#with some maybe georgian era influences

[just-an-enby-lemon]

I wrote something for my Georgian Body Hopper Elias and XXI century Beholding upstart employee Jonah AU:

When asked how did he manage to get promoted to head of the an academic institute - normally with some rude intonation that was clearly insinuating his lack of competency - Elias Bouchard would use his amazing bullshiting talents to make a passionate speech about how behind his lax posture he had a firm work ethic and a knack for both the supernatural and finances. In reality it was mostly the fact that by trying to prevent him from “walking with the wrong crowd” his father had in actuality throwed him directly into the worst influences and what should be another vain attempt to impress the old man - and maybe have some secret quick fuck before he had to finally fold into an arranged marriage that luckily never came - only caused his downfall into a terrible cruel worship. 

Years ago. Before fear took him down Elias Bouchard was not a curious man. He was on the other hand a truly adaptable man and one that liked to experiment more than most, he also has always been a coward. Too afraid of being the only one left as all his friends falled one way or the other to malicious gods and as Robert failed, he realized he too needed to choose divinity. He looked for the less violent options and since he really disliked loneliness to the point of getting himself into this situation to begin with… He had no choice but to choose the Eye,

There was a reason that even though he was one of the oldest avatars he and his Institute were still mostly sawn as a joke (or a threat but the last was all thanks to Gertrude). He was faithful to his god but also terrified of it and the fates worse than death Beholder must grant to his failed followers (Albretch and the eyes everywhere come to mind). So he watched, he did nothing to protect his friends, unsure he even could, as he observed every aspect of their demise and he kept watching. In the better days he was truly grateful to his patron, in the worst he would consider death, still he clingled to the only life he knew, going between bodies and sometimes choosing the type of unknown person he could just pass his old name to.  

Still he would say that all of his victims - including the ones whose body he stole - were an accident, a weed induced trip or just a bolt of having a paranoia evil god living rent free insise his head. The complicated situation he was in right now was none of it. 

It started with a Lukas. 

Elias truly hated the Lukases. Alas he needed them for funding, so when Peter Lukas mentioned a new kid that hanged with him and Annabelle and was a truly Eye freak he easily conceded in interviewing the poor sod. The last time Annabelle had given him Jon, someone that the Eye was clearly fond off and hopefully the soon to be solution to Gertrude’s mess, honestly if Jon wasn’t such an active worker - and a handsome one at that - Elias would have thrown him as an assistant and ensure he became Gertrude’s successor soon and by any means necessary, unfortunately doing that would generate a deficit in production and Bouchard, who was never really good with money even as rich man in the georgian era, could not afford to take. Peter mostly only gave him leftovers which all things considered was still really good for a Lukas. 

The first impression he had of the kid was that it made a lot of sense that he knew Annabelle, as both of them clearly had the same vintage clothing sense, the second was that between his plump lips and mid length red hair he was very attractive and would surely be a satisfying meal. His academic credentials were, in Elias' opinion, way too good for the Institute, but most of his employees were in different levels of way too good for this weird dead end job, except the fun nervous wreck in the library that had strayed up lied about everything. He smiled predatorily to his next meal, hiring people was always an acceptable lunch, is not like they wouldn’t have anxiety in a normal job interview anyway, for an instance he saw a flash of terror, the words “the moment you die will feel exactly the same as this one” and then nothing, only static and gray eyes that looked way too old Looking at him, Elias had forgotten he still could be Seen, or maybe hoped he couldn’t, not in any significant way, not besides Jon unconscious slips or Gertrude intimidating stare. He felt true terror in his bones. He could almost see the Beholding saying mine.

“Mr. Bouchard, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” The young man said politely. “Peter tales don’t get close to the magnificence that is this place.”

“The pleasure is mine” More like Beholding’s, he thought angrily. “Perdon me, I reckon that in the middle of so many applications I forgot your name.” He knew it pretty well. He just needed a moment to compose himself. He was sure there was nothing to worry about, the Eye was satisfied enough with him, he wasn’t perfect but he wasn’t a lost cause… The Eye wouldn’t send another Watcher. Would it?

“Jonah Magnus, sir, but Jonah is good enough.” He was still Watching him. Filling him with dread.

“So Jonah, what makes you want to work at the Bouchard Institute of Paranormal Studies?” 

Magnus smiled. This time not predatorily nor with the subtle look that showed he saw himself as somehow more than Elias, but a truly full wishful smile.

“My God is calling me home.” 

His voice was velvet,  powerful and Elias knew he had to let the boy join, he also knew he had to find a way to deal with it, maybe convince the Beholder of having two Watchers? Or something else. Anything at all. Fast.

A small but still significant part of him considered that maybe he should break his rule and consider murder this time, full murder no excuses. Jonah smilled, suspiciously like he had read Elias mind and found the consideration of murder amusing.

He was completly, undeniably fucked.

[asoulwithadream]

Analysing some parts of Prince's "The Beautiful Ones" because they're pirating suspiciously pirately....

I have way too much free time........

Is it him or is it me?

This refers to Blackbeard/Ed: where Ed is unsure, mainly because of his own thoughts and Izzy's influence, what he's supposed to be. Perhaps he was sure around the time of the Act of Grace, but Stede leaving has very dramatically twisted his perception on Stede's supposed feelings for him. Perhaps Stede's pursuit of him makes him confused on what Stede's after, if he's in love with his superficial personality, like the majority of those around him, or loves him for who he really is.

Don't make me waste my time Don't make me lose my mind, baby

Again, more of what I think is connected to the wedding scene: Ed seeing Stede everywhere. Is this after he gets the message in the bottle? We know Frenchie can't read, so maybe Jim read it for him, or someone else from his crew. (Of course, I don't know if Stede's "I love everything about you" is actually the letter, and am debating on whether or not it's said directly to Ed.)

Baby, baby, baby Can't you stay with me tonight? Oh baby, baby, baby Don't my kisses please you right?

This part is so reminiscent of the end of the Act of Grace— he wants to know why Stede didn't stay with him afterwards, why he didn't go with him off to China that night, and was it because of his straightforwardness and his kiss, which Ed knows that he himself initiated? I think he tells himself that he knows why, that it was because of himself as Ed, being vulnerable, not Blackbeard. ("Is it him, or is it me?") But deep down, he's completely unaware, and it sparks an ever-lasting worry.

You were so hard to find The beautiful ones, they hurt you every time

Ed spent his life searching for something meaningful- he's been a pirate for so incredibly long, ever since he was a boy on Hornigold's ship. And now that finally he's found someone that's piqued his interest, that makes him soften and appreciate the calmer things in life, that actually inspires him to almost fully retire from piracy and do what he personally finds pleasant, after all these years, it crumbles with a single dawn. The beautiful ones: something which can be used to accurately describe Stede. Not only is he the ideal beauty standard during the beginning of the Georgian era, essentially a ye olde model, but Ed finds him incredibly beautiful in both looks, personality, interests, and his unique take on the world and one doing things which Ed would usually overlook or think of differently. That's why he fell in love. But he was hurt, badly.

Paint a perfect picture Bring to life a vision in one's mind The beautiful ones Always smash the picture Always, every time

Of course, now we're on the topic of the infamous lighthouse painting, the only visible part of Stede that survives on the ship (except from the auxiliary wardrobe?). The perfect picture encompasses their relationship from Ed's perspective; Stede is a lighthouse, and if you get too close, you "crack up on the rocks." This vision is brought alight with Stede, but it's a senseless and fake reality, at least for Ed after the Act of Grace episode. He's now learnt not to trust these vulnerable moments, smash them, just as this dream was smashed for him.

