Lucy Mochi is one of those OnlyFans models whose online presence immediately stands out. With a strong fanbase and a carefully curated image, she projects warmth, confidence, and approachability. Still, like many people, I wondered whether that would be the same in real life. Would Lucy Mochi be as nice in person, or would she secretly have a load of unpalatable opinions and nasty ideas? When I finally met her, that doubt disappeared almost instantly.
From OnlyFans Profile to Real Life
It’s common to assume that online creators are very different away from the camera. Social media and subscription platforms reward performance, and it’s easy to believe that what we see is exaggerated or manufactured. Meeting Lucy Mochi in real life confirmed that her online personality is not an act and she as every bit as lovely as she appears onscreen.
She was genuinely friendly, relaxed, and easy to talk to. There was no sense of distance or artificial charm — just a natural kindness that felt effortless. In fact, she was exactly as lovely as I expected, if not more so.
A Genuine and Grounded Presence
What really stood out about Lucy Mochi was how grounded she felt. Despite her popularity as an OnlyFans model, there was no ego on display. She was polite, attentive, and completely comfortable being herself. The interaction felt normal and sincere, which is increasingly rare in an online culture built around branding and image.
This authenticity is likely part of why Lucy Mochi has built such a loyal following. Fans aren’t just responding to how she looks, but to how she comes across — open, warm, and real.
Vietnam had a long tradition of anal sex which dated back to the courtesans at the court of Nguyen emperors who, each morning, prepared and anointed their arses for intercourse and were trained in the ways and arts of anal penetration.
When the French colonised Vietnam, they discovered two things. First, a long and slow arse fuck was ideally suited to the hot and humid conditions, and second, the tight Vietnamese arse was perfectly sized to give the European cock the most intense and satisfying sexual pleasure imaginable.
There isn’t a whole lot of sources to back this up, however, it’s well known that the colonialists regulated and maintained the sex trade, and no doubt anal sex was one of the offerings available.
When men talk about dating a Filipina , they often imagine one single type of woman. But the Philippines is incredibly diverse. From modern city to quiet rural communities, Filipinas come from many cultural backgrounds – and each lifestyle shapes who they are, what they value, and how they love.
In places like Manila, Cebu, or Davao, many women live lifestyles similar to the West.
They work in offices, speak excellent English, enjoy cafés, malls, and nightlife, and use apps like Bumble and Tinder just like anyone else.
But outside the cities, life is completely different.
Rural Filipinas often grow up in close-knit families, surrounded by nature, animals, and community traditions. Their homes might be simple — wooden walls, tin roofs, and open spaces. Daily life can include cooking outside, taking care of animals, and enjoying the peace and quiet that comes with province living.
Neither lifestyle is “better.” They’re simply different — shaped by environment, culture, and priorities.
When Love Comes From Another World
In this story, we introduce a girl who lives a very traditional, rural life.
Her world is quiet, humble, and deeply connected to nature and family.
It’s a lifestyle far removed from Western standards of comfort and convenience…
Yet it has its own beauty — honesty, simplicity, and warmth.
Dating someone from such a different world forces one real question:
Can you build a relationship with someone whose life looks nothing like yours?
For many men, the answer depends on openness — the ability to respect her culture, understand her upbringing, and embrace a different daily rhythm.
A Lifestyle Difference Doesn’t Mean a Love Difference
The Philippines shows that love isn’t always about matching backgrounds.
Sometimes the strongest relationships grow from curiosity, respect, and shared values — not from having the same lifestyle.
Whether she’s from a city condo or a quiet barangay surrounded by chickens, goats, and farmland… what matters is the connection.
Final Thoughts
Dating a Filipina means embracing diversity.
It’s not one experience — it’s many.
So the real question remains:
Could you fall in love with someone from a completely different world?
Dating in the Philippines: Where Kindness and Authenticity Still Matter
When you date internationally, you start to see how culture shapes connection. In the Philippines, something truly stands out — the warmth, humility, and honesty of the women you meet.
Filipina women are often described as kind-hearted, loyal, and family-oriented. But what really makes them special is their sincerity — a quality that feels rare in today’s fast-paced dating world.
To show what we mean, here’s a short but sweet video message from Alyssa Freyas, whose words perfectly capture the spirit of genuine connection and kindness in Filipino culture:
Dating in the Philippines isn’t about glamour or status. It’s about shared values, laughter, and mutual respect. Whether you’re exploring Manila, Cebu, or one of the beautiful islands, one thing remains constant: the warmth of the people you meet will stay with you long after you leave.
The film Lust Caution is now 18 years old. We were thinking about some of the Chinese actresses who were famous at this time. Zhang Ziyi, who made her American debut in Rush Hour, was one of them. Shu Qi (The Transporter, So Close) was another. But why was the lead actress in Lust Caution not such a big star?
Tang Wei was 22, the age when most actors get their first taste of stardom. What happened to her?
Well, the film was very controversial, especially in China. So much so, that the Chinese government blacklisted Wei, and she didn’t make another film until 2010, eventually working in Hong Kong and South Korea, in smaller productions.
Whilst Tang Wei was punished for her role, the male star continued to work in China and Hong Kong. Showing that there is still a powerful double standard in the way male and female stars are treated in Asian cinema.
It was the first time she was alone, traveling to a new city; it was her first time to be with a man, an older and more confident man. He would be able to show her things. guide her and demonstrate how it should be. She thought about how it would feel to have his hands on her; touching and moving around her body.
The first time could be scary, she had heard her friends talking about it – the ones who had already done it. She didn’t know how much was true and how much was girlish exaggeration. She decided it was probably a combination of both. The things she was most curious to know was would it be painful? and a secondary concern was how long it would take. A look online told her that most of the time , you could feel some discomfort, but it depended on the experience of the man as to whether it hurt. His experience also played a part in how long it would last. As long as it felt nice, she decided, she wasn’t worried if it lasted five minutes or fifty.
He had chosen the location and given her some simple instructions. It was to be at the plaza hotel . She looked it up, amazed that she would be going to such a place.
‘Come at seven, and bring enough clothes for the weekend.’
She looked around at her simple bedroom, trying to imagine what it would be like to stay in a grand hotel . She looked over her clothes in the wardrobe, wondering if any could be suitable for such a venue. Could she wear a dress that she had worn for her leavers ball at school? She had bought it the year before with some money that she had saved up. It had silk flowers embroidered on it, but she felt it was something a girl would wear, rather than a woman.
There was a black dress that she had bought on sale. the dress was sleeveless, mid-length, and had a habit of riding up her thigs when she sat down. That was what she would wear for the first evening. lifting it carefully from its hanger she rolled it up and packed into her gym bag. She loved the feel of the fabric, and the way it clung to her. She wanted him to enjoy her wearing it , too, and imagined his face as she knew he would want to see her in it.
She zipped up her bag, and then went into the shower. She used an all over natural body scrub, then dried and moisturised her skin. after applying make up, mascara, she added some eyelash extensions. She rummaged through her makeup bag, and decided that most of it was more suitable for a night at the local student bar than an expensive hotel . She decided to keep it minimal. Light foundation. eye shadow, and some lip-gloss. With her hair, she swept it back, and used a silver clasp to secure it. She looked for her shoes. She enjoyed wearing heels, even though it hurt her feet, She decided it was ok. since there wouldn’t be a long walk from the parking lot to the hotel.
By the time the car pulled up, she was starting to have minor worries. Would it be ok? And did she like the man to do what she was about to do? There was no doubting the sincerity of his intentions. And they had been dating for two months, long enough for her to feel that she could trust him.
Meanwhile, she is standing ready, just inside the porch, occasionally glancing at her phone to see if there are any updates, but so far the last she has heard from him is a message telling her that the plans have not changed. She gives her dress a pull and checks her shoes, and then reminds herself she looks fine.
The bed is huge, a massive four-poster with a magnificent wooden headboard. She lays a hand over the bedclothes and is amazed by the smoothness of the fabric.
This is for you.
He offers her a wrapped gift.
Oh, thank you!
She feels his hands massage her shoulders for a few moments.
Please continue.
He then grabs her breasts, they are already round and full.
She parts her legs, feeling the fabric stretching up on her thighs.
Mmmmm.
His hands have moved lower, and he needs to push her thighs open more so that he can enjoy what’s inside.
‘Is it ok?’
‘mmmphhh.’ she gasps. Now it’s happening.
He carries on his discovery of her young body, and she trembles. His touch is strong and firm.
‘Please don’t stop.’
He pushes her dress all the way up to her waist.
She wants him to touch her again in that special place, it’s all that she desires right now.
She opens her legs, feet pointed forward, and reaches down to untie the clasps on her shoes.
‘No, don’t take them off yet.’
She obeys him.
She looks up at him and wonders what will come next.
Not just the travel—though that’s new too—but everything. The hotel, the anticipation, the feeling that something big is about to happen. It’s my first time being alone in a new city. My first time being with someone older. My first time… being with someone at all.
I’m nervous. My hands keep fidgeting with the clasp of my bag. I’ve checked my outfit three times already. The black dress hugs me in all the right places, and the red soles of my heels feel like a secret weapon. I want to look confident. I want to feel confident. But inside, my heart is racing.
He said to meet him at the Plaza Hotel. Come at seven, and bring enough clothes for the weekend. That was it. No details. Just the thrill of not knowing.
I’ve read enough online to know that the first time can be awkward. Maybe even uncomfortable. But I also know it depends on the person—and he’s someone I trust. Someone who makes me feel seen. I keep reminding myself: it’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to not know everything. That’s part of the adventure.
I packed carefully. The black dress. A few changes of clothes. My perfume—just two sprays. I didn’t want to overdo it. I even practiced walking in my heels around the bedroom, just to make sure I wouldn’t wobble.
Now I’m waiting. Watching the minutes tick by. Wondering what it will feel like when I see him. Wondering what it will feel like when we’re alone.
An early edition of ‘The World ofSuzie Wong’. Published in 1957. this is a paperback tie-in with the film. Starring one of the first Asian actors in Hollywood, Nancy Kwan (1939-), it was filmed in 1961.Note the use of ‘Chop Suey’ font; the book was racy stuff, concerning bar girls and an interracial romance .
The book is really interesting to read from the perspective of contemporary Hong Kong. Richard Mason based the book on his experiences with many of the women who worked in the bars along Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong. A surprisingly candid book (for it’s time). The story is well-told, but readers may be frustrated by the lack of agency given to Suzie.
An ancient text published almost 2000 years ago, The Kama Sutra is perhaps the most famous erotic text of them all. The book has become a shorthand for an eastern sex manual, yet this is doing the book a disservice. It is as much an treatise of marriage and courtship as it is a sex manual.
The book is attributed to Vatsyayna, and translated in English by the Victorian Richard Burton. Although not without its controversies, the English translation managed to guarantee that the book would be synonymous with Eastern eroticism.
Written in three parts, the first is concerned with proper study, becoming a good citizen. It tells us which women should be courted, when and where, and then gives us a list of women to be avoided. They include a leper, a lunatic, a woman who is extremely black, a woman who is extremely white, a woman is a female friend.
Part II is concerned with sexual union and divides men and women into three classes, according to the size of their ‘lingam’ and ‘yoni’. These are in Burton’s translation. Rather than referring to the genitals explicitly he has kept the original Sanskrit terms, which has suggested was a way to make the book more acceptable to the English public.
The book then goes on to detail the types of embrace that occur during the love union. Its this part that has been of most interest to readers. There are sixty-four positions listed in the text. Example: ‘When the woman places one of her legs on her lover’s shoulder, stretches the other out, and then places the latter on his shoulder, and stretches and continues to do so, it is called the ‘splitting of the bamboo.’
As well as a guide to different forms of intercourse, the book is a treatise of men and women, how to have a good marriage, and when adultery is acceptable. For a nearly 2000 year old text, these are very advanced subjects.
There are ten key lessons that we can take from the text:
Desire is Natural
But it should be refined. And pleasure isn’t shameful, it’s a natural part of life.
The art of attraction begins before touch
it’s in how we dress, move, smell.
Mutual consent and pleasure are essential
The Kama Sutra emphasises mutual enjoyment, a radical idea for its time. The aim is shared ecstasy, rather than domination. The book is very clear that men shouldn’t try to overpower women. Partners need to practise to learn each others rhythms and needs.
Knowledge deepens intimacy
Vatsyayana encourages lovers to study each other – emotionally, mentally, physically. The more we can know our partner’s desires and temperament, the deeper the connection becomes.
Timing matters as much as passion
The book teaches patience as much and anticipation. Love should unfold at the right pace. Anticipation is its own reward.
Confidence is Beauty
Elegance and self esteem are more seductive than looks alone.
Emotion fuels Passion
Tenderness and trust make every touch more powerful.
Love has many moods
Flirtation, jealousy, reunion – each a part of the dance. And those that enjoy the dance most are the last to leave the party.
Women’s Pleasure Matters
The Kama Sutra is notable for its focus on female pleasure, and instructs men in learning how to understand their desires.
Life itself is sensual
Eat, move, love – with awareness and style.
Because it’s not just about what happens in bed…… it’s about how you live every movement.
The Kama Sutra has been published in several editions. Sometimes, the text has been updated. Some printings focus on the 64 positions. Here is a good book to start with:
Exotic Asian playmate Miki Hamano has recently set up her own personal Only Fans page.
Hamano modelled for Playboy in 2019, then appeared in a video for Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.
If you follow Miki through Instagram, you’ll be familar with some of her modelling shots, interspersed with her casual shots, and some sexy videos.
Now, she’s gone one step further, with a profile on the Adult platform. In her bio, she promises to give a ‘more intimate, unfiltered side of me, just for you.’ You can follow for free here: https://onlyfans.com/misshamino
Personally, I didn’t feel she needed to do it. With plenty of endorsements, 200K followers and work with Playboy, she should be making bank.
But of course, these could dry up. I haven’t paid for VIP access, but I like the look of her PG photos that she’s put up.
Myanmar have chosen their contestant for the Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Thailand later this year.
Myat Yadanar Soe, from Pyin Oo Lwin, will represent her country after being crowned the 1st choice by last year’s winner Thet San Andersen.
Some were surprised that the winner of the title hails from a smaller city with no history of winning pageants.
Myar came first out of 35 candidates, doing particularly well in the native costume section of the competition.
The country has not been active in some of the Miss Universe pageants due to the country’s ongoing civil war. The first Miss Myanmar (Burma) was in 1959.
Here we have some ladies you can find on Couchsurfing who can help make your travelling a little bit smoother. As you will know, most people are using the site to find a host, or join a meetup. But you can still use it to meet women. Just bear in mind that they may have a different idea than you as to what Couchsurfing means.
Abby Huang, Taiwan
KhanhPia Naval, VienamYukina, Japan.Reina, Japan, who has a new profile with O friends, references or friends.Zoe Huang, TaipeiAirene B, HelsinkiBecky LiShkhn Mary, Baku, Azjerbaiajan
The photos uploaded on Lil Tay’s Only Fans have been leaked.
Alongside a four minute video of the artist doing her morning stretches, there are several images of Taylor, which have been uploaded to her Only Fans.
Beautiful Chinese Model in Timeless Cinematic Fashion
Experience a heart-stopping Barry-Lyndon-inspired fashion shoot featuring our stunning Chinese model. Natural light, vintage styling, and elegance come together in this timeless tribute to Kubrick’s masterpiece.
In 1993, The Joy Luck Club made history. Based on Amy Tan’s bestselling novel and directed by Wayne Wang, it was one of the first major Hollywood films to feature a predominantly Asian and Asian-American cast. With universal themes of family, sacrifice, and identity, it touched the hearts of millions.
But despite its trailblazing success, The Joy Luck Club has also faced quiet critique—especially from within the Asian-American community—for its sometimes inauthentic emotional tone, glossy production, and a tendency to oversimplify nuanced cultural experiences.
Waverly Jong: The Chess Prodigy Caught Between Cultures
Among the ensemble, Waverly Jong’s story stands out. Played by Tamlyn Tomita, Waverly is a Chinese-American girl raised in San Francisco’s Chinatown, who becomes a national chess champion as a child.
Her story represents the struggle of the second-generation immigrant daughter: excelling in the American world while burdened by traditional expectations at home. Her relationship with her mother, Lindo Jong, is fraught with passive-aggressive tension, pride, and deep cultural misunderstanding.
Yet in the film adaptation, this emotional complexity is sometimes dulled. The visual style is lush, the performances polished, but the messy, unresolved emotional truths from the novel are often softened or abbreviated.
A Tale of Two Wangs: Why Wayne Wang’s Earlier Work Felt More Real
Director Wayne Wang was no stranger to authenticity. His earlier indie films like Chan Is Missing (1982) and Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985) tackled Asian-American identity with raw intimacy and observational nuance.
But The Joy Luck Club, produced by Oliver Stone and backed by a Hollywood budget, shifted gears. With sweeping music, glossy lighting, and an ensemble storytelling structure, the film sometimes sacrifices grit for grandeur.
As a result, some critics and viewers have called it “Hollywood’s version of authenticity”—well-intentioned but a little too neat.
Why the Film Still Resonates — And Why It’s Worth Rewatching
Despite its limitations, The Joy Luck Club remains a cultural milestone. It paved the way for later Asian-American films like Saving Face, Crazy Rich Asians, and Everything Everywhere All At Once.
And performances like Tamlyn Tomita’s Waverly Jong still shine. Her frustration, her sharp intellect, and her identity tug-of-war are relatable across generations. Even when the screenplay glosses over deeper wounds, the character endures.
Final Thoughts: Glossy, Yes—But Still Groundbreaking
So is The Joy Luck Club authentic? Yes—and no.
It’s a Hollywood adaptation of an intimate novel, shaped by the industry’s limitations at the time. It opened doors. It inspired. But it also left room for the next generation of filmmakers to go deeper, be bolder, and tell even truer stories.
Want to See Waverly Jong in Action?
Check out these film stills of Waverly Jong, including scenes from the Chinatown chess park, the salon confrontation, and her moments of mother-daughter tension.
At just 25 years old, June Liu – known by her stagename Spicygum – has become one of the most talked about adult creators in Asia. With a huge as fuck online portfolio of over 200 videos, Liu is at the forefront of wave of Chinese adult entertainers navigating fame, stigma, and self-expression in the digital era.
She may not be the most beautiful or well -endowed ( more on this later) but June has amassed her success on her own merit, accumulating a high follower account.
Aged 25, June is currently living in London and is active across Instagram, where she regularly posts videos, which of course have to be edited for Instagram’s policies.
Born and raised in China, June currently lives in London. Her videos are well worth checking out. Whilst her main account on Only Fans lists 167 videos, it seems that she cross-posts to pornhub as well.
