Staying at a sunset strip hotel and it’s very hard to wash soap off my hands or shampoo out of my hair. It’s like no matter how much I scrub and rinse, there will always be more bubbles / foam.
Does this have something to do with hard water vs soft water?
Thanks.

Hey Vegas Reddit,
I’m hoping for some help picking a resort/room for my wife and I on our first vacation in a while. We have young kids and don’t get out of town often, and frankly we are both burnt out. It’s our 5th wedding anniversary and we intend to stay for 3 nights. We want to have fun, relax, eat well, enjoy some luxury!
Price is not an issue. I have more than enough points with my airline to book a flight and the resort itself for free without blowing all my points. These are the available rooms that won't blow all of my points (except the first one below, as noted):

• Bellagio Fountain View Room King (I'd have to pay about $700 on top of my points, this is the only one worth more than my points but if it's worth it I'd do it, don't care)
• Bellagio Strip View Spa King
• Cosmopolitan Terrace 1 Bedroom Fountain View Suite
• Wynn or Encore Panoramic View King (don’t know if I can request a Strip view vs. Valley view).
• Caesar’s Augustus Fountain View King
• Aria Deluxe Strip View King

My wife has stayed at Cosmo twice and we have stayed at Encore once. I have done Bellagio and didn’t love it but that was over 5 years ago in a standard room and I was drunk the whole time anyways, so didn’t spend much time hanging out at the hotel as I was there with my guy friends. We’d prefer to stay somewhere we have not stayed before unless, for example, the Cosmo Terrace Fountain View is actually that nice.
I’m making this a surprise stay for my wife. She knows where we are going and when but not which resort. Here are the things she cares about:

1. Really nice pool
2. Really nice bathroom, good place to get ready for a night out, etc.
3. Sounds weird, but she cares about nice toiletries (lotions, soaps, fragrances, etc.), but we wouldn’t base our choice entirely on this
4. Luxurious room overall is essential, with a comfortable bed

We would really appreciate your help with this.

Last week posted about the 10 ELDO fragrances I had already tried (https://www.reddit.com/fragrance/comments/1cpni3c/my_impression_of_10_fragrances_from_the_etat/) . Here are the remaning 10 fragrances from this discovery set. I found more fragrances of my liking last time, but I did my best to try review them all
Clean Suede: This a simple, clean but sexy fragrance. I can' t tell apart the notes very well. I smell something talc like, something peppery, and a good dose of incense (not listed). My thought was that I would probably enjoy smelling this on a man. In the drydown there is good dose of tonka or vanilla and It becomes a little too sweet wo be considered classically masculine, more of a unisex fragrance. I think most people could enjoy this one since It is not particularly challenging, but neither boring nor too basic.
Eau de Protection: In the opening the bitter orange prevails . The focus is on the white, bitter part of the fruit, rather than on the sweet and juicy part. I also smell something similar to lemon grass and the overall composition screams mosquito repellant to me. Almost made me think this was the true "protection" the name suggested...but the rose slowly becomes stronger, and my association with mosquito repellat weaker. Despite that I still don' t like this take on rose, that personally reminds of rose hand soap, in an ambellished bathroom, in the house of someone's great aunt.
Archives 69: Defective sample vial barely spritzs at all. By the way I insisted and a few hours later I was able to gather a decent amount of juice in my inner elbow. The opening is aromatic, peppery and I also get something reminding me of vinegar or acetone? As it dries down the incense and fresh balsamic notes get more noticeable. I think Archives is a bit in the same vein as "Like this", but white I enjoied the latter, I don' t find archives to be really interesting or pleasant. Both are also supposed to have some sweet facets that my nose can' t somehow pick up. Overall I don' t care If I won' t be able to use this sample.
500 Years: In the opening I get cocoa ad rose, rose and cocoa. Very dry and powdery smelling. I was not expecting to like this a lot based on the opening (I am not a cocoa lover) but It really grew on me. In the drydown I kept smelling my arm because It develops a nice woody, spicy with dominant cardamom (love cardamom) and mysterious aroma. This one is a serious, dry, and a bit gloomy rose. I will treasure my sample until next autumn, as I see it more fitted for cold weather.
Hermann à mes côtés me paraissait une ombre: I don't exactly know what I am smelling. It is markedly earthy. Aside from that it is peppery, dry and dusty, a bit weird but not in an unplesant way, actually quite intriguing, It gives a warm feeling without being creamy or sweet. I also get rose, again. Probably the more masculine leaning of the set, together with exit the king.
She was an Anomaly: Barely there musky skin scent. It smells like if you had Just got out the shower, skin still warm, after using some white musk bodywash. Aside from that, there is a very faint citric note in the opening and I also though I was getting some iris, but it is not listed. Maybe something meant for people who don' t like to wear fragrances? Either way it doesn't elicit any feeling in me. Quite underwhelming.
Frustration: I loved It on paper. Boozy, sweet, smoky, woody. I almost thought I had finally found a gourmand I loved. But when I tested It on skin, there was some very sharp artificial smelling note always on top. It is a pity because the gourmand "bonfire" smell could have been appealing, if only they did not add burnt rubber or gasoline to the mix. Leans masculine.
Exit the King: The opening is exactly like a white bar of soap. Can' t go much cleaner than this. After about 20 minutes I am able to smell the orange blossom. If a gentleman from around 1920's was staying at some hotel in Paris and washed his hair, body and shaved his beard clean using the same white bar of soap, he would smell like this. I can also imagine him having breakfast while reading a newspaper on a bright sunny morning. I find the earthy, mossy, clean drydown very pleasant.
Spice Must Flow: Again I was expecting something different based on the name. Something dry, warm and spicy in the Tauer L' air du Desert style. Instead this is a very sweet rose with similarily sweet spices . If I had to compare it I would say it is closer to Malle Portrait of a Lady (they are not that similar, POAL is nowhere as sweet and has some fresh mentholated facet that is not present here). The overall sensation here is that of an almost syrupy, medicinal rose. I also smell again something unpleasant and similar to vinegar or acetone . It has great longevity and sillage and will definitely not go unnoticed, unfortunately not my cup of tea. Also, despite me liking rose, I was honestly a bit tired of smelling It at this point.
The Ghost in the Shell: Probably the one I disliked more after Experimentum Crucis. It opens as an extremely milky and plasticky smelling skin scent. Some flowers on top. I imagine this is how a lactating cyborg nanny would smell like. I dislike lactonic notes in general, but this one is something else and If I put my nose too close It really makes me nauseus. It does not evolve much, it simply becomes more musky and a bit less nauseating. Interesting in a creative, experimental way though.
​
Final considerations: Trying this discovery set was quite a fun experience, but as for now the only fragrance I really love is YOSLY (which was also the only one I had already tested). I kept 6 out of 20 samples that I will wear again (YOSLY, Soul of my Soul, Like this, 500 years, Putain des Palaces, Remarkable People). I gave the rest away even if some were nice (es Herman or clean suede) because I simply knew they were not my style.
I would recommend this sample set to anyone who is new to this hobby and is open to experiment with a lot of samples . I would probably not reccomend it to people who dislike rose, because there really was a lot of It, and to men who only enjoy traditionally masculine smelling fragrances, because there is not a lot of It.

alright so i'm 14f. i'm completely isolated from the outside world apart from school. no phone, no friends, no communication! I do not want to deal with my parents bullshit this summer. I'm going to be bored out of my mind, getting yelled at and abused. they wont take me anywhere, I'll just be isolated in my room for 3 months.
I found this really nice area by a library on Google maps. I'd probably take a bus because it's a long walk. this library claims to offer free food to kids/teens, so i'd only pack 1 bag full of food assuming this couldn't get me caught. i'm not sure where I would shower, there's a gym nearby but I don't really have money. I could get soap and towels from a hotel somewhere. I would sleep in the park and i'd get water from the library. does this sound like a good plan? I don't know, I'd just rather be dead then bear a summer without anything or anyone.