If I told you baby That I was in love with you Oh baby, baby, baby If we got married Would that be cool?

The mention of marriage in this song, especially after the entire scene with the interrupted boat-marriage, Ed's decoration of the wedding cake toppers, and his very dreary and tired "objection", just points incredibly obviously to some form of matetolage in the season. It's so obvious, plus the fact that a form of gay pirate wedding is historically available for Stede and Ed is too good of a chance to pass on; if they don't do it now, they will do it sometime in another season or in the future. Nevertheless, Ed still loves Stede, and that's the bottom line.

You make me so confused The beautiful ones You'll always seem to lose

Of course, referring back to the previous mention of the beautiful one, this can relate to Stede again, and Ed's confusion on his supposed betrayal, however now, it has the added description of the beautiful one being lost to him, which strengthens his nihilistic thoughts regarding stable and loving mutual relationships (I've already kind of discussed this, so I'll keep it short.)

I may not know where I'm going, babe I said, I may not know what I need One thing, one thing's for certain baby I know what I want, yeah And if it please you baby Please you, baby I'm begging down on my knees I want you

Now, where I thought that the song began in Ed's perspective, I think it starts to revert to Stede's gradually, especially this part. There are other bits of the song which can be interpreted through Stede's eyes, however this is the one that stands out to me the most as something distinctly Stede-esque. His ineptitude to piracy and sailing are represented in the first line, however it is paralleled with his wish to get to Ed. After his realisation with Mary that he is indeed in love with Ed, and everything about him ("breathing the same air"), he knows exactly what his mission is, and he will do anything, no matter the limits of his understanding, to get to it. He'll beg, he'll weep, he'll do anything at all, to make both the world and Ed himself understand what exactly it is he wants.

[aubreycasuallyobsesses]

Sweet, Sweet is the Greeting of Eyes pt. 1

Lady Veronica x Forsythe Pendleton Jones III

Summary: It’s 1819 England—two young adults have found a mutual admiration for each other over hours of exchanging words about poetry, literature, science and the arts. The first, Lady Veronica, is wealthy beyond imagination, but so isolated in her country home. The second is Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, an academic who thrived while educating the underprivileged youths of London. The bond they slowly form over time is what they both want and crave...but what did it all mean for their own futures - both together, and singularly.

Notes: Oh my god. This is my first ever actual fic, let alone a regency!au, I hope you like it @kindnessinpain2000 , time got away from me this month, but this was fun to create! I really loved all your requests, but this vibe really stuck in my mind. I think I’ll probably do 1-2 more parts if you love this...Happy Holidays love! Also, I know the title is from a John Keats poem he wrote in a letter in June 1818, to George and Georgiana Keats - which was first published in 1925, but I swear it’s something they’d exchange in this fic, so I’m going with it. 

Warnings: Honestly none, maybe just some major slow burn, and a touch of the typical moody Jughead we know and love.

X

It was 1819 and spring was finally here. As he approached Pembrooke, hired on as a tutor by one of the wealthiest families on this side of Oxford, he couldn’t help but miss the city. The constant change of faces, never-ending booksellers and his students. He taught underprivileged teens and young adults how to read. Watching each come alive while reading his favorite literature was fascinating to him. Leaving London for permanent employment at a country house didn’t spark anything thrilling for him, but the financial security felt like a need due to unforeseen familial issues that recently arose. Little did he know his entire future would be upended soon enough.

Forsythe Pendleton Jones III was an academic who had a way with words. Compared to others of a similar age, he was incredibly well educated. With a swath of floppy dark brown waves, a stare that could pierce one's soul and an air of mystery behind his eyes. Women of all ages noticed him. He was never one for romance, he could be, but no one intrigued him longer than a few minutes. That is until he walked into the entrance hall of the country home. He was greeted by The Lord and Lady Pembrooke and more specifically their only daughter, Lady Veronica.

As the weeks passed and time turned to months, he fell into a simple routine, or as simple as one could get existing within this environment. His mornings consisted of tea, reading alone in the study prior to making his way to the north library for daily education. He tutored Lord Pembrooke’s young nephews from Spain, who now lived in England year-round. Although compared to his typical London pupils, they had been exposed at an early age to some of the best literature, art, music, mathematics, and sciences one could afford. However, just like his former pupils, the boys still had that spark in their eye and an excitement for learning. Most days were spent this way, with evenings in the library, where he often read aloud to the family and distant relatives or friends of the Lord and Lady who spent weekends in the country.

During the seemingly endless evenings immersed in a book, he grew to look forward to Saturdays most. This was when Lady Veronica read to the boys in the afternoons while he prepared the lessons for the following week. Oftentimes he found himself distracted and lost in thought while she took over the study with her voice, which was so unlike him. Where were these thoughts creeping in from, why her of all people, it’s not like he had a chance to ever publicly declare he had these thoughts about her. They were from two very different backgrounds, while he was well off and had some slight social advantages, her father would never allow for their lives to intertwine romantically.

It was after one of these weekend afternoons, while he was lost in a recently published science essay for the boys Monday lessons, that he looked up just as Lady Veronica passed by the desk and softly dropped a small envelope on his never-ending stack of textbooks. After they shared a mutually discreet glance, she was gone from the room. Although he was anxious to rip the parchment open and delve into whatever she had written to him, he slowly collected his papers, books, quills, sure to not forget her mysterious note and with haste escaped to his living quarters in the north wing. Once inside, he settled at his chair near the window to unseal the unassuming note. He was immediately caught by her graceful and quickly scrawled words. It was not known that he had a fondness for the romantic sonnets of the past and present, but more specifically Lord George Byron. How she had known this, he assumed was purely coincidental.

And like music on the waters    Is thy sweet voice to me: When, as if its sound were causing The charmed ocean’s pausing, The waves lie still and gleaming, And the lull’d winds seem dreaming:                Meet me in the garden at half-past dusk tomorrow...LV.

Moving from the window to his desk, removing a quill, some parchment and settling in to contemplate how to reply. He needed to write something in such a way that conveyed every thought of her that occupied his mind, without seeming entirely too infatuated or overbearing,  he scrawled down, not his own words, but Percy Bysshe Shelly.

Thy gentle words are drops of balm

  In life’s too bitter bowl;

These choicest blessings I have

       known.

Harriet! If all who long to live

 In the warm sunshine of thine eyes, -F

After sealing the small note, Forsythe needed to find a moment to slip it to her unnoticed. The family resided in the east wing, which he rarely ventured to. It needed to be inconspicuous; however, he could hardly ask her lady’s maid, Elisbeth to hand off the note to her without stirring up whispers among the others. He decided to wait until after their shared family meal, and while he selected a book to read that evening. She routinely wandered the library and would choose favorites for him to read passages from, while Lord and Lady Pembrooke said their goodnights to the boys prior to joining for the evening. Tonight while he handed off a Wordsworth’s An Evening Walk and Descriptive Sketches, to her, they shared a quick glance and brushed fingertips. With his small token of admiration tucked inside the cover.