An example that is representative of her style is a recent threesome (BGG) which is filmed POV style. Viewers are treated to the sight of June and Emiri Momota giving themselves to the male performer (who has a very off-putting French accent). Whilst all her videos are sexually explicit, you don’t get the constant close-ups. Indeed, in this example, we don’t see June’s breasts fully exposed once.
whilst most of June’s Spicygum content is available free on pornhub, you’ll want to subscribe to her OnlyFans if you want a chance to chat with her directly.
Content rating: 4.9
June’s movies are so fun to watch. They reveal every aspect of her personality. She’s generous too – often giving exposure to other creators.
Check her onlyfans out here:
Whilst the backlash form conservatives has been condemning, June shows no sign of slowing down or taking a break.
It was confirmed last week that the famous star has been BANNED from Only Fans. The British pornstar made some of the biggest videos on the site including a 1047 gangbang, but the website confirmed that Bonnie has been banned. The statement confirmed that the star was banned after she planned a challenge inviting men to ‘do whatever they wanted to her’ in a video that was to be called ‘Petting Zoo’.
The story was repated across several outlets in the UK, including in the Mail online, Metro and The Tab. Whilst the content of the video wasn’t much different from other videos made by Bonnie, it was probably the way the video was promoted that meant the website had to step in. Extreme challenges are not allowed, which meant that Bonnie’s account was immediately terminated.
Fans will no longer be able to access or view bonnie’s bukkake or gangbang videos, but Bonnie is directing users to her pornhub profile page. At this point, Bonnie’s status is such that she can continue being a mdeia celebrity regardless. Indeed, whilst an OF ban would have finished off lesser known creators, it’s only adding fuel to the fame of this controversial but irresistable performer who is like it or not, now a major UK celebrity.
The recent news that UK-based porn star Bonnie Blue was denied entry from a Nottingham football game last week. But it was only the newest piece of controversy to have hit the celebrity. No stranger to dissent, Bonnie has only to appear in an edited interview on social media to be then met with the kind of comments normally reserved for rapists and paedophiles.
But this is just an example of the latest in slut-bashing. A popular sport which anyone can participate in and the target is any young woman that enjoys sex and has her own agency. Everyone knows what a slut is and every woman has an idea of what behaviour gets you called a ‘slut’ and what you should do to avoid being categorized as one.
A slut is generally a derogatory term, alhough it’s recently had a tendency to be given an additional meaning as a ‘liberated woman’; nevertheless, most people are using the word slut with the derogatory meaning when they use it to discuss Bonnie.
Never mind that Bonnie Blue and Lily Philips just sit on the more extreme end of what most women are doing in their own homes every week. There can be no acceptance of what they do because it doesn’t sit with most people’s ideas of appropriate female sexuality.
The idea that a woman can enjoy sex as much as men is not something most people are comfortable accepting. Yet women suffer when they continue to suppress healthy expressions of sex.
Women may take longer to become sexually aroused; once they get there they are no less interested than men. And so women are seeking out men for sex. And some women are going further, doing stuff that would have been fairly hard to imagine even a few years ago.
Whilst the numbers of Only Fans creators are in the millions, it’s still niche enough for the women doing it to be remarkable, or at least notable. But it pales in comparison with the number of women who would be eligible for it. Maybe the reason more women aren’t making Only Fans content is because they don’t want to. Or maybe they would like to do it, have thought about it, but the judgemental condemnation is too much. Whilst its not necessarily the same as being a slut, there are women who can flirt with everybody. and there are women who flirt with men they find attractive, and then there are women who don’t flirt with anyone at all.
Then there are women, mainly sex workers, who have sex with men for money, not because they necessarily find them attractive. Much as Bonnie and Lily are sleeping with a lot of men who maybe they don’t find attractive, but it’s not enough for us to decry them and shame them as fallen women.
Karen Carney: Women’s football in England could be a ‘billion pound industry’ in the next ten years.
Whilst this idea is seemingly expecting the impossible, fans of the women’s game might find themselves scratching their heads and wondering if it might one day happen.
The growth of women’s football (or soccer) has been an ongoing matter. With numbers of big events reaching record highs, it can’t be dismissed as a minority interest. In 2022, for example, over 91,000 attended the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final between Germany and England. After this game, more fans were seen at women’s games and it was as if the women’s game had finally had a watershed moment.
Increased Youth Participation
At the grassroots level, women’s football is encouraging increased youth participation. Many countries have youth programs for girls, and organizations like FIFA and UEFA have supported initiatives to encourage young girls to take up the sport. This will mean more girls will want to play football and will see the game as being open to them rather than as being a men-only sport.
Professional Leagues
More countries have developed professional women’s football leagues. For example, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S. and the Women’s Super League in England have grown in stature, attracting international talent and sponsorship. These leagues are modelled on the men’s leagues. This might make it look as though women’s football is lagging far behind, but the aim is for the women’s game to have equal standing with men’s soccer.
Influential Players: Players like Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Marta, and Megan Rapinoe have become global icons, helping to inspire a new generation of female players. Sometimes, as in Rapinoe’s example, they champion social issues, spreading their influence even further.
Increase of Sporting Ability and Talent: as women’s football becomes professional, it leads to advanced levels of players’ skills. Alongside the men, women develop their own outsize capacity of ball control and prowess, with players gaining fans for their remarkable achievements. Comparing male and female players is obviously unfair. But it is certain that the increase of ability is rising faster in women’s football than in men’s. You only need to look at some of the incredible skills of players like Bonmati (Spain), Bunny Shaw (Jamaica), to see that men’s football has no monopoly on talent.
Inclusive Atmosphere:
The inclusive atmosphere of women’s matches is a big factor in the growth of women’s football. Fans feel welcomed by the supportive ethos of women’s football. It’s less tribal, and therefore a more positive atmosphere than the men’s games. This encourages people to watch games even if they would feel discouraged from attending men’s football matches. At most women’s game the crowd tends to be much younger. In time, these young girls will become the future football stars of tomorrow. And as that happens, more girls will play the game. It’s a virtuous circle.
The Value of TV Rights
You can see that women’s football has greater value when major media companies get involved. Big player Netflix announced that they have acquired the rights to broadcast the World Cups of 2027 and 2031 in the United States. It gives the game a much bigger platform to display the undoubted talent of the female stars.
We think that all of these factors can positively benefit the growth of women’s football.
• Bruna Vilamala played a key role in Albion’s 6-2 League Cup win over Bristol City.
• She scored a well-placed, chipped goal to open the scoring and later hit the bar, took a shot from distance, and contributed two assists.
• Her second assist was part of a smooth combination with teammate Nikita Parris.
2. Adapting to the WSL:
• Bruna is adjusting to the physical and tactical demands of English football, which differ from Barcelona’s possession-based style.
• Head coach Dario Vidosic highlighted that she is adapting to a more physical style of play and learning how to manage defensive pressure in a league that demands more off-the-ball running.
• Vidosic noted that, at Barcelona, where the team dominates possession, her role was more limited, but now she is playing more minutes and becoming an essential player for Albion.
3. Teammate and Coach Insights:
• Former Barcelona midfielder and current Albion teammate Vicky Losada, who knows Bruna well, praised her technical ability, ability to find space, and ball control.
• Losada remarked that Bruna’s performance against Bristol City was her best to date, and she expects Bruna to continue improving as she adapts to the new style of play.
4. Looking Ahead:
• With Tottenham set to visit Albion’s Broadfield Stadium, there’s optimism about Bruna’s development and growing impact on the team.
• Injuries in the squad mean Bruna is likely to have more opportunities to show her quality.
Overall, Bruna Vilamala is seen as a rising star, and her development is being closely watched as she adjusts to the demands of the WSL.
The story:Just before the 2024-2025 season got underway, Chelsea announced that the ground would no longer allow players to sign autographs and take photos. There is much to discuss here. The women’s game has recently moved to a greater prominence, these are new things for the club to consider.
Chelsea’s statement cited safety and sustainability as the reasons for the change, given the increasing size of crowds and the rush that occurs after games. To compensate, the club has promised organized meet-and-greet opportunities, aiming to preserve some level of interaction between fans and players. But so fans worry that this will significantly alter the special inviting atmosphere of women’s football.
Here are the possible behind Chelsea’s decision:
1. Fan Connections: One of the unique elements of women’s football has been the direct, personal connection fans feel with players, a stark contrast to the more commercialized men’s game. This accessibility has been celebrated as part of the women’s game’s authenticity and charm. Most fans want to interact with the players, and this is usually reciprocated. It may be the case that some players don’t want to do this, in which case, that’s their decision.
2. Growing Popularity: The environment has changed significantly since Chelsea moved to Kingsmeadow in 2017. Attendance has surged, often exceeding 4,000 fans per game, making it difficult to manage the post-game routines safely.
3. Mixed Reactions: While some fans understand the necessity for safety and acknowledge the logistical challenges, others fear losing a vital aspect of what makes the women’s game special. They argue that these interactions build loyalty and maintain the game’s inclusive atmosphere.
I’m not totally surprised by Chelsea’s actions. The team have won their Women’s League five times in a row. But it’s disappointing all the same and I don’t think it will work. It’s likely to have been made by stewards without anyone asking the players what they wanted. We saw this after the announcement at their first game this season. The Tannoy told people that the policy was in place, but fans rushed to the edges anyway. The players seemed to have forgotten the ruling as they went ahead taking photos and signing autographs.
Millie Bright
It was the same thing at Chelsea’s game with Crystal Palace. Flushed with success after their seven-goal win, several key players were happy to take pictures and sign things for players. On the other hand, a few didn’t. And outside the ground, stewards tried to usher fans waiting near the team bus. If it’s player safety, the stewards are always at hand.
Most of the fans of the women’s teams are young girls, often watching games with their parents. It’s a little strange for the decision to be made on the grounds of player safety. Some players have expressed concerns however. Speaking to the Counter pressed podcast, Rachel Daly said that the interest in the players means that fans could find out where players live and she didn’t like it.
As the interest in women’s football spreads, it brings growth in other areas too. The major stars have their own numbered shirts and posters. If players continue to sign them and these became collectors’ pieces, the clubs will resent this lost revenue. It was telling when Chelsea FC suggested smaller meet & greets for players. Such events are likely to be heavily policed, with fans security searched. Most probably it will be offered as a priced VIP extra, further distancing fans from the players.
Maya Ramirez signing an autograph
The stakeholders want to follow the lead of the men’s growth but can’t see all the pitfalls of this approach. Meanwhile the fans want to preserve the idea that the women’s game is something independent from the commercialisation of the men’s game but at the same time want the women to have an equal footing.
One team that have found a solution are ManchesterCity Women. At each game, smaller groups of fans are invited to meet some of the players, who are selected randomly. The fans aren’t told which player they will meet, but it’s a much calmer atmosphere for the team members.
Chelsea’s approach reflects a broader trend as women’s football grows: clubs are navigating how to maintain the sport’s grassroots feel while managing the realities of increased attention and commercialization. Other WSL clubs may face similar decisions as attendance continues to rise, emphasizing the need for creative solutions to maintain player-fan connections safely and sustainability.
Wiegman Puts Faith in Young Stars Amid Injury Challenges for England Women
Talented Blinkilde-Brown has stepped up as several key players are currently injured.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has expressed confidence in the next generation of talent as the Lionesses face a challenging international break, with several key players unavailable due to injury.
Senior squad regulars Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, and Lauren James are all sidelined, with Hemp recently undergoing successful knee surgery. Chelsea’s Niamh Charles and Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker are also unavailable, forcing Wiegman to delve into the under-23 ranks for reinforcements
Two promising players, Manchester City midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown and Leicester City defender Ruby Mace, both 21, have earned their first senior call-ups.
England have several big matches coming up
Speaking at a press conference, Wiegman said:
“This is an opportunity to bring young players into our environment and see how they perform. They are very talented, and I hope they compete straight away. It’s a chance for them to show their potential at the highest level.”
Wiegman acknowledged the competitive nature of club football, particularly in Manchester City’s midfield, but highlighted Blindkilde Brown’s progress:
“Competition at club level is really tough, but Laura gets minutes and has done very well with the under-23s.”
As for Ruby Mace, Wiegman praised her adaptability and readiness to take on this new challenge, emphasizing the importance of giving young players exposure during the two upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
RUBY MACE is one of the rising stars of the England Team
Despite the setbacks, Wiegman’s optimism shines through as she aims to maximize the opportunities these games provide to test the squad’s depth and resilience.
Here’s a little known but important fact: most restaurants don’t tend to last long. Even good ones suffer as much as bad restaurants. It’s therefore something special when a restaurant can weather the storms of fickle customers, business regulations and ever-changing food trends.
But Wagamama was special from the day it opened in a street in London. Most people in London were unfamiliar with anything served on the menu. When it came to eating ‘Asian’ food, the choices were limited to Chinese chow mein or Indian curry.
There were buffet restaurants and Indian takeaways in any town, but an actual casual Japanese experience based on the market stalls of Japan? This was unheard of. The early restaurants led the way for the sensibility of Wagamama that remains unchanged to this day: simple and uncluttered yet very stylish at the same time. The tables would be long and bench-like, meaning solo diners wouldn’t feel awkward waiting for a table. There are no reservations, when you go it depends on the amount of customers as to how quickly you are fed.
Another important point was the ordering system. Waiters in branded t-shirts entered your order into mini ipod like devices which were transferred to the kitchen. It’s still like that. With menus already on the table, you spend even less time choosing what to have.
The Key to its success
Wagamama may have wanted to be a casual place but there’s nothing casual about the food. On every place-setting, there is a sauce holder containing chili oil, soy sauce and a Japanese spice blend. This allows the customer to choose how spicy (or not) they want their dishes to be. The open layout helps keep the focus on the food, as well as giving waiting customers some theatre to observe.
Part of the restaurant Scene
The very first branch of wagamama in London
Success wasn’t overnight. Initially, restaurants were scattered around London. The first Wagamama opened in 1992, but by the nineties had opened up in Manchester, and quickly spread over the whole of the UK, with restaurants opening (and staying open) nationwide
Constantly Evolving
With an initial focus on ramen, Wagamama has evolved to become a ‘pan-asian’ restaurant. New dishes complement the old classics without crowding them out. A few long-running favourites: Bang Bang cauliflower, copied by Dishoom, but these guys were first. Chicken Katsu was not a thing people knew about until Wagamama did it. Ramen: bowls of broth-based noodle soup with various toppings like chicken, beef, or tofu. But they have consistently added new dishes. With menus now featuring up to 50% vegetarian options, they have moved with the times and played a part in changing people’s tastes.
A strong consumer Brand
How many restaurants have launched cookbooks that have caught on like this?
Alan Yau has built an incredible brand. With Wagamama, customers know exactly what to expect. With prices kept low, it’s easy for loyalty to be attained. The green tea is free, which is something you won’t get in any other restaurant. A cookbook was launched in 2004. Other high end restaurants had done this (Le Gavroche, River Cafe) but never a high street chain. Was the book done as a cynical cash-grab? Absolutely not! The book has remained in print since 2005. Written by Hugo Arnold, it has sold consistently. With some people understandably sceptical about purchasing a restaurant cookbook, it has some excellent recipes. Some are classic and super easy provided you have the ingredients. Cha-han on p.67 is dead easy. there are several ramen dishes I might attempt, on the other hand, banana katsu is something I probably only eat at the restaurant, but it doesn’t matter. Owning the cookbook lets fans connect more deeply with the brand.
Banana Katsu is still a top dessert choice.
Future of Wagamama
The restaurant is in very strong position. Although Yau sold the company, its ownership by the Restaurant Group has not altered its original ethos. In 2024, Wagamama opened 11 new restaurants. A recent book, Wagamama Your Way, was published in 2021. You can even purchase Wagamama sauces, meal kits at supermarkets!
Original founder Alan Yau
And the most recent news is that they announced a food collab with Indonesian foodwriter, Spoons. The dish added to the menu is a deep fried smash chicken with vibrant coleslaw and coconut rice, not only tasting but looking amazing, it’s a fantastic addition to the menu. A high street restaurant working with a little-known foodie is something I never thought I would see but Wagamama has done it. And that could only be the beginning; perhaps more tie-ins to come which will shine a light on some lesser known Asian cuisines
The Future of the Company
Wagamama will build on its position as the Uk’s most successful restaurant group. Look out for more collaborations such as this one in the future.
Here are the fastest and easiest ways to find a girlfriend. Please note: a working holiday is organiszed for girls to be able to live and work abroad for a limit of two years. The countries are typically Japan, South Korea, Hong kong. The host countries are usually English-speaking: New Zealand, Australia, and of course United Kingdom.
Now you know that, here are some of the ways you can meet one of these girls and get a girlfriend. First, find one of those English language colleges. Even if they look really bad, just hang around outside. It won’t be long until one of these girls comes out and wants to practise English with you. Most girls have an intention to study alongside the working holiday, it’s quite boring for them so they will appreciate any kind of distraction. Do not. on any circumstances, consider becoming a language instructor. it might seem like you would have the best access, but no. IF you work as a teacher, all those young students will be strictly off limits.
Hook up a language Exchange
You can easily organize a language exchange online for not much trouble. Apps such as mylanguageexchange can facilitate this. When you meet for your ‘language exchange’ make sure you plan on at least learning a few phrases of her language. Then you won’t feel so bad when you move things in a different direction. or you can take the approach of practical immersion: doing stuff together is an excellent way to learn a language.
Find the pub or bar near the language college
A few years ago, a bar in Wimbledon started offering happy hour drinks all evening on Thursdays, it quickly became the hottest night out in town. Not hurt by the fact that nearly all of the drinkers were young Thai women. The bar is still there, but the Thai women aren’t. Yes, things change. If you can find something similar to you, you’ve got the best chance of linking up with someone.
Coffee Shop
So you’re not a big drinker. It doesn’t matter, the next best place after the bar is definitely the coffeeshop. From Starbucks to Caffe Nero and all those pretentious joints, the Asian women love them and will either be spending all afternoon working here or just hanging out with their friends or alone, which is a great way to start a conversation.
Get to know her friends
This is kind of hard, but in some ways, it’s the best possible situation to be in. By becoming one of her friends’ friends, you are more trusted by the girl you want to end up with, it’s a case of them aiding and abetting you, but I’m not talking about crimes. One of the best working holiday situations I saw was when a girl (Japanese) formed a solid group of friends of other nationalities who were also studying and on working holidays. By the end of the first year, they had experienced more fun than they ever could have done if they had stayed by themselves. Their were trips to Brighton, theme parks, and pizza in the park. If you find yourself in the situation of being with a mixed groups that leans heavier to women, do everything you can to remain part of it. It’s sort of the holy grail of foreign pussy.