**I am not The OOP, OOP is u/throwaway151702
Slight chance my (39M) pregnant wife (38F) had an affair, should I ask for a paternity test or wait?
Originally posted to relationship_advice
TRIGGER WARNING: possible infidelity, fertility issues
Original Post May 9, 2024
My wife (38F) and I (39M) have been together for 12 years. I don't know how to describe it other than calling it the perfect relationship. I think in 12 years we've only ever gotten to the point of really raising our voices at one another maybe 2 or 3 times? We do everything together but always have never had issues allowing each other to lead our own lives and follow our own interests. We bought a house where we wanted.... we both have good high paying jobs that have great work life balance. Basically it's been everything short of perfect.
We've been trying for 2 years to get pregnant and it hadn't been happening. We were just about to start the fertility stuff when I came home from a work trip, and guess what she's pregnant. I had this weird instant thought of.... Wait I thought we didn't try during the week last month because of the fertility testing... But I couldn't remember exactly because to be honest... We were busy at it. So I just assumed I miss remembered.
Now, I travel around the country pretty regularly for work. Other than COVID, I've been on the road as much as 40 weeks a year sometimes. Since COVID its been less but still more than a week a month.
Over the last 4-5 years my wife has gotten very friendly with a guy she works with, let's call him Matt. Matt is slightly younger, I think 34M or so. I know him, he's married, I know his wife. They've worked together for I think 7 years or so. He's always been around, him and I have been friendly. Have I ever thought something was happening? No, but I've always thought.... You'd be a fool to not think there's even a 1% chance your spouse would go outside the relationship. Maybe I'm naive, but I've always seen it as a safeguard to not take my wife or any other partner in the past for granted. She's never given me a reason to think she'd do that. But anything is possible.
So about a month ago I'm out of state for work and she's at home. I ask her what she's doing earlier in the day and she says Matt is coming by for dinner. Not out of the ordinary, Matt comes by from time to time. Sometimes with his wife, sometimes without, sometimes when I'm not there. I don't think much of it.
We have a security system which includes cameras both inside and outside of the house which we installed after an unrelated incident a few years ago. They record and are live accessable by both her and I. I often use those cameras to check on the dog when I or both of us are away, as the rest of the system is monitored by a company Incase of an alarm going off.
She knows I check those cameras, there's a system installed where I can talk through them. I'll mess with my wife and she will with me on them if either of us are out of town (she travels for work as well, but far less than I do). Point is, it's known that I check them often when I'm not at home.
So I turn on the camera and I see my 4 months pregnant wife, lying on the floor, on her side with Matt sitting, straddling her legs and using a foam roller to message her hips. So I'm like.... Ok... What the fuck is this. I start rewinding through the footage and they are eating and talking normally, but then they get on the couch and get under the same blanket. Now...... They are feet to feet, but that couch isn't that big. Then they move to the floor and that's when I logged in.
Anyway I text her, I'm still watching the cameras they both look like deer in headlights and he very quickly leaves. We get into an argument she isn't mad at me accusing her but she's adamant that nothing has or ever would happen, and that what I saw was innocent and she was complaining about being in pain from the pregnancy.... Which I know is true shes already having some issues with back pain etc.. The biggest point of that discussion was I asked "If I were there would you two have been comfortable doing any of that Infront of me" and she reluctantly admitted... No probably not. I told her I didn't want to talk after that and we'd talk when I got home 3 days later.
That's when It hit me..... What if my weird gut moment feeling about her telling me she was finally pregnant, was... This. What if my 1% happened and this is not my child we are having?
Now, it eats away at my while I'm at a hotel alone a thousand miles away for 3 days. I reconcile with myself that... I think it's less likely than more likely that something between them has happened. But Basically my 1% just jumped to.... 10% 20% maybe?
I get home and she's on eggshells and doesn't mention it. I kinda wait to see what she's going to do. 2 days later she finally brings it up and breaks down. Swears nothing has happened she would never. Doesn't do anything over the top to try and prove anything... Which I took as a good sign. But anyway we talk out the issue and everything to a point of at least moving forward for now. I'm still coping and dealing with it figuring out how to re trust after all this time.
I'm getting more and more understanding of the fact that they are friends they've been friends for so long, maybe he has intentions.... But I don't see her having any and I've never really picked up on it and I've spent time around both of them together many many times, and never caught anything.
So the thing that is destroying me right now is.... If I'm wrong and something did happen... While I can figure out how to deal with that... What if that child isn't mine. In the argument and few long conversations we've had about the situation since I've never brought that up, and she's not mentioned it. Mostly because I don't want to make the situation worse and crush her if infact she's telling the truth, which I mostly Believe.
The only thing I can think to do at this point is to wait until the baby is born and immediately order a paternity test in secret. Should I do that? Should I tell her and have it dealt with now? If you're a woman in her shoes and you're telling the truth, would that destroy you, or your view of me? If you're lying what would you do if I asked? I don't want to ask a super vague question but..... What do I do?!
TLDR: very small chance my wife of 12yrs had an affair and she's 4 months pregnant and I can't bring myself to ask for a paternity test for fear of crushing her if nothing actually happened. But I am planning on doing it in secret when the baby comes. What do I do?
Update: Soo many comments. Thank you everyone more than I can address directly but I'm going to keep reading a few things.
1 stop DMing me about this, thanks.
2 some have made some good points about addressing it now rather than later and that's something that I'm considering more than I was before, thank you.
3 to those focused only on my relationship. I get it but that's not what I'm focused on. We've been talking about it a lot. My wife and I are pretty open people with each other. I'm not saying I'm convinced nothing happened but I'm more focused on paternity right now.
4 if I need to track, spy on, life360, my wife. Then this relationship is over already. That's not the relationship we have and not one that I ever want, and in my opinion not one anyone should ever have. We are working on rebuilding trust. As I said in this long winded post my default of 1% possibility went up to 10% or so. Trust me I'm taking my relationship seriously but to those I've said this to already. If the kid isn't mine, then there's no longer any conversation to have.
5 I've already had this discussion with my lawyer, I don't live in a state where the birth certificate stuff will be an issue. If I have paperwork that this child isn't mine than divorce isn't going to be much of an issue. Both of us are in an independent financial situation where it won't matter much regardless.
I'll keep up with this post as long as I can and post an update when and if anything gets resolved.
Update May 10, 2024
Update: Slight chance my (39M) pregnant wife (38F) had an affair, should I ask for a paternity test or wait?
Here's the original post from yesterday.
https://www.reddit.com/relationship_advice/s/CphGAU9Tsm
So she was out of state on a business trip until late last night. It's Friday so she worked from home in our kitchen. So I asked to talk and brought it up and asked for a test.
She immediately said yes and said there's zero doubt and nothing that she'd even have a second to worry about. But she has no problem doing it now. The only caveat I left it with is. If it's invasive at all per our doctors then I'm ok waiting until it's low risk. (I'm not a doctor, no clue what they'd have to do to do it now)
So not sure when we are. But she's aware and we are getting one. It was a decent and longer conversation. We are currently sitting together getting lunch. She's got no clue I did this on Reddit. Hence the new account because she is on here somewhere.
Thank you everyone for your help and opinions, a bunch of you made me realize that we are already really open about everything and if nothing happened then she wouldn't worry about getting one.
I was more worried about her health and adding some insane level of stress if it was an issue as she's an at risk pregnancy and it took soooooo long for us to get pregnant.
So again thank you all for the help. I suppose I can update if it's mine or not but I'm not sure how long that will be. I'm... 90-95% sure it is mine. But this will help us continue this conversation.
Thank you.
Update: just because it seems to be more of a topic on this post vs the other one for some reason.... Yes I have the footage. No I haven't talked to Matt yet. He's told her he wants to talk about it but I've told them to wait on that. My relationship with my wife and the paternity is what's important right now. I will eventually talk with Matt.
No I'm not going to get Matt's wife involved intentionally. I don't know why I would other to just be vindictive. I'm not going to cover for him obviously but his relationship is his. And mine is mine. I'm not interested in making this worse. Whatever is going on between him and his wife isn't any of my business.
RELEVANT COMMENTS
OOP when asked why his wife thought she could be intimate with someone else

We've talked about it at length nothing is being ignored. I could write you an essay about our past, her reasons and my feelings on it. But instead I'll just say. I'm aware of it. She's claiming innocence of anything further but at the same time admitting that it wasn't a good look but she wasn't thinking about it at the time. And that's what we are currently working through.

When told it doesnt look innocent and asked if his wife goes to Matt's house when his wife isn't home

She's 4 months. I was home. And we had been on the clock..... To the point of the days blending together, trust me.
We are pretty open people and pretty comfortable with ourselves and each other. I don't know if she's been to his house without his wife. I mean the 3 and 4 of us all hang out probably once or twice a month but they work directly together everyday and have for years. So obviously there's a closeness there. They are both upper management in their company. And at my company I have long term friends that are women. I've traveled with them we've done dinner and hung out in hotel rooms together. But I've never done anything because, that's not me. I'm married and love my wife and my life. I have no reason to.
So I mean the optics are bad. I just have to decide if it's only the optics. Or if she has a reason too. Maybe he has a reason too and that's what I saw? That I'm not sure about. But that comes down to, do I trust her to handle that. She says if that's the case she's never noticed it. And she hangs out with him and his wife just about as much as he hangs out with us. She works in a building right near them. My company is based out of Chicago and I live on one of the coasts. So my coworker friends are much more spread out. We can't go to the bar to grab afterwork drinks any day like they can. Honestly I usually go to their work hangouts more than mine because of that. I'm friendly with her CEO because of it.
So is it perfect? No. But I've always trusted her, I've never had a reason not to. In 15 years, this is the first, crack or dent in it.

OOP gives a clearer description of what happened that day

That's not what I saw. She said something, he froze. Said something I couldn't hear she said no no don't worry about it. He put something in the dishwasher and she walked him out to the front door. He didn't dive out the window.
You have to remember this is Reddit. I'm not putting every single nuanced detail in this because that would take me hours to write and I'm not putting my security footage on the Internet for strangers to see. The reason I have the security system in the first place is because of a stranger on the internet.
I'm not saying anything beyond that didn't happen for sure between them. I'm saying I don't know now and I don't have any proof. That's what my wife and I are discussing just about every day and what we are working through.
The original point of the post was..... The only thing we hadn't talked about was paternity because I don't want to put her in a situation where she medically loses the child. Mine or not.
Not only have I not been able to put every single nuanced thing in this I've also sprinkled in false details about our lives, nothing pertinent to what happened but other mundane details. I was a very small public figure at one point. And some low life from the Internet traveled across the country to make death threats against us because of something warped in his head. To the point where the federal government had to get involved.
People in here are wildly jumping at conclusions with much less information than I have and ignoring the original point of the post and the original questions asked.