The night passed excruciatingly too slow for him. The following day, while he enjoyed the time spent delving into their expansive literature collection, he wanted nothing more than to somehow speed time and space up to get through the next day. Although he had a leisurely day of riding with Lord Pembrooke in the northeastern Cotswolds, on which Pembrooke sat with all of its stately, silent power - his mind was consumed entirely by Lady Veronica throughout the afternoon outing. Lord Pembrooke continued to engage in conversation with him throughout the day gone, most of which consisted of him trying to convince Forsythe into participating in his humorous antics with his valet and the young men who rode along. It was a pleasant escape from the normal academic rigors of the last weeks, but he wanted nothing more than for dusk to finally arrive.

With time finally on his side, he made his way out the north side exit to the sweeping gardens south of the home, he couldn’t help but feel a small sliver of anxiety. This is not something he normally did. Secret stolen glances, mysterious garden strolls with a woman of her caliber were just not things Forsythe Pendleton Jones III participated in. But there was something different about Lady Veronica. She was an enigma. Other ladies of a similar age were already well acquainted with love and romance, oftentimes already marrying a gentleman of significant family power and notoriety. Yet, here she was, sharing mutual glances with him over literature. Discussing the works of today’s most influential authors and poets with him in the study throughout the days. How had fate placed her in his path, was this to be a fleeting moment or the start of something more.  

Lost in wandering a section covered in soft moss and wildflowers near the outskirts of the garden, he hadn’t heard her approach. Suddenly she was next to him and he was unable to form a coherent thought to create a sentence. Luckily for him, she took the lead, “Hello Forsythe, I see you have found yourself in my absolute favorite section of my mother’s garden, shall we walk?” She slipped her graceful hand into the nook of his arm and thus began their secret conversations.

As they wandered aimlessly throughout the Pembrooke’s unparalleled garden, they shared slowly about their favorite topics, uncovering what made their minds operate. When each realized, unbeknownst to them, that this was not going to be a singular incident. They were discovering that there was another soul in the universe that related to their own mind, even heart, so closely. Just as they were rounding another corner of the labyrinth they had aimlessly strolled into, thunder was heard above. Soon enough it was a ceaseless rainfall. Removing his tailcoat and draping it over her small frame, they found refuge from the summer storm, in the small garden pavilion.

While waiting for the rain to cease, they sat in comfortable silence. Each reveling in the absolute quiet that always happens during a particularly hard rainfall. While she watched the garden and contained all the words that he too was holding back for fear of breaking the magic spell that fell over them. He couldn’t help but let his mind wander again. To all of the countless times he had admired, not just her mind, but her outward beauty as well. She had dark hair, just a shade darker than his own, nearly the color of a raven’s feathers. With facial features that he saw as almost exotic compared to other women he saw while living in London, yet her face was also so familiar to him. Lost in his own mind yet again, he hadn’t noticed that she glanced over while he leaned back against the pillar of the stone pavilion. With a smirk on her face and a devilish glint in her eye, “Forsythe, dare I say we escape this cold night and make a run for shelter?”

After giving hardly any thought to the inquiry, “Oh, Lady Veronica, I thought you would like to stay here, with me and exist in this freezing realm of silence forever?”

With a laugh and a shake of her raven-haired head, she said, “I should never leave if I didn’t have to Forsythe.” Taking her hand, he whisked her into the storm across the garden, in the direction of Pembrooke.

As they ran towards the warmth of the fireplaces and dry clothing that awaited each of them inside. Unknown to each of them was what fate truly did have in store for them. The neverending hours wandering the gardens, learning the deepest feelings of one another. The endless laughs exchanged over comedic books, reading poems, literature and countless notes covertly exchanged. What it all meant for their own futures - both together, and singularly.

[simonfarnabyslegs]

for the ask game: Julian, Captain and Humphrey! :)

julian

a song that reminds me of them: a cop out, since this one is canon. any time i hear "i'll make love to you," i think of him singing that at music club (and also mary going "i don't want him toooo" lol). i also feel like he would LOVE britney spears's music.

what they smell like: really expensive but really bad aftershave and too much cologne. also alcohol and sex. but the first thing you notice is the bad aftershave.

an otp: him and robin. there is no other acceptable pairing. i do think it would be funny if he and fanny had a thing though. or him and the captain (alison walks in on them doing something and the captain just yells "WE'RE JUST A COUPLE OF CHAPS IN THE LIBRARY" while julian isn't even trying to keep what they were just doing a secret).

a notp: uhhh him and kitty. she's the only one i would be mad about tbh.

favorite platonic/familial relationships: the way he's like a really awful, bad-influence uncle to alison.

a headcanon that is popular in the fandom but that i disagree with: i can't think of one. we all generally agree that he's a hilarious bastard man and come up with stuff accordingly.

the position they sleep in: he sleeps in the exact middle of the bed, or he starts out on one side, since he's used to sharing in life, but gradually spreads out, and if anyone else tried to sleep in the same bed as him they'd be really annoyed because he always manages to hog so much space and leave them barely hanging onto the edge.

a crossover au i'd love to see them in: very unoriginal, but i'd love to see a horrible histories stupid deaths segment with him.

my favorite outfit they've ever worn: we've seen a couple now actually, unlike some of the other ghosts. but i really do prefer the no trousers look and anything else is slightly unsettling if i'm honest.

the captain

a song that reminds me of them: i really can't think of one. the captain isn't one of my favourite characters so i don't really think a lot about him when i listen to music. sorry.

what they smell like: weirdly, i think he smells like nothing. like. unsettlingly so. you almost want him to smell like something, but he just. doesn't. he's very clean, but he doesn't even smell like soap. it's just. an empty air smell, if you can describe it as such. he smokes, too, so you'd expect a tobacco smell or a smoke smell, but even that isn't there. this man just smells like nothing.

an otp: i don't ship him with any of the other ghosts in the house. i do think him and julian hooking up exactly one (1) time could lead to multiple hilarious comedic possibilities, but i don't want them to be in a relationship.

a notp: i saw someone shipping him with fanny and just... no. that doesn't make any sense.

favorite platonic/familial relationships: i love how he's just got that Dad Instinct. he looked at kitty and alison and went "isn't anyone going to father these young ladies?" and didn't wait for an answer.

a headcanon that is popular in the fandom but that i disagree with: i don't like the patcaps ship.

the position they sleep in: series 1 cap slept board-straight in the bed, almost like he was standing at attention. series 3 cap probably sleeps curled up on his side, or on his stomach, or curled up all nice and comfy.

a crossover au i'd love to see them in: young wwi era cap in series 2 of downton abbey. i don't know if i'd like to see him turn up as a young man in the trenches or one of the patients at downton, or maybe as a medical officer like thomas barrow, in the lower ranks, helping out in the background.

my favorite outfit they've ever worn: *gestures* this?

humphrey

a song that reminds me of them: "blue caravan" by vienna teng. after all the "mr. cheese" stuff, i got to thinking about how he probably has a lot of time to imagine the different lives he could have had if circumstances had been different, and this song is about imagining the perfect supportive, caring partner, but realising that they're not real and it's just a foolish self delusion. or perhaps a lighter, more hopeful version of the same theme, "jackie and wilson" by hozier, where the narrator once again imagines a partner and an ideal life which they haven't achieved yet, but they're still holding out for.