The thing to remember about working holidays is the girls want to have a good time. By that, I don’t mean they want to have casual sex with a load of random people. I mean they want to be able to enjoy their new country by having new and exciting experiences. Here’s where you can help. Don’t think that you have to start booking trips tp the London Eye or visit the Lake District. She will tell you if she wants to do that. But what she will appreciate and probably find more useful is someone to help with mobile phones, setting up a bank account and the doctor.
Final words
I hope you can use some of these tips to help you find someone, Or maybe you won’t find a girlfriend. Maybe it will be a time for you to hang out with special people that you can become lifelong friends with, if so, that’s great, you’ve made your life, and her life, so much better.
You probably think that its easier to make friends with people the same age as you. Or the same race Probably in most cases, your friends are from the same social background, live in the same town and even have a similar lifestyle and job. But if you’re living like this, you’re missing out on making new connections.
by keeping the same group of friends, you’re cutting yourself off from a range of people who have the ability to introduce you to new experiences, activities and lifestyles. A whole new world will open up once you start letting your guard down and embrace all types of people.
The funny thing is when we’re children we have the ability to form friendships with all kinds of people – it happens so much that no-one even questions it. Children don’t see race because it’s not interesting them except in a very superficial way.
in school we can make friends with children of different backgrounds.
Yet when we’re adults we decide to shut out anyone who we feel is too different for fear that we will have nothing in common with people who don’t match our identity. And it goes for personality differences too. Even when someone has a mild disagreement, they think it’s enough to not want to know that person. It needs to change. We can’t have a situation where people (women are the worst) say things like ‘I can’t talk to him, he’s weird.’ Or, ‘he makes me feel uncomfortable’ without mentioning anything about the offending behavior that makes them ‘uncomfortable’.
It’s enough. If we’re not careful, we’ll have a situation where we only know people who match our race, beliefs, background and status. And no-one wants to live in an echo chamber.
I made a video on this subject. You may watch it here:
‘In a given year, some forty million Americans swap intimate truths about themselves with complete strangers.’
So begins the chapter of Freakonomics that delves into some of the biggest problems of trying to find someone from the internet. Although carried out before dating apps were available, the findings still apply to the experience of using Bumble and Tinder.
The study showed that there was distortion between the reality and what was shown to dating site users. There was a significant level of self-enhancement, with users feeling that they had to present an embellished version of themselves to appear more attractive.
The survey questioned 20,000 users in San Diego and Boston. The median age range for all users was twenty-one to thirty-five. Although they represented an adequate racial mix to reach some conclusions about race they were predominantly white.
The finding teach us a lot about using dating services, but in many ways, they confirm some of the most deep-seated prejudices about men and women.
Lesson 1 – Be attractive
Fully 72% of female users claimed “above average looks”, with 24 per cent claiming “very good looks”. So, being attractive is important. And it’s even more important now that Bumble and Tinder prioritize photos over any personal information. Attractive women do much, much better on dating apps, although it’s sometimes the case that the photos aren’t even owned by the users of the pictures.
Men reported being attractive too. Even if people might assume that women care less about looks, it was still the case that men presented themselves as attractive (68%), and 19% with above average looks. Figures, as the survey pointed out, that were much higher than the national average. Either respondents were making it up, or they knew, correctly, that if you don’t make yourself seem attractive people won’t bother to contact you.
Lesson 2- Height Matters
Whilst men know that height is important, woman are under less pressure to declare it. The survey found that men usually reported their height an inch taller (on average). Women were in line with the national average, but when it came to weight, it was a different story. With most men expressing a preference for a slim, often petite body size, women typically said they weighed twenty pounds LESS than the national average.
Lesson 3 – Money IS Important, but not as much for womenas men
Men often exaggerated their salary, sometimes to ridiculous levels. But women didn’t. Most women who do well with online dating tend to have a decent job. But actually, having high salary didn’t affect the interest all that much. In fact, once women start earning too much, men tended to be scared off.
Salary seemed to be the biggest indicator to a man’s success on dating sites. Put simply, the richer men received the most responses, and this means that a handsome man with an average or below average job will do worse than an ugly guy earning more than $100,000.
Lesson 4 – Race makes a difference too
Perhaps the finding that has drawn the most attention was related to race. Selecting a partner by race isn’t available on Tinder or Bumble. Yet it is possible to do this when using match.com. In the study, most users said they didn’t mind whether their matches were the same race as them. In fact, roughly half of the white women on the site and 80% of the white men declared that race didn’t matter to them. If this was the case, you would expect men to show interest in different races equally, but this didn’t follow.
The white men who said that race didn’t matter sent an overwhelming amount of letters (90%) to white women. And the women who said the same sent 97% of their email enquiries to white men.
The findings showed that black and latino men received only half the emails which they would have had if they were white.
Ariely concluded that race did matter. It certainly mattered more than people implied on their preferences, but most users were probably hoping to seem educated and didn’t want to seem narrow-minded to potential partners.
Lesson 5 – What are you looking for?
There was an interesting finding when it came to men and women’s intentions on dating sites. Most men who said they were looking for a committed long term relationship did much better than those who wanted a casual fling. On the other hand, women who were looking for something short term did great. The expectations are that most women will only be interested in men who are focused on a serious relationship, thus men tailor their profiles to this. An unforeseen consequence is that some men use this to mislead women into believing they are after a serious relationship when they just want a short affair.
There were also some men who were honest about their status – married men made up 7% on the site. They also said they were ‘happily married’, but they didn’t show their photo. In other words gaining a mistress was not as valuable as keeping a happy marriage.
Appearances vs reality
There’s a significant level of self-enhancement or exaggeration in the way people present themselves on dating sites. With most users claiming to be richer, taller, and better-looking than average, it’s clear that many feel the need to present a more idealized version of themselves to attract potential partners. This tendency to embellish highlights the pressure individuals might feel in competitive environments like online dating, where first impressions are often based on profiles alone. The discrepancy between reported attributes and actual statistics suggests that many users might be consciously or unconsciously inflating their qualities, aiming to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace. This also poses challenges for authenticity and trust in online interactions.
Or we could say that it makes it that much harder to know if the person you message online is anything like the physical person. We know that getting dates is very hard. For some of the users, they received no emails at all. Fifty-six percent of the men and twenty-percent of the women didn’t get a single response. When it comes to online and dating apps, it’s actually incredibly hard to avoid our preconceived ideas of men and women.
If you found this interesting, the book Freakonomics is available to buy here:
Rambing Pig by Rapsa opened only last year. It’s an offshoot of the main restaurant which is based in Hoxton, the part of London where everyone wears new balance shoes and has a wedge haircut, or they did when I went there.
Well, now they’ve opened a restaurant in Ewell, Surrey, which is great, especially if you find standing around waiting at no reservations places and then being deafened by noisy groups shouting, drunk on aperol spritz.
When it was announced in March that the restaurant had won the Estrella Best gastropub award (98th), I felt that I had to go. Never mind that most of these awards are not really worth much, I mean, I don’t think anyone even bothered to check who won it this year or last year. Now I’ve been, I can only say the restaurant is unlikely to win any awards again and was lucky to win this one.
The first problem is the restaurant is hardly ever open, then when you get there, they look surprised if you turn up with out a reservation. well, i did that last Tuesday, and they weren’t exactly pleased to see me. By the time i’d got out of my coat, I was thinking it wasn’t such a good idea. I mean, where was the friendly welcome, more to the point, where was the gastropub I’d been promised? There was nowhere to sit around the bar, so anyone ordering a drink would have to stand around awkwardly.
A quick look at the menu suggests you’d need to order three or four dishes to share, but not much fucking good if you’re on your own like I was. Worse, there’s nothing here for less than eight pounds. We’re talking 9 for a bit of crispy chicken, 15 for a few slices of ‘lechon’, and the travesty of £4.50 for some boiled rice.
If a place charges that kind of money , it better be for some seriously good food. But it wasn’t. Filipino food can be oily and heavy, which was certainly the case for the kare kare croquettes I ordered. Just looking at the picture of them is enough to make me feel queasy, and reminds me that Marco Pierre White once said it won’t taste good if it doesn’t look good.
Next the service, I fail to see how you can call yourself a Filipino restaurant with no Filipino staff anywhere to be seen. There may have been someone in the kitchen, but I saved the embarrassment of confronting them about my food.
Then the bill came, and I was really shocked to find I had to pay a 12.5% service charge , to bring the total up to nearly thirty pounds. It looks like they’re charging Hoxton prices in Ewell, that’s actually criminal.
On the way home, I thought about all the places I’d been , and all the places I had read about, I realised that Rapsa was neither a place I’d enjoyed, or was somewhere I’d really read about until I saw the award. And if the food is really really really bad, there’s a different reason why no-one’s made Instagram reels about it. And that’s because the presentation is more crapsa than rapsa.
the verdict.
The food is barely adequate; you are given a very small portion too. A delicious bowl of noodles of the same quality is no more than £10 at Box Park Croydon. And you can get some delicious chicken at Jolibee for £3.
Service
I felt very uncomfortable as a single diner. I definitely might have ordered more food if I had been treated better, given a better table. they don’t really explain the menu either.
atmosphere, there really isn’t much, if any atmosphere, they don’t play music or have much in the way of decoration.
Overall
It pains me to say just how much I disliked the experience here, I was hoping to find something that would remind me of the Phillipines, but it wasn’t the case at all.
Hilton is a name that is synonymous with the travel industry. Everyone has stayed in a Hilton at some point in their lives. At present the company is going through a process of change. Everr since Hilton rapidly expanded their portfolio of brands to take in Doubletree, Hampton Inns, I’ve wondered if it might be diluting their original concept. Although the goal seems to be to defuse the brand through as many different locations, it’s looking as though the centre can’t contain all of these high and low end variations of Hilton.
Take Hampton Inns. The brand on the face of it would be a good entry point for guests not wanting to stay in a Hilton or luxury Hilton but still wanting the affiliation. Unfortunately, Hilton have allowed too many hotels to trade as Hiltons without really reflecting the Hilton standards. It’s great that Hampton Inns offer free breakfast, but not so great when that breakfast runs out of eggs at half eight, or the juice machine packs in. There are some very poor Hamptons (East Croydon) that are re-purposed buildings rather than new sites.
At the other end of the scale, Hilton LUXR brand is losing several key properties. The Biltmore in London recently stopped trading as a Hilton. The same thing happened to Plaza Athenee Bucharest, which is now an Intercontinental. Now if Hilton wants to maintain its status as the best hotel brand, you would think they would look after some of their established properties, particularly in capital cities.
Hilton still does well at the more mid-level luxury point. An example is their chain of curio hotels. The properties aren’t necessarily in the best locations, but can often offer really unique architecture and some wonderful guest experiences. Hilton have 91 curio hotels in some major cities including London, Madrid and Milan.
Away from that, the brand has some competition at the lower scale. At the price point, Holiday Inn and their Express brand offer a better deal than most Doubletree, Garden Inn and Hampton Inns. It’s also much more streamlined with the original brand message. Who knows what the Hampton Inn stands for? A Hilton brand that has lost its way is the Hilton Garden Inn.
I’ve been staying in Hiltons for years and I still don’t see the difference in terms of branding. If the Garden Inn is for budget hotels, how is it different from a Hampton? Well, the Hampton Inns are usually the cheapest option for Hiltons (although not in London Waterloo) yet they offer free breakfast, whilst Hampton Garden Inn doesn’t. Yet if you stay in a Doubletree, you get a free cookie, whilst still have to pay more for breakfast. Still, it’s better than nothing.
What about Motto?
Here is where Hilton had a missed opportunity to deliver something truly unique in the hotel sector. Back in 2018, Motto was a new hotel brand announced by Hilton. It “is a micro-hotel with an urban vibe in prime global locations”. It was billed as hotel for people who want ‘shared spaces’ but don’t want to choose a hostel. Hilton could have taken a leaf out of the Generator brand, which doesn’t really do more than elevate the hostel concept to make it slightly more stylish. Unfortunately, Hilton chose to open Motto in Marylebone, the most expensive area, hardly a haunt of backpackers. If they had gone for Shoreditch, or even Notting Hill, they would have found a space ideal for their brand. and then after their big press release , nothing happened. It was a major fail.
Devalued Loyalty Program
The Hilton loyalty program was great until they massively devalued the points. I’d rather collect through IHG or Radisson, whose loyalty programs offer much better redemptions. Hilton make it hard to go from Gold to Diamond, and when you get there, it doesn’t make much difference for your stay. The points earned by per stay are so low that you would need to stay more than twenty nights to earn a free night. Hilton should change that. And even the diner credit that you receive if you have Diamond status is not enough to cover the cost of a meal.
Verdict
Hilton have competition in the luxury field from Hyatt and IHG and are facing real challenge from Holiday Inn. They should look to attract younger guests who may currently prefer to use Airbnb or hostels. And they must get their loyalty program back to giving customers a better return for their loyalty.
In the last few weeks we have seen two major news stories breaking concerning trans athletes in women’s events, a worrying indication of what the future has in store for us.
Valentine Petrillo made a history as the first trans athlete to compete as a women in the Paralympics. What made it so controversial was that Petrillo had previously competed as a man, and had only transitioned recently. There was shock at the Olympic Committee’s decision to allow the athlete to take part in a women’s event.
Not only was Petrillo’s inclusion in the women’s event a mistake, it’s doubtful she should have competed in the Paralympics at all.
And last week a women’s football team, who have a trans manager, signed a trans player in goal. In response to this, the rest of the team refused to play their scheduled match. Sutton F.C. – the club in question – issued a heavy handed response reinstating their decision to sign the player in question.
The Football Association’s transgender policy states that English law allows separate competitions to be organised for men and women. But Sutton F.C. then added that Hamilton’s involvement in the women’s game is “fully compliant with all legal and regulatory guidelines.” They ignored any opposing views held by the players and supporters of the club.
Both of these occurrences highlight how quickly official bodies are eroding women’s rights. For make no mistake, that’s what’s happening. Petrillo replaced female athletes in the race she competed in, the same thing happened when Sutton signed a male-at-birth player. Every time this happens it will become harder and harder to raise any objections.
And every time it happens the same arguments will re-surface. But there is a simple solution. Create all-trans events at the Olympics to protect female athletes. Women’s sports such as soccer which see increased participation by trans players should be safeguarded. It’s the only way to stop this ugly sideshow from interfering with the beauty of sports.
The signing of a trans player meant that her first ever game was cancelled due to safety fears.
Britain has a problem with obesity, but you wouldn’t know it. There are 7,009 gyms in the UK. It’s probably higher than that cause of the number of dodgy, unofficial gyms in someone’s basement. But still more than the number of McDonald’s (1.439). There are probably several gyms near you, especially in any town centre.
How did we get to this point? Gyms were always there, but I can’t remember when gyms held such sway over us that we talked of gyms as one of our main activities. The nation has gone from being one where outside sports football and tennis have been replaced by faceless corporations that offer memberships of £29.00 a month. It’s now normal to want to pant on a running machine in front of a TV showing Jeremy Kyle with the sound off, that’s if people are actually using their memberships.
For the 18-25 age range who are predominantly using these chain gyms, they have a handy space to come to that isn’t the pub or the club, and it doesn’t involve actually talking to anyone. We’ve reached a point where it’s perfectly normal for a man to complement another man on the size of his biceps and it’s fine. A strange turn of events for sure.
There are now more shops selling trainers and ‘athleisure’ than there are suit shops. In fact, these companies are so large that Nike has a value of 30 billion dollars. Shops such as JD Sports sell clothes for workouts that never gets worked out in. And then there are the ‘personal trainers’ – about five per gym at any time, and this is a serious career prospect for many.
At the same time, we have a serious obesity problem. For every large town centre gym, there is a chicken shop or three. We may be getting slightly fitter, but it’s a strange way to go about it. Meanwhile the clubs are closing, bars are too expensive, so the gym continues to be the main way for young people to socialise.
The world is experiencing a loneliness epidemic, it would seem. At Starbucks, they believe that having uplifting encounters can create meaningful moments.
The global coffee brand recently partnered with England captain Harry Kane to set up ‘kindness cafes’. The idea is to encourage customers to reach out over a coffee, match up with a matcha latte or chat over a cold brew. It’s all about making connections with people – London can normally feel like an isolated place for single people.
As well as giving several stores a makeover with fussball tables and games to bring lonely people together, the iconic coffee chain has donated £500,000 to the Harry Kane Foundation.
The scheme shows the smart leveraging, bringing together the best English player with an iconic brand that is no less visible than a football hero. It’s also a clever move to make customers equate drinking coffee with helping to solve mental health issues that affect us all.
Have a look at the video here to find more ways to build meaningful connections:
The Donald Trump hush money trial garnered significant public interest for several reasons. There was the shock of the first former president being charged with criminal offences. The trial revolved around allegations that Trump made payments to silence individuals who claimed to have had extramarital affairs with him, with accusations that these payments were to smooth the way for Trump to win the white house.
One of the elements that fueled interest wasn’t the legal charge of falsifying business documents. On their own, these were fairly dry and would never have made the headlines. The key player that sustained the media attention has been Stormy Daniels. The adult movie made most of the shocks that got people’s interest.
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND – JUNE 12: Stormy Daniels poses during her visit to The Cambridge Union on June 12, 2022 in Cambridge, England. (Photo by Nordin Catic/Getty Images For The Cambridge Union)
the case also involved Michael Cohen. who had also been charged with a criminal condition during Trump’s presidency. Yet others close to Trump could not testify and were sworn to silence.
Another adult star with a significant role in the trial was Karen MacDougal. The Playboy model was a part of Trump’s The Apprentice. Considering Trump’s influence and his love of models it’s not surprise that the two soon rubbed more than shoulders with each other. In the end she wasn’t called as a witness, so that was one person who avoided media scrutiny.
As a result, it was Stormy who provided the most sensational press coverage. At times her recounting of the night she spent with Trump caused the President significant embarrassments, Particularly as she referred to spanking him with a magazine.
The result of the trial is that Trump stands guilty of all 34 charges and is seeking a retrial. That will be far off and Trump can still be sworn in as the Republican nominee in July. Although this case may not have been as explosive as may have been hoped, it provided enough stimulation for it to be a big story for some time to come.
It just goes to show that nobody cares what happened until you bang a blonde with big tits.
A field report from GATWICK AIRPORT SOUTH TERMINAL LANDSIDE
date: 04.21.24
We all need to take a rest from the stresses of travel, but can you sleep a whole night in the airport without paying ANYTHING? I went to Gatwick South terminal to investigate.
I took a spare duvet to the airport on a Sunday evening to see how easy it would be to find a space somewhere in the airport that would let me sleep overnight without being interrupted. It was going to be a big challenge indeed, as most people only manage a few hours of shut-eye before the flight, which is a different thing when you have a plane to board.
