for something to eat. It was now 10.30pm and we weren't sure what would be open. The hotel receptionist and driver had made a couple of recommendations and we headed for one. Within a 6/7 minute walk we were in a busy square with cafes, bars and general hubbub. We found a restaurant complete with bouzouki player and ordered drinks and dinner. Liz the chicken Gyros and me calamari. Liz's was the winner with copious quantities and quite tasty we could have just shared that. Lesson learned immediately on quantities. It was very pleasant sitting there and we had a little wander round post dinner, spotted a possible candidate for dinner the next night and headed home. Tomorrow an early start to beat the crowds and heat to the Acropolis and Parthenon. We were up at 6.40 am after about 6 hours sleep, had breakfast at the hotel and headed off on foot for what was supposedly a 15-20 minute walk mostly uphill. It's not hard to see the Acropolis/Parthenon as it overlooks the city and we had a clear view of it from our hotel dining room and our balcony. However, though given directions we soon got a bit lost and the view of our objective was obscured by the buildings once in the backstreets. Also google maps seemed to be sending us in circles. 45 minutes later we arrived a bit flustered. We had a little bit of luck with the queue as I happened to be in what I thought was a short enquiry queue but turned out you could buy tickets there so we probably made up our lost time. It was certainly warm, around the 30 mark, and it was still only 9.00 am. We made our way up the hill towards the Parthenon which is really the centrepiece of the Acropolis which is the name for the whole area on which the Parthenon and other related ancient buildings are situated. The entry gates are magnificent and the Parthenon is vast and grand and quite moving to look at. Completed in 438 BC and dedicated to the Goddess Athena as is most of the Acropolis site it is the largest Doric temple ever completed in Greece. We wandered around taking it all in. Of course now we could visualise what the building might have looked like with the frieze, which is now partly in the British Museum, in place. Not that the originals, even if back in Greece, will ever go back up there. You would have to go the Acropolis Museum to see them, together with the ones that the Greeks retained. It's interesting though that the Greeks seem prepared to augment a little to replicate how things might have looked (see next para) so you wonder if they might contemplate sticking replicas up. Another large and well restored building on the site is the Erechtheion temple. At one end is an olive tree said to have been created by Athena. The Greeks took a cutting during WW11 to protect it from the Germans and the current tree was planted from that cutting in 1952. Also part of the temple includes 6 larger than life columns of maidens known as the Caryatids. The ones on site are plaster cast replicas with the originals in the Acropolis museum which we were heading to next. That is they are all in that museum apart from 1 column which our old mate Lord Elgin carted off to the British Museum. They'd like that back too. Visiting this site is another of those quite spiritual things. The history, the magnificence of the architecture, the significance to the Greek people and the ancient world, it's positioning - with a 360 degree view of the city, also visible from all corners of the city including at night when it is lit up. It gives you the sense that it is one of those reassuring icons - as long as it's there everything will be alright. A lot of tourists but not too bad and by the time we left the site perhaps just over an hour and a half after entry the numbers entering were noticeably increasing so we felt pretty good about our decision to make the effort get up and arrive early. It was now sweltering, around mid thirties and not too much shade. We made our way down towards the Acropolis Museum. This was going to be interesting as we would see those parts of the frieze which remained in Greece as well as a myriad of other artefacts. The museum is very modern and again we were pleased that arriving there around 11.00 meant that we zoomed in with no queuing. As we saw later as people finish their tour of the Acropolis they headed for the museum and there was a lengthy queue when we left around 2.00ish. The frieze is well set out on the top floor and you can walk around it gazing at the tablets at eye level. There are gaps of course including for the tablets in London. Also on view are the 5 columns of the maidens from the Erechtheion. Just too many things to mention throughout the museum - statues of animals mythical and real, Gods, Goddesses, men, women, gold coins, pots, jugs etc. Many, very exquisite. We broke for a pleasant lunch sitting outside under shade in the restaurant with a view up to the Parthenon towering above us. Pretty good. Post lunch one final look through for things we missed and then we started to head back to the hotel. The route back was much easier as we followed the throng and it was through the centre of town with shops, cafes, flea market all in full swing. It was lively. Arriving back around 3.00pm we settled back for some down time and some blog writing. Later, after drinks at a very pleasant cafe restaurant with a bit of people watching thrown in we headed back to our busy square of the previous night to have dinner. The place that we had identified the night before whilst quite characterful in terms of being in a small cut de sac off the main drag had a pretty basic menu of the pizza and chips variety with a few Greek dishes thrown in. So we went to the place recommended by the hotel clerk the previous night. This night it had a few more people in, the bouzouki and guitar were being played and singing was good. Liz had the stuffed peppers and me lamb and both were excellent as was the ambience. A good choice we had a very laid back and pleasant evening. The next day it was time to leave and we needed to pick up our car from Piraeus. We liked the Evripides Hotel, nothing flash but did the job, reasonably priced, staff friendly and breakfast quite adequate. Also very close to the action it's about a 300/400 metre walk down some quite run down streets to get to it. To be honest the run down streets seemed like classic Athens with a lot of cracked paving, some derelict buildings and closed shops amid active ones. That might not appeal to everyone especially at night but as we left, a tour group of 20 sooomethings had checked in so it was seeing a fair bit of business and the slightly run down location (though the hotel itself was classic 3 star and fine) didn't bother us. We'd happily stay there again.