what they smell like: okay so tudors only bathed like once every six to eight weeks or something like that. they believed baths were bad for them. not only that, wealthy tudors' diets were appalling. so unfortunately he probably doesn't smell great. (but luckily i've never had much of a sense of smell, so.....)

an otp: him and someone who actually likes him and wants to talk to him and spend time with him. so far we haven't seen that, so for now i'll keep making up random ocs to set him up with.

a notp: him and thomas, since thomas is so horrible to him.

favorite platonic/familial relationships: i'd love to see him be yet another dad to alison, or to kitty.

a headcanon that is popular in the fandom but that i disagree with: i don't like the whole humphrey and jemima thing because a lot of the stuff is either really fucking uncomfortable, or the people who write it make it weird by babying jemima. she's 11-12 years old and they treat her like she's four years old and that just feels really weird to me. obviously she's a kid and she should be treated like one, but there's also such a thing as age appropriate parenting. also i'm pretty sure jemima is meant to be one of john's kids who also died of the plague so like. acting like she's all alone and hasn't got any parents or anyone at all is so confusing to me because if she's one of john's kids, she's got like twenty parents. we just don't see her with the plague ghosts because like any kid, she probably goes off and plays away from her parents during the day. anyway.

the position they sleep in: when he was alive i feel like he would fall asleep in a normal position, on his back or on his side, but when his valet or whoever went to wake him up in the morning, he was always like, hanging off the bed or laying at a weird angle and they were always like "how the fuck did he even get like that." in death, like. his head just sleeps however it was set down or dropped. and i'm a fan of your headcanon that the body just collapses wherever it is when his head falls asleep.

a crossover au i'd love to see them in: forgive me for saying downton abbey again but i'm doing a rewatch with one of my friends. i'm gonna throw him into the edwardian era as some random gentleman cousin and he and lady edith are going to be poor, pitiful, unlucky-in-love besties who bond over all the ridiculously tragic shit that's happened to them and how they always get bullied or left out of things.

my favorite outfit they've ever worn: he technically only has one outfit (damn the bbc for putting the whole costuming budget into the georgian episode instead of the tudor one. /j), but i like the dressed down version where he's just in the white shirt and the breeches. he looks. very handsome. in that scene. ahem.

[reimenaashelyee]

History for Granted, or When a Marginal Voice Tackles The Main Text

My thoughts about being a marginalised creator who chose to make a graphic novel on a historical figure in the dominant Western canon. About why I didn't choose a lesser-known history instead. About why, either way, it is not a loss to POC representation

Reposted from my official blog, where I keep all my long-form thoughts.

Some of you may know I write historical fiction. Some of you may also know I’ve been chipping away on an Alexander the Great graphic novel.

My role as a historical graphic novelist has been stewing in the back of my mind for a while now. Actually, the stewing began when I first thought of The Carpet Merchant of Konstantiniyya, but I already know my insights from that project. Be actively thoughtful. Be self aware of how your own biases and societal context influence your storytelling. Recognise the people before and around you. Use your power to bring up voices. Understand that the work of being a responsible author lasts beyond the final page of your story.

Such is the case for Alexander, The Servant and The Water of Life. What I have learnt from TCM still carries over, thank goodness.

However, since last November, I realised that Alexander is a different kettle of fish. I already knew this early on: the mindboggling breadth and scope of research material, the baggage carried by the subject, and the newness of everything. While TCM focused on a narrow historical context (Ottoman era Istanbulite migrates to Georgian era England), and had the advantage of me knowing the lead character for years prior (Zeynel, my precious nerd son…), Alexander was from scratch. I didn’t know just how many Alexander Romances I really needed to read. I didn’t know much about ancient Greek anything. I didn’t know an atom about Alexander the Great himself – really, it was zilch.

Which means my responsibilities this time have a somewhat different character. A different edge.

I don’t write historical fiction about royalties or the elite. The most I have ever been interested in is a well-to-do merchant. Even then, my merchant would have an uncommon edge; he is with the common people. That’s where my interests lie: in the common people. The ordinary people outside of the court who go about their daily ordinary lives and daily ordinary struggles. The ups and downs and ins and outs of aristocrats and royals don’t excite me as much.

Then why Alexander? Honestly, he’s an exception.

Not because he’s suddenly a royal that interests me. Seriously, no royal will ever interest me enough to make a GN out of their life, based on their biography alone. (Though King James of the King James Bible and the secret tunnel to his boyfriend make a convincing petition) Alexander came to me in a roundabout way. A trick. He fooled me to exception by showing me his resume: Macedonian king, prophecised Egyptian pharoah, Persian king, son of a god, Jewish convert, Christian hero, Muslim prophet. And he showed me how many different cultures have absorbed him into their folk mythology over 2000 years. Even as the world changed and his body laid somewhere in Egypt, his shade travelled the world. He’s the only secular figure with similar cultural-legendary reach as Jesus. King Arthur can’t claim that. Heck, even Odysseus can’t claim that. Oh, how could I have resisted? This is exactly what I am all about.

This is all Alexander by the way.

The common people’s Alexander. The story of how different places have appropriated and localised him over time. Gave him different faces. Gave him slightly different names. Gave him quests and adventures and stories that had absolutely nothing to do with ancient Greece. Made him the believer of a pantheon into a believer of a singular God.

What brought me here is this literal embodiment of world literature. But he’s not an epic. He’s popular legend. And he doesn’t belong to any one culture or time or place. He’s everywhere.

But like I said, this kettle of fish is different.

Alexander the Great is not exactly the most obscure of histories. He’s a military idol. A national figurehead. He was a man. He was from ancient Greece. He’s claimed as a “heritage of the Western (read: white) world”, an excuse for why conquest is the legacy of the white, Western man. This is Alexander’s baggage, as I call it.

As a woman of colour (WOC) author from the global south, I’m aware of my (small, individual amount of) power to bring up unheard of histories. Unseen biographies of little known people. A glimpse into outside cultures and voices that Western-dominated media and education gloss over like wallpaper. I could have written about Puteri Gunung Ledang, or May 13th 1969, or the history of how my family came to Malaysia sometime during the Xinhai Revolution. I have no obligation to write about Alexander, because until last November, he was seriously a cultural nobody to me. I have no stake in the furthering the hegemony of Western history.

And I think, maybe not owning that stake is why it’s necessary.

Just as important as minorities writing about little known histories, minorities should write about the histories that are taken for granted. Because of our unique experiences with the consequences of colonialism, slavery, violence, discrimination, dehumanisation, etc, we look at history differently. It’s not about who wins or who loses. It’s about who is missing, who is harmed, what is lost…the gaps made by what was edited out.

With those glasses on, history taken for granted – if not already thoroughly given a critical cleansing – is shown to be what it really is: a history that isn’t as well-known as we thought. (and that’s okay)

I won’t be alone in saying I had no clue Alexander belonged to nobody and everybody (because everyone in the old world has an Alexander). For a long time, Western white history was gatekept, using the reasoning that whatever they claimed had an easy connect-the-dots relationship to their present day (even though I always knew that claim was oversimplified, anti-intellectual thinking). But, all of these things are simply whitewashed facades. The truth is that, like Greco-Roman everything, like Norse history, like Christian destiny, they are more complex, more diverse, more ambiguous, than what these facades can contain.

Just working with Alexander through the framework of the Alexander Romance already blows up general misconceptions about history: that history was a bubble, homogenous and separated from each other (“Egyptian history” “Chinese history” “Roman history”, “Christian world”, “Muslim world” “East”, “West”), rarely interacting and influencing.