Up in the departures area, there were several places that people have marked out for sleep. The airport doesn’t expressly forbid anyone from sleeping in the airport, and most were clearly going somewhere, with a case and the familiar neck pillows that some people still carry around. Some others were probably not travelling anywhere, they had rucksacks rather than wheeled suitcases. I saw a man with a futon, so clearly it’s not unusual for people to actually camp out and use the airport for free accommodation.
By eleven thirty on Sunday night, there were several people already laid down sleeping on the floor of the departures area, but it didn’t look very comfortable, the ever present harsh lighting, as well as the noise would mean it would be harder than normal to shut down completely.
The main café nero was still open, but the seats are single and so you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near horizontal in them.
I considered other spots in the terminal, such as the charging area for mobile phones. This area is surprisingly busy,, and one of the things that makes it desirable for people is that you can feel safe because people leave their phones charging unattended. but of course, the airport knows that people try to sleep on these chairs, so they’ve placed metal headrests which can’t be moved.
The final place I considered for my overnight sleep was the prayer room. Having checked in advance, I learned that it’s open 24hours, making it ideal for an overnight stay.
Now, because of the heavy doors and the location at the end of the bulding, it’s the warmest area of the airport by far. My first worry was I wouldn’t be allowed in, once someone saw my duvet, In fact, I needn’t have worried, at least not straight away. the other advantage is that the prayer room is carpeteted. I figured if someone challenged me, I could say that I was bringing in my duvet to use as a prayer mat. At first, I found myself unable to fall asleep. Every time someone opened the door, I’d hear it, and every-time they used the washroom, I heard the pipes rumbling into action.
But before long, the warmth from the floor and my duvet meant I was hitting REMs after less than an hour and soon I felt myself drifting off.
As I was still asleep, I was considering that I had won my challenge. But then I heard the door open again, and this time, it wasn’t a pious muslim coming to pray , but one of the guards coming to remove any sleepers from the room. His exact words were that by sleeping, we were preventing people from using the area for praying. but at four am, it was hard to see that anyone was going to come in to use the room to pray.
With that, I picked up my duvet and looked for one more place to catch the last stage of sleep. There were still people napping by the phone charging area, and the chairs in café nero were all stacked up. The caffe know that in the early hours people want to sleep, so they do this on purpose.
This was going to be difficult, outside the prayer room there is plenty of clear floor space, but the esclators make a loud noise as people reach the top and then loudly wheeled their cases along the concourse.
By five am, travellers were arriving for the first flights. But I was exhausted. The last place I found was the long soft banquette seats by caffe nero. Bingo . this was comfortable enough and I could streatch my legs out and sleep on my front. Even though the shop was still playing classical music much too loudly on purpose, I was determined to get some zzz’s regardless of the situation.
But this only lasted an hour before someone from Nero’s came along to shout at myself and a lady in a dressing gown.
‘No sleeping’ she demanded. By this point, I gave up on getting any more sleep. I had been in the airport nearly ten hours and had slept for maybe two hours.
As I left caffe nero, I saw several armed police and dogs examining the area. I had left at just the right moment.
Verdict.
Sleeping in the airport is not easy. there is the constant bright light, loud passengers, and the fact that the ambient temperature can be quite cold. All of these things are done because airports would prefer if you didn’t use their space to sleep in. People sleeping rough could be a security hazard. Although not as serious as a terrorist with boxcutters and bleach. I was lucky that no-one ever asked for some ID, and I was afraid I would be escorted. Next time I need to stay overnight, I’ll book a hotel. these aren’t cheap, of course, but at least it’s a way to be safe and no-one will interrupt you in the middle of the night.
for dating and everything that comes with it; the world is a very different place since the arrival of the internet and online dating. For example, being able to find someone online who matches your preference is a lot easier when you have powerful search tools that can filter from a range of strict criteria including age, size, and weight.
And it’s even more profound when we consider how it’s affected women in Asian countries.
Think of this: It’s now totally possible to establish a relationship with a girl in Thailand, say, without having to leave your house – something that the internet has made possible. We rarely see something coming along that has this kind of profound effect, and it effects nearly everyone, and probably has changed how we date forever.
if not totally normal, it’s still realistic for a guy who might have few options with his own women, to go down the online path of dating women thousands of miles away.
For Asian women, the internet means that they can be equally selective in finding someone who matches their ideal partner. This means that the internet allows them to be much more careful when looking for a man. Social media lets her find out everything she needs to know about a future match before she needs to meet him. And it makes it harder for the older man to have his pick of the youngest and prettiest women, because they know their value thanks to Instagram, Tiktok and now Only Fans.
Young women in Asia have benefitted from Instagram, which can show their profile all over the world.
It’s a dramatic shift and I think we’re still not aware how much things have changed. For example, before the internet and online dating became perhaps The only way to look for someone, it was still quite possible to make a trip to somewhere with the purpose of just meeting someone in that country, which could work out very well for a man who might have met stunner, or bad;y when he eIded up with someone far below his expectations. It might still be possible to do this,, but nearly all women would feel safer using the online route – it’s more secure and makes them feel that they can get to know someone, without worrying if they are going to be murdered.
It also means that the chances of finding a young Thai girl as a fifty year old man are raer. Knowing their worth is not a nice phrase, but women can see their value from Instagram when they have thousands of likes from a single post. Yes, there have never been more chances for you to find someone, unfortunately, that’s just as true for all the other lonely guys looking for their dream Asian girl.
Leaving a fawning comment might be a easy, but it won’t make you stand out . You might have good text game, but even the most assured pick up artists will do better in person. You can send sexy messages. Or get to know her online. But true flirtation only happens when you meet face to face. Which is why I think it’s great that you can still grab some amazing women that you meet on the streets in a lot of Asian countries, and you won’t need to have any concerns over cat-fishing or scams.
Dating can have its downsides when you live in England but even if you hate local women you can find great ones from abroad.
None more so than ethnic Chinese!
As universities are filling up with foreign students and those on working holidays, it’s not hard to find willing women to date.
China is not the only country to have blessed us with women but I’m using it as a model because it’s the largest cohort of Asian women in the UK.
So let’s see the positives: Chinese are likely to be well-educated and academic. The girls who come to study will have been educated in Their own country in some of the top schools.
Their english is already good, with some having already taken study abroad programs.
Chinese are sexy, if you aren’t sure, just have a look at any Chinese girl on Instagram. Those who say otherwise just haven’t been able to meet up with any Chinese and haven’t even tried!
With a sassy fashion sense, perfect hair and makeup, you can find a good Chinese girl to date in the most desirable 18-25 range without too much trouble.
Figure wise, you’ll find women across the spectrum of sizes. Taller women tend to be slim, but some are well built too. The best have larger busts than typical Asian women, full lips and more adipose body fat.
Sex wise they will be keen to please and enjoy sex as much as other women even if their attitude may say otherwise.
With such a shoddy group of local women, I’d say that the Chinese girls have made the most positive impact on the dating market here. They must be the best thing to happen to the UK since the arrival of miniskirts and the first concorde flight.
A few months ago, I made a video about seeking.com. I judged the site harshly, saying words to the affect that I thought that the sugar- dating service was little more than an escort site.
Now I’ve been back on the premium sugar-baby site in recent days, and I have different views of seeking.com. It’s all down to how accessible the site is, and how attractive it is from a male point of view.
It may be that the popular apps for dating are still tinder and bumble, but seeking offers much more than these swiping mobile services.
It’s really important to approach online-dating with an open-mind, which is why I came back to Seeking for a fresh perspective. The advantages that seeking has over the former swiping apps are numerous.
Accessibility and attractiveness
Seeking.com lets you choose which members you want to contact, you just search, send them a message, then wait for them to reply.
The robust search function
Seeking lets you choose someone’s age, height, race, and whether they have been verified or not. You can then filter out anyone who doesn’t fit your ideal partner.
Ease of use
The site lets you filter out members who haven’t uploaded photos, or who have not been online recently. You don’t need to worry if they have seen your message either, because seeking gives you a ‘read’ status when the other user has seen your message.
Private photos
This unique feature lets users upload photos that might be more personal, which you request to view. This might be for women who want to find out more about someone before they share their personal photos. It can really add depth to the online interaction, and make you eager to meet the other user in person.
The gift service
Seeking’s other unique feature is the gift service. All users are given the option of creating a wish list where they select items they would like. That’s a great way for you to make a good impression on someone who might live in another country. The site handles the delivery and lets you choose a message too.
Attractive Women and Unique Opportunities
Seeking.com boasts a larger pool of attractive women compared to other apps. Importantly, Seeking facilitates connections between distinct groups of people who might not easily meet in real life.
Remember that every user’s experience can vary, and it’s essential to consider both positive and negative aspects. If you continue using Seeking.com, keep exploring its features and adapt them to your preferences. Happy dating! 🌟🔍
Worcester Park, on the edge of Kingston, is also part of the Surrey borough of Epsom and Ewell. This charming area of south-west London may not sound very interesting, but its everyday English-ness part is of its appeal.
Start your journey outside the Plough (bus 231 stops here), where there is a lovely green, which proudly hosts a branch of Miller & Carter steakhouse. On the other side, the parade of shops next to the bus stop has a traditional bakery – Plough Bakery – that should be the first place to stop at.
There are always people in here, and you can find bakery items for as little as a pound. Don’t expect flat whites and sourdough, instead, feast on one of the pastries that they will heat up until they are bursting out at the sides. Service is definitely old school, a little a rough even, but all things considered. the quality and choice is ten times better than Greggs (there’s one of these here as well). There are metal chairs outside, should you wish to enjoy your coffee next to the traffic, which is not all that noisy, and the pavements are wide enough anyway.
Osaka (358 Old Malden Road) is an interesting restaurant: the name is Japanese, but the owners are Korean, part of the large diaspora of residents from that country making up the 4.8 percentage of Asians living in the area. At one point, the parade looked like it was becoming run-down, but the shops are now well-looked after, and the steady flow of traffic keeps business ticking over. We’re still technically in Old Malden, as the road name indicates.
Two more stops on the 231, or ten-minute walk past the spacious houses of the main road, we come to Worcester Park Station. Trains for London Waterloo depart every twenty minutes. The road by the station was lowered, and as you leave the station under the bridge, you find yourself in Worcester Park proper.
The main pub, The Brook is more a bar and dining restaurant, and is very busy over the summer. It’s now the only pub in the street after the Worcester Park closed and then mysteriously burned down in a fire. The area has little left to mark the pub, just some fencing with some sedate graffiti to match the area’s quietness.
Central Road is a typical English high street that probably hasn’t changed much since the seventies. There’s a butcher’s, shoe shop, a really good independent fruit shop. Because its a through road connecting to New Malden and Cheam, there’s no ugly shopping center. The main Waitrose store shows the affluence of the area in nearby Cheam and Stoneleigh.
An old school Costa, an essential part of any suburban high street
Signs that you are still in London come with the proliferation of kebab and vape shops, but once you reach the hill, things change. There’s a lovely camera shop where you can research the best digital cameras to buy (CAMERA CONTINENTAL), watch shop (Hendy’s ) and some of the best value nail salons anywhere (Amy’s Nails).
That’s more than enough to make it worth your while to come here, and if you want to stop for a bite, there are cafes at every other shop (Costa, Starbucks, all the usual suspects). On the other hand, most of the restaurants are local Chinese and Indians. At The Chef, you can get cracking takeaway for not much more than £7 a main of ribs or egg-fried rice.
Here we have our favourite Chinese Takeaway, where the chef has probably been here since the restaurant opened in the 70s.
There’s no doubting the fact that Hong Kong is a difficult city for the budget traveller. Most hotels offer very high room rates and room sizes are much smaller than you would normally receive in other cites.
Yet Hong Kong has so much variety. the city is home to several youth hostels situated across the island. The hostels I stayed in were all a part of the YHA organization, and you can have a sense of security knowing that they will have to meet basic standards of accommodation.
You might not imagine there being many rural youth hostels in Hong Kong. or hostels in general. but the city is home to many youth hostels. the most famous is in SHAM SHUI PO. The site is a former social housing block that was renovated to make the current building that houses the youth hostel. Part of the building has been given over to a museum which documents the history of the city when the street housing caught fire. it was the Mei Ho House that was built to house some of the residents who had lost their homes in the fire that left 30,000 people homeless.
the other prominent hostel is located on the city’s Lantau island. most of it is is rural, and you will see the Buddha Statue at the bottom. Although the hostel is basic, there are advantages to staying in this location. For a start, there are several barbecue points dotted in the outside area, which are ideal for warm and dry weather. the bedrooms are basic, but when you are staying here you find that this is all you need.
perhaps another ideal rural hostel is located close to Kennedy Town, the furthest point in Hong Kong Island. The Jockey Club in Mount Davis is reached up a steep climb along a mountain path. Once you reach the top you are afforded incredible three-sixty views of the city. Although there was heavy rain the weekend I stayed at Mount Davis, I appreciated being in the sturdy accommodation that was clearly designed for all weathers, and may even have been designed to withstand bombing.
The final hostel I want to point out to you is the Bradbury Jockey Club. the hostel is at Tai Po close to Plover Cove Reservoir. With the interior painted in bright yellow, it s a very colourful place. With it’s nearby outdoor sports area, it’s like Friday the thirteenth , but without all the killing. it’s worth noting that the country hotels in Hong Kong often include kitchens where you can prepare food on the hotplates. there are not many places to buy food, so If you are staying here it would be ideal if you come with some supplies.
Booking the youth Hostels. All hostels mentioned in this article can be booked through booking platforms such as Booking.com , but if you use the Youth hostel Association website you can choose which dorms to stay in, you have the convenience of contacting the hostel directly when you book. it’s also possible to book at a discounted rate by selecting the members’ discount.
Taipei, a city that may not resonate as much with visitors as Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul, should not be ignored when it comes to Asia. Curiously, the city has gone under the radar, yet when it comes to food and historic culture the capital of Taiwan punches above it’s weight.
This bustling metropolis offers a plethora of experiences that cater to every traveler’s interest. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the must-visit attractions, top-notch dining spots, and essential tips for an unforgettable trip to Taipei.
Exploring Taipei 101: Asia’s Tallest Skyscraper
A trip to Taipei isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Taipei 101. Soaring 508 meters into the sky, this architectural marvel provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Don’t forget to explore the luxury shopping mall inside and take a stroll through the adjacent Elephant Mountain for stunning photos.
designed to look like the lucky number eight in Chinese, TAIPEI 101 is the tallest skyscraper in Asia.
Immerse Yourself in History at National Palace Museum
Delve into Taiwan’s rich history at the National Palace Museum, home to an extensive collection of Chinese imperial artefacts. Discover ancient ceramics, jade carvings, and exquisite paintings that date back thousands of years.
Taipei’s Culinary Delights: Night Markets Galore
Taipei’s night markets are a culinary adventure waiting to be explored. From the bustling Shilin Night Market to the local favorite Raohe Street Night Market, you’ll find an array of mouthwatering street food options. Don’t miss out on the famous stinky tofu and beef noodle soup! The market was shown in S03, E1 of Fresh off The Boat.
Tranquility in the Heart of Chaos: Longshan Temple
Escape the urban hustle and bustle at Longshan Temple, a spiritual oasis nestled in the heart of Taipei. Admire the intricate architecture, participate in traditional ceremonies, and soak in the serene atmosphere.
Day Trip to Jiufen: A Spirited Journey through Time
For a taste of old-world Taiwan, embark on a day trip to Jiufen. This charming hillside village, famous for its narrow alleyways and tea houses, inspired the animated film Spirited Away. Don’t forget to sample traditional tea and enjoy the stunning coastal views.
Navigating Taipei: Essential Tips for Travelers
Transportation: Taipei boasts an efficient MRT system, making it easy to get around. Consider purchasing an EasyCard for seamless travel on public transportation.
Language: While Mandarin is the official language, English is widely understood, especially in tourist areas.
Weather: Taipei experiences a subtropical climate. Visit between October and April for cooler, more comfortable weather.
Currency: The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) is the local currency. ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawal.
Safety: Taipei is known for its safety. However, exercise standard precautions, such as safeguarding belongings in crowded areas.
Population: 2.646 million
Conclusion
Taipei, with its unique blend of tradition and modernity, promises an unforgettable travel experience. Whether you’re captivated by towering skyscrapers or enticed by delectable street food, Taipei has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and embark on an adventure in this captivating city!
If you are just arriving in Hong Kong and need to transit to Guangzhou there are some things you should try to avoid. Number one would be to make sure that you have some rest at the airport. Maybe a couple of hours in the airport bar, especially after your 12-hour flight.
If you are heading for China, may I suggest you take a train? You really don’t want to have to drag yourself and your luggage to the 3hours + bus, with a one hour wait at the border in Shenzhen. If this is the first time in China, you really must try to book a hotel where the staff can speak English.
Unfortunately, I was guilty of all of these. Although in my defence, I hadn’t booked the bus or the hotel. These were arranged by my employer, and I had little say in the matter.
When you sign up with a teach abroad programme, your head gets full of wild ideas of trekking the Himalayas, the great wall of China, exotic romance. But the first couple of days were spent doing mundane tasks that amazed me only in that they were done with the most mind-numbing bureaucracy imaginable.
That terrible bus journey, all the way from Hong Kong to the inner city of Guangzhou , made me realise how much concrete I was going to see. Not only that but the place looked like Korea did before it became cool.
After eventually finding the hotel (tip: for gods sake choose somewhere central)I then had to think about eating. What’s that smell? When you can breathe something other than pollution, you’ll see that food is all around you. You choose between eating in one of the cheap canteen style places, or somewhere more upmarket, like a shopping mall restaurant. the first meal I had was some kind of beef offal noodles and it was totally delicious.
I thought I had come to the wrong place…
After the first night in Guangzhou, I was soon to discover just how total and all encompassing tool the Chinese system was. It seems that all long-term visitors are required to submit to detailed medical checks. This could not be done at a small private clinic, but a vast public building. The main task was to process us as quick as possible. This meant that the blood tests were carried out in the open, not behind closed doors. It’s more efficient, though less private way of carrying out procedures. In less than two hours, I was given kidney, lung, heart and urinary tests. This was done with the maximum of efficiency and the minimum of bedside manner or privacy. Yet they msut have taken care of 250 +arrivals that morning alone. I was forced to admit the sheer task of it was something to admire.
Back at the hotel, I was starting to appreciate the extra touches that were available. A pool would have been a boon on the stuffy afternoons. In Guangzhou, the heat stays on the ground , and never moves from morning to night .
I was subjected to a battery of tests on my first day.