Has he told Matt's wife

She is my wife's friend's wife. We don't meet up and knit together. I know her through my wife. I see her maybe once every few months at a bar after work, or if they come by for dinner or to hang out. We aren't besties.
Again what should I go tell her. Hey your husband was at my house. I knew he was there and I saw him run a foam roller over the outside of my wife's hip while he was sitting on her feet..... It's super obvious they are fucking and Even though I'm not sure. It's possible she's carrying his baby.
This isn't a soap opera. There's nothing I KNOW that I can tell her so why would she take my word on what tiny evidence there is. And why or how in the world would that help my situation? If all of this is false now I've destroyed my relationship for acting like a child trying to drum up drama for what obviously looks like being vindictive, and I put them in the same situation we are in now.... For something THAT I DON'T KNOW IS TRUE YET.
I believe you have entirely lost the plot here.

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT THE OOP
DO NOT CONTACT THE OOP's OR COMMENT ON LINKED POSTS, REMEMBER - RULE 7

Friends, talking to someone very important in my life today, I was told to write today about my life on facebook, the real story.
And hardly anyone knows the whole story, and that's true. So then I'm going to arm myself with courage and tell everything: And to take whatever comes back my way. When I was born, in Puerto Rico, I was a sickly person. I had among other things, a heart disease. At three years old I began to experience something that I had no idea it was at that time: I did not feel like a boy but like a girl instead. I told my parents but as neither they nor I understood what this was, they told me that I was male etc. By five years old I began to be attracted to girls: I liked my neighbor Noemi.
At that time, I was already attending church, because my family has always been Christian. At 7, I sang at the children's choir of the Disciples of Christ church in Bayamon.At that time my family lived well, my parents had businesses and we had a large house with a lady who I will not call a servant because to me she was like my aunt, Titi Sandra. We had some luxuries, not many but enough.
We traveled to other countries for vacation during weekends, etc. , In short, we lived well. At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, and then my family lost the business for things that happen in life and we moved first to Humacao and then to Caguas, where at 11 years old I was in a coma, which decades later, I found out that as a result of that coma, my brain had been affected in such a way that in essence the doctors told my parents that emotionally (not intellectually) I was going to stay at the age I was when that took place for the rest of my life maybe. But they didn't tell me that at that time. The thing is that also at the same time I wanted with all my soul at that same time to get into boxing as a competitor. I saw in Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Muhammad Ali my heroes. I wanted to be like them and started going to the gym,
I had a couple of fights as an amateur. For those who do not know, particularly my great friends from Caguas, at that time when we moved to Cayey, two extremely important things happened in my life: I met the love of my life, a girl named Thylvenetssie, who is an American girl of Puerto Rican parents, as she had arrived in Cayey from Boston, Massachusetts.
She liked music and she and her friends Hilda, Ana and Carmen formed a band which sometimes they took the stage of the middle school we all attenced and started singing at lunch, nothing seriously but for them it was serious enough. For my part, I was still in boxing and all that but, Thylvenetssiee and I fell in love, we went out to eat a few times together and then she asked me to join her band and I, in order to keep being next to her all the time, joined them. What followed was unimaginable: suddenly I gained popularity and everyone at school knew us. I enjoyed it because as she had come from the United States, she knew the lyrics of many songs, and me, living with my secret, I not only loved the songs of Van Halen, The Beatles, Menudo and Duran Duran (what a mix haha!) but also those of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Bananarama too. And not only that but when we became known at school, I had my "fans" also, one in particular was named Maritza and I always remember her because she was always next to me when Thilvenetssiee was not with me.
Through all that, I still went to the gym and trained because I was known as the boxer who sang. In essence I was the only male in a "girl band." But my parents saw that the hospital in Cayey was not very good and decided without telling me that we had to return to Caguas. And one weekend we returned. I wanted, cause of what I just told you about the girl and our band, to go back to school in Cayey, but I couldn't because the government wasn't going to allow me anyway because I now lived in another city. There I rejoined again with my friends and soul mates from Caguas ,and I also liked a girl named Leila.
Then I got into the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where I was in the adult choir at 14 years old, I also continued with boxing but one day, the night before the fight between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, I had a dream where I died in a boxing match and took it as an omen and decided not to continue with that idea of becoming a boxer. I met a girl named Loyda, and other friends, I started to hang out with a clique of teen friends, I had a great time but something else very important also took place: I fell in love with a girl named Angie. At that time I wasn't used to girls telling me they didn't love me, but when I asked her out, she told me she didn't want to be my girlfriend. that happened on May 20, 1989. My friend Victor must remember because he knew how in love I was and that night I remember Victor phoned me at my home from his, to console me. Then I began to experience depression, I wanted to kill myself, I wanted to commit suicide. On top of that, when my pastor found out that I had begun to visit Angie's church, he told me to continue going to her church and I felt that he had basically told me to stop going to mine (his). I was so desperate that I went and sought medical help from my school psychologist, and the psychologist invited me to his home for a "private session."
Luckily, I did not go because it felt weird, and I knew more or less what he meant, and a month later I found out through the janitor of the school, that the doctor was fired because he had said similar things to other young people at school. Imagine that! But also, during that era, my friends and I were planning to form another band and we even used to go to town to take theater, singing, and dance classes, and because of that and also because of the conversations I had with my parents, with my friends and with my aunt Lourdes who one day grabbed me by my arm and told me "do not do what I would not do" and also because God was with me, I still had hopes and so I survived depression. But nevertheless, there was still that doubt that I had, that unresolved issue: inside myself I had this female voice. I saw myself and felt like Madonna or Molly Ringwald and I did not understand why.
Playing basketball, I saw myself as a girl. Kissing girls, it was the same. Boxing, it was the same. In church praying, hanging with my buddies, singing, it was always the same. In April 1990, we boarded a plane and moved to the United States. I wanted to become an entertainer at that time. When I arrived in the United States, I realized that I also liked boys. I still didn't know that in Puerto Rico, so I was shocked for quite some time. Here I tried to enter the Marines and I went to be sent but when they realized that I have Diabetes when they did my medical, they disqualified me, But I tried at least, and worked as an ice cream salesperson, in the hope of being able to pay my entrance to some talent agency which I achieved after many years.
I was about to marry a girl I met one day when, leaving her house, she ran to me and kissed me and there we met; two weeks later we were in court for the court wedding, but we decided not to do it and we ran out of there. She was a witch, she liked black magic and that and I got into that lifestyle even though I was still a Christian and I was never fully involved in it like her. She was Gothic and I got into the Gothic style too. From then on came the parties, the clubs, the "crazy life". I also found another church here where I started to go but I got into trouble with the pastor because of one spefific rule I disagreed with in that church. The thing is that I was in a group of more or less 20 or 30 different characters: we always went everywhere together and, besides that, I was already in a well-known talent agency working as a model.
But that agency passed into the hands of a group people which some of the other models told me were not reliable and all the models I knew, including me, said goodbye to them and that was that. At that time I had a girlfriend a very beautiful black girl by the way but I wanted to continue in my wild ways and living the crazy life.
A lifetime of meeting famous people such as several ex-Menudo, Wilfredo Gomez, Michael Jordan, Sunset Thomas, Pamela Anderson, Sylvester Stallone, Ringo Starr, two former presidents of the United States and even Princess Anne of England. Of fist fights wherever they found me, of casinos, hotels, of addiction. And another thing: not only did I know I was bisexual but also something else: transgender. I told my sister Nilda a week at the end of 1996, while still dating my fiancée. On a cold December night. (I remember they were showing a soap opera with the beautiful Mexican actress Lucero and when I told her at that time I felt very much like "Lucero" hahaha) By 1999, I asked my doctor to do an operation to change sex, but he denied it based on my Diabetes condition. I continued to play basketball every week, organizing another musical group that I had for a short time here, and leading my crazy life. Until one day I was about to do something crazy against a private property and, after that, the group I hung out with gave me an ultimatum: either I would change or my hanging out with them would end.
I went through rehabilitation, I began to behave better, but little by little that era came to an end. I returned to church but because things that happen in life, I had to move to a house where the church where I live at now is somewhat far away and then, covid also came, and I do not like to go out where there are a lot of people so much. I am still transgender, but recently one of my other aunts (Aunt Raquel and her husband Joe Gomez) spoke to me and now every day I ask God to forgive me for everything I did, for who I am and have been.And the reason why I am writing this here today is not to brag, I am neither proud nor ashamed of my life but there are many people who do not know a quarter of it and someone told me today to talk about it and encouraged me to tell you about it so that everyone knows, but they also said to speak with the truth and talk openly.
Those from Caguas do not know what happened in Cayey, many my family did not know about my time with depression, and neither those of Caguas nor most of my family and friends knew about my transgenderism and that I even own a couple of dressees. Nor about my love history or anything like that. It's time to get courageous and tell the whole truth. Whoever told me to write this, told me to tell the whole truth. And here it is.
I have bounced from one wall to the other, I had love affairs with men and women, (although now I am heterosexual again- I like only girls) I have been popular and I have been ignored, brave and cowardly, and yes I have also been both a man and a woman in spirit, I have been an angel and a demon, healthy and sick I have lived well off and kind of poor too, sung and acted, the latter in film (Eight Legged Freaks) and theater (mostly badly). That is my life, my truth.And every night I pray to God for Him to forgive me. I hope that when it is my turn to speak with Him in eternity, my heavenly Father will forgive me. For at the end of the day I never ceased to be a Christian, to believe in Him and to love Him.
My aunt Raquel still says if I dont stop being transgender I will go to Hell. She does not understand how much this hurts to hear.