And looking at Alexander’s actual biography says a lot about how open the world already was in his time. He was king of three empires. His pre-Hellenistic world was multicultural and diverse. It wasn’t all white marble statues. It was, like what reality is, painted technicolour marble statues.

The Victorian era archeologists who whitewashed those statues stripped off more than just the colour. They took off knowledge.

After a lot of thinking, I feel like I’m in a good place to make a GN about Alexander and the Alexander Romance.

It’s not a confidence thing, though tbh, I believe that as a WOC creator from the global south I cannot afford to doubt myself. It’s more about the position I am in and the new perspective I can offer about a historical-legendary figure taken for granted. And there’s my endless well of passion for multicolour histories. Alongside my desire to decolonialise everything.

It’s not a loss that I have chosen to work on a history taken for granted. Historical GNs are still dominated by the white Western cis-male perspective, both in subject and authorship. To be clear, I wouldn’t consider that particular perspective wrong or lesser on its own. My only qualm is when that perspective becomes the majority perspective, or worst the only perspective, which is given to an audience. I always think about this TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie, about the Danger of a Single Story:

Me being here, telling an entirely different story, is a statement by itself.

Even then, I shouldn’t need to justify my choice. Whether it’s to a person who tells me I shouldn’t pursue Alexander because he’s a part of the dominant narrative, or to another person who tells me that as a minority creator I must adhere to my social responsibility (responsibility demanded by whom?) to tell little known histories or stories. Again, in my case, I think it’s not a loss which way I go, Alexander or not, because whatever I write is going to be a different story.

I think the only loss is when there aren’t still yet more marginalised authors to take on both the little known histories and histories taken for granted. The project of diversifying storytelling is not demanding the few marginalised voices to choose the correct, exotic, culturally-representative dish they had to bring to the potluck, but making the table wider, inviting more voices, so that, by author’s choice, any dish can be present and enjoyed by everyone.

My choice in whatever story I desire to write, as long as it doesn’t bring harm and intolerance and it undergoes the necessary self-interrogation, should be a choice that is already given. If white, Western authors can have this freedom, why not everyone else? Why must minority voices be defaulted to never having this good faith at the start?

Is it not enough that we already suffer from a lack of representation and a lack of self-esteem? Must our hands be tied even tighter, to be told that even our own voice cannot be trusted, because that trust has been abused over and over by the dominant voice?

Every new voice that is encouraged to speak is one more step towards making the table bigger.

This is one of my responsibilities of being a (historical) graphic novelist. I am here to encourage, and to make the table bigger. I am here to say, oh look, this particular history is exciting too, see how weird and creative and large the world already was.

And for Alexander GN in particular, it’s about showing that we have shared a historical-literary figure. That Alexander (and his baggage) isn’t immune to criticism. That by bringing him back the way I’m planning to, I’m no longer just talking about Alexander of Macedon. I am talking about Sikandar. I am talking about Alisaunder. I am talking about the Alexander conceptualised by Nizami, by Arrian, by Joseph Flavius, by every hand who has ever written and drew their own Alexander.*

Already, is that not a hundred different stories? * despite the fact all of these voices were male…well that’s gonna change

There will be time for me to write of lesser-known histories, if I feel the calling. Maybe I won’t ever. (I did tell myself The Carpet Merchant was the last historical GN I’ll ever do in forever…here I am. Nothing is predicted.) And if I’m not compelled, again, that is not a loss.

I am not the only one with a voice.

[bitofthisandthat]

¡! for eris n hebe maybe?

Send “¡!” and I’ll tell you 3 ideas I have for a plot between our characters

[ VERY SELECTIVELY ACCEPTING / CLOSED ]

@inoblivicn

“TEEN” big sis Eris breaking her out of Olympus for mayhem; because she did it for ‘Lythia and Enyo, so it’s an “oldest sister tradition” to break out the younger sisters and go on a spree. Of course, Hebe succeeds at some, fails dismally at others, Eris is her usual “fend for yourself squirt” charming self, but overall funny shenanigans ensue. They also think none of the elder gods or demi-gods are aware of their spree, but COME ON. Momma knows. She has tattle-tale nymphs everywhere, and Eris hasn’t perfected her B&E nuances yet. Both. Grounded. Indefinitely. Obviously, this era takes place before Eris/Ares banishments, so all the sibs are at home on Olympus, together still. Hebe can be a smol or a “teen” herself YOUR choice.

FF to the whole HERAKLES era. I’m not going to hide that Eris sides with Megara; she’s not only a close pal, but on line with her kind of people, so seeing her screwed over to be cast off so that her baby sister is now Herc’s wife, doesn’t sit well with the Discord Goddess. She’s torn between her witchy friend and her baby-baby sister. Eris & Hebe have a lot of tension here. Both anger about the forced marriage ( Hebe’s perspective of course ), and the fact Eris seems to blame Hebe for this. Untrue of course, but….drama. Sibling angst. Mmm.

I’m also a sucker for sticking the Gods into different points of time in History; because they’re eternal, and though their worshipers have evolved away from them or have converted to other faiths, the Gods can roam around the world unknown, forever young & powerful, and watch humans mess things up without them. Eris, I HC still “works” because she takes advantage that most people don’t worship the Gods directly per se, but she can still influence them through other avenues. She actually likes that no one truly worships her anymore, because she can get away with a lot more as a “forgotten” goddess. ( No tributes, no sacrifices? She can wreak havoc now ) BUT, she’s not okay with how sexist historians demoted her to a minor goddess/spirit, or “assistant to Ares” and also retold the Golden Apple story all wrong. So she’s dead set on making mortals suffer for all that. Whether Hebe agrees or not, to have Hebe roaming through each era, maybe she hasn’t seen her siblings in a long while, and they cross paths at various times in history ( middle ages, Georgian, Victorian, etc. ) and How Hebe reacts to her sister’s antics…how Hebe fits into different points of time, like if she’s in Louis the 14th’s court as a courtier undercover, ( or however she spends her time ?? ) they cross paths now and again, and everyone just assumes a dark woman and a light woman are arguing over “female frivolities,” but have NO IDEA who they really are. 

[ki117h3dr4g0n]

” I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! - When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library. “

Jane Austen,”Pride and Prejudice“

I totally agree whit Jane Austen. Man, that girl knew some things about a good book.

I read "Pride and Prejudice" some years ago, and I really enjoyed it. I fell in love with the way J. Austen wrote, and how she portrayed the way people used to think and live. And I know the fact that she lived in the same time period helped a lot, but still. It takes more than a little bit of talent to write a story like that. Especially one written in 1813, by a woman. And, from how she painted the characters you can easily realize she was a feminist.

For starters, the Bennet girls have a say in the family matters, a thing that is pretty unusual for the end of the 18 century, the Georgian Era, when the young Jane Austen began the romantic novel. For exemple, Elizabeth chose to go after Jane to Mr. Bingley's house when she falls ill even though her mother was against it and the mean of transport where... nonexistent, and she arrived full of mud, if I remember it well. I actually, really liked that scene.

The slow bluid into romance is great and I think this is the original enemies to lovers kind of book (just kidding. Well, sort of). The characters are amazing, slightly modern, even though the book is clearly a classic one. I enjoyed the fact that the characters were built around a big character trait, as Elizabeth represented the prejudice and Mr. Darcy, the pride.