But the hotel offered a gym, and a laundry room And every afternoon, staff laid out fresh cakes and fruit in the restaurant area. There were still surprises when it came to breakfast. Sometimes , there would be croissants, other times not. Egg came hard boiled or fried. And there were only a couple of cereal options.
It was fun to open up the large steaming serving dishes and think of what to have. There was a choice of rice porridge, and several condiments that seemed to make the bland dish jump alive with flavour.
I followed my cue from the mostly Chinese diners. Every so often I would spot a non-Chinese face, this was extremely rare however. They were mostly as bemused by the situation as I was . the situation was not like t standard international hotel that could have been anywhere. Instead, this was strictly a Chinese hotel that made few allowances for non-locals.
Another shock was seeing that the bedrooms on one side of the building did not come with an outward facing window. The only opening window opened to the landing, the only air flow then came from opening the door, and the air-condioning. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll find it difficult to sleep if the bed is near the AC unit.
My first impression of China was extremely negative. Partly this was my fault. If you go to a country knowing nothing beyond some loose ideas from what you’ve heard or seen, you are going to be surprised. In my case, I believed that reading too much would possibly cause me to have ideas that China was worse than it really was,.
In any case, you don’t really know how it’s going to feel until you live in a country. And however much you can read, when you get there the place you come to is often not the one that you pictured.
On my third night, I took a walk to the Pearl River Bridge. Across the street next to the underground metro is a giant shopping mall. It was full of teenagers, dressed in their best clothes and seeming to be moving around, excitedly taking photos, milling in and out of shops but never buying anything. It was a common sight wherever I went in the next few weeks. A few scrappy street vendors selling things on skewers, but inside, teens waited in front of restuaurants for a seat inside. The old Chinese style was giving way to shiny comsumerism.
There were coffee shops, American fast food restaurants alongside more traditional Chinese tearooms and roast duck restaurants.
I walked past stalls selling durian and piles of CROCS. Inside the old restaurants sat mostly older men, their chaests bared, smoking and eating from steaming cauldrons. Most of these restaunts only had signs in Chinese. But I could tell from the shiny pictures what I was going to be given. At one beef noodle restaurant, I paid less than two pounds for a glossy bowl of beef soup, vegetables and rice.
I went in to a gleaming Starbucks occupying a prime location next to the Pearl River. Coffee was marketed as a luxury product, with prices to match. One medium freshly brewed coffee was nearly double the price of my noodles. None of the well-heeled locals seemed to mind.
The Canton Tower, a recent addition to the city (finished in 2008) was brightly lit and stood out from the boxy grey towers. Right next to it is another major Guangzhou landmark. The National Theatre, designed by Zaha Hadid, was one of several new buildings by so-called star-chitects. the sloping steel concrete design looks like the body of a giant whale. Inside, the walls represent the pebbles smoothed by the Pearl River, all very poetic.
China may be currently facing a mass retirement with the largest group of pensioners in history, but with the easing of the one child rule, there are babies, children, and teens everywhere. And whilst the young are squeezing themselves into packed subway trains, their elders live a slower life, pushing babies in strollers between dancing Tai Chi in the park.
At night I read more about China’s history. In 1979, Deng Xiaopeng singed reforms allowing limited free trade in China. Wham played the first rock concert EVER in 1985 a few years before THE LAST EMPEROR was filmed in the Forbidden City. A period of modernisation led to the democratic uprising that was brutally crushed. But nothing could stop the rapid industrialisation. A country that hadn’t changed for centuries hosted the Olympics and had the highest steel production in the world, rising to 1 billion tonnes in 2015.
I suddenly had to reformulate everything I thought I knew and develop a new understanding, and it was going to take much longer than a few weeks.
You’d think there would be no contest because Airbnbs are nearly always cheaper than a hotel in any category. But it’s not so simple as one being cheaper than others. We know from experience that using a hotel can be more amenable than staying in an airbnb.
Location
Hotels are often in more convenient locations that can be accessed easily. Whereas airbnbs can be in all kinds of far-off places and certainly won’t be listed on any tourist map… you can be led astray when booking an airbnb due to misleading titles and location information, but hotels will always show their actual address, meaning it’s much easier to choose somewhere in a central location.
Price vs Added Extras
Whilst airbnbs are mostly cheaper than most hotels in a 4 or 5 star range, you’re getting certain amenities when you stay in a hotel that airbnbs can’t provide. Are you looking for a gym, pool or rooftop bar where you can meet other travellers? You’re better off staying in a hotel or a hostel , where these are likely to be available. Are brand new sheets, air-conditioning a priority? Hotels are likely to work better for you.
On the other hand, staying in an Airbnb could work out if you are looking to build relationship with the host and learn about the area. Then again, there is nothing like being able to consult the concierge of a hotel who will know the local area and so can give you all the information to get around the area.
Finding the ‘right’ airbnb
The hard part is finding the appropriate Airbnb for you and the best located property. Most major cities have accepted Airbnb for short term lets, meaning that anyone with a property can list it as a ‘holiday home’. It doesn’t even need to be a property that they own and may just be a property that they sublet. This is clearly not necessarily a good thing. Take major cities like London or Paris, which have the highest number of airbnbs. Travelers looking to save some money might end up somewhere with no proper facilities, transport links or any hospitality to speak of.
Blame the Airbnb review system, which makes it difficult for users to write anything less than glowing reviews. We don’t know why guests can be more honest when it comes to reviewing a hotel. But something about visiting someone’s house, perhaps meeting the owners means that most if not all guests feel obliged to leave glowing reviews for what was just an ordinary stay in an average home with nothing to recopmmend it. A case in point is a stay in Ibiza. Whilst some reviews clearly indicate that the host is not a nice woman, the honest reviews are overwhelmed by the sycophantic reviews which somehow suggest that the host is the nicest woman ever, even whilst she can’t be because she has a list of things you can’t do that is as long as the property description.
The negative effect that Airbnb has on local communities
Staying in airbnbs has shown me that not everyone has what it takes to be a good host. But what may be an even stronger reason not to use airbnbs is the effect they have on communities. If landlords think they can earn more renting out their rooms to overseas visitors ,rather than locals, they will do so. It then makes it harder for hotels – which have a beneficial relationship to communites – to, a, find guests, but also to pay the taxes and staff’s wages. This may ultimately be why it’s better to stay in hotels than airbnbs, especially in poorer countries which rely on foreign visitors to stay in hotels.
Located near the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s globe, Bankside is one of the Hilton’s most well-reviewed hotels in London. With a google average score of 4.6, it rates highly for customer satisfaction and service and general experience.
I booked at stay in February, using the ‘points and cash option’. A typical points redemption for a standard room is between 60-90,000 honours points. That puts it at the higher end of the brand’s portfolio, but it’s not the most expensive hotel per night.
The stay
I arrived at the hotel a little earlier than 2pm. There were several people at the reception at separate desks.
There was no one greeting at the door which was a little strange. In nearly all of the five star London hotels there is at least one if not two door staff.
The receptionist found my booking and asked for a card to enter into the system. I find this one of the more irritating aspects of staying in Hilton hotels.
The check-in
I asked if they had any twin beds available and I was told that they were very busy and couldn’t offer one. I was given room number 236. I looked around for someone to help me carry my luggage to the room, and I then gave my room key to one of the staff in the lobby. I was taken aback when he thought I was checking out of the hotel. If had been paying attention he would have noticed that I was checking in just two minutes earlier.
I’m not sure if it’s their policy but not assisiting customers with luggage is very unwelcoming.
I was shown the lifts and found the room.
I needed to swipe the key to access the floor number. It’s bizarre that Hilton need to do this. You would think they would easily be able to distinguish genuine guests from intruders.
The Room
The room was a standard room, with some design features I quite liked. But there was a separate floor area that wasn’t particularly comfortable. The bath room had a walk in shower, but no bath. There were the standard fixed toiletries on the wall, with no disposable toiletries that you might have been given before the no-plastic rule.
The hotel had a hidden closet that is part of the streamlined design of the hotel, but it would have been nice if the closet was easier to access. There was an ironing board, iron, and hairdryer in a box on the desk. Stangely, there were no dressing gowns in the room . a real disappointment. I rang housekeeping to ask them where I could find a robe and they couldn’t tell me. I found this quite upsetting.
The room had a kettle with some teabags, instant coffee and two packs of biscuits. I was really hoping that they would have some espresso pods, but it wasn’t to be…. This would distinguish hotel from lower cost brands such as DoubleTree and Garden Inns.
The Bar
The hotel has an open and airy bar/restaurant in the ground floor. Coming in, it was not clear to us where we could sit. It didn’t feel like it was a bar or a restaurant and more like they were trying to fit both into the same space.
I started to film the empty area on my phone but was quickly approached by the member of staff on duty who wanted to know what I was doing. It was quite upsetting to be spoken to like this. I explained that I wanted to record the bar for a video, he seemed satisfied by this explantion.
The bar menu had a usual drinks menu, and we didn’t want any of the food. I made a point of ordering the Valentine’s cocktail which was strong and well-mixed, but a little pricey at 12 pounds, My partner ordered the sparkling rose. The bar is running a promotion with Chapel Down, but unfortunately, they had already run out of it, the manager was unable to explain when they would have any bottles delivered.
The bed
I felt that the bed was certainly a higher quality than that of other Hilton brands. I got a reasonable night’s sleep. In the morning, I went down to the restaurant for breakfast. At 9.20, I had probably chosen the busiest time of all for breakfast.
Breakfast
Staff led me to my table and explained some of the choices available.
The food was artistically displayed. I took my phone out and was ready to record the display. Sadly, I wasn’t able to film very much as two members of staff hurried over to ask me to stop filming right away. I was quite annoyed at this point. One of the reasons that I stay in hotels is to record the experience for myself and other guests. If I can’t do this , I will be less willing to use Hilton Hotels.
Price
It was £20 for the full breakfast. That’s a lot. But do note you can order bespoke items from the kitchen, such as home-made waffles, and omelettes. I tried both, and the omelette was really superb. I certainly didn’t need to order any more eggs after that. The other selections of food were very much in line with what you would expect to see. Maybe they could add something uniquely British, such as a Chelsea bun or an eccles cake?
Pool and Gym
After making a video in the room. I went back down to tuse the fitness area. There is a gym and a swimming pool. The gymn was empty, so I was able to get a good workout done.
Then it was into the pool, this was quiet too. Hilton have designed a very impressive pool that is the highlight of the hotel. It’s lit in such away that the area feels bigger than it is. It’s just a pool, there is no sauna. It wasn’t a problem for me as I wanted to swim and that’s what I did.
Checking out
I left my key with reception and I was on my way. To be honest, the staff could have treated me with more gratitude, I expect after the phone filming incident they were happy to see me leave. In fact, felt that the staff could have been more proactive and helpful during my stay.
Verdict
I’m not in love with this hotel. It’s small, the design isn’t very impressive. If you are a first time visitor, it will be a good first place to stay but bear in mind you will be miles from decent shops. There are many hotels nearby that may offer better value, so look around.
Now I like a bikini as much as any man. But whislt a lot of women wear them, most women simply don’t have the body for them. So here’s why I think swimsuits are more suitable for women.
1. A swimsuit has more coverage than a twopiece bikini set. The stomach area is not especially attractive and the swimsuit does a great job concealing it.
2. A swimsuit is more stable and will be less likely to fall off, reveal breasts or other body parts.
3. Swimsuits are more archicterual and come with more support, although bikinis have differences, none are very different.
4. Swimsuits are available in custom designs, and shapes. For someone not sure, there is even the option of a monokini. Usually it’s a swimsuit with a part cut out and therefore more revealing than a standard swimsuit but still a one-piece.
5. Women look better in a swimsuit. Larger women shouldn’t wear a bikini, whislt younger women often do, it’s tricky to find a bikini that looks good. Swimsuits are therefore the safest option for anyone who doesn’t have a perfectly toned body, or isn’t 8 years old.
VISITORS to Bulgaria will notice that alongside the Cyrillic alphabet, mashed carrot, and powerful rackia, the country is noted for its traditional yet glamorous women.
Although we will see women in Western Europe still sometimes wearing feminine dress, it’s more of a fashion statement as opposed to regular uniform, because the rules on dress have loosened considerably.
Typically, Bulgarian women dress in a noticeably more feminine way. That means typically longer hair, modest dress, and make-up. And it’s far more common that women in Bulgaria wear tights or stockings underneath their trousers and skirts, in all weathers. As in many countries, the ordained dress code for professional women has included strict guidelines for what women should wear to the office.
As in Japan, Spain, Eastern Europe, Bulgarian women still dress in a more formal and professional way.
I wondered if there were other reasons why Bulgarian women are more likely to cover their legs. Was it the weather? I couldn’t discount it, although it was not particularly cold when I was there.
Was it because there are factories in the city where nylons and stockings are manufactured, making them more affordable than in other cities? That may be a more likely reason.
To try to understand the phenomenon more closely, I visited a small, kiosk in the city centre selling all manner of ladies hosiery. At around 6:30, the store was attended by an old, somewhat matronly lady of about 55. I was aware that my visit was greeted by some surprise, but I wasn’t put off from browsing through the various items on display.
There were dark, tan, and flesh coloured tights in various denier. In the end, I purchased the pair (*pictured below). Not knowing the word for stockings, I couldn’t exchange my purchase for what I really wanted. But it was a nice experience all the same. I imagined how it must feel to wear fabric that clung so sensuously close to the skin. To be aware of it and to be have to adjust it now and again, as women often did.
At the end of my trip, I was still not to sure if women really wore stockings more commonly, or it was just the ones I encountered that did. But it was true of various women I encountered. The expensively dressed glamazons entereing a state function in the government building definitely were wearing stockings or tights (an expert would be able to tell either way). And the last Bulgarian women to really impress me, could well have been wearing stockings under her official airport uniform – if only she hadn’t been behind a desk.
And so, I came away from my trip with a greater appreciation for the women I had met, if only for a very short period of time.
You can spread out more. And there is more space next to you due to one seat kept empty, in most economy cabins there are three seats in each row, with a narrow gap for the aisle. Sit on the aisle and you have people knocking your shoulder as they walk past. There is a gap between the seats Business, meaning you won’t be given the least popular middle seat.
With economy, you also tend to be closer to the engine, and this makes for a noisier flight. All seats in business are nearer the front, but you will still hear some of the engine noise.
Faster check-in
You have your own queue for checking in and boarding. When I flew economy from London, I was able to self-check in. That was not the case when I came back by business. The second time, I had luggage to check in. Business class gives you 2 bags you can check in, whereas in economy, you pay for all your checked luggage. Something I really appreciate is being able to board with just a small bag, and I don’t want to have to worry about any liquids being thrown away. I was very pleased when I watched the ground staff member carefully wrap a tag on my luggage marked ‘priority’ and the bag was well looked after with no damages on the other end, something which won’t always be the case when travelling economy.
A separate queue for boarding.
Economy passengers must wait longer because they can’t board first. However, I joined a separate queue for business travellers so I could enjoy more time in the airport café instead of wasting time queuing. I could also have used my business ticket for entry to the lounge, but I couldn’t see the need for it as I knew I was going to be eating and drinking on the plane.
A nicer experience generally
There is more of a sense of being looked-after when in first or business. The flight out had only two crew members in the main cabin. It was obvious that there were more staff out in front. My business flight confirmed this as true. There were four cabin crew in business. I never had to look around to see where the FAs were, and I never felt ignored.
Food and beverage options
I’m used to being given only a bag of crisps and water as a ‘snack’ when I travel economy with British airways. If you want more , you’l need to order online, paying for the privilege so that you can have something extra to eat. Yet in business, I was offered a full meal, bread roll, then coffee. All of this was clearly airplane food, but it was nice to have. It’s true that airlines make sure that economy must be basic so that customers are made to feel more special if they fly business. Unfortunately, the reality is also if you are a business traveller you will have more food than you need. Often this food would be more appreciated by those who are never offered it and sit there going hungry.
Free drinks
The choice of drinks is great when flying on a higher status ticket. I was given champagne, tomato juice, and then wine with meal. I could have had more, but that would have been greedy, I even asked for ginger ale, and that was given to me. And some customers were able to order Baileys. These would need to be paid for in ecomony, so you can factor in the cost of free drinks when you fly Business Class.
Mixing with interesting passengers
In some ways, the business class section of a flight can be like a member’s club. Not that I fly business all too regularly, but this is the impression I have. The passengers I flew with on Saturday were all likely to have been frequent flyers with the British Airways Club Europe membership privilege programme.
When I fly economy, I always worry that I’ll be sat next to someone who either wants to talk too much, or doesn’t want to talk at all. Or just a very boring person that isn’t interesting to interact with. It’s possible that you could meet a better class of passenger flying business. But The downside of business is you might not feel confident starting a conversation with someone who may have a higher status than you.
On my way out, I was talking to a flyer who was only flying out to come back again, all so that he could maintain his status with British Airways Club Europe.
In fact, the reason why Sofia is a popular destination is it’s one of the only airports to allow passengers to arrive at the airport and depart without going through security. No wonder then that there were so many travellers flying business on the Saturday I flew. They had probably gone out on the 7:40 London flight, and come back on the next available flight at 1:50.
More mileage points.
BA have recently changed their points allocation, instead of points being issued per mile flown, you’ll receive points for the number of pounds spent on your ticket.
I’m not expecting many points for my £49 economy ticket, but my return business class seat was 25,000 aveos plus €128 euros. I probably spent too many aveos for the flight, but still, I’ll receive at least 6000 points back in my account for a single outward journey. When you book a flight, the price really depends on so many factors, for example the time, day of the week and the demand for the destination. If you search around, you can fly one way in Business for £300, short haul.
Ultimately, is it worth it?
The price can be very high for benefits you won’t necessarily need. On the other hand, it’s a very pleasant experience that you won’t find in many other places. Because BA cabin crew really enjoy their job, they take pleasure in serving their customers. You can really feel it. I don’t know of any other area of the service industry that is so consistent when it comes to hospitality. BA like to treat their Club Europe travellers members well, because they don’t want to lose them. It may be unfair, but economy passengers don’t receive such glowing service because they aren’t so valuable to the airline.
I’ll continue to fly business when I can, but I’ll be using economy more.
The price difference does not always make sense. With an early morning flight, it’s more common to want to sleep than enjoy meal service on board. If eating is important to you and you don’t want to fly business, you can always bring your own food on the airport it’s the afternoon and evening flights where the service and the food offerings really come into their own. It would be nice to see the standards of economy rise, but I don’t see that as very likely, so that instead of getting the very least in service and food and beverage, you receive something closer to what is given in business class.