Hi everyone! Here with a few quick reviews from Nui Cobalt‘s Critters Collection and two new releases from Pulp!
I made my orders upon each release (Critters on 4/26 and Pulp around Pi Day, can’t find my order confirmation for the exact date.) NC was insanely quick as usual and I received my order on 5/2. Pulp was longer, but the owner did send out an email regarding some delays due to health issues. I appreciated their communication, and the slightly longer TAT doesn’t impact my opinion on their scents.
A but about what I like: incense and resins (I’m a sucker for a good church scent), bready scents, atmospherics, WEED. I adore a good cannabis scent. I can’t partake in it anymore, but I love that chewy-spicy-sticky-herbal-slightly citrus smell. I used to strongly dislike lavender, but NC (and BPAL) have phenomenal lavender notes. I also reall like woodsy, forestry, slightly dirty scents- Haus of Gloi Ploughman is one of my favs for its earthy garden soil smell.
Now, onto the reviews!
Nui Cobalt Critters
Golden Retriever: Sunflower, amber resin, budding dogwood, fenugreek, and fresh-baked bread.
This one has the musky, Frito-like dog paw smell, very similar to Death and Floral’s “Happy as a Corgi on Stilts”- or, you know, taking a whiff of your dog’s paws when they’re trying to sleep. The amber is a great compliment, adding some more warmth and sweetness. There’s a bit of a clean laundry/soap smell in the background, maybe that’s the dogwood? I don’t notice the bread- sad, because I adore a good bread note- but maybe it will come out with a few more weeks of aging.
This is safe, but not in an “opposite of adventurous” way- in a comforting way, like cuddling with your dog on the balcony on a summer morning.
Goat: Sweet labdanum and myrrh resins, Himalayan cedarwood, white grapes, green amber, olive leaf, high-altitude lavender, and lemon verbena.
After a couple weeks of aging this is strong on the lemon verbena when I unscrew the bottle and take a whiff. On first application this is all lavender and olive leaf before a lovely sparkling lemon and white grape appears. This is earthy in the way I imagine myself standing on a Greek or Italian hillside in springtime.
Red Wolf: Skin-warmed suede, sweet cedar resin, saffron, red santal, and glowing ginger.
Wolves are my favorite animal, so of course I had to order this. Did you know wolves have lost 99% of their historic range? While they could once be found as far west as Texas, down into Florida, up to the edge of New York and across the Midwest, they are now found only in eastern North Carolina (at least in the wild).
This is sexy. This is cedar dominant on first application, drying to a lovely woody-ambery scent. I love saffron as a note- it gives a sexy sweet vibe that can pull bubblegum when dominant, here adding just a hint of sweet and floral to play with the wood and amber. I don’t pick up on much ginger- it takes a very big huff to find a tiny grating of it- but this is a beautiful scent.
I’m wearing this at a posh hotel bar, sipping Manhattans and luring men and women in with my passion…for talking about climate change and the importance of biodiversity!
Now onto Pulp!
Ballad: Frankincense, pink pepper, tea rose, sandalwood, white patchouli, garden soil, & musk.
At first sniff on my skin this smells a bit like a nice dry white wine and stays that way on first application, with a hint of clean linen. The garden soil lends a bit of earthy dirtiness to what is otherwise very clean to my nose, and I love that. It dries down to a lovely creamy musk scent, like „my skin but better.“
I think I’m at a garden party at a fancy spa in the countryside, alternating sips of white wine and tea, surrounded by a lovely garden.
Neptune: Clary sage, narcotic jasmine, ambergris, artemisia, palo santo smoke, & a hint of cannabis.
Neptune is truly otherworldly. It starts off woody and musky, herbal with the slightest hint of citrus. Then comes the cannabis! WOW, I expected it to be a lot more subtle, but after an hour of wear it really takes center stage- perhaps not the best to wear to work for its first test drive! But if you, lile me, love Cannabis notes you may also enjoy Neptune. The palo santo comes out at the end, adding a bit of smoke to end your trip around the planet.
There’s a scent by BPAL called Namaste that I often wear during longer yoga practices or particularly hot days; I can see Neptune being a contender for that position in my collection. I’m so impressed by the quality of Pulp’s scents. This is worth a full size.
I’m wearing this in a little sunroom on a second story flat, a room full of orange sunshine, wind chimes and singing bowls and incense burners, engaged in a yoga flow before laying on the floor spinning some stoner metal.
Thanks for reading my reviews! What are your favorite Critters and Pulp scents?

I’ve been through a lot of the ‘beginners guides’ in the wikis and links from various comments in the beginner threads which have been very useful, but I have some really practical (and probably very basic) questions that a lot of the guides don’t quite answer (or I haven’t got to that part yet!) or I still just don’t understand.
I’ve never camped before - apart from one night in my partners back garden when we were teens - and we don’t have a garden to practice in.
My child is 3 and most hotels/BnBs in places I’d like to visit are over £110pn, so I thought camping would be a great way to get out and explore much more. We also just got a car for the first time so we will be car camping and I’d like to start in a campsite with showers etc.
Our flat is small so we don’t have a lot of room to store lots of equipment. We have a storage locker so I can store some stuff away but I’m also nervous about buying tons of expensive equipment in case we end up disliking it and never using it again.
I’m not planning on cooking, just packing/buying sandwiches and snacks etc as I don’t want to buy tons of cooking equipment for reasons above (unless we genuinely love it and then it could change in future).
I’m lucky enough to be a SAHP so I feel like we could do tons of camping before my little one has to go to school. I just need to figure out how. I’ll also be doing this on my own during the week while my partner is working.
We’ll be travelling around South East England (UK).
Here are my basic questions:
We’re in England so the weather is often rainy. Can you fix a tarp over the tent to help keep the rain out without trees? Is there such a thing you can buy that goes over the tent? I keep seeing advice not to lay the tarp directly over the tent and to use poles, but what poles? I can’t figure this out. Is sealing the seams worthwhile to a new tent?
How do groundsheets work? Do you fix it to the tent somehow? My brain cannot understand this concept. Or if the tent comes with a footprint are they attached? Do you just peg it to the ground? Is there anything you should look out for on the ground aside from pointy rocks etc? Is it as simple as pegging it to the ground and the tent goes on top?
Sleeping - is it best to have separate sleeping bags and one double mat? Is that a thing? Or is it best to have two mats and two bags? Or should I go for 2 cots? I’m heavy (100kg) so I’d worry about it breaking.
Is a silk/cotton insert for the sleeping bag worth it?
Are there any tips/advice I need to be aware of with a toddler?
Since we are unlikely to buy cooking equipment - is there anything I haven’t thought of here? I plan to go to a supermarket to buy packaged food, bottles of water etc.
Despite not wanting to buy lots of ‘cooking’ equipment, is there anything that I should consider bringing aside from mugs or plastic plates dish soap etc?
Is it worth bringing a metal kettle/pot and oven gloves or something to heat water on a fire? Is a stove best to do this with rather than relying on a fire pit?
Do sites tend to have a place to wash up dishes etc?
Showering - do you tend to get dried in the shower cubicle? Is it big enough for a 3 year old to shower together? Would you go there in flip flops? What’s the best way to transport fresh clothes and shower stuff from the tent to the shower block? Plastic bag would do?
I plan to bring toys, battery twinkle lights, marshmallows etc to try to keep it fun. Torches and headlights etc. is there anything else non standard to consider bringing for a kid?
I’ll have our car to lock valuables away - is that enough? Do you have to ‘lock’ your tent when you’re away?
Is there any pearls of advice you could tell a beginner that isn’t covered by manuals, but that you learned through practical experience?
Is this a terrible idea to do on my own with a 3 year old as a complete novice? 😅
Sorry if some of these are simple, I worry and panic a lot about sometimes really easy concepts.
Thank you for any links, advice and thoughts. I really appreciate it!

I searched the sub and couldn’t find anything but it would be good to get a thread going on the baby changing facilities you can rely on around the country. So that people can search the thread we can use a format like:

• County:
• Location:
• Info:

So I have two I would share.

• County: Dublin
• Location: Dundrum Town Centre, floor 2M
• Info: The family room in Dundrum is fantastic. It has about 5 changing stations that no baby can roll off and baby faces you toes first rather than side on. Each station has a bin, changing paper base, and a sink with soap. They also have space for babies to play, a space to breastfeed, and even microwaves for feeding babies who are on solids.

And another

• County: Dublin
• Location: The Marker Hotel, accessible bathroom, ground floor
• Info: There is an accessible bathroom that also doubles as a baby changing facility on the ground floor. It fits a big buggy just about, has a comfortable changing table, is very clean, is warm enough for baby, and has great hand cleaning and bin facilities.