Jane Bennet is described as very beautiful and wise, but reserved, and I think her most prominent trait would be put as being nice: beautiful and polite. The younger sisters, in my opinion, can be discribe in one-two words each as stubbornly arrogant for Mary, easily influenced for Catherine (who btw, goes by Kitty and it really surprised me, knowing the book was written in the 18-19 century), and frivolous and headstrong for the younger, Lydia Bennet.

Another remarkable thing, as Wikipedia puts it, is "Jane Austen's opening line, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife", a sentence filled with irony and playfulness. The novel revolves around the importance of marrying for love, not simply for money, despite the social pressures to make a good (i.e., wealthy) match." (As I said I read it about 6 years ago, don't blame me for using some sources.)

A thing that really impressed me at the time was Darcy's letter to Elizabeth, after she refused his first proposal. I actually have no idea why it impressed me so much back then, when I really thought it was "oh, so romantic", because I re-read it about an hour ago and it stroke me that it's not romantic at all, or at least not so much as I thought it was. Such a shock.

Anyway, to wrap this up and as a conclusion, I really liked "Pride and Prejudice". Jane Austen was such a great woman, but most importantly, such a great writer. She left behind an eternal legacy, that every reader who respects itself will come in contact with. To be honest, I'm proud to say I am in love with the way this women writes and I am really glad we don't have only "Pride and Prejudice" but many others, maybe less known, though, to enjoy.

Asta la próxima, amigos!

[yeslookatthisposts]

The psychological reason why people like wearing all black outfits

From Coco Chanel to Audrey Hepburn. Every girl has one, a little black dress(LBD). Black because of many reasons. It makes us look slim, it hides most spots, is flattering, and is easily combined. Not only dresses but a lot of other clothes in the same colour as well. Black has a lot of fans. But do you know why people love to cover themselves in black?

New research has presented us with a reason why people wear a lot of black. It turns out black wearers want to claim power. Sounds weird but bear with me. It can mean different things. It can be because you want to keep your emotions to yourself. You wouldn’t let other people too close to you. Or maybe you just want to be respected? Wearing black can make that clear.

Our brains perceive different so this reaction can vary between people. When an object is hit with light, say your Dr. Martens, the object absorbs some of it and reflects the rest. Light is like waves in the air. Which wavelengths are reflected, depends on the object it shines on. I quote Campbells Biology page 1181 for a brief explanation: “vision begins when photons of light enter the eye and strike the rods and cones. There the energy of each photon is captured by a shift in configuration of a single chemical bond in retinal. Although light detection in the eye is the first stage vision, remember that it is actually the brain that ‘sees’”. The difference in perception may be caused by the difference in the quantity of cones.

Maybe the characteristics don’t really sound positive, but they are! Black makes you display an air of power and high esteem. It’s the perfect colour for making an impression and look extremely attractive. Its seen as the most attractive colour to wear.

Black attire has always been worn. In the Georgian and Victorian eras, it was endeared. You could be mourning a long time, up to four(!) years after a death. Vogue predicted the LBD would become “a sort of uniform for all women of taste”. After more than 90 years we can safely say Vogue was right! It was first brought on the market in the ’20s, designed by Coco Chanel. It was simple, easy to accessorize, and available to all women all around the globe. You could be elegant while being able to afford it. Nowadays, people still wear black. People like the model and influencer Yura. She has styles that vary from Harajuku to Gothic Lolita. She said she loves wearing black in #WORNDIFFERENT, a blog by Dr. Martens.

I think your characteristics don’t necessarily reflect in your clothes. Especially nowadays, with fast fashion. Today I can look like a goth, and tomorrow I’ll change clothes and look vintage. There doesn’t need to be a fixed style anymore. Also, styles can be combined. Sneakers under a dress? It’s all good. Among others, Caro Daur was spotted with this combination. I think people will never stop wearing black clothes. It can say a lot of things. It can be chic like Audrey Hepburn or punk like in the ‘70s.

In the future, I think wearing all black outfits will result in a society where we don’t judge others on their looks, rather on their personality. 

This post was based on and inspired by a post written by Bente de Bruin on Cosmopolitan.com

Bruin, B. d. (2018, 1 12). Zwart dragen is zo fijn om déze psychologishe reden. From cosmopolitan

Sources:

Goldstone, P. (2017, 8 4). A short yet comprehensive history of the little black dress. Retrieved from MarieClaire: http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/little-black-dress-524293

Pappas, S. (2010, 04 29). How do we see color? Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/32559-why-do-we-see-in-color.html

WORNDIFFERENT. (2018, 2 1). blog. Retrieved from Dr. Martens: https://blog.drmartens.com/yura-worndifferent/

[janeaustentextposts]

I feel like I may be wrong about this, but often I hear Jane Austen's novels referred to as "Romance" novels (meaning from the Romantic period), when actually they don't share many characteristics with other Romantic works. Maybe that's where the confusion lies with classing her novels as romantic?

Given Austen’s penchant for Georgian-style satire and dry wit in her works, and her particular skewering of Romanticism when it comes to the meta-commentary of Northanger Abbey and the characterization of Marianne Dashwood, it would clearly be wrong to categorize Austen’s canon as a part of the artistic and intellectual movement of the period, which was just getting underway at the end of her lifetime. To some degree some of her character arcs could be seen as tied to the idea of the Bildungsroman, but as this term wouldn’t come into use until after her death, she is really much more a product of the mid-18th century literary influences she herself would have been reading, as well as contemporary Gothic novels. Romanticism is more rightly and closely associated with later decades, moving well into the Victorian era and the work of Ruskin, the Rossettis, and their ilk. While there’s some overlap between timelines for Austen’s later life and the very beginnings of what would later become the Romantic artistic style proper, I think it’s really stretching things to include Austen among the Romantics, given the clear disparity between tones and styles in general. But given that people routinely muck up periods and tag Baroque et al. as “Victorian”, I doubt anyone has the time or energy to police these misapprehensions on a large scale. 😉

So I can see where some folks might be confused about the periods and the Romantic artistic movement, but it’s a basic mistake which is easily corrected, so I wouldn’t accept that anyone who thought Austen honestly belongs with other Romantic literature knew enough about Austen, at all. It's a mistake I could correct and easily forgive once, but if someone were to insist, I wouldn't waste another moment in trying to sensibly converse with them.

[thecitysidewalks]

12 Day Trips From London

12 Day Trips From London

London is one of the most exciting and vibrant metropolitan cities of the world. While spending time in the city is a must-do, if you're lucky enough to have more than a few days in town, you might want to consider taking a day trip (or two) to explore some of the UK's other gems.

The best part of being in Europe is how convenient it is to get from city to city by train. You can easily get a rail pass from companies like Rail Europe and travel to hundreds of destinations within the continent. 

But before you get that ticket, here's some "destination inspiration" for fun and easy day trips from London that you can make during your stay!

 1. York

Train Time from London: Approx. 2hrs

Oh, how I love York. York is such a charming little town just north of London that is absolutely worth a visit. You can spend your day wandering around "The Shambles," learning history while exploring the walled city, or drinking tea and champagne at Betty's (my favorite). You can easily walk the city in an entire day, or take one of the hop-on hop-off tour buses if that's your sorta thing.