Taiwan has long gone under the radar as an Asian travel venue. It seems that travellers skip if for Japan, or Korea, or even China. Yet why Taiwan has fewer visitors than these countries isn’t so clear . As well as beaches and mountains, the country has a warm climate all-year round.
It has one of the highest standards of living in all of asia, being one of the economic powers of the post war eras.The country offers free access to internet and western democratic freedoms.
On top of this, the people are noticeably more kind, likely to help and polite, something that really comes across when you spend any time with them
The country might be a bit expensive for a backpacker, but still, it’s similar in price to Japan and more affordable than Singapore.
Here are some places you can visit on your first trip to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Shilin Night Market
Shown recently in the hit comedy, Fresh off the Boat, this is a great place if you want to eat food at night. Just make sure to tell the difference between the good fakes and the bad fakes, or you might end up like Eddie.
Taiwan National University
Founded in 1928, this prestigious research university has 7 campuses & a botanical garden.
Kenting
Although it’s not as famous as beaches in Thailand or Bali, Kenting has many beautiful places for swimming, sunbathing and cycling.
Photo: Alexis JetSetsPhoto: dj.Kaihan
MOONSTAR 360
THE LAST place I have to recommend is MOONSTAR 360. An incinerator is the last place you would expect to find a revolving restaurant! Perched 120 meters up, the restaurant is a great lookout at the city of Taipei. In case you are concerned about the air quality, to make the air quality safe for the restaurant, the incinerator was fitted with special anti pollution devices.
The restaurant uses the power from the incinerator, a great way to recycle all of the city’s waste.
There is a viewing platform 4 meters below the restaurant that offers panoramic view of the estuary of the Tamshui river and its bird reservation, as well as the distant mountain ranges. You can also see Yangming Shan, Kuan-yin Shan and the whole of the Taipei Basin.
Some thing happened since the last few years and I don’t think it’s totally related to COVID , but it doesn’t help. I don’t really enjoy living in England. That’s not a new feeling for me but I’ve started to feel progressively stronger anti-UK now.
Although it’s a bit of an exaggeration, I don’t always feel safe here. Something about the language and the people create strong feeling of unease that often leads to paranoia. When I was driving, I didn’t notice so much, but now I’m taking public transport, I see weirdos everywhere, and it’s very uncomfortable to have to face it directly.
Something I’ve tried to shy away from is exclusive male company, which was easy when I was growing up, but is harder now. I’ve become estranged from many of the women I went to school with, not by choice, but because that is what happens as you grow older. But England has always seemed a horribly aggressive place where violence is simmering just below the surface.
England Football fans are notorious for violence at European tournaments
it’s not just men, but women that I’m scared of, the differences between men and women have gradually eroded to leave a mass of people with little to distinguish themselves from each other.
Take a good look at this lady, she’ll soon be a thing of the past.
As a child, I saw that women wore skirts, and men wore trousers. Yet now is rarer to see women wearing skirts, or stockings, or anything that might make them appear feminine. That is no longer the goal, it’s clear. Instead, coarseness, ugliness and violence is the order of the day.
Take look a the video, and you’ll see that I’m not exaggerating.
A 2-disc set featuring clips from the horniest Asian babes in the business.
The DVD complies six scenes shot in the 2000s.
If you know Private you will already be familiar with the fact that they are famous for the best European smut around. However on this disc they show that they can do that for Asian women.
Scene 1 is from the movie Ass Games.
Katsumi wears a leather ensemble like a biker girl, which I didn’t much care for but no matter because she gets out of it pretty quickly, as she starts sucking one guy’s cock as the other gets to work on her ass, lubricating it with his finger. Katsumi has shorter hair in this scene. I think the movie must be quite old. Both guys proceed to deep throat Katsumi, allowing her to take their cocks all the way down. Next it’s penetration, which she takes from behind as she takes another mouthful of the guys cock.
The camera angles give a good view of her ass as she gets pounded, but the angles were a little low. The lighting was a bit weird too, as it was mainly from set lights, giving the scene an unnatural quality. Katsumi’s ass gets penetrated at 15 minutes, it looked very dry and not particularly appealing. Katsumi is double penetrated in this one, and it finishes with her being covered in clear cum.Theres not enough of Katsumi in this one. I skipped it and you will too, unless you’re a big fan of Katsumi.
Scene 2 – Cum. Bamboo
Director: Marc Lelong
This is an outdoor, scene. It begins with bamboo lying outside. The outdoor location is cool. When a guy finds her he starts to caress her very erect nipples which are coming out of her loose white negligee. Soon she’s joined by a black guy who is then sucked off as the first man continues to penetrate her. The scene is well shot – there’s a good mix of close up shots with panning of her delightful body. Bamboo is penetrated by both cocks whilst being held aloft – a scene that must have been challenging. It ends abruptly with the black guy cumming on her face as the white man follows afterwards.
Rating – 4 out of 5. I liked Bamboo’s body and the male studs were good.
Scene 3 Evil Geishas hotel – Lady May
Location: Barcelona
This one has a geisha theme even though model is Thai instead of Japanese.
Mis-casting aside, this one has some weird imagery at the start, with a man coming into a cube-like chamber where a man is dressed in a rabbit suit and masked. She gets undressed, revealing her toned athletic body. The guys get their cocks out. Lady May starts to finger herself. The men make some rough sexual noises, thankfully we don’t have to look at their faces as they keep their masks on. The good thing about Thai women is their bodies are always tanned, meaning that we don’t see a lot of blotchy pale skin on the camera. Even better is the fact that they don’t need to wear make up.
I loved May’s body but the set-up of the scene was off-putting.
Scene 4: African temptation
Girl: Priva
The Thai beauty is at her tempting best in this romantic beach-set escapade next to the crystal clear sea. After an introduction involving finding a giant seashell, the couple move to the action on a beach towel they have laid on the sand.
Wearing a green bikini and sarong, Priva is hot. Actually, after this I don’t know why you would choose any woman but a Thai girl. Priva’s body is sinful: erect nipples, perfectly shaped breasts and toned brown legs. She also makes the most erotic noises of any woman I have watched in porn.
There aren’t so many pussy shots here, mostly it’s her wonderful body that takes up most of the action.
I didn’t find the man so annoying in this one. Usually male actors in porn take the focus away from the woman but this gut is clearly as in awe of Priva as we are.
There are so many shots of Priva’s face, sucking the guy off, or just cumming and staring at the camera.
We get some close-ups of her lovely pussy as she is fucked on top. With her tight, firm tits erect and stiff t the top, the scene continues like this. As she comes. We get a great close-up of her ass being penetrated. Again, she is on top with the blue sky a perfect backdrop to the erotic happenings. With her legs stretched out, Priva looks resplendent, the guy in the background just an extra in the proceedings. The best moment is the close-up of Priva’s face as she demands, ‘Fuck me, fuck me!’ The guy continues to give it to her in her pretty anus.
The guy finishes the scene by spraying her pussy with milky spunk which Priva cleans off with her hands and then cleans off.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Head to toe, Priva is stunning. She enjoys everything about sex and is a natural in front of the camera, this was the best scene in the movie. It was very well shot and would work well as a movie scene to watch with a partner.
scene 5 Delilah
cast – Kaylani Leiss
A couple scene with a guy about to get serious with his girlfriend. Before thet they have some fucking to do! Kaylani bends over on the bed, the guy makes her wet and licks her crack. She gets quite wet in this scene with a lot of cum and spit. Kaylani moans somewhat repetitively making the scene somewhat boring. It ends with her taking a load to her stomach
Rating: 3 out of 5 for this average scene.
Big Titted Super Sluts
Mika Tan is an Asian star who for some reason is usually depicted as a dominatrix, as far as I can see this is because she is slightly more voluptuous than the typical Asian actresses. The scene begins with Mika pouting at the camera whilst smoking and wearing a leather outfit. It’s not sexy for me and I would have preferred her to have been wearing lingerie.
Mika begins the scene with a pink butt plug fully inserted, a hint of things to come. writing on the sofa, she holds on ther legs as she is deep throated, she is penetrated in her pussy and gets off as both her holes are stimulated. The pink toy is removed, and sucked by willing Mika like a child’s dummy.
Seeing her folds of fat as she lays back is a reminder that not all women in porn have perfect bodies – good on her. She has these awesome tits that hang low with fat nipples and a hairy pussy that you would love to stroke and then eat.
She hold her ass wide open as the juices run across the sofa.
She is ass-fucked for ten minutes, and the guy shoots his load in her gaping hole for the creamy finish.
Rating 4/5.
Mika is a great perfomer but she was a little too dirty for me in this scene.
The main thing to know about the dating scene is that when it comes to apps, things change very quickly. The apps of a few years ago aren’t necessariliy the ones people are currently using. Even the way we use dating apps has tended to shift as users find they want something else from them. If tinder was seen as a hook-up app ten years ago when it launched. It’s now likely to be used for relationships….in fact most female users on the app will state that they aren’t interested in casual dating.
Such changes can be annoying. Whilst tinder seems to be the most popular dating app, it’s been challenged by Bumble and Hinge. I don’e really see much point in having either of these copycat apps, which result in the same issues of not bringing up quality matches for most men.
The sites that I have found more appealing have come about due to the increading popularity of sugar dating, effectively paid dating but with some commitment to it so that it doesn’t feel totally transactional.
The popularity of ‘Sugar dating’
As strange as it may seem, some people are happy to give money for someone to date them. With ‘Seeking Arrangement’, you can search for users who are often looking for a male to give them a fincanical support, or just a ‘pay per meet’, to use a common phrase. The common question girls ask is how much can you PPM, effectively money for them to meet you, and in most cases, sex is involved – the practical thing to do is to decline because these girls will ask for more money than an escort, and these tend to be the worst kind of girls out there.
The landing page of Seeking doesn’t mention paid dating, but it’s at the core of i’s users’ activity.
Money CAN buy love
Now there are people who would never want to do this. The idea that you can put a price on someone and then pay them for meeting would seem to go against common-decency. Then again, frustrated with the other apps which require a match before messaging, I find the directness of the sugar dating apps very refreshing. You can message girls whom you like straight away and be clear about your terms. Then it’s on to the date, and in most cases girls want to meet with you straight away. Try to arrange a meeting somewhere fun, and make sure they don’t ask you for some ridiculous amount of money just to meet you. The women I met were happy to meet for a date without asking for money. After that, if both of you like each other, you can make an arrangement to see them. Most girls in London will ask for an allowance, but you’ll only do that if you are sure about them. It could be something like £300, such a price means that you can only realistically do this if you are very rich. And if you are, what’s to stop you! You can have your pick of some of the best women out there. With tinder, you tend to find matches close to your age. But seeking lets you search for any age, and sugar dating tends to be for younger women and older men.
A site with a similar modus operandi is What’s Your Price? The app allows you to make an offer for a first date, like placing a bid. It’s up to the girl to accept your offer, or ask for a higher price. The fun is waiting to hear back from them. The minimum bid is £5, going up to £500. Then when a bid is countered, you need to bid back at an increment of pounds. Sure, the women are likely to ask for more than you offer, but not always. You can even ask here to suggest the amount she would accept from you. You will get some outrageous requests, like women asking for £500 for a date! Fortunately, most women are more reasonable and will often accept your first offer.
What I like about it is you can offer what you are willing to pay. Most guys can easily afford 20 or 30 pounds, and the money acts as an incentive. With luck, the girl will like you enough to want to meet you the next time for free, and you can look at the initial cost as an investment in their company.
Girls can send requests for offers, and it’s up to you to accept or counter.
The site mentions that you only pay for the first date, and then you meet for free after that. It also doesn’t process any payments, instead making it clear that you pay them in cash, or transfer directly. Now it’s true that you could arrange to meet someone after they accept the amount and then refuse to pay. The problem is that would make you untrustworthy. The girls will expect you to pay what you offered them. It’s up to you to decide on what you think is a fair amount, and then take them on a date somewhere you know you can afford. By refusing to pay the girl the amount you offered, you have a chance that things will turn unpleasant, with the girl likely to accuse you of taking advantage of them. It will be hard for her to see you again after that, and that’s not what you want!
Where time is precious, the site allows people to find who they want with a lot less fuss and allows them to meet far sooner than if they had used the typical apps. This is the best outcome for everyone.
We’re led to believe that Asian escorts are in high demand, and difficult to find.
Actually the truth is something different. If you seek any Asian escort and aren’t worried about the quality, you can find hundreds of women who meet that description. Unfortunately, most girls listed as a ‘23 year student from Japan’ are nothing of the kind. Most of my searches have led me on a wild goose chase as my efforts to find an Asian who matches the idea I have in my head have been frustrated by the cruel reality of a ‘bait and switch’, or a catfish in modern language.
When you search with a reputable escort agency, you realise that your options are fewer. At the top of the business, escorts may charge anything up to £600 per hour. In London, such prices are not unusual, and some girls will go even higher. What you are getting is often not entirely clear, but you won’t have to spend that much for a satisfactory experience with a beautiful escort in London – usually it’s between 150 – 250 for one hour.
Haute escorts offers mostly European escorts, and seeing as it was my birthday in July, I looked through the website for someone whom I hoped could relieve my stress. As it’s the summertime, it seems that most of them are now on holiday. But after a phone call with the secretary of Haute Escorts, I was offered Erika. In actual fact, I hadn’t seen her offered on the website. When I made my initial browsing of the site, I hadn’t seen her profile listed. But since the woman I spoke to had ensured me that I would like someone petite, I felt sure that they were someone I could trust.
The details were relayed by text message and a time and location was fixed. Then we settled the price, and the agency explained that the total amount would cover the cost of the taxi to the hotel.
As I was getting closer to my appointment, I entertained ideas about my meeting with Erika. I still didn’t know her appearance…. As a rule, I like to know before I book a model. I dilly-dallied, before my curiosity led me to search for Erika, typing Erika Asian Haute escort, the search soon led me to a escorts page with a girl who matched her likeness. Soon, I was convinced that Erika was the girl I wanted to spend my time with, especially, as I was looking for someone that had the elegance and sexuality I was seeking.
For me, it’s not just enough that she is Asian. She needs to have the mindset and the personality to make the sexual encounter erotic, enjoyable, memorable. The pictures revelaed someone very busty, but with her face partially concealed. It was also hard to guage Erika’s age from the photos.. An old profile from four years ago listed her as being 24, which meant she would be in her late twenties now. She would therefore be an experienced escort, rather than a woman new to the scene. With age, you notice that some women become inured to the experience, but it’s always my hope that I can meet an escort who still finds the job pleasurable and has not become too cynical.
By Friday morning, I had re-confirmed with the agency that Erika would come to my hotel and I was just waiting to receive the room number. I should say that communications with Haute agency had been very positive and they made the experience very smooth from our first telephone call to the on-the-day meeting.
After a slight wait at the desk, I had checked in and got my room key-card from reception. I then let the agency know the number and it was a quick journey up to the room. I dumped the bags and was about to use the in-room kettle, when I heard a knock on the door. Usually, it’s a member of the hotel staff, or room service. But this time, the person standing in front of me was Erika. I had a quick look at her and led her into the room.
Erika was a lovely, pale-skinned Chinese women, possibly early thirties although no older than that.
The first thing I noticed was her extremely long hair which came below her waist. She was wearing a light summer dress with a light brown trench jacket and light brown men’s style shoes. I was caught off guard temporarily by the fact that Erika was now here with me and it was about to begin, I hadn’t even thought of what I could say to her.
I had the money prepared in an envelope and then handed her the amount requested on the website. *
By this time, Erika had shrugged off her jacket which I hung up on one of the hangers in the wardrobe. By now I could see that she was very busty and her breasts were pushing out her dress. She gave me a full-on kiss although her tongue did not come out all the way. The next thing was to put her on the bed. Without any trouble, I removed her dress and let it fall to the floor. With my free hand I caressed her silky hair and enjoyed the luxurious feeling of it. I was feeling a variety of pleasant sensations that were almost overpowering, the most significant detail was having a sensual Asian woman alone with me and fully focused on pleasing me.
After kissing some more, I asked if I could lift her up and put her on the table night stand. Erika agreed, and as she is very light, I had no trouble lifting her up onto the counter.
She was wearing a tight black corset style bustier that kept her breasts mostly concealed. I had to pull them out and get a better look at them.
As a breast-lover, I’ve seen a lot of breasts in my time. I’m aware that Asian women aren’t the most endowed in this area, and I often feel somewhat short-changed if they aren’t. What I can see is that Erika had one of the most impressive chests I have ever seen. Light cream in colour with pink arealoe, they jutted out and sat perfectly outwards, her bodice had made slight indentations where it had pressed against her tits. I pulled the bodice down but I didn’t take it off completely, putting my hands between her legs and exploring her incredible upper body, gently kissing her nipples.
Erika made light moans and I took this as a sign to move her back on to the bed. I explained that I like to be dominant, but I also like to be dominated in return. She pulled on my nipples and then sucked and bit them, whilst I pulled down on her hair and felt my way down to her lower body.
Erika is a gentle, very light girl who is here to please. Unlike some Chinese escorts, she is very graceful and polite. Hence why she is a high-class escort rather than a 60 pound an hour girl on a vivastreet ad; when you spend more money, you can really see the difference. Another rarity for an Asian SW is her English speaking ability. Erika’s high level of English denotes an educated woman who no doubt has many qualifications and could easily have a professional career on the side. I will say that her fluent English also makes it far simpler to discuss matters related to sex and there is no chance of anything being ‘lost in translation’.
She asked to see my cock and then pulled my trousers down and released it from my briefs. Despite Erika’s dazzling body, I was not fully erect (something I put down to the heat in the room more than anything else). She went straight for a blowjob, making a firm seal with her mouth until I was fully hard. She continued for a good five minutes and then she moved to find a condom which she quickly rolled on my engorged penis.
I had a close look at Erika’s vagina. It was pale, like the rest of her body, and completely shaved, not even a trace of stubble anywhere. I then placed a middle finger at the entrance of her pussy but she insisted that I only touch the outside, I was a little disappointed.
I then asked if she would mind that I suck her toes – a fetish of mine – and she agreed. I was delighted by this and I jammed her feet into her mouth – she is a size 4 so this wasn’t difficult.
With Erika moaning more, I wanted to get it in, but I wasn’t fully erect, so she sucked me off again. As I grew hard, she put a condom on and entered her, but I couldn’t get the right angle and Erika needed to guide me inside. I was slightly worried at this point as it can be very frustrating for both the woman and myself when my dick is only partially erect.
I tried to get on top of her but I was feeling too sweaty in this position. We went back to the table and I stood up behind Erika in front the mirror – I should have used it sooner! It was great to see Erika’s magnificent breasts in front of me and the reflection of her serene face. Finally, I was fully hard.