If I hadn’t drunk an entire gallon of tea back at the hotel, maybe none of this would’ve happened.
Well, maybe if we hadn’t gotten kicked out of the hotel, none of this would’ve happened.
It had been just the two of us in the small car, but with the animosity heavy on the air, it felt overcrowded. I don’t know what had been worse, the hour of arguing, the two hours of silence afterwards, or the burgeoning realization that maybe I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did.
I studied him out of the corner of my eye. We'd been together for several months, but the recent experience left me wondering if I had ever even met the real Brian – who he truly was on the inside.
It had been our very first trip together.
We'd saved up for one of those super fancy hotels and had been having a great time – until, of course, Brian decided to attempt a five-finger discount in the jewelry store in the lobby.
He'd told me when we first started dating that he'd had some run-ins with the law in the past – when he was young and that was the only way to put food on the table, and I'd understood.
But this wasn't the same. It wasn't for survival, it was just greed.
We’d both spent the rest of our vacation money and then some, paying for that $1,800 watch so no charges would be pressed.
They still kicked us out. I don’t blame them.
Asking him to stop at the next place we came across was the first thing I'd said to him in hours, and he nodded, solemnly.
My discomfort was escalating to the point where I was considering asking him to pull over on the side of the road – rain be damned – when we saw the dim sign flickering in the distance.
The small store was out of place on the quiet, tree lined mountain road. We’d been deep in a tunnel of trees and hadn’t seen so much of a hint of the lights in the distance – it seemed to just appear into view as we went around the bend. I didn't recall seeing it on the way to the hotel, so it was a pleasant surprise.
I felt a flood of relief wash over me.
It stuck out in the otherwise beautiful mountain landscape – windows so dirty that the light inside barely reached us through them – several letters on the sign lit up in such a way that the only word we could even see was a blood red '- MART' flickering.
Any relief I'd managed to feel was short-lived.
When we walked in, we both froze as we took in the interior.
I instantly wished we’d just stopped by the side of the road after all. I looked at Brian and could tell he felt it too – he was fiddling with his new watch and took off his glasses, cleaned them on his shirt, and put them back on, as if that would make what he was seeing make more sense.
There were no other customers, no employees visible, it was just the two of us.
Ceiling tiles hung askew, and the floor was filthy – we had to step over a drain in the floor with grimy stains circling it, to walk in.
If it weren’t for the lights, gentle hum of the AC, and grinding sounds floating from down the long hallway at the back, I’d have thought the place was abandoned.
It was humid inside, and the smell coming from the old coolers that lined the back walls hit me as soon as we walked in. It reminded me of the summer my dad had decided to dabble in taxidermy in our basement.
The slight hint of rot that lingered on the damp air indicated poorly done taxidermy, at that.
As I darted towards the back towards the restroom sign, a placard dangling off it caught my eye, informed me the restroom was for paying customers only.
I quickly perused the shelves for something to buy. The aisles were tall, nearly to the ceiling, and despite the store being somewhat small, I felt the panicked sense of being cornered and trapped in an endless maze – at risk of becoming lost in there forever. The food on the shelves resembled nothing like the usual chips and candy these types of stores carried – there were rows upon rows of soft looking mystery items in plastic wrap, some of them leaked a red-brown residue down the shelves – none of it looked remotely appealing.
I passed by a section with a stained placard that said ‘handcrafted from local artists’ that was filled with eclectic items, none of which seemed to go together.
There were torn shirts with random logos – nothing related to the town or area we were in, stained with mud, grass, and god knows what else. Dried ropy things formed small and delicate sculptures of animals unlike any I’d seen before. I reached for a bracelet with intricately carved white beads but nearly dropped it when I realized the band was made up of woven human hair. It left a residue on my hand, and I noticed then that the same sour-rot smell was coming from the collection of items, too.
I opted for a flat and lukewarm Dr. Pepper instead, and placed two $2 dollar coins on the glass counter in front of the hand scrawled ‘shoplifters will be processed’ sign near the register.
I figured I misread it, after all it, looked like it had been written by a hand unused to holding a pen.
Brian had grabbed an armful of those unnerving plastic-wrapped packages but hovered at the counter a bit too long. I could hear the scrape of him retrieving the coins on the glass, the sound of him dropping them into his pocket.
He gave me a pointed stare as he did so.
I sighed, so tired of arguing that I just walked away from him and down the hallway. I figured I’d pay (again) after he got back in the car.
No sooner had I closed the door to the women’s room behind me, than I could hear him talking to someone.
His voice rose until he was nearly yelling. Mortified and trying to delay being involved in another incident that day, I splashed water on my face while trying to drown out what appeared to be a one-sided argument.
I kept trying to wash the grimy feeling that had lingered on my hands after picking up the bracelet, but no matter how I scrubbed, I couldn’t get it off – it kept getting worse.
I felt nauseous when I realized the greasy residue was coming from the pale-yellow bar of soap. I decided I’d scrub my hands raw at our next stop, and stepped out into the hall and back to the store.
Brian wasn’t there.
I called out for him, but all I heard in answer was that same vague whirring and drilling sound coming from further down the long hallway.
I double-backed to the car, but found it empty.
I circled the store, my frustration turning to panic as I shouted his name and still got no response.
I called his phone, it just rang, and rang before going to voicemail.
The car was locked and he had the keys, I couldn’t help but feel nervous, standing out there in the rain. We were still in the middle of the deep woods and with clouds obscuring the light of the moon and stars, the area was blanketed in darkness. I reluctantly headed back inside.
Somehow, the smell had managed to become even worse – I gagged when the wet, disgusting air hit my nose again. It was so strong I could nearly taste it, putrid on my tongue.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was always someone just behind me as I walked quickly through the tall aisles, but whenever I looked over my shoulder, there was never anything there.
I called his phone, wondering how I’d managed to lose him in such a small store when I finally heard it ringing – it was echoing from down that long hallway.
As I headed towards it, I heard someone moving on the other side of the floor-to-ceiling aisle, placing something onto the shelf with a sickening wet thud, before weaving lithely through the aisles behind me.
“Brian?” I called out softly, trying to convince myself that everything was fine – trying to disguise my fear.
I knew it wasn’t him – I don’t know how, but I knew it. Have you ever had the feeling that if you look closely enough at something, if you truly see it, you’ll never be able to close your eyes again without it haunting you? That feeling of being in close proximity to something that your fragile mind was never meant to know existed?
I forced myself to turn around anyways.
Once again, whoever or whatever had been there was gone by the time I rounded the aisle, but I heard a gentle clinking sound, and saw a trail of red-pink droplets.
I followed it back to that section – handcrafted from local artists, there was something new hanging from a hook near the shelves – wet, glistening strips dangled from along what looked to be a curved bone with bits of gristle still attached. From one of them hung an expensive men’s wristwatch, another was tied around a shattered, thick glasses lens. Yet another sagged under the weight of car keys. They gently swayed with the motion of having been recently placed. Fluid continued to drip from the still wet viscera and mingled with the mud on my shoes.
Shoplifters will be processed
I didn’t need to see the items down the other aisles to figure out what I was looking at, what must have happened.
I could already tell that we’d never have another argument, ever again.
I heard a door open and close in the back, soft footsteps approaching from down that hallway.
I realized that in my distraction, I'd forgotten to put money back on the counter.
I choked up, but knew there was nothing I could do for him. So, I tossed the first bills I found in my purse onto the floor, frantically untangled the car keys, and in shock, I drove myself the remaining four-hour drive home.
Every so often, along the quiet country roads – those I could've sworn were empty on the drive up – I’d see that grimy building, the sign, '-MART' flashing in the distance.
I didn’t stop once.
I've been home for a week now.
A few nights ago, something triggered a motion alert on my video doorbell, but there was no one there when I checked the footage.
The next morning, I found a cardboard box on my porch – with no stamp or return address.
In it was a torn t-shirt, and several of those now-familiar wrapped packages, putrid fluid leaking out of them through the bottom of the soggy cardboard.
I've received a similar box every night, since.
I don't know if it's meant as a threat, or if due to some sort of twisted interpretation – I’m now a 'paying customer’ – he's slowly being returned to me.
Either way, it turns out that I've gotten to see who Brian was on the inside, after all.
JFR

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I was walking near Münchner Freiheit and I was quickly interviewed by some ARD reporters. I was a bit nervous and I didn’t get what they were actually asking me. First they told me something really quick and I just understood the words: Hauptbahnhof, Becher, 50 eur. And then they asked me if I had ever taken any soap, towel or anything during any stay in a hotel. Does someone know what was this about?

So, some time ago I was passed by a person on the sidewalk and the perfume/fragrance that came of him is one I remember smelling in Sheraton Hotel bar soaps? And I just cant forget that smell. Does anybody know the specific ingredient that gives some of the high class luxury hotel soaps their "distinguished" scent

Hello All,
I've never used AIRBNB and always booked my stays via hotel. Have some questions about AirBnb :
​
1.Do you have to buy all the amenities that a hotel provides you with? Like for showering, do you have to buy your own towels before hand? Soap, shampoo, etc...
2.How does one get the keys to the place? I am going to book a out of town vacation in another city from where I live. If my flight comes in late at around 11pm how do I 'check in' and get the key to the place?
3.Same goes with check out? Where do I drop off the keys?
4.Parking - is parking on the property or is that suppose to be defined in the listing?
Thanks for reading.