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, families, groups of friends, history lovers, and cultural travel

Search train tickets to York

 2. Oxford

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr

If you're not really in the mood to go very far from London, check out Oxford for the day. You can see the gorgeous, historic university in the heart of town, visit the majestic Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Winston Churchill) just outside the city center, or just wander around the cute city streets. There is lots to explore around Oxford--and even more to hunt down if you're a Harry Potter fan! *Oxford was featured in various scenes of the Harry Potter films, in case you didn't know...

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, families, groups of friends, history lovers, Harry Potter fans, and cultural travel

Search train tickets to Oxford

 3. The Cotswolds

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr 40min

If you're interested in finding yourself in the middle of a fairy tale world, I would suggest a visit to the Cotswolds. Just outside of Oxford is the idyllic region of the Cotswolds. In my opinion, the best way to explore is by taking The Secret Cottage Tour. You can read more about what that tour entails and how to experience the Cotwolds right here! *Pro tip: As I note in that post, you'll want to take the train from London to Moreton-in-Marsh for the easiest access to the area. There isn't a city named "The Cotswolds."

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, families, groups of friends, history lovers, and cultural travel

Search train tickets to The Cotswolds (such as Moreton-in-Marsh)

 4. Harry Potter Studio Tour

Train Time from London: Approx. 20min

For all you Harry Potter fans out there, you simply cannot make a trip to England without visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour just outside of London. Escape into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and see how all of the films were made right on the same sets that they were filmed. I mean...how often do you get to say that you were literally hanging out in Dumbledore's office?! This studio tour is absolutely a must see, especially since it's so closeby!

*Word to the wise: Make sure you get on the direct (express) connection train to Watford Junction from London Euston. I made the mistake once of getting on the local train, which unfortunately stops at every single station on the way (it took 45 minutes instead of 20...ugh), Once you arrive, a Warner Bros. Studio Tour decked out in HP logos will pick you right up from the station. You can't miss it.

Perfect for:  Families, solo travelers, Harry Potter fans, groups of friends, and movie buffs

Search train tickets to Watford Junction

 5. Brighton

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr

Just an hour outside of London is the cheery, beachy town of Brighton. This city basically has the beach scene that London is missing. The best time to come is in the warmer season as the winter season tends to limit the amount of outdoor activities you can do. Come here to stroll down the pier or walk along the beach, see the colorful downtown area, and maybe stop in a trendy cafe or two. The city is also known for their lively LGBTQ community.

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, LGBTQ travelers, groups of friends, families, and outdoorsy travelers

Search train tickets to Brighton

 6. Bath

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr 30min

Bath is known for being a quaint, countryside destination that is famous for its well-preserved Roman-era bathhouses, 18th-century Georgian architecture, and honey-colored bath stone that is used throughout the town's architecture. A trip to Bath is like a trip into history. *Pro tip: if you're feeling up for it, you can combine this visit with a trip to Stonehenge, too. It might be a bit tight for some, but just know it can be done!

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, history lovers, groups of friends, and cultural travel

Search train tickets to Bath

 7. Edinburgh

Train Time from London: Approx. 4hr 30min --OR-- Flight Time from London: Approx. 1hr 20min

At the north end of the UK is the ever-popular town of Edinburgh, Scotland. While it might be a bit long for a train ride (clocking in at under 5 hours), you can always hop on a quick flight in the morning and be in the city in less than 2 hours. Visitors can enjoy the medieval influence and architecture of the Old Town, alongside the elegant charm and Georgian influence of the New Town. There is also a lively food and art scene that shouldn't be missed while visiting.

Perfect for:  Couples, families, solo travelers, groups of friends, foodies, history lovers, and cultural travel

Search train tickets to Edinburgh

 8. Cambridge

Train Time from London: Approx. 50min

Talk about a history lover's paradise! Cambridge boasts one of the world's most prestigious, oldest, and prettiest universities right in town. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, so it's bound to have some really unique stories right within those old walls. Come here to relax around the town, explore the quaint passageways between the historic buildings, and grab a pint or some food at the local pub.

Perfect for:  Groups of friends, solo travelers, couples, history lovers, cultural travel, and educational travel

Search train tickets to Cambridge

 9. Stonehenge

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr 30min

I don't think I need to speak for Stonehenge because this miraculous, prehistoric site speaks for itself. It's not too far from London, so history lovers should definitely put this on their list. It is worth saying that Stonehenge will not take up your full day's itinerary, so you can easily combine it with a nearby city like Bath or Salisbury. *Pro tip: When you arrive to the train station in Salisbury, you'll need to take a bus or taxi to get to the actual site. The bus is probably your cheapest option and costs around £14 for the trip only, or £26 for trip and site entry.

Perfect for:  History lovers, couples, solo travelers, cultural travel, and groups of friends

Search train tickets to Salisbury (for easiest way to Stonehenge)

 10. Liverpool

Train Time from London: Approx. 2hr 10min

Music and maritime history are the 2 most popular things to come out of Liverpool, England. Big fans of The Beatles, or just legendary music in general, can add this British hub to their destination list. Stop in at the popular Cavern Club, where the Beatles once played on stage, or spend your time exploring museums or restaurant hopping around town.

Perfect for:  Music lovers, cultural travel, families, couples, solo travelers, and groups of friends

Search train tickets to Liverpool

 11. Rye

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr 45min

Rye is an incredibly adorable, historic, and quaint city just near the coast in East Sussex. This little medieval town is a hidden gem within England and is a great place for exploring the cobblestone roads, half-timbered houses, and plenty of cozy tea rooms. There is even a street called Mermaid Street... Yes, please!

Perfect for:  Couples, solo travelers, families, history lovers, cultural travel, and groups of friends

Search train tickets to Rye

 12. Windsor

Train Time from London: Approx. 1hr

For travelers looking to get an inside look at royal life outside of London, take a trip to the Queen's favorite weekend home at Windsor Castle. Visitors can take tours of the castle grounds and see things like the State Apartments and the Great Park. If you're into horses or racing, you can check out Ascot Racecourse, which is just a few miles from the castle. For families traveling with small children, Legoland Windsor might also be a good option for the afternoon.

Perfect for:  Families, cultural travel, couples, solo travelers, history lovers, and groups of friends

Search train tickets to Windsor & Eton

 BONUS: Paris

Train Time from London: Approx. 2hr 15min

Alright, so it's not in the UK... But Paris is always a good idea! It definitely is possible to do a day trip from Paris because the train ride is only a little over a 2 hours. Obviously, I'd recommend spending more than just 1 day in Paris; but if it's the only chance you have to see it, then do it.

Search train tickets to Paris

 A Couple Other Destination Ideas:

Bristol - Approx. 1hr 35min from London

Downton Abbey's Highclere Castle (in Newbury) - Approx. 1hr from London

Brussels, Belgium - Approx. 2hr from London

Leeds Castle (in Leeds) - Approx. 2hr 10min from London

Stratford-Upon-Avon - Approx. 2hr from London

  Have you ever taken a day trip from London? --OR-- Do you have any other day trip recommendations that you'd add to this list? Comment below with more tips!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. It is at no risk to you and does not cost you anything extra. All money made from affiliate links go directly back into maintaining this website and making it better for you.

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[thecitysidewalks]

Top 17 Places to Travel in 2017

17 Places to Travel in 2017

We've finally put the [crazy] year of 2016 behind us and it's time to refresh our annual travel bucket lists! It's time to get our planners out and start making moves.