We went back on the bed and moved her legs apart for doggy-style. I plunged into her and gave her several hard thrusts. The sound of her light orgasmic moans nearly made me cum but I stopped myself and moved her on to her back. I was able to get deeper this way and listened to Erika’s feminine cries of passion. Her legs are slim enough to be placed on my shoulders, as I was about to cum, I did something I normally never do.
The cum-shot in porn is usually directed on the face or chest, and I knew it had to be on Erika’s tits. Soon, I could feel my orgasm pulsing, so I flicked off the condom and let my cum flood out over her body. The cum shot across her right breast and the sounds of Erika’s surprise made me ECSTATIC. It was much more semen than I can normally produce in a solo session, which I put down to Erika’s skills and my overall horniness at being deprived of such a woman in my life.
The main part of our time was nearly over, but I wanted to experience a massage, and Erika gave me one (although she didn’t have any oil). I would have loved a happy ending, but I was in detumescence, so I let her continue the massage and returned the favour to her, which she very much enjoyed.
I asked her a little about her personal experiences of men and how long they normally last. Perhaps I could have asked if she enjoys it, but I didn’t venture this question.
A knock on the door sent Erika under the covers, but it was room service delivering a birthday dessert.
We shared the chocolate mousse together, and the conversation moved to her work and her general life. I was and still am intrigued to learn more about Erika and what drives her to do this work. I would also enjoy learning about her intimate desires and what she enjoys doing sexually. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Erika, her delightful personality and natural warmth makes her easy to love. We talked a little about her life and whether she can have a relationship. Like everyone, this is not easy to achieve, and much harder for an escort. I am looking forward to getting to know Erika more – and on our next session I intend to do exactly that.
Date of booking: Friday, 9th July
Place: London Kensignotn Hilton.
*Erika’s price is £150 an hour. £200 for an outcall which included taxi fare. If you have an incall, you never know exactly what time the girl will be ready. There are pros and cons to both.
When you join the Hilton Honors program, you can save points which can be redeemed for future stays, it costs nothing and it won’t take long to move from a bronze to silver. I managed it in less than year.
How to make the most of a holiday in Thailand’s bustling capital city.
Plan your itinerary
Make sure you have an idea of which areas you want to visit before you go. For example, Bangkok is massive and a short trip will only let you do so much. Choose an area you are most interested in, and plan your stay accordingly.
Choose a hotel in a suitable area
Find a centrally located hotel with easy access to the city’s attractions. This is the best way to explore the city. Pick busy Sukhumvit if you are interested in shopping, nightlife and contemporary design.
Or alternatively staying close to the river gives you easy to the city’s cultural highlights like the reclining Buddha and Wat Arun.
Choose your budget.
Are you a backpacker? Bangkok has dozens of affordable hostels, and they tend to be in the slightly more interesting, gritty parts of the city. On the other hand, hotels along Sukumvit of course have better connections to the transport links. You get much more for your money out of the centre, and these areas come with the city’s most affordable places to eat. A luxury hotel will be comfortable but will put you at a distance from other travellers and can be isolating. Then again, staying in a dorm means less privacy and comfort.
How much do you want to do?
A day trip with careful planning can include, a visit to the royal palace in the morning, A floating island in the afternoon, then dinner and a show or clubbing in the evening, but you won’t have the energy to do that every day.
Are you here for the red light shows?
Then avoid certain areas and choose a place to stay with access to cheaper hotels, massage and go-go bars, such as Silom.
You can easily avoid the Red Light district, however, others will want to plan their entire trip around it.
If you are on a family trip, think about the places which are suitable for children. Bangkok has parks, zoos, and resorts where children can play happily.
Learn Thai.
Take the time to learn the beginner phrases in Thai, making it easier to get around and be understood.
Earlier this year, Low-cost airline Scoot announced that they would start flying to Bangkok direct from Gatwick, the first time that the carrier has made such a long-haul flight leaving from a London airport.
You can now fly to Thailand from the South Terminal, avoiding the chaos, delays and stress of a journey from Heathrow.
I was very happy when I found a one-way ticket with this airline for the price of £407.
Scoot was established as the budget arm of the prestige airline Singapore Airlines and I was intrigued by the idea of a no-frills alternative to SAG. My experience was mostly positive with a few caveats.
Avoid lengthy queues by arriving five hours before departure.
This is one of the last scheduled departures from Gatwick, with only TAP (Portugal’s flagship) and Wizz Air making flights after this. So no wonder that the airport was mostly closed in terms of shops and bars by the time most people were checking in. Tip: buy something in advance unless you want to eat the really terrible food that is on offer at this time.
Flight departure time: 23.05
There is currently one weekly flight; depending on how popular the route is there may be more. For now, it’s clearly a service that is going to be well-used.
I managed to avoid standing around in the queue at check-in by finding a stand that was open at the terminal at 6pm. They were happy to print my boarding pass. I needn’t have worried about loading any luggage as the weight was under the max weight of 10kg.
Come half past nine, and most people were still queuing for check-in. A downside of a budegt airline that charges extra for checked luggage means most people were taking their luggage on board, also causing more queues to go through security and boarding the plane.
We queued up at the gate, where we we intructed rather rudely that we had to wear a mask, these weren’t employees of the airline but airport ground staff. There was a wait until everyone had their passports checked and then we were ready to board.
We had to wait at the gate to have our passports checked by non-Scoot staff.
With people taking most of their luggage with them , there was a buildup of passengers waiting in the gangway, looking to stash their luggage anywhere they could. Staff were busy with boarding staff , so there was only so much they could do to help. Meanwhile, I took my seat in 13C and I was starting to wonder if the plane would ever leave.
The boarding process
The seat
The seat itself was fairly standard in terms of legroom but the headrest was not particularly pronounced and was hard to lean back in. It took an hour for the plane to be fully loaded and every one boarded.
Unless you pay for the extra-legroom, you will be sitting in a standard economy seat.
Entertainment
In terms of inflight entertainment, you’re strictly limited to what you bring with you. In economy, you won’t have any screen. Suffice to say that if you want to browse the net, you need to pay them for that, even charging your mobile comes with a charge, no pun intended.
In all honesty, I wasn’t too disappointed by that, I was looking to get off to sleep soon after the plane reached cruising altitude. On the other hand, I could see my passenger feel that he was having to pay a lot in extras for using the wifi, charging his phone and then paying for a meal on board and drinks.
Food
The flight was catered by it’s charming all Asian cabin crew, and most of the food is chosen when you make your booking. I was offered my food at midnight when they brought the trolley through, but then they gave me the option to have it during the second meal service ,this was an easy decision as I had already eaten a few hours before. The next morning, I was given my diner and I have to say it was really tasty and better than any of the options avialble on similar budget airlines.
Next I ordered coffee, which sadly was offered in a cheap poly-cup with no branding, as if to make up for this, they gave me a box of tiny but delicious cookies. Then when I clumsily set the cup on the floor, leaking most of the contents, I was given a replacement cup. Any snacks you buy can be paid for by cash or card. To be honest, I don’t think you can do this with BA. And even if you get change in SGD, its satisfiying to be able to use the leftover notes in your wallet .
The cabin crew
The staff are all quite young, and as I said before, exlcusivley Asian . I don’t mind this, to be honest it’s more authentic like this. The women in particular were beautiful, let’s not pretend that this doesn’t make a difference , it really does. I can forgive low level of entertainment if the staff are young, attractive and like their job. Staff on board were either Japanese, or Chinese, or perhaps from Singapore. But all were more than able to speak English to passengers.
Mostly attentive service from the flight crew.
The verdict.
The flight was a long and difficlut journey based on the length, the lack of comfort in the seat, and the fact that I was sat near small children. I can’t blame the airline for that last one, although it would be great if they could seat children a distance from most other passengers who just want to admire the ladies doing their work, stare out the window or make witty conversation. I would use Scoot for short flights, but going all the way to BKK in one long haul was a bit too much, especially in my crappy economy seat. Still, I arrived at my landing on time, and there were no other carriers making the same journey for a similar price. So there you have it. if you think you can withstand the lack of comfort, give Scoot a try for your next Thailand trip.
How to have a WMAF relationship (and not be creepy)
The best thIng ABOUT WMAF relationships is that each party is trying something new – learning about each other’s respective cultures. All this can mean that it’s possible to be carried away by the sheer novelty of it.
Many WMAF couples become so enraptured with each other that they can ignore the fact that other people may not see their union in such a rosy light. The fact is, it’s not always so warmly accepted. The strength of the attraction has seen some people complain that some white men have an Asian fetish and look to sleep with as many Asian women as possible.
And unfortunately, a fair few in the west are seemingly so triggered by the sight of an Asian woman with a white guy that they assume it must be coercive and even exploitative.
The good thing is, you can avoid this happening if you abide by these rules. First, don’t be someone who only talks to girls because of their race or ethnicity. If you do this, you will find it harder to see their individuality and that also means you will be more likely to attract an Asian woman who is only attracted to your race as well.
Seek out the Asian women with similar personailities, likes and dislikes. Definitely don’t fall into the trap of thinking that ALL Asian women are going to behave in a certain way.
You don’t want to be the guy who expects Asian women to be always submissive, quiet and well-behaved.
Avoid making attempts at getting to know everything about where she comes from. That’s too eager, a mistake I made several times, and then I learned my errors. You can talk about your own culture as much as you like, but you do not need to impress upon them how knowledgeable you are about her country.
Be aware of the stereotypes so that you know how to disprove them right away. You will hear a lot of outdated ideas, live with them. People will point out that Asian women are out for money, looking for a passport. These unfortunate ideas are slowly disappearing, but you never know when you might hear them from someone who needs to be more sensitive!
Avoid making making assumptions like, ‘Asian women are supposed to be like this’ or , I thought Koreans were supposed to respect their elders’. You’ll most likely end up arguing about it. Most people only start thinking about their identity when it’s brought up, and Asian women are no different in this regard.
Show people how positive your relationship is. For example, a lot of white women take their husband’s last name. flip conventions on their ass by taking your wife’s Asian name. then people can see how much you reall love, honour and obey her.
Choose an Asian women of approximately equal attractiveness to your own. If you marry an Asian woman of much higher attractiveness, the disapproval will be so great, you’ll never live it down. So go for someone of about the same level of desirability to your own.
Near the end of that amazing book by the writer and chef Eddie Huang, he talks about his idea of a neighbourhood restaurant.
Im going to paraphrase here but the essence of a neighbourhood place is one where everyone is welcome. you don’t need to buy anything , and you especially don’t need to make a purchase in order to use the wifi. In other words, the young who often don’t have Money would still be welcome to come in to a neighbourhood joint, because there are so few other options for them. Huang’s sense of generosity is not limited to the customers. He expects his staff to leave him and get better Jobs. Sadly in the real world we don’t put these selfless ideas in to practice. Not only do we expect to have to pay for things that should be free, we are expected to look up to people who go to all these supposedly cool places for free and get paid to promote them to people like you. I’ll save what I think about Instagram for another post. What I’ll say here is I’m tired of people being made to feel they’re not good enough because they haven’t been to some restaurant, or bar, that’s overrated anyway… It’s not only women who do this, although it’s easier for women to simply use their image to get paid to sit around in a Jacuzzi.
Lets face it, these women are getting paid, and if you think I’m lying, when was the last time you saw a typical Instagrammer simply doing something nice for somebody else, not because it was for money, or for more followers, just because they could help someone who maybe doesn’t have the same high-level public image that they are fortunate to have themselves. You can be sure I’m not bitter about this.
The truth is, I can remember when I couldn’t get a date. If you don’t have money, it’s going to be really hard to get a girl interested in you. Then when I was thirty I was finally able to take women out, but we could only share a dinner somewhere or maybe just have a starter each and then leave. As quaint and funny as that sounds, I’d have loved to have been able to do more with women at that time. Being poor is romanticised by people who have money but I’ll be honest it’s really not that much fun.
Howdy folks. You have come across two talented Asian women on Instagram showcasing their cooking skills and restaurant visits. These two women are Verna Gao and Ngygen Yeats-Brown.
Verna Gao
As well as sharing their Asian revcipes and cooking skills, these two have more recently been sharing their views on everything from first dates to friends with benefits.
The podcast has a definite female slant, but it’s still well worth listening to if you’re a man.
AS you can hear, these two have a great chemistry between them. They boince off each other and have an amazing simpatico. The fact is that it’s rare even now to hear women, let alone Asian women, speak directly about dating and relationships. I have enjoyed all of their podcasts. They keep things interesting for the whole running time and it sounds like they didn’t even need to have a script for things to be interesting.
Maybe they will be a little too sassy for some people not used to hearing women speaking frankly. There;s a lot of stuff they talk about that honeslyt, I had no idea was even an issue for women, it’s helpful to get an honest female perspective on things.
I fell like they do want to be seen as very confdidnt and empowered women, especially when they talk about the ‘creeps’ who approach them . At the same time, they occasionally let their vulnerability come through and that’s when the podcast is most edifying. However, I love hearing what they have to say and I would love to have them as friends. They are the funniest people I haven’t met in real life.
Soju, the distilled drink has been the number 1 drink in South Korea and is also the world’s most popular spirit.
For most people, soju is a cheap, simple alcohol with little taste. The drink is only made in South Korea and can be distilled from bamboo or sweet potato. It is best drunk with food, barbecue and raw fish for example. It’s rare to see Koreans drinking it in more expensive bars and restaurants. Here are the most popular soju brands.
Chamisul – Jinro
Made since 1926, this is the most well-known brands. The taste is little metallic, almost like a solvent. It’s very clean tasting but it has little flavour.
I really like this one. At first I was sure I was drinking vodka, the taste is very similar although the ABV is only 17.9. I got some citrus here as well and it would be good to try it with a slice of lemon or lime to bring this taste out. Highly recommended.
Jo-eun day is a slightly harsher soju that once had a much higher alcohol content that has been successively lowered over time. https://hmart.co.uk/shop/gb/
Chloe Flower released through Sony Music Entertainment Masterworks
Chloe Flower has released her first album. The self-titled release features original compositions as well as famous piano pieces from the classical repertoire.
The concept album is presented in three parts like a concert programme.
Act 1 starts with ‘Innocence’. Over a beautiful Schumann piece (from scenes from childhood), New Age Faith healer intones that ‘innocence is the symphony of the universe. We have music deep inside our consciousness, and we dance to it before we know the tune’. The original compositions that follow show Chloe’s gift for melody and technical piano playing. ‘Rise Up’ is a pastoral sounding-piece that has some impressive piano runs and is accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments.
Act 2 is titled ‘suffering’ and begins with an extract from Moonlight Sonata and some more Deepak Chopra ramblings about ‘feeling the anguish’, which might come across as grating depending on your tolerance for alternative philosophy. The next tracks are dark and menacing, and here Chloe combines the classical style with pounding hip hop beats. This style has introduced Chloe to wider fame and attention.
The final Act, titled Hope, ends on an optimistic note. There is a cover of the Billie Eilish song Bad Guy features more of the hip hop beats and the final song ‘popsical’ is a summation of Chloe’s genre-mashup of classical and pop music.
Overall, I enjoyed Chloe’s album. The classical pieces are well chosen and fit into the album’s themes. The spoken intros to some of the tracks became irritating. It would be interesting to have some collaborations with other artists to add vocals to Chloe’s talented piano stylings.
It can be hard to accept, but a lot of women are only interested in being your friend. Even if the issue of sex is impossible to avoid, that attractive woman who smiles at you is probably being polite or friendly.
Yet when it comes to Asian woman, we forget that not all of them want to sleep with the first white guy they meet. Yes, I’m probably guilty of that assumption sometimes. But what if you are ok with the idea of being her friend, and nothing more? Was she lying on her tinder profile when she said she was looking for friends?
Assuming that you are both on the same page and want to keep things platonic, how does it work in reality? Movies and sitcoms make it all look straightforward, don’t they?Nevertheless, I still think that it’s hard for men to just be friends with a nice woman. Men aren’t really trusted to have female friends. That goes double for men in relationships. Just imagine that a guy wants to be friends with a woman who is in a relationship with someone. It’s unlikely she will return his offer, no matter that his intentions to her are honest. Yet a woman could I ask a married man for his number, and no-one would care. Are there double standards going on here? Who knows.
The fact is, I bet a lot of men would kill to have a smart and funny female friend just to hang with and nothing more. Yet society continues to pump out the message that friendship between men and women is not achievable, and men follow suit, swallowing the myth in toto. And men can’t be just friends with a woman, whether they are in a relationship or not. Or they are simply scared, don’t want to be judged for hanging out with a woman they aren’t sleeping with. Then they realise that their friendship groups consist of the same friends they’ve had since middle school. And they wonder why they struggle to relate to women?
mean while, women get all the benefits of having men who want to sleep with them, the men who want just to be friends and love them for their company. Hence, the social life of women is that much more varied, richer, and just more interesting than that of most men.
I learned this the hard way when I tried to ask a girl out. She had made it clear that she had a boyfriend, and when she didn’t volunteer her phone number, I made do with Instagram, Needless to say, she didn’t respond to either of my messages I sent her. Yet, if she could be prepared to be open-minded, we could have a really good platonic relationship together.
Being just friends is something woman can get away with when it comes to a male friend, but it’s something which people are less accepting when it comes to men and their female friends. No matter how advanced we are, this is one rule that refuses to die.
the brand-new, 4 Star hotel looks the part inside and out
I stay in a lot of hotels. I don’t get paid to travel and I’m not on business. So I need to look around to find somewhere nice, in a good location, and a main Hotel brand that has a loyalty scheme. The best offers for rooms tend to be off-season, or on quieter days. You get a cheaper room rate if you stay on Sunday than Friday night. Following this rule will only get you so far, though. On the whole, an average price for a 3-star hotel in London will be $148 (thanks Google). and a lot of hotels at his rate will only offer very small rooms, middling to poor service, or be old and tired inside. And 3-star hotels don’t offer much for service, or provide extras (gyms, free breakfast or late check-out).
Finding a VFM 4 star Hotel in London
You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds a night for the kind of luxury you think you need. Yes, the top hotels are going to be out of reach for most travellers. But, looking outside the centre, you can find some real bargains!
Smart, modern design and a comfortable room in Park Plaza, Park Royal.
Last year I booked a room mid-week in London that I was not expecting anything from. By chance, it turned out to be my best London Hotel stay of the year. Most people would struggle to find any decent hotel in central London for under 100, even under 200 would be pushing it. However, the Park Plaza Park Royal is a fantastic hotel that simply cannot be beaten for price or quality.
The hotel is recently built so you don’t see any of the dodgy plumbing, tired wall paper or slow, out of work lifts. the building is fully up to date. Here’s a quick breakdown of my trip.