I know homeowners are not required to provide any soap or shampoo, but why wouldn't you? I arrived to a sit after flying internationally for 15 hours and the bathroom had no shampoo, no soap. I usually have a pack or two of hotel mini products, but this time I travelled economy light and didn't bring any with me. A bottle of shampoo in Sainsbury is 85p, so I don't get it. If you are a homeowner and you are planning to have sitters why not get a cheap bottle of shampoo? Providing basic toiletries like soap and shampoo can make a sitter's experience much more comfortable and welcoming.
Btw. I just noticed that under Amenities, shampoo is not under Bathroom Essentials, it is under it's own category.

Here's a collection of tips and recommendations based on my travel experiences in Japan. I hope these tips will help! For more context: I was a solo traveler, with a backpack and stayed for about 28 days.
Edit: Just a clarification; it's a list based on my experience, so some of the stuff might not be accurate. But again, it's just here to help!

Preparation:

• Planning: Start planning your travel route at least 3-6 months in advance. It often takes about a month or two to finalize an itinerary, and allows plenty of time for adjustments.
• Accommodation:
  • Booking hotels: You should to book your hotels around 3 months in advance, especially during public holidays to avoid last minute hassles.
  • Choosing accommodations in Tokyo: If you split Tokyo into two, the west side offers a better experience for a longer stay imo. Althought, I found the best gift in asakusa and electric town.
  • Mix of lodgings: I really recommend you to include include a mix of guesthouses and hotels. Guesthouses are great for socializing, while hotels provide that much-needed rest. Pro tip: opt for private rooms in guesthouses when possible.
  • Hotel choices: APA hotels are standard business hotels. they're fine but can be mundane. If possible, find hotels with a public bath. it’s incredibly nice after a day.
  • Accommodation safety: Regularly check Google Maps reviews for mentions of bed bugs within the last two years and avoid those places. Bed bug infestations aren't well handled yet in Japan.
• Transports
  • JR Pass: Buy the Japan Rail Pass (JRP) in advance. Although consider skipping the JR Pass in favor of regional passes like the Hakone Free Pass, which covers not only trains but also buses and local attractions
  • Regional passes: if you plan to get regional passes, it needs some digging, use gpt and google. You might also need to adjust your travel plan depending on what you find
• Technology:
  • Apps: Sync Google Maps and Google Translate (regular AND image translation packs) and before your trip for smoother navigation and communication.
  • Internet access: Instead of renting pocket wifi devices, you should go for a SIM or e-SIM with unlimited data, which you should get before your trip.
• Attractions
  • Booking: Book tickets for TeamLab a month in advance as they sell out quickly. Observation towers (like Tokyo Tower or Skytree for sunset views) 10 days in advance, check the weather for the best sunset view ever!
  • Ghibli museum tickets: Tickets are released on the 10th at 10 AM Japan time, available online and at Konbini stores. It's easier to get them with the help of a local friend. Be online an hour early if you're booking yourself. I was asked who was my the person who booked my ticket when I got there, so don't buy tickets from ebay.
  • Theme park: you should totally see one in japan if you stay longer than 1 week
• Cash: Carrying around $150 in yen per week per person is a good rule of thumb. Always use your card when possible to avoid running out of cash.

Packing:

• Essentials:
  • Pack your toothbrush and toothpaste... some hotels may not provide them (I read the opposite but this wasn't my experience).
  • Skip the towel, most places provide them or offer them at a low very cost
  • Dont bring soap or shampoo as most hotels provide unless you have specific personal preferences for your hairs
  • Deodorant is a must there, make sure you don't run out because it's not easy to get some there. Also avoid deodorant that smells good. Japanese people dislike odors.
  • Sunscreen: it is a good thing to bring even in the spring or autumn
• Clothes:
  • Socks: If you have larger feet, bring enough socks and shoes as finding your size can be difficult in Japan.
  • Shoes: Get the most comfortable and cushioned shoes, you will walk a lot
  • Laundry: Travel light and plan to do laundry. (I brought around 8 days of clothes) If you do laundry, you can send a message to your accomodations to know if they have a laundry machines. In some town, it's not always available.
• Tech:
  • Make sure you have an outlet adapter type A
  • Bring a power bank
  • Always carry a small plastic bag or ziplock bag for your trash.
  • A long USB charging cable is handy as outlets are often inconveniently placed.
  • Bring one pen or fill up the online form for when you get in the country
• Other:
  • Sleeping mask: some rooms don't really block the morning light
  • If you're a backpacker, compression packing cubes can be a game changer.
  • Don't pack a large umbrella. buy a compact one before your trip or simply purchase a cheap one in Japan. Japanese people love umbrellas!
  • Bring a needle for your sim card!

When you fly in

• Transport cards: Purchase an IC card (Pasmo or Suica) at the airport. Do not skip that part. Opt for the welcome version if you’re staying less than 29 days. The differences between cards are minor, so choose based on your arrival airport and convenience:
  • Pasmo welcome at NRT airport.
  • Suica welcome at HND airport
  • You can get both normal version at both airport
• Airport transportation: From Narita Airport, I recommend to choose the cheaper transport option (1,500 yen vs. 2,500 yen). The price difference isn’t worth the slight time save.
• Using your IC card: Start using your IC card right from the airport. Don't buy tickets. If you're confused, ask staff!
• Activating the JR Pass: You can activate your JR Pass at the airport but due to crowds, it might be easier to activate it at a JR office in Tokyo. Always carry your passport for verification. (You can also delay the activation at the office).
• Trains: Try to Buy your ticket train in advance if you can.
• If it's your first time: Don't plan anything the day you arrive. You will be tired. Just walk in the city.

Theme Parks:

Visiting a theme park in Japan is highly recommended as it provides a wonderful break from traditional sightseeing and was a highlight of my trip.

• Tickets: Always buy your tickets from the official website. use Google Chrome’s translate feature to navigate.
• DisneySea:
  • food: Definitely try the food, especially the popcorn. The curry flavor is amazing
  • Managing long queues: If an attraction has a very long queue (50 min+), consider visiting it at the end of the day or opt for a Premier Access pass to skip the line. it's around 1500 yen per attraction.
  • Park hours: Arrive 30 minutes before opening and consider staying until the park closes. it is especially beautiful at night and less crowded. The fireworks are at 8:30 and the park closes at 9. This schedule may change during the summer as the day light time is different.
  • Language tools: Use Google Translate’s conversation feature, as many attractions do not offer English subtitles. Yes, it won't be perfect, but it's the best I got.
  • Travel time: Takes about 1 hour via local bus or train.
  • Accommodation: Staying at the Disney hotel is not necessarily the best value for your money in my opinion as it takes one hour to get there
• Universal Studios:
  • Single riders: Solo visitors can often skip the Express Pass thanks to many attractions offering single rider queues.
  • Group travel: If traveling in a group and looking to avoid long lines, get an Express Pass at least two months in advance. Be aware of prices ($60 vs $300).
  • Park hours: Arrive early as the park often opens an hour before the stated time. For instance, if it says 9 AM on the website, it will open at 8 AM.
  • Nintendo World: Head to Nintendo World first as it gets very crowded. Book your tickets after you enter the park with the app. You can stay once you in as long as you like. (Wifi is available at the entrance)

Onsen

I was totally lost when I entered my first onsen, so I will share a tiny guide

• Local spots: Seek out onsens frequented by locals. You will have a better experience imo. Also search the best ones in town, it can cleary change your experience.
• Locker rooms: Once at your locker, remember that onsens require you to be completely naked. Leave your clothes in the locker. Do not bring bath suit...
• Towel: Bring a small towel from your hotel for use in the onsen, but remember not to immerse it in the bath. Some locals like to put it on their head while submerged.
• Pre-bath: Before entering the bath, wash and rinse yourself at the washing stations. Sit on the provided stool, and please, don't stand while showering,
• Entering the bath: Use the bucket to pour water over yourself before entering the main bath. This helps your body adjust to the temperature.
• Conduct: Try to relax and blend in, appearing shy or self-conscious can draw more attention. Also, avoid staring at others. It'sworth mentioning that some locals staired at me, It's not common for them to see us naked.
• Post-bath: After you’re done, rinse off quickly at the washing area before returning to the locker room.

Food

• Morning:
  • Coffee: Opt for coffee from konbini stores instead of Starbuck coffee. It’s cheaper (about 1/3 of the price) and often just as good.
  • Fast breakfast: if you are in a hurry and you need to grab something, onigiri balls are a great choice in my opinion
  • Traditional breakfast: You should try the traditional breakfast with grilled salmon at least once.
• Adjust meal schedule: Japanese meal times are typically earlier... consider skipping breakfast if you're not an early riser, and aim for lunch around 11:00-11:30 AM, and dinner by 6:00-6:30 PM. Most places close early!
• Choosing Restaurants:
  • Avoid the hype: do not go to restaurants with long queues or those that are heavily featured on Instagram or any social media. A lot of random restaurant with 3-4 stars on gmap are more authentic and delicious.
  • Searching: When you look for a specific type of food, like ramen, use Google Maps’ filter options under ‘restaurants’ for more accurate results, rather than just searching the term directly.
• Other:
  • Recommendations: Utilize GPT to ask about local specialty dishes when you're in a new city.
  • Be adventurous: Try new and different foods whenever possible. it can lead to discovering many amazing dishes.
  • Yakiniku: Book yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants in advance.
  • Local: Restaurants with vending machine ordering systems are popular among locals. You can use google's translate to understand the buttons if it's in japanese
  • Prices: Remember that prices on the menu may not include taxes, which are typically around 10%.
  • Cash: 80% of restaurants are cash only

Shops and souvenirs:

I recommend to buy at the end of your trip, otherwise, you will carry everything. Also it's important that, if you see something that you really like, don't tell yourself that you will find that exact same thing at another place.