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lostinthe-pines-blog · 6 years

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Pain Can Heal

One-Shot Story about Chris x MC dealing with Chris’s past abandonment and loss from his father and how it affects them now.

My September 10th “Loss” addition to @i-dream-so-i-write ‘s September Fanfic Challenge ( @choices-september-challenge)

NOTE: This is a fictional story based on Pixelberry’s Choices App. *The Freshman books. I am not affiliated with Pixelberry nor do I own the rights to their original characters.

Late June, light breeze and a burning sun; not as bright as it would be in the following months but still burning like a growing fire. It didn’t matter how many years had past June would always haunt Chris. As the eldest sibling in his family he was the only one with a distinct memory of this month. Even now, with kids of his own late June hung over his head.

Looking crossed the cotton white sheets he saw her, the woman he’d fallen for, literally. Almost 12 years ago on the quad he’d bumped into the hazel eyed, auburn haired novelist he didn’t know he’d been dreaming about. He can remember every fight and every touch with her. He knows her every move and aspiration, even still in her thirties she wanted to take on the world. She inspired him.

Sometimes he still felt his heart skipped a beat just looking at her, and even more so these days. He loved looking at the forming smile lines and wrinkles that mirror his own as age became them. In his two beautiful children he saw her come alive. But with late June looming over his head the thoughts and memories fell back to his childhood.

Chris had been trained on the streets surrounding his house, he’d learned every house every neighbor and every route home from his elementary school. Summer had just begun, he’d be going into the fifth grade in the coming fall and he fully intended on making him and his misfit friends the kings of the playground. They needed to take advantage of the jungle gyms and allowed recesses before they were stolen from them by the growing of age. He road his bike around the blocks waving to Mr. and Mrs. Prince the elderly couple who’d given him this bike when their own grand kids had grown out of it. As he approached his house as the sun began to fade he admired the home, it was small but it was his. Chris loved his life, the cares and worries of the world had yet to sink into him, but they would. Sooner than he thought. Looking up his driveway he noticed his Father's old red truck missing, strange but not enough to worry him. He ditched his bike near the front steps of his house running inside quickly. There was a tone in the air that even a child could feel.

“Mom, I’m back” he called kicking off his dirt covered tennis shoes. Not noticing the many shoes now missing from the pile behind the door. He noticed his little sister, almost one years old sleeping in portable crib, most of his friends had mocked their sisters but he loved his. She was small and gross with her screaming and spitting. He was fascinated by her. Continuing his walk through the small entryway he heard a noise that his innocent and young ears should never have had to hear. The sound was chilling the cries of his mother, the noise was laced with pain and tears as she screamed not knowing her eldest had entered. The sound unfamiliar still startled the young boy as he wandered to the kitchen finding his mother, head in her knees sitting against the light tan wood and rusting hinged cabinets.

“Mom?” he asked again, he’d only seen tears like that come from the infant in the next room. The eyes that loved him, the eyes that tucked him in at night were now tear stained and red staring up at him shocked.

“Christopher!” she spoke startled through her shaking breath, Lily, Chris’s mother had her own emotional past. She’d become good at hiding her pain, only showing it when completely necessary. As she saw her son she also saw him, she saw the man who only hours ago had left her life, forever. She wiped her tears quickly pushing back the anger that her ten year old had instilled in her with nothing but the features of his face. She knew he was not his father, and her current state was not a sight her son deserved to see. She stood quickly hiding her emotions though her legs felt like broken twigs. “Chris, I’m sorry… How were your friends.. I..” she trailed trying to find a perfect excuse for why she was sprawled out on the kitchen floor.

Chris would learn a lot about growing up and what it meant in the coming months but for right now the only reference he had for what he was supposed to do in this moment was the memories of his siblings as infants. When they cried his parents would hug them, so his small and growing mind did just that. He ran over to his mother hugging around her stomach where his height had landed him, he closed his eyes squeezing tight and hugging her to stop the crying as she had when he was younger.

“Good morning” The weak sound of MC’s voice spoke as the familiar greys of her eyes met with his own. Chris had taken a business trip for two weeks and last night had been his first night home. He longed for her warmth every single day, he couldn’t imagine walking away from her as his father had his own mother.

“It’s June 26th” he spoke letting the blues of his eyes fade darker with is tone, this pain of loss what something Chris would never shake. Not as a 15 year old, nor as a college student and now as a parent he still questioned his father's actions.

“I know.” MC said pulling her hand from the covers of the bed and placing it gently crossed his cheek. “And you’re Christopher Powell.” she smiled “You’re a father, and a husband and you have a wife who does not fear you. Your last name does not belong to him, it belongs to us, to the Powell family you’ve created”

“We’ve created” he corrects her softly.

She shows her white teeth now moving closer to kiss him softly as she pulls away her face winces with a sharp pain.

“MC?” Chris asks worried now, but his face softens when her pain turns to laughter.

“Guess our baby is awake too.” she smiles taking his hand his her own and placing it on her stretched abdomen. “Only a little over a week before she makes her appearance, a family of five, do you think we’re ready?” she jokes.