I have a good feeling about travel in 2017 because so many great destinations all around the globe are really pushing efforts to make tourism more accessible for visitors. We're seeing a rise in trends with sustainable travel, ecotourism, wellness travel, and much more.

Whatever your travel style is, I think there is one thing that we can all agree on after last year, and that's the importance of taking care of ourselves--mentally, emotionally, and physically. Travel can certainly be an aide for each of these things and help guide your path along the way.

Contrary to my normal desire for the urban landscapes (don't worry, there's still quite a few cities in here), I was really inspired by the natural world in pursuing this year's inspirational bucket list for you. So get your passports ready and let's dive into this year's 17 Places to Travel in 2017!

 1. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is really coming in hot on the travel scene for its fresh combination of lush nature plus contemporary art. They have the iconic landscapes with the gorgeous mountain tops and urban valleys that we all have seen in photos, but the food and art scene is also really on the rise here. Looking forward to seeing what else this city has to offer!

 2. Asheville, USA

Asheville has been topping the charts for places to visit in 2017 across multiple travel sites. It's another urban meets nature destination that is right in the heart of North Carolina's mountain region. Come here for the views and stay for the historic architecture, hip art scene, and luxurious getaways (like the Biltmore Estate shown above!).

 3. Seychelles

Is the beach calling your name this year? I know I can hear it... Maybe it's time to step up your beach game this year and head to the secluded, exotic islands of Seychelles, which is just off the coast of Africa's eastern shore. It puts a lot of other beach destinations to shame with its impeccable white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. Perfect for couples or families who want to escape to paradise!

 4. Montreal, Canada

I told you I wasn't going to be short on cities for this list! There are so, so many reasons to head to Canada right now--the biggest being the favorable exchange rate for US citizens. Montreal is topping the list of Canadian cities to check out in 2017 for it's flawless combination of Old World meets New World. You have the charm of the old city (and not to mention that everyone speaks French so it feels like you're in Europe without the cost) mixed with the hustle and bustle of the modern city--complete with skyscrapers and all. The culinary scene here deserves a serious shout out too! Great for foodies, couples, solo travelers, and families.

 5. Sri Lanka

Another secluded destination for those of you who want to indulge in a little eco-tourism. Sri Lanka has recently been coming on many traveler's radars for its diverse landscapes that the country has to offer. You can find white sandy beaches, rainforests and plains, ancient ruins and temples (some dating back to over 2000 years), and luxurious-yet-sustainable resorts.

 6. Botswana

If you're craving some adventure in 2017, head to Botswana for a true taste of wildlife and nature for a trip you'll never forget. Conservation groups and philanthropic efforts have done an amazing job in recent years at preserving the land and enforcing antipoaching efforts. You can take a safari to admire the incredible wild animals in their natural habitats during the day, and retreat back to your eco-friendly and sustainable accommodations by night.

 7. Hamburg, Germany

This German city has been capturing the attention of architectural lovers in recent years with the arrival of many new buildings and structures being added near the riverfront. 2017 isn't going to see a slowdown in expansion. Think of Hamburg a la Williamsburg, Brooklyn right before it became what it is now...

 8. Jackson Hole, USA

On August 21st of this year, there will be a total solar eclipse visible to parts of the United States for the first time in almost 4 decades. To get a prime view of this phenomenon, it's best to head out of the city lights and into the rural areas of the country to see it. Jackson Hole would be a perfect destination for this because of the quiet and serene surroundings of this destination. Plus you have plenty of other outdoor activities to keep you occupied throughout the rest of your stay!

 9. Maldives

Environmental experts and scientists have been noting that the picturesque islands of the Maldives might be endanger of sinking because of climate change, so there's really no better time than now to experience it while we still have them! Escape here for an unforgettable tropical getaway where you can indulge in all the luxuries that the destination has to offer. Blue lagoons, extensive coral reefs, pristine beaches, and eco-friendly hotels makes this a perfect destination for couples looking to have a romantic time together in paradise. 

 10. Stockholm, Sweden

Scandinavian countries are definitely having a moment in the travel world right now. Sweden has been making efforts to have tourism become more affordable and accessible to foreign visitors with things like dropping heft museum prices and entrance fees. The exchange rate has also been more favorable here than it has in recent years, making it an ideal time to visit gorgeous cities like Stockholm.

 11. Australia

While most people think to visit Sydney when they travel to Australia, there are also plenty of other areas to explore while you're "down under." If you're into scuba diving and exploring nature, you might want to consider taking a trip to see the Great Barrier Reef, which has very sadly been experiencing extreme coral bleaching due to climate change and traditionally different weather patterns. There's also cities, like Perth, that are experiencing a new wave of foodie hot spots and trendy cocktail bars. 

 12. Cartagena, Colombia

Another romantic and charming city with a historic Old Town, cobblestone streets, and vibrant colored buildings. Doesn't get much better than that! Cartagena is a beautiful destination for travelers looking to experience a tropical vibe with relaxing beaches, charming streets and town squares, and colonial buildings lining the Old Town streets. It's a great alternative for people who love the vibes of the Caribbean islands, but want to get a taste of South America too.

 13. Colmar, France

If you saw my list of Fairy Tale Destination to Put on Your Bucket List, you already know that Colmar is at the top of that list. The city of Colmar proves that Paris isn't the only beautiful destination in France. This little fairy tale town in the northeastern region of France is rumored to be the inspiration for Disney's Beauty and the Beast (not confirmed, but you can't help but wonder once you start seeing the pictures of the town--especially the fountain). You've got cobblestone streets, medieval and Renaissance-era architecture, an adorable canal with unforgettable views, and wine country right around the corner. 

 14. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Thanks to Game of Thrones and The Yacht Week, Croatia has come on a lot of traveler's radars in recent years. This boom has encouraged the city of Dubrovnik to really push tourism efforts to attract more and more visitors. Dubrovnik's limestone paved streets, massive stone walls around the city, exclusive beaches, and incredible historic architecture makes this European city a dreamy destination. It's no wonder this was the site of "King's Landing" in the popular HBO series--it's totally fit for a king!

 15. Canary Islands

Just off the coast of Africa is a little group of Spanish islands known as the Canary Islands. While these islands don't get nearly enough attention as they should (though they probably will in years to come), they have been a popular destination for surfing enthusiasts and mainland locals who are looking to get a taste of the island life. If surfing, seeing black lava and white sand beaches, and general island living is your thing, maybe you should add this destination to your list!

 16. Edinburgh, Scotland

What is not to love about this charming Scottish capital? You have the medieval influence and architecture of the Old Town, alongside the elegant charm and Georgian influence of the New Town. The trendy food scene and up and coming art scene always makes for plenty of entertainment as well. Plus, after Brexit last year, the exchange rates in the UK are all much more favorable for tourists than they have been in recent years.

 17. St. Augustine, USA

I'm calling it right now that St. Augustine will become one of the new, hot (literally and figuratively perhaps) Southern destinations this year. We saw how popular Charleston and Savannah became in recent years and I think that this charming Floridian city is not too far behind. Old Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming beaches to relax make this another domestic destination to add to the bucket list for 2017.

 What places are you looking to travel in 2017? Is it somewhere near or far?

Comment below with more suggestions, or take a look at last year's list for more inspiration!

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