• Kappabashi Street: Specializes in Japanese kitchen tools
  • Hashitou: Recommended for chopsticks (¥800 to ¥30k range). https://maps.app.goo.gl/TUeFAgaYfZDYa2qM7 Please, don't buy chopsticks at very touristy places
  • Kamata: Offers knives with tax-free shopping. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JnhLpGRhMUWA12Pp7
  • Tsubaya: Known for high-end, quality knives. (¥10K to ¥150K range) https://maps.app.goo.gl/bNBsaSMD6vACeZLG7
• Don Quijote: A go-to place for random and unique items. Look for the Kai nail clipper (¥1300-¥1800), highly recommended on another thread.
• Super Potato: for retro gaming and a geeky atmosphere: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WmHQW1bwgiACY2ZN8
• Nintendo and Pokemon Shops: Located in Osaka and Kyoto.

Random tips

• Handling Trash:
  • Shops: Avoid leaving trash at the store where you did not purchase the items. But for the stuff you bought, merchant will be happy to take it back because you supported their business
  • In the streets: Use trashcans in shopping malls or subway stations.
• Passport: Carry your passport and keep a photocopy in your hotel for backup.
• Baggage services: Utilize Yamato Transport for luggage delivery if you're staying over 72 hours at your next destination. But carry 1 day of clothes with you.
• Footwear in rooms: Remove shoes before entering if your room has tatami mats. Japanese style!
• Transportation:
  • Subway vs. bus: Favor the subway over buses outside of Tokyo. It can be really confusing sometime.
  • Don't walk: Use the subway rather than walking if your destination is more than a 20-minute walk. It's not worth the time and the effort.
  • Navigation: Rely on Google Maps for directions, costs, and subway platforms information. sometimes, you have multiple compagnies in the same station, some multiple platform 1 etc. but once you get in the right company network station, you won't mistaken the platform to go to.
• Interact with others: Talk to foreigners. ask for the best travel tip they have for you as a ice breaker. I had a blast talking to people there
• Kyoto:
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha: Visit popular the shrine after 7-8pm to avoid crowds and see nighttime lights.
  • Otagi Nenbutsuji: I recommend to visit this place: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1jBXSfmLRvRSjnvA7, it's not croweded and the path to get there form the bamboo forest is very cute. I got this tip from an other solo traveler
• Floors: sometime, a shop is at a specific floor, when you check google map, check the address, it will usually say which floor it's located on.
• Learning japanese: Learn basic Japanese with Duolingo can help a lot. (consider skipping the alphabet to focus on sentences.)
• Keep coins: Keep ¥1000 in ¥100 coins handy for laundry and lockers.
• Cash: Withdraw cash at post offices with minimal fees if needed or konbini stores if you're lazy.
• Before check-in/after check-out: Most hotels will store your luggage outside of your stay for a few hours
• Lockers: Store your belongings in public lockers, the ones in gare station might be full
• Name on a paper in you wallet: Label your wallet and important items with your name to aid in recovery if lost. One time, I forgot my wallet in the laundry room in my hotel, but fortunatelly, I had some bills with my name on it, so staff could find me back easily.
• Use GPT:
  • When you have a spare time in a city because you already checked everything on your list, try to ask gpt for advice on what you should do in the current district/city your are in.
  • If you have any questions on something, gpt is a great way to get answers or cultural info.
  • Like I said earlier, It's also a great way to know what dishes the place you are in is known for
  • If you have the JR Pass, it's a great way to know if a subway line is included

Let me know what are your toughts!

How Do Muslims Prepare For Hajj?
There’s a lot of specifics you’ll need for Hajj as you’ll be moving around difficult terrain during your journey. Before and after Hajj, you may also want to explore Madinah and other areas of Saudi Arabia.
Take note of the religious requirements of Ihram (sacred state) and perfumes etc. At least three months before your departure, prepare well in advance and sort out the items you need to take with you. For more information on visiting the Kaaba and how to prepare for Hajj, check out our step-by-step guide to performing Hajj.
Please do check with Saudi authorities, airline carriers and relevant airports about luggage guidelines and what medication are allowed, and the same goes for any other items. Here are our essential items to pack for your journey:
Paperwork
Visa (check requirements) Passport and any copies Passport-size photos Money, including cash and card Spiritual supplies
Ihram, including headscarf for women that does not touch their face In ihram requirements Notebook Pens Du’a book / app Travel prayer mat Qur’an (ideally small) Tawaf counter Optional garments when not on Hajj for mosque: kufi and thoub for men. Abayat/spare prayer outfit(s), scarves, caps (optional) and pins for women
Clothing and shoes
Flip-flops for the bathroom Shoe covers Comfortable walking sandals Plenty of clean underwear! Comfortable cotton outfits (x 2 per day during Hajj) Clothes (including pyjamas for before/after Hajj) Toiletries and medical
Nail clippers Scissors Sun cream and after-sun. Make sure that it is unscented Soap, shampoo, shower gel and conditioner (all unscented) Razors and shaving cream Unscented moisturiseoil Sanitary items for women Deodorant (unscented) Vaseline (unscented) Disinfectant spray Hydration tablets Energy tablets/drinks for when you are low on energy Hand gel (unscented) Hand wipes (unscented) Flushable toilet wipes (unscented) Tissues (min packs) Zip lock and unscented nappy bags (for storage / rubbish) Gloves (several pairs) Bottle/lota for toilet Anti-diarrhoea medication Medication for constipation Plasters (various sizes) Micropore tape and dressings Unscented disinfectant cream Cough sweets Cold and flu tablets Any regular medication with prescription (please check Saudi import guidelines) Any other medication: hay-fever, allergies Mosquito plug-in repellent for hotel room (pre/post-Hajj)
Travel/daily essentials
Snacks Bags: Drawstring bag to store supplies, a small backpack for Hajj, extra collapsible large bags for shopping (1-2 depending on shopping list) Suitcases and carry-on bag Personal alarm for women, in case of danger Labels for your luggage Small padlocks and keys Fan for the hot weather Flannel Hat for the hot weather Sunglasses Towel Money belt/pouch A water bottle that can collapse Plastic bags for general use Sleeping bag liner Small blanket Umbrella Ear plugs Eye cover or a sleeping mask Clothesline and pegs Travel size washing detergent (unscented) Mini pillow Sewing kit Phone charger Portable phone charger Old phone International power adapters Camera and charger Spare camera battery Memory cards for your phone and camera Extension cord with multiple outlets Power banks and cables Masking tape Scissors Please check airline/airport and Saudi guidelines for entry. Find out the guidelines on importing, purchasing, and exporting medication, liquids, food, and sharp items.
Don’t worry, it may seem like a lot, but you’ll be prepared in no time. Embrace this amazing journey and say alhamdulillah!
From everyone at Islamic Relief, we’d like to wish you all the best on your spiritual journey, insha’Allah. We hope this Hajj checklist is useful for your journey – click here to learn some essential Hajj facts for your journey!

FRIDAY

• Durham Bulls vs. Nashville, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham
• Movie Night: Raya and the Last Dragon, Downtown Cary Park, Cary
• Friday Night on White, S. White St., Wake Forest
• 10th Annual Longleaf Film Festival, North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh
• Mississippi Blues Child Mr. Sipp Live in Concert, Dorton Arena, Raleigh
• KEM, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham
• Leonid & Friends: A Tribute to the Music of Chicago, Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Mother's Day Tea, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
• Beats N Bars Festival 2024, American Tobacco Campus, Durham
• Rissi Palmer, The Cary Theater, Cary
• ACC Softball Championship, Duke Softball Stadium, Durham
• Simpkins Garage 150, Wake County Speedway, Raleigh
• Dale Jones, Raleigh Improv, Cary
• Danae Hays, Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Doogie Horner, Room 861 at Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet, North Carolina Symphony, Raleigh
• The Patio Dance Parties : Clueless Fridays by the Pool, The Patio at Unscripted Durham, Durham
• Duke Graduation Weekend (Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be the speaker), Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
• The Halle Cultural Arts Center Spring Play - Cheaters, The Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex
• Maddie Zahm, Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
• Film Screening — Shorts Night, Shadowbox Studio, Durham
• Retro Film Series — North by Northwest & Strangers on a Train, Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Black Veil Brides: BLEEDERS Tour 2024, The Ritz, Raleigh
• Bumpin Uglies, The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, Raleigh
• Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos, The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham
• SUB: Terranean, The Fruit, Durham
• Keyon Harrold, Missy Lane's Assembly Room, Durham
• Friday Night Live: Bull Dirtys, Boxyard RTP, Durham
• ¡Tumbao! / Cinematheque / Ancestor Pira, The Pinhook, Durham
• Freedom Friday w/ DJ Mayor 2nd Fridays, Congress Social Bar, Durham
• Vale of Pnath at Local 506, Local 506, Chapel Hill
• Jake Hart & John Hart Trio, Sharp Nine Gallery, Durham
• Fridays on the Front Porch, Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill
• Freight Train Blues Concert Series, Carrboro Town Commons, Carrboro
• UNC Baseball vs. Louisville, Boshamer Stadium, Chapel Hill