“More than ready.” he lies with confidence, ever since she’d told him she was pregnant last fall he’d worried more and more about his family's history.

Frank Powell was a father of 3, two young sons and a bouncing baby girl. The families around the block admired his masculinity. The young Powell lovers had made a life for themselves in the backstreets of Maine. He worked every day for his family and Lily too. She’d been teaching piano lessons and tutoring the kids from neighborhoods far richer than her own. Frank would come home at the same time every day, and not a minute later. He’d kiss his wife first and then his eldest son moving next to the truly neglected middle child and ruffling his hair. It the final months before he left he’d add a tickle to the infant girl usually wrapped in his wife's arms. There was no sign of straying, no sign of unhappiness. Frank had become very good at hiding his doubts, fears and emotions. But one day, he snapped in more than just a mental way. It was years before Lily told her son the full truth behind the events of June 26th. But Chris as an 18 year old readying himself for college life was old enough in her eyes to know now...

“Senior year wasn’t easy to you but I think you came out on top.” Lily spoke as she spread a thin layer of butter crossed an only slightly burnt piece of toast. The breakfast she’d made her son everyday since the first day of kindergarten. “I can’t believe you head off to Hartfeld next week.” she spoke laughing through the pain that it caused her. “Mom, I’m only 6 hours away and I’m going to call you at least once a week, probably even more.” Christopher spoke taking the breakfast from his mother, he wasn’t foolish he noticed the tone changing in her over the past few weeks. He knew that he looked like his father, that his blue eyes haunted his mother for the rest of his life. He was aware that him leaving would bring back unwanted memories, the scars on her heart were aching with the idea of it. He didn’t realize the details being unveiled to him as their conversation continued but he almost believed he was living in that moment, seeing things the way his mother had seen them...

Lily had started to notice her husbands attitude change over the course of the past weeks, he became more tidy and quiet. He’d been cleaning and organizing all his things like he’d never done before. She didn’t want to question it, figured it was the result of stress from work. Regardless of his change in behavior he still seemed overjoyed at the sight of his children, especially his youngest, his perfect newborn girl. When Lily woke on June 26th that year she didn’t expect at all the events of the day. She tied Chris’s shoes and sent him off on his bike for the day, he was supposed to be meeting with friends a few blocks away. She trusted him to make his way back in time for dinner. Her youngest son, the recent 5 year old was always dropped off at Daycare by his father before work, so when his room was empty she knew right where he was. She was going to be home almost completely alone just her and little Josephine who’d been a refreshingly calm child compared to her older brothers. She planned a trip to the grocery store which ended up tuning into running countless errands and taking hours out of what was supposed to be a relaxing day.

When she arrived back home she was shocked to find the red pick up truck in the driveway, she’d fallen in love inside that truck, it’d created so many happy memories for her and today it would unknowingly create the most painful of her memories. So shocked to see it there mid day she didn’t even acknowledge the back end full of boxes.

“Frank?!” she called, “What are you doing home?” she quickly placed Josephine in her crib and searched the house for her husband. Turning to climb up the stairs she saw him at the top, two large suitcases in hand. Her heart sunk in that moment, she began to notice things missing from her home, but nothing that was hers. She swallowed hard the dryness of her throat like sandpaper. “Going away on business?” she questioned, knowing she was wrong.

“Lilian.” Frank said flatly, it was almost disconnected, he’d never called her Lilian not since they’d met, she’d always been his Lily Flower. “I’m leaving.” he spoke stepping down the stairs not thinking twice about pushing past her. But Lily wasn’t weak, she was stronger than most women, it’d been what Frank found most attractive about her. Lily was quick to block the bottom of the stairs. Her voice shaky and hard now.

“Why!” she yelled letting denail set in, as her stages of grief began.

“The family is better off with out me. I’ve made my choice Lilian, move.” Frank spat back at her, showing an unfamiliar anger in his eyes.

“No! We’re a team, we work through things, we have three kids what am I supposed to do? You’re leaving me with them alone! What kind of man does that make you?!” she screamed now rambling in her panic, her face only inches from his own.

“I’m half the man you deserve, half the man these kids deserve.” he said his head hanging low as frustration built in him. “Now move I won’t ask again.” he voice dark.

“I won’t. I can’t” Lily responded and she wasn’t lying her body and mind in shock she felt as if she was trapped where she stood “I love you.” she said softly in a last a desperate attempt to keep him with her.

“I no longer can say the same.” he said his familiar blue eyes now black with regret. Something in him was different now and he used it against her, pushing her harshly aside as she banged her body into the banister. The harshness of the force had him touching her in ways he’d never done before, his hands that were full of hate and would leave bruises on her for weeks reminding her that the husband she knew was gone forever.

Losing her balance at the attack of his hands she fell to the ground watching him walk out the door, she came too soon enough to watch his red truck leave forever, to watch the memories of her college years in the bed of that useless medal fade away. She collapsed to complete nothingness on the floor of the kitchen where she’d stay for hours before the best man she knew, -no matter what his age- came to save her.

Chris listened to the hidden secrets of that day, he’d never felt so sorry for his mother before, he’d always known her to be strong and independent since then. But he’d never known that she carried injuries with her that were more than just mental. “Are you going to be okay?” Chris asked.

Lily knew her son, she knew family was the most important thing to him and that he would give up everything he’d worked for just to be with them still. She was sad to watch him leave, to watch him grow. But she knew he needed to go. Tears pooled around her eyelids at the end of her story as she nodded to her strong son “Yeah.” she smiled as her squinting eyes let the tears spill over. “We’ll be okay Chris, we’ll certainly miss you but we’ll be okay.” Lily said turning to nurse her coffee as she had for so many mornings before.

MC saw through the lies of her husband, but didn’t dwell on them. June 26th was not the day to dwell, it hadn’t been. Not since she met him, she’d made a point to make every June a celebration of how far he’d come. Of the accomplishments he’d made without the need of a father. “I love you Chris.” she smiled now sitting up in bed just in time to meet the small face peeking through the door.

“And what do we have here…” Chris asked sitting up staring back the small blue eyes walking toward him. His eldest, Claire. The little girl who softened his already soft heart. The two of them shared may traits, his sandy blonde hair and his bright blue eyes. While the soon to be middle child shared the traits of his mother.

“Good morning!” the seven year old beamed climbing up onto the bed and finding her rightful place on her father's lap. “Hows my little sister” Claire smiled at her mother placing her hands on her large stomach.

Chris could help but chuckle at the sight of it, it wasn’t because it was funny by any means. It was sweet, to sweet and his laughter had come out of his pure happiness. He quickly wrapped his strong arms around his daughter. A girl who’d inherited the sarcasm of her mother.

Dramatically she reached for air gasping, “You’re choking me!!” Claire screamed with laughter “I can’t go on!” she laughed as the tight arms around her turned to tickles. Her playful yells filled the air of the entire house, and it wasn’t long before her 4 year old brother Gabriel joined them on the bed.

The family was picture perfect, something from a book or a movie. They were happy, an emotion that the two parents had been certain to instill in their kind hearted offspring. Gabe jumped up and down despite the hesitation from his mother, Chris’s strong arms wrapped both of the rambunctious children up squishing them together. When he released them they all sprawled out on the bed. Claire’s hand landing near her mother she pulled away quickly shocked by the change of texture in the sheets, before looking to her father.

“Mom wet the bed!” she mocked playfully.

Chris looked over to MC who now wore shock in her eyes as she held her stomach, a smile wiped crossed her face as she knew the hours to come would be long. “It’s time.” she grinned nodding to Chris “Family of five here we come.”

“Everyone off the bed!” he yelled as the children scrambled to the thick carpeted floor. “To your rooms, go change go! Go! Go!” Chris instructed them “Operation baby sister is in full swing.” as the kids ran to their rooms he watched as his beautiful bride climbed from the bed. It wasn’t long before he was on his feet and at her side.

MC wasn’t in any discomfort yet as her water had only just broken. She’d done this twice before, she knew how to listen to her body. She was completely calm but found it comical again how worried and unaware her husband was now and had been with the two children before.

“June 26th?” she laughed taking his hand tightly in hers.

“June 26th.” he smiled in return.

This day would no longer hold loss and pain for him. He would no longer have to think about the abandonment and selfishness of his father. Late that evening almost on the turn of the date to the 27th he and MC welcomed their newest child into the world. Even through her tears, sweat and pain MC was happy. She was happy for her family, for her husband and for the day that her sweet little girl had decided to arrive. Chris had been clear since learning the sex of the child that he only had one name for her. Lilian. MC didn’t fight it, she thought it was truly perfect.

#choices #play choices #Chris Powell #chris x mc #The Freshman #the sophomore #the junior #the freshman fan fiction #the senior #choices fan fiction #xoempine #choices september challenge