SATURDAY

• Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Dorothea Dix Park Flowers Field, Raleigh
• Durham Bulls vs. Nashville&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham
• Beats N Bars Festival 2024&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), American Tobacco Campus, Durham
• The Decemberists&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham
• Live at the Springs with Sister Hazel&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), TIng Stadium, Holly Springs
• Bailes Afro Latinos&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Carolina Theatre, Durham
• ACC Softball Championship&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Duke Softball Stadium, Durham
• Matriarchs of Mordecai&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh
• Mother's Day Tea&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
• Raleigh's Appraisal Fair&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), City of Raleigh Museum (COR Museum), Raleigh
• Sierra Ferrell - Shoot For The Moon Tour&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Ritz, Raleigh
• Triangle Town Market&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Triangle Town Center, Raleigh
• 10th Annual Longleaf Film Festival&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh
• Crossroads Plaza Spring Music Series&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Crossroads Plaza, Cary
• Dale Jones&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Raleigh Improv, Cary
• Danae Hays&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Doogie Horner&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Room 861 at Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Symphony, Raleigh
• Manuel Ángel Redondo y Gabo Ruiz (Entirely in Spanish with no translation)&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Bloom and Zoom presented by Fit & Able Productions&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
• Carpenter Park Community Garden Open House&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Carpenter Park, Cary
• Commencement BBQ at the Crossroads&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill
• Concert in the Barn at RambleRill Farm&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), RambleRill Farm, Hillsborough
• Souls of Mischief&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Cat's Cradle, Carrboro
• TX2&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Local 506, Chapel Hill
• UNC Commencement&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill
• Duke Graduation Weekend (Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be the speaker)&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
• Art in the Garden 2024&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Tinka Jordy & Mark Donley, Hillsborough
• Keyon Harrold&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Missy Lane's Assembly Room, Durham
• Dig into Compost&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Museum of Life and Science, Durham
• Mother's Day Brunch&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Durham Hotel, Durham
• Bark & Bond Social: National Dog Mom Day Festival&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID). Boxyard RTP, Durham
• Sylvan Esso 10 year Anniversary Release&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Psychic Hotline Pop-up, Durham
• Free Concert From Taxicab Preacher&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Durty Bull Brewing Co, Durham
• SoapBox: Improv&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Boxyard RTP BeatBox Stage, Durham
• Weymouth / North By North / Plastic Giants&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Pinhook, Durham
• Durty Bull Beer Pong Tournament&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Durty Bull Brewing Co, Durham
• Prints-4-Prince Art Show + pARTy - Art, Live Performances&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Pizza Pop-Up + More, PS37, Durham
• ADF Showings at Scripps: Tony C. Johnson&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), ADF's Samuel H. Scripps Studios, Durham
• Dexter Moses Trio with Lillian Park&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen, Durham
• Joe Bob Briggs Indoor Drive-In Geek-Out&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse Presents: City Folk&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, Durham
• Golden Age&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Mettlesome Theatre, Durham
• Let's Chat About the Stars Paddle&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Falls Lake Durham, Durham
• Trio Factual&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Arcana (entrance on Ramseur), Durham
• Shallow Cuts Presents: Pinque Saturday&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Rubies on Five Points, Durham
• Andmoreagain Presents: Stabbing Westward&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
• Beer and Cider Stroll – Discovering Whitaker Mill’s Watering Holes&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh
• Make Yourself (Incubus tribute)&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, Raleigh
• NCCMI Spring Concert 1&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, Raleigh

SUNDAY (MOTHER'S DAY)

• Six Sundays in Spring&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), E. Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest
• Durham Bulls vs. Nashville&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham
• Sights and Sounds Concert Series: Reverón Piano Trio&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
• Mother’s Day Rooftop Jazz Brunch&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh
• Mother's Day Pop-Up Market&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Longleaf Lounge, Raleigh
• Mother's Day Brunch at The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport, Brier Creek
• Downtown Cary Treasure Hunt&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Cotton House Craft Brewers, Cary
• The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle: Lore, Yore, and the In Between&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Mother's Day Tea&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
• Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Alley Twenty Six, Durham
• Jazz Brunch&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Lula & Sadie's, Durham
• Duke Graduation Weekend (Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be the speaker)&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
• Mother's Day with Goats&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Spring Haven Farm, Chapel Hill
• UNC Baseball vs. Louisville&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Boshamer Stadium, Chapel Hill
• The Bazaar&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Carrboro Town Commons, Carrboro
• Mother's Day Brunch&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Il Palio, Chapel Hill
• Mother's Day Brunch Buffet&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Tandem, Carrboro
• Lø Spirit&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Cat's Cradle, Carrboro
• Raleigh Underground Market&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Midtown Park, Raleigh
• World Falun Dafa Day&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), Fred G. Bond Metro Park and Boathouse, Cary
• NCCMI Spring Concert 2&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, Raleigh
• Mr. Bungle&mc_cid=c4851cb69b&mc_eid=UNIQID), The Ritz, Raleigh

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Went to a 7-day trip to Vietnam, tried using Patagonia Refugio 26L,
failed to pack all this in my kanken, so bought this one new since I was looking for a bigger bag.
Tried Fjallraven Raven 28, but it was heavier, always fall forward and the back panel is uncomfortable for me.
Went with Patagonia for the first time, and I absolutely love it.
Clothing worn on plane:
Sunglasses
Uniqlo Airism Underpants
Uniqlo Airism T-shirt loose fit for sleeping, used as pajama the whole trip
ABC Jogger, really comfortable, felt a bit warm for the weather, but perfect for the plane/nighttime stroll
Thicker socks for plane
Merino buff
Vivobarefoot Trail Knit FG
Light jacket (will be packed the whole trip)
Clothing packed, packed in Peak Design cubes M&S, and shoe pouch,:
Uniqlo Airism Underpants x6
T-shirt x5 (Mostly Uniqlo, for the lightweight)
Tank top x1 (H&M)
Socks x2 (Darn tough no show)
Swimming trunks (doubles as a everyday shorts)
Xero Shoes Z-trek ii
Toiletries all packed In MUJI Toiletries bag:
Matador Travel Towel
Toothbrush, Toothpaste
Razor
Deodorant
Facewash
Moisturizer, Retinol, Sunscreen
Bandaid
Headache, diarrhea, motion sickness medicine
Loop Earplug
Tech:
Macbook Air 13"
Apple Watch
Bose Headphones
Anker Powerbank
External SSD
Anker powerblock, USB-C x3, USB-A x1
Cable charger (USB-C #1)
Thunderbolt Cable (USB-C #2)
Short USB-C-USB-C (USB-C #3)
USB-A -> USB-C (USB-A #1)
Documents:
Passport
Wise card
Japan Residence card
Insurance card
ETC packed in MUJI rolling pouch:
Keytool + key, Repel umbrella, Mask, Ballpoint, Spork
What went right:

1. Packing was surprisingly easy even though it's an EDC pack, since I had to unpack all toiletries, clothing in each hotel anyway. The bag is really flexible, so repacking everything is a breeze.
   
2. MVP for this trip is the earplug, hotel rooms that I got was not soundproof, and if you know Vietnam, they blast their horn almost 24 hours. Arguably I can just bring wireless earphones instead of big headphones, but the weight, and the shape makes it so easy for it not to fall from my ear (tested, 8 hours of sleep, it stayed in my ear)
   
3. Bigger bag means more clothing, means I don't have to do laundry in this trip. I felt it's overpacking since normally I only pack max. 4 clothing and do laundry at least once in all my trip. But honestly, the burden-free feeling that I can just throw it in my packing cube is amazing (I am lazy)
   

What went wrong:

1. My toothbrush got flagged by airport security, not my umbrella, not my big face soap, not my laptop, toothbrush. It's a clicFIT brush, so I think all metal body and the handle part triggered them. I stayed still while the guy unpack everything and didn't find my toothbrush until about 15 minutes. Extra staff finally found out.
   
2. I got upgraded randomly by the airlines and then got moved to front seat, I was planning to try my pack underseat in front of me, but there's no seat, so can't do. The flight going back, there was a front seat, but I stupidly forgot about it and just put my backpack to the overhead luggage.
   
3. Wearing barefoot shoes is fine, but wearing barefoot sandals, without properly preparing my foot first was a mistake, I got blister on my heel and had to wear shoes the rest of the trip. Train your feet folks.
   

I'm really happy with my first Patagonia backpack, I think I'll buy their MLC mini or something for longer trip or if I plan to bring something back from my destination.
All and all, Vietnam is absolutely amazing place to travel to, I found my favorite food other than Banh mi there, which is Bánh cuốn, egg & salt coffee. I recommend it so much, I consumed them everyday when I was there.