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chaletnz · 6 years

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Portugal Day Two: Porto

On my second day in Porto I woke up early after a very long sleep to make the most of the day. I'd been disturbed throughout the night by the Spanish guy coming in very late, the other guy (later introduced as Ibrahim from Saudi Arabia) working on his laptop until 4am and the girl on the bottom bunk's phone vibrating constantly. Breakfast was very quiet in comparison; where I enjoyed toast with jam, yoghurt and cereal, and two power cuts (possibly my fault for putting the toaster on the highest setting...). I set off around 9.30 and started by visiting the post office to get some stamps. I was in a long queue again so I think post offices are universally notorious for having ridiculously long waits for the simplest of transactions. While in the area I revisited some of the spots I'd found last night and struggled to get nice photos of; the city hall, Porto letters, and a large mural on the side of a car park building. I called into the hostel again at 11 only to be told their walking tour was not on today, but just down the road was a Tintin shop that I needed to see! Next I let my phone direct me to my morning cappuccino spot for the day - Bop cafe. I'd read some good reviews but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be the specialty coffee place I'd hoped for. I gazed upon the back of the bar lined with nothing but vinyl records and since I didn't see a menu I tried my luck asking for a flat white which was met with a blunt "I don't make flat whites." I settled instead for a bad and overpriced cappuccino which was served far too hot and forced me to stay in the cafe for longer than anticipated. Once I finally drank it I headed to the bus station to buy my ticket to Lisbon for tomorrow and then found a much better coffeeshop around the corner from here - Combi Coffee. I took my flat white takeaway and sat in a nearby park to enjoy it. The barista had told me that he has customers coming from China or even further afield just for their coffee which seemed a little unrealistic but hey good on them! The receptionist at my hostel had noted my interest in street art and given me a street art map of Porto to follow around and find some great pieces, as well as giving me a few off-the-map local tip offs. On my walk to the first place I passed a man chiseling bricks and forming them into the footpath. It looked like a complete rigmarole delicately shaping each individual brick and then carefully making them all fit together, look presentable and be level too! My street art tour began on possibly the most artistic street in Porto, the Rue Miguel Bombarda and I was not let down in the slightest. In addition to the large pieces that the map promised I also found several cool smaller stencil drawings and some cable boxes with a series of faces on them with beards made of grass. At the end of the street I crossed the road to enter the gates leading up to the Palácio de Cristal and had to laugh out loud when I saw the 15 or so peacock walking freely around the lawns. I decided to walk around this park since the views looked quite nice; I was getting the opposite views that I had yesterday so today I was overlooking Gaia. Except where the bridge was full of tourists, here in the park I was almost completely alone! I could even take some selfies without feeling awkward with lots of people around! I followed my map around a few more artsy spots and then ended up near the hostel again so I emptied my bag and while I was there Martina the receptionist told me about a sculpture she'd just found out about on the other side of the river. Another receptionist told me to go and visit the McDonald's restaurant in the main square because it's apparently one of the most unique McDonald's in the world. I didn't need to hear any more, I was already out the door! There were meant to be some phone boxes in the main square covered in cool graffiti but I had to theorise that they had been painted over again in plain red as I couldn't find them anywhere. The McDonalds was a cool bonus - an old classical building with its original exterior and a a highly decorative interior. While in the area I bought my souvenir magnet from a cheap shop and then walked to the cathedral, thinking I hadn't visited it yet but once I reached the top I realized that I had but since it had been masked by the sun I hadn't really seen it properly. On the other side of Gaia I took the backstreet to find the sculpture of a bunny that Martina had told me about and it was just as cool as I'd hoped! I also found a church with the remains of a boat out the front of it, and a random gallery that I had all to myself. It was totally unexpected but I'm very glad I decided to wander inside and check it out (it was free but the curator was following me around the entire time trying to sell me things). On my way back out to the main road I passed a traffic jam that seemed out of place in this strangely quiet area, but as I rounded the corner I saw the very wide truck trying to drive up this very narrow street boxed in and suddenly it all made sense. I watched the arguing for a few moments before carrying on my merry way as a pedestrian to the Espaço Cruz winery. Usually I wouldn't have included two wineries on my itinerary but my hostel gave me a voucher for a free glass of Cruz port and I really had to take advantage! I chose the pink port - a new venture for port makers. It has a lighter fruitier taste because the wine is fermented in stainless steel vats rather than the traditional oak barrels. As I was sipping my wine the hosts invited me to visit the free exhibition on the next floor up and I figured that while in the neighbourhood... they had a 360 degree headset that you could wear to see the production process of a Cruz wine as filmed on a drone. The immersion was really cool for the views but the rest of the exhibition didn't really interest me much after seeing Cálem so I headed off back over to the Porto city centre. It had started to rain a little so I quickly went to check out the final art piece that I'd circled on my map and ducked into a place called Munchie for dinner about halfway up the steep climb. I needed a burger, fries/potato crisps and a cider for energy (which was a steal at €7.40) and then I scaled the road back to my hostel for another early night. Along the way I somehow turned down a different road and found some of the more hipster haunts and bars, there was also a man painting in his workshop and I stopped for a few minutes just to watch him. He was totally immersed in his painting, free from any distraction. Every brushstroke was met with careful consideration and tilting of his head. Another man walking past also stopped to watch and it was like this beautiful moment of humanity where we could stand and watch this man in his element at one with his paintbrush. Back at the hostel to drop off my bag and charge my phone and I had to endure my Saudi dormmate being painfully weird and awkward again. This time he was taking selfies in the mirror with his camera shutter noise on super loud and watching a two second video over and over and over again. When I couldn't take it anymore I put my shoes back on and walked back down to the hipster street to enjoy a Porto tonico cocktail at Fica Na Rua. It was a chilly bar with only four other people inside including the bartender. There was a girl sitting quietly by the window with a single espresso, a woman patting her dog cigarette in hand, and a man who wouldn't stop talking the ear off the bartender. The drink itself wasn't that amazing either. I was hoping for something sweet but it was really bitter, although it definitely beat the awkward dorm room!

#Portugal #Porto

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fallon-jane · 7 years

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Bangkok

Bangkok, it was lovely to get back to somewhere that was a little more city like. It still had the lovely quirkiness of Thailand with backstreet markets and people living behind their shop front but also modern shopping centres/restaurants and a lot more taxis compared to tuk tuks.

We had to extend our stay in Bangkok as we were waiting for our Vietnam visas to be completed at the Vietnam Embassy. It was a lot more expensive to have them completed the next day, so we decided to push back the date that we were originally going to leave for Cambodia. We didn't mind this as we could relax more and explore other parts the city had to offer.

The Big Buddha in Bangkok was not as impressive as the one in Phuket however it was still lovely to see. We organised with our tuk tuk driver that we would go to the Big Buddha and then end up at MBK Shopping Centre. Apparently it was a government holiday and so the government was paying for all of the tuk tuk drivers petrol and all they had to do to collect their voucher for petrol was take us to Thai Fashion, a suit tailor shop. This lovely trip had a very, well to put it bluntly, crappy ending. We wandered inside Thai Fashion to 'look' at suits as our tuk tuk driver wouldn't take us to MBK until we looked inside and he got his voucher. The staff looked at Dylan and clearly saw $$ and kept persisting into letting them size him up and choose material for his new suit...never going to happen. Finally after leaving Thai Fashion our tuk tuk driver started to drive in what we thought was the direction of MBK when suddenly his tuk tuk magically broke down when he pulled over. Thankfully this mysterious breakdown happened on the street outside where we were staying but unfortunately for us we got this tuk tuk when we were already half way to MBK. So now we were back to square one and had to start our walk to MBK again...which was 8km from our place btw!!

We gave our tuk tuk driver 20 Baht ($1 Aud) as we felt bad and we thought his tuk tuk had suddenly broken down, this was all before we realised that we were back on our street. You live and learn, but if your tuk tuk driver says "You go to Big Buddha" or "It is government holiday, free petrol for tuk tuk drivers" don't believe them! It is a scam!! If you were wondering, we did finally make it to MBK. We were covered in sweat, both had chafe and were both very dehydrated...but we made it. To continue with our fantastic day, we didn't really like MBK as it was extremely cramped and was similar but not as good as Chatuchak Markets that were indoors and 8 floors high.

If you want to go to some great markets, we recommend going to Chatuchak weekend market. They have everything from clothes to food and all sorts niknaks. It is best to get there by metered taxi, well actually it is best to get anywhere around Bangkok by metered taxi. Make sure when you get a taxi that you ask them to put the meter as some will try and barter a price with you. Around 99% of the time it is a lot more expensive to agree on a price than if they had the meter on.

The Grand Palace, definitely a must see if you are in Bangkok. The beautifully colourful architecture and intricate detail had us in awe, the creativity and craftsmanship on the Thai people is amazing. The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and for around 150 years it was the official residence of the Kings of Siam, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. Today, this stunning complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom.

Important note about the Grand Palace:

A strict dress code applies when you visit the Grand Palace with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as it is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the grounds. Men and women must be modestly dressed with long pants/skirt and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops, no see-through clothes, bare shoulders etc.) If you do show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there are stores across the road that sell long loose pants and wraps that you can cover your shoulders with.

The Grand Palace

Opening Hours: Daily 08:30 - 15:30

Price Range: Tickets are sold from 08:30 - 15:30 and cost 500 Baht pp ($20 AUD). One ticket includes your entry to Vimanmek Palace and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall.

Location: Na Phra Lan Road, Old City (Rattanakosin)

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace. This temple is definitely something we recommend that you see if you come to Bangkok, your day might become a little expensive, like ours did (if you have a tight budget) as we went to both the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in one day but it is worth it. We found it easier to go in the one day as they are so close together and also because you need to be appropriately dressed for both temples.

This is one of the largest temple complexes in the city and famous for it's giant reclining Buddha that is 46m long and is covered in gold lead. It is roughly a ten minute walk from the Grand Palace...twenty minutes on a hot day like ours.

Wat Pho

Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00

Price Range: 100 Baht pp ($4 AUD)

Location: Maharat Road. Close to the river (about a 10-20 minute walk south of the Grand Palace), Old City (Rattanakosin)

Dusit Zoo, these were really the only photos I got at this zoo. It was quite sad as we felt that the zoo wasn't maintained and the animals didn't seem happy. The zoo would be somewhere that we wouldn't recommend that you go.

Places to shop:

Bangkok has more than enough shopping centres that suit all kinds of lifestyles and budgets. I will list some below that are all within walking distance of each other and that were great to go and see.

Siam Paragon, Siam (Luxury megamall)

Open 10:00 - 22:00

CentralWorld, Siam (Largest in Thailand with the most popular fashion brands)

Open 10:00 - 22:00

MBK, Siam (Like an indoor Chatuchak Market)

Open 10:00 - 22:00

Central Embassy (Ultra-luxury lifestyle mall)

Open 10:00 - 22:00

Siam Discovery (Leisurely shopping experience)

Open 10:00 - 22:00

Siam Center, Siam (Numerous international & Thai boutiques)

Open 10:00 - 21:00

Places to eat:

Bangkok street food can be stressful at times as the popular places are always so busy and frantic but these will be the best ones. You can go to a humble cart on the side of the road or to a collection or stalls in a local market or even a traditional shophouse that has tables spilling out onto the road...this happens often and there will be mopeds and cars trying to drive past you. Cleanliness was something that we were worried about but the best tip is to eat at the busy places as the ingredients will be fresh. Chinatown has some delicious places! Also we recommend that you try Hong Kong Noodle, their crispy pork and noodles is absolutely amazing.

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floraexplorer · 4 years

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One Day in Palma de Mallorca | Free Things to Do on This Spanish Island

I wanted to find the best things to do in Palma de Mallorca. The problem? I only had twelve hours to do it in.

Palma de Mallorca is the capital city of the Spanish island of Mallorca, as well as the capital of the Balearic islands (made up predominantly of Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera). Although I could easily assume Mallorca’s attractiveness as a beach destination, I didn’t know much about Palma itself.

After my eighteen month adventure through South America I now jump at any chance to visit any country that speaks Spanish. So when I was invited on a sailing trip around the Mediterranean sea which departed from Palma de Mallorca, I made sure I had an extra day at my disposal: twelve hours or so to get an idea of what this city was like.

How do you see Palma de Mallorca in one day? Let’s find out.

Pin me for later!

11.45am: arrive at Palma de Mallorca airport

Travelling carry-on to Mallorca is a great idea. I don’t waste any time waiting for bags at baggage claim; instead, I heave my backpack on my back and saunter through passport control towards the airport exit.

12.10pm: take the public bus from the airport into Palma’s city centre

I cleverly did some transport research before arriving in Mallorca, and Google reliably told me that the #1 bus departs from Palma Airport every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to reach the city centre.

I exit the airport to a blast of hot air and walk along a covered walkway to the bus stops. A little blue, green and white bus pulls up and an amicable driver takes my €5 note in return for a ticket. I sit in a pleasantly air-conditioned bus watching a digital display telling me where I’m going – but eventually I begin to stare out the window at orange-hued high rises, palm trees, and blue skies. I sit back and relax…

12.35pm: get off the bus

Ok, so I’m not too relaxed when I realise we’re almost at my stop. I gesture to an old lady that she should sit in my seat and I stand beside my backpack, half-dreading the weight of it. Luckily it’s not overly humid outside.

I step off the bus and take a breath of fresh Spanish air. Thanks to data roaming I can use my internet from home and I’ve already loaded Google maps with the area surrounding my hostel. My trainers slide around on the shiny marble pavements and I almost trip at the crosswalk. Who knew Mallorca’s streets would be so slippery?

12.45pm: check into your hostel

I spot my hostel – a place called Brick – down a little side street which has been closed off to traffic. There’s a little bar outside, and I squeeze past a table with an adorably small dog panting eagerly up at me to go inside.

As soon as I reach the reception desk, I know by the guy queuing in front of me that check-in isn’t available yet. The receptionist says not until 3PM. Why do I always forget this about hostels?!

I check the time and realise it’s already too warm to stay in the clothes I’m wearing – so I begin unpacking my Osprey backpack on the reception floor and find the black linen Uniqlo overalls I bought last week. Together with my Birkenstocks I head to the bathroom and change.

1pm: head out to explore Palma de Mallorca

As I walk out of the hostel I can hear bagpipes. On a nearby wall there’s intriguing graffiti of a fishbowl with a child’s dummy sinking to the bottom, so I walk in that general direction.

I’ve been in Mallorca for an hour so far, and I don’t have a plan. Sometimes this can make me a little anxious – but not today. One of my favourite activities in a new city is to wander with no real destination in mind. So I get lost. Purposefully, meanderingly lost.

With no plan and no idea of where I am, I’m free to take my walking direction from the slightest of hints: a rickety balcony, a warm pool of sunshine on the hotchpotch of slim cobbles, the promise of a garden behind someone’s gated doorway.

At some point I find myself outside a beautifully ornate entrance to a small church. The streets are strangely quiet: it’s a Monday in mid-June, so perhaps people are already at lunch or anticipating their siesta?

I stand in the shade of the church to type some notes, and a couple walk past with portable speakers throwing out heavy drum and bass. Maybe it’s not so quiet.

1.30pm: Walk to Plaza Mayor

It’s 1.30pm and I’ve just felt a hunger pang. The Pret a Manger sandwich I bought at the airport and ate on the plane is a distant memory – especially as the time difference means its 2.30pm in the UK. I can hear the dulcet tunes of ‘My Way’ on the accordion. Either someone loves shmaltzy music on the radio, or I’m reaching the busker territory of Mallorca.

I realise if I stop for lunch I can do some Palma research at the same time – but I know from experience that all the lunch places in the city centre are probably too busy and will almost certainly be too expensive.

Nevertheless I make my way to Plaza Mayor, the city’s main square. I have a feeling that checking out the side streets will probably offer a good place to eat.

This large plaza is the heart of Palma’s Old Town: a wide open square filled with street stalls and lined with restaurants and bars housed beneath the archways.

Unfortunately, the tourist crowds thronging the Plaza Mayor make it too busy for me. I cut down a side street and it’s immediately empty. A few elderly Spaniards joke about a hissing ginger tomcat who’s following their friend as if he belongs to her. Maybe he does?

Read more: Speaking Spanish (and nothing else) while walking the Camino de Santiago

2pm: eat lunch outside a shady little cafe

I’m looking happily at a plate of tortilla, pan con tomate and a dozen fat green olives in front of me. Cafe Verde, built in a tiny plaza beside a tall church wall, has a dozen outdoor tables scattered outside – and they’re filled with Spanish speakers, which I take to be a good sign.

A suave, elegant Spanish guy sits at the next table, using a battered old English book to practice my native language with his girlfriend. I spend a while half-listening to their conversation. It’s these tiny snippets of real-life stories which I find intoxicating about travel. I’ll never know who these people are or what they do – but I’ve had a tantalising glimpse, and sometimes that’s enough.

By the time I’ve finished my lunch I’ve decided I want to head towards the water. The city’s famous La Seu cathedral sits a block away from the beach: there’s a stunning medieval garden next door and the Arab Quarter runs right behind – a mass of narrow alleys which my photographer brain is already excited by.

I can hear the roar of a football game playing on the cafe’s TV. It’s time to move.

3pm: Wander the narrow streets of Palma’s Old Town

Palma has a beautiful historic quarter with plenty of pedestrianised streets making it an easy place to explore. I move through tangled, tight streets towards the Can Forteza Rey, an Art Nouveau building which must have been inspired by Gaudi.

It was originally designed as a block of apartments in the early 1900s but now houses various businesses including a dentist’s practice, the name of which has been incorporated into the facade’s design.

3.25pm: Visit the S’hort del Rei gardens

Eventually I arrive at the S’hort del Rei gardens just opposite the Cathedral. They’re like a green oasis: gently cascading water fountains, orange and lemon trees, an occasional flurry of bright leaves falling from the canopy above.

The medieval gardens sit at the bottom of the Almudaina Palace and date back to the 18th century. Nowadays they’re a beautiful spot to hide from the mid-afternoon sun – and they also play host to enterprising hawkers selling handbags, key-rings, sunglasses and hats.

3.30pm: Gaze at Palma’s La Seu Cathedral

I stare up at the impressive cathedral towering above me. Officially named ‘the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma’, it’s more commonly known as ‘La Seu’ which means ‘Cathedral of Light’ in Catalan.

Begun in the 14th century, this sandstone cathedral took almost 600 years to build. Antoni Gaudi was invited to oversee the project at one point but he argued with the contractors and eventually quit. It’s probably Palma de Mallorca’s most well-known tourist attraction, not least because of its size. The cathedral costs €7 to look around inside – but I chose to simply wander the facade outdoors. It took a fair amount of time to circumnavigate!

I’ve unexpectedly hit a slump. The summer sun is relentlessly strong and it’s making me tired, so I decide to walk back to my hostel through the shadier streets, paying a visit to some other spots along the way.

4pm: walk along Passeig des Born

I wander down Passeig des Born (or ‘Paseo del Born’ in Spanish), a shady central boulevard lined with trees which runs parallel to the cathedral. The surrounding buildings all seem to house the fanciest of designer shops – I spot Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Rolex – but thankfully you don’t have to spend tons of cash to sit on one of the many benches on this pedestrianised street.

I sink gratefully onto a spare seat and people-watch for a while until the heat dies down. Then I have to stop for a posed photo with a giant panda bear who is altogether too hysterical to avoid.

4.15pm: Explore Palma’s backstreets

In an attempt to leave Palma’s touristy centre, I take to the backstreets and quickly find myself amidst closed shutters and brightly coloured graffiti. Occasionally, I come across other tourists looking similarly displaced.

4.30pm: visit the Arab Baths

I’m increasingly in need of a siesta but still have a spot on my list which I want to visit: the Arabic Baths, the only remaining monuments of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa (now known as Palma). It’s a tiny historical site which sits within a walled garden, complete with chairs, tables and little shaded alcoves.

Although impossible to date precisely, historians have agreed The Arab Baths were most likely built in the tenth century – and they’re identical to baths in other Islamic cities around the world.

5pm: time to siesta (like the Spanish do)

By 5pm I’m back at my hostel, finally checked in and immediately napping on my bunk. The heat’s taken it out of me somewhat!

6pm: head back into Palma’s early evening atmosphere

I start walking again – this time heading straight through Plaza Mayor, past the crowds of buskers, and onward towards a more suburban neighbourhood.

Ok, I’ll admit it: the real reason I came to Palma a day early was to attend a women’s circle held by Lisa Lister, a woman I follow on Instagram. She’s hosting the circle at a yoga studio called Ra Ma Institute, and I’ve decided it’s what I need to help me with my grief.

Thankfully the heat’s died down, so I follow Google map’s directions in less of a sweaty haze.

10pm: a late dinner in Palma at night

The women’s circle runs for two hours, and by 10pm I’m walking back towards my hostel. Spurred by hunger (and a headache because I didn’t drink enough in the heat today) I’ve chosen a roadside restaurant – purely on the basis that two middle aged Spanish women were drinking wine and eating pizza. I reckon they know if the food’s good here.

I sit by myself at a table and order a pizza of my own. As ever, I find it extraordinary to think that just twelve hours ago I was waking up in London with no knowledge of what Palma de Mallorca was like. And now? Now I’m wandering the streets with a confidence borne of spending these last hours on my feet.

Twelve hours is all it takes to learn a new city from scratch. It’s a beginning. It’s the start of a story.

Would you recommend any other things to do in Palma de Mallorca? Let me know in the comments!

This post is part of a paid campaign to promote the Balearic and Canary Islands as part of their #SpanishIslands campaign. All views are my own – especially my desire to spend as little money as possible!

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