Location
Location might be your top priority, and whilst the hotel is not central London, it’s next to a tube station (Park Royal), and it’s near Wembley Stadium, which is one of the main tourist attractions in the capital. And it’s 45 minutes from Heathrow, which is really not that far.
check-in
I had received emails regarding check-in, but I checked in at the desk. It was well-staffed. I certainly didn’t need to wait long to be served.
Reception and lobby
the hotel offers a modern and slightly opulent design. You don’t feel like you are in Wembley next to a busy fly-over. The Staff uniforms are elegant and understated, plus the lobby is spaced out so you don’t feel crowded, and the place is quiet without being devoid of character.
The room
The room was a decent size. There was a well-appointed bathroom. The bed was thick , comfortable and spacious. I was more than satisfied by the room’s furniture and design.
Nice modern fittings in the bathroom
Tea and coffee
There was a kettle with tea bags and coffee sachets for making hot drinks, as well as fridge with complimentary bottled water.
TV/satelite
The TV was fixed to the wall and was a good size. the channels were mainly standard ‘Freeview’ offerings.
Bed.
With a leather headboard, high thread count, you’ll want to bed down once you come inside.
I had no problems sleeping in the room and the bed was luxurious, I couldn’t wait to hunker down.
Breakfast included?
Yes, they gave me breakfast at no extra cost, the buffet was very full and the staff were not putting anyone in a hurry to finish their breakfast. There were options to order from the menu as well as a full hot English breakfast.
Checkout
I checked out past one. I was very comfortable in the hotel. There is a large waiting area past the lobby where you can relax, read magazines and just chill.
Verdict
this is an absolute bargain for London. You are right next to tube station that connects you to central London in around 20 minutes. You aren’t staying a stones throw from the palace, but do you really need to be ? For less than a £100 – the hotel offers stylish design, great service, and breakfast. For even a 3-star hotel like a Hampton in a more central area you would pay more than double that. This puts Park Plaza at number one for best value hotel in London. This is ideal both for business and leisure travellers. I’m glad I made this choice and I look forward to staying in more Park Plaza hotels.
The smart, modern and relaxing lobby is perfect for a casual meeting.
After two years, Thalailand is fully open for international travellers.
The country has seen most of its famous landmarks closed to tourists, but it now looks as though the country is ready to welcome tourists with open arms.
Before April 2022, the requirement for international tourists was that they needed to show a negative PCR test before arrival. However, this can be done and it is necessarily required to get ‘Thailand Pass’. All applicants using the ‘Test and Go Scheme’ must upload several documents to apply for Thailand Pass QR Code. (a copy of passport / insurance certification with a minimum coverage of USD 20,000 / vaccination certificate / the payment confirmation of SHA Extra+ hotels which also includes the receipt of a pre-paid COVID-19 RT-PCR test on day 1, ATK self-test on day 5-6 and airport transfer.) Plus, all tourists are required to upload their RT-PCR and ATK self-test results to the Thailand Travel Pass app (called ‘Morchana’). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thaialert.app&hl=en_GB&gl=US
It’s great to be back!
(According to official information, tourists will get ATK self-test instead of RT-PCR after arrival from May 2022. The price for tests will be reduced).
The beautiful Royal Cliff Beach Resort
We spent one night in the government approved quarantine hotel, and after that we were free to travel to Pattaya. As you can see, the hotel was comfortable and didn’t present any hardship.
The comfortable bed where we spent a single night of quarantine before we were free to travel in Pattaya.
Airlines have seen increased booking to the country and flights are expected to increase for the summer season. https://www.thaiairways.com/
The resort we stayed in in Pattaya was doing a good trade and we are happy to announce that mask-wearing was not enforced, even in the busy nightclubs.
One of the many bars doing a roaring trade, in post-Covid Pattaya.
This time I visited was Songkran which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. The airlines and hotels have seen increased booking to the country and they are expected to increase for this season. I’ve expected many activities throughout Thailand (especially Sprinkling water!!) but it stopped because of pandemic. The festival usually involves some pretty wild water fights – with people getting crazy – but it was not allowed this year.
I Stayed at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya, and Cape Dara Beach Front Resort. There were few foreigners stayed, mostly local people celebrated Thai New Year.
We Stayed at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya, and Cape Dara Beach Front Resort. https://www.royalcliff.com/
I participated in a salsa club in Pattaya
I’ve visited here 4 years ago before the pandemic. The streets were so crowded; full of tourists and most shops were busy day and night, but I could see some stores were ruined because of the shutdown order that was issued due to COVID-19.
You can see how people have ignored the rules on mask-wearing.
The resorts we stayed in Pattaya were doing a good trade and I am happy to announce that mask-wearing was not enforced, even in the busy nightclubs. It looks like the care-free travel days of the pre-covid era are becoming a reality again.
Article idea by Puruna Jo. Photography by Puruna Jo.
Billed as Britain’s Wildest Adventure , Chessington is a theme park and zoo combined! It has millions of visitor each year and is one of the famous parks owned by Merlin There are many good things about the park so explaining why it’s so popular is not difficult. But first, a quick guide to the park for those who haven’t taken the trip yet.
Situated in a town in south west London, Chessington aims to provide a fun day out for the family, with several themed sections (or lands) of the park that combine rides with animal enclosures and even special performances throughout the year! The park was opened as a home for exotic animals in the 1930s, and was a zoo up until the first ride opened in 1991. Now it is home to some twenty rides, some quite fast whereas others are for smaller children and less exciting.
Over the years as the rides have increased but the animals have continued to provide interest for all visitors. The safari ride, Journey into Africa is still a big draw. There is now a four star hotel for guests who want to make a longer break in the park.
Arriving at the park, most visitors will come to the large carparks that bring them to the Adventure point. The park is divided into themed areas, all of which have their own distinctive look and feel. Although the park has a lot of branding, it feels slightly less co-ordinated than when it was a different place in the nineties. the arrival of the room in the broom tie-in experience shows that the park has been able to make a deal with the publishers for the characters of the story.
What used to be the Bubbleworks is now a Gruffalo Ride, which is very much aimed at younger children. The park’s famous Vampire ride still takes pride of place, although seems to have less in terms of fear than it used to as the ride has seen more scary rides eclipse it.
Mexicana
Now we come to one of the best areas of the park. Taking a cue from the Wild West, the area has some cool stylings in the buildings that look like colourful storehouses and cantinas. There are two good rides here. The Rattlesnakes (a cart style ride that has a rickety looking track) and a runaway Train ride ‘Scorpion Express’. The area of the park manages to incorporate food offerings in a more subtle way; Tortilla restuarant sits in the centre of the area, giving you a view of the rides whether you sit in or out. There are even some jars of animal skeletons, and some animatronic figures by rattlesnakes that add to the carnivalesque atmosphere.
The Forbidden Kingdom
Just as you leave Mexicana, you will see the new Croc Ride. The jaws of the crocodile open to allow the vertical ride to drop the riders down to the depths. This was previously Rameses Revenge. Some would say that the new ride is not in the same league. True, it doesn’t have the same fear factor, it simply drops from the same position. however, the ride gives a great 360 view of the entire park, and uses some Egyptian curse ideas to give it some stylistic grounding in the area. Another ride that some love is Tomb Blaster! It’s a more immersive ride that takes place entirely indoors. Riders are given laser style GUNS and must ‘blast’ various targets. As a dark ride it could have been more scary but it’s a little too family friendly for that. Overall, the forbidden kingdom has some nice touches but it’s not the most enjoyable section of the park.
Wild Asia/land of the tigers.
Here we come to my favourite section of the park! The area was once known as ‘Beanoland’ but it has been completely revamped to look like jungle India and Thailand. It looks particularly fitting when you visit on a hot day – the grey concrete buildings reflect the sunlight – helping to create a sense of the exotic. The three big rides are all worth visiting. First, head to Monkey Swingers, the carousel style swing seat ride has some vertigo inducing moments as the seats ride into the air – and you can feel the wind blow towards you when you kick out your seat. Kobra is a nice ride that is very smooth – taking you back and forth on a rotating disc in the shape of a giant snakes head. But nothing can beat the Land of the tigers and Tiger Rock. The most spacious area is home to the superb log ride which goes through the tiger’s enclosure, hence the name! you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet here as you walk past the streams and Chinese style bridge. My only complaint is that the area doesn’t offer any Chinese food. Some noodles, dumplings or fried rice would tie in nicely with the oriental theme, and offer something far more varied than the current food offerings.
Is it worth a visit?
Yes, we feel that, given the amount of activities in the park, it is worth going to at least once. Chessington is not a cheap day out, and it’s very commercial. It can seem as though every part of the park is designed to take money out of your pocket. You can save money by doing the following: arrive by public transport, saving petrol and car park fees. Bring your own food and drink. There is nothing to stop you from taking a packed lunch, and Chessington has a picnic area near the car parks. If you do visit a restaurant, Tortilla would be my pick. The food is good quality, and you get a good serving, as well as a nice seating area.
Caution
Some of the downmarket clientele at the park.
We love Chessington. but we have noticed that it tends to attract a somewhat downmarket clientele. Some may think that you need to wear a tracksuit and have tattoos covering your face and neck to fit in. That’s true for many, but not everyone here is like that. If you feel that it’s going to be a problem by all means you can avoid the park. But you will be missing a lot of the innocent fun of the theme park. https://www.chessington.com/
The first kiss doesn’t need to be perfect; however, its shouldn’t be bad. An impeccable timing, a great environment, perfect movements, and subtle gestures create an ideal kiss. How to kiss a girl? Before I provide you with the ways to make a perfect kiss, you must ensure the timing. It would be best if you weren’t too quick to kiss a girl into a relationship but be sure not to do it too soon. Ensure the timing is right and that your girl does not stop the kiss. When you’re certain, this is the case, apply the best way to do it and make her want more.
Get Ready
If you’re hoping to get kissed, make sure that your mouth is suitable for kissing. Before leaving home, make sure you stop at the bathroom and get your mouth ready. Make sure to clean your teeth in order to eliminate any leftovers from your lunch and freshen up your breath. A bit of mouthwash is never a bad thing either. Women love men with beards, but they don’t want their mouths full of beards when they get the kiss.
Remove your beard of any stray hairs, and make sure that you don’t have any hanging on your lips. Manage the tangle using beard oil and observe as your hands float up for an experience. Make sure that your lips feel soft and moisturized by applying balm to your lips. Nothing can hinder a kiss more than chapped, dry lips. It is the best way to make kissing much more pleasurable for both of you.
Make Your Lips Nice, Soft, And Kissable
Lips with cracks are not just unpleasant, and they also cause irritation or discomfort to your kissee’s lips. If your lips appear dry or chapped, take a moment to moisturize them. It’s not necessary to overdo it, but be sure to do a quick examination before your date. This will help you significantly how to lead up to it.
It’s probably a good idea to avoid using perfumed lip balms as a girl typically doesn’t expect her man’s lips to smell vanilla, strawberry, or peach. But, it’s certainly not the most unpleasant thing that could happen and may cause some conversations after the kiss.
Make Sure She Wants To Kiss You
The process of obtaining permission to kiss someone isn’t an option lightly, and it is what a girl likes, considering kissing someone else’s body can be very uncomfortable (which is why it’s thrilling). If it’s done correctly, everybody has a wonderful time. So, how do you obtain permission? There are two methods to get permission: that is to ask her in your own words to kiss them. Another is to determine from their body language if they are interested in being kissed before “offering” one to them.
Use Your Hands
If you are bending your head to hug your girl and you get the kisses returned gracefully, the hands should be involved in making the experience more enjoyable. Keep her close to let her know that you are the person you want to be with and remain in the proper posture, and gently rub her shoulders as well as her face and body or perhaps hold her in your arms when you are both standing in a seated position. This can elevate the experience to the next stage. This is how she wants to be kissed by a man.
Do not be the guy who kisses too hard and intimately. Body intimacy is essential in a kiss, particularly when you feel that you want to be intimate and not just a normal kiss but rather be soft when you do it. The neck, below her jawbone, beneath the earlobe, around the nose tip, collarbone, as well as forehead and shoulder are other important areas to kiss a girl. Or gently kiss with your soft palms while placing your lips on hers.
Conclusion
Now you are able to kiss with confidence and how to begin your kissing journey and attract a girl’s attention as you go about it. But knowing how you can kiss someone is only half the challenge. It is essential to practice and practice it. Therefore, go ahead and approach someone you love, have a try at flirty with her, and begin to make your way into the kissing scene!
After waiting seven years, Madison released her album Life Support in 2021.. .Although the album has had mixed responses from critics, it’s clear from watching the 23 year old live that there Is more to her than just a social media personality. The star gave a personal, yet melodramatic performance full of heartbreak and some sexuality, that was truly adored by her largely teenage fanbase.
The singer’s set design included an LED frame to allow the singer to be transported across the stage. For the first song BABY, Madison leaned forward in the frame and was backed by two dancers who were wearing similar tight bustier style lace outfits.
The lighting was neon blues and pinks that sometimes made it hard to see the singer. And there was plenty of drama from the projected imagery, some of it using video footage form her songs, and printed lyrics that were shown as diary entries. Most of the songs came from her major album release, Life Support. The opening number was BABY, which had the crowd belting out the sexually confident lyrics. Stained glass was so powerful, and the singer came into her own on that track, really exuding a rock -star stage presence. Another major track was the moving ‘Reckless’. How could you be so Reckless with my heart? The singer cried , yet as the song reached its finale she was more vengeful, inviting the audience to sing the line ‘I hope you both go to hell.’
What else? There was the futuristic sounding ‘Follow the White Rabbit’; the singer performed it with a rabbit ear gesture. The song ‘Boyshit’, surely one of her best, was near the end. There were so many perfect moments: the songs from the album that mean so much to her fans were all breathlessly belted out by the crowd. They are mostly three minutes or less – here the signer used a background track instead of her band; there was no doubting the signer’s power and vocal range. The concert finished with a beautiful eruption of white confetti. And then the signer was gone, but she lighted the audience by coming out on stage to dance along to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.
A short video I made showining ice-skating rink at Queensway
Get your Skates on!
The Skating rink at Queens is a funky and cool place, partly because it brings out everyone from dating couples, young people, kids, and elders. Although there is an image of skating and bowling as being a bit downmarket, it’s not really the case in the Queens skate dine bowl.
The location helps give it some class. Next to Queensway tube, West London, the area is next to some of the biggest consulates, as well as nearby Kensington Palace. The venue does get some idiots, mainly rough kids from some of the housing estates. On the other hand, you will see many young Chinese women, and Asians of other countries (something to do with ice-skating being seen as an acceptable past time). Have a look at the video, and you’ll see what I mean.
Booking a session
The website tells you that you need to pre-book, so that you can guarantee a slot. It’s not something that was a problem for me, and I did it using the website. Over 12’s pay 11.50 per hour, plus skate hire. I noticed many of the more experienced skaters had come with their own skates.
What’s on the menu?
It’s burgers, wings, and other comfort food. The company has partnered up with Meat Liquor to serve burgers, wings and Mac & cheese. It must be said that this is miles away from the kind of cardboard junk food that we can all remember eating on visits to the leisure centre after a swim in the community pool.
Can I have a drink?
Yes, most definitely. The bar serves some impressive-sounding cocktails, such as ‘Fallen Angelita’ and ‘New Cross Negroni’, you will find milkshakes and craft beer as well. Everything has been done with the utmost care and attention to detail. You could quite happily come here just for a drink, not using the ice-rink or bowling alleys.
Final Verdict
Queens Skate is a fantastic venue. The design, particularly the neon-lit ice-rink, is something I haven’t seen anywhere else. Staff are trained to help nervous skaters, you can book lessons and there are DJs playing some nights. I can’t think of a better activity to do in London during the holidays, so take my advice and book a session.
On the Southern island of Kyushu,Kumamoto is a city in Japan. It’s mostly rural and there are many beautiful sights to visit. Most people who have heard about the city know about the Kumamoto Bear, a mascot created to draw tourists to the region when the Shinkansen opened in 2010.
‘Kumamon’ bear, the mascot for the Island of Kyushu.
This loveable character has been seen countless times, thanks to free licensing rights that mean the image can be used as long as it promotes the area, and in fact the bear is the most popular mascot in Japan.
Some souvenirs from Kumamoto Prefecture.
You can buy all kinds of snacks for souvenirs in the shops. As it is for other cities, everything is impressively packaged and the service is first class, as you would expect.
Mount Kinbo
The mountain in Kumamoto is an extinct caldera volcano; it still smokes but does not erupt. It’s perfect for a day of sightseeing!
Kumamoto Castle
Considered to be one of three most important castles in Japan. In truth, it looks the same as any castle you will find all over Japan.
Food
Kumamoto is famous for ramen. It’s not as greasy as Hokkaido ramen, and includes sliced garlic and sesame oil.
Kumamoto Ramen
Getting there
Fly to Fukuoka, the largest city in the region, and travel by bus or train to Kumamoto.
How the film diverges from the book, whilst keeping some things the same.
Published as part of a short story collection, Drive My Car is one of Murakami’s finest short stories. But it’s not particularly dramatic, strange, or interesting. Nothing would suggest that it would make a particularly cinematic film. But here we are, with the most critically acclaimed Imternational film of the year, and now the winner of Best Foreign Film.
The short story
Taking the title of the short story form a Beatles story, the main character is another Murakami proxy. He’s introduced as a widower, and his wife is mentioned as being someone he was in love with but perhaps thtere were things about him that he never understood. Then there is an actor who had an affair with the wife right up until she died. Finally, the third main character is the driver. These characters appear in the same form in the film, more or less. But the film adds several characters who don’t exist in the book. Instead of the book’s limited dramatis personae environment, the film goes for a more expanisive cast that is closer to the previous works of the firector rather than the Murakami story.
The wife is wonderfully played in the film; a mixture of eroticism, sadness and strength by Reika Kirishima. We see that she loves her husband very much. And we know this before the scene where the main character accidentally finds her making love with another man. Yet the film makes this revelation somehow boring and not as surprising as it should have been; leaving us to wonder if the man had always believed that his partner was unfaithful.
Both book and film make it clear that the main character was waiting for his wife to explain her infidelity, but she dies the same evening. I thought that the film hinted that her death was a suicide, but later we’re told that she had a cerebral heamorrhage. This could have been caused by a blunt object to the head – yet the film never looks at the possibility of her being murdered, or that it could have been a suicide. The absence of the wife is a massive part of the book. Yet the character in the film shows less regret than we would believe possible for one who has lost their partner of twenty years.
The book largely uses conversations between the driver and director to reveal what happened when he struck up a friendship with the actor his wife had an affair with. These are some of the best parts of the story – tense, exciting, and we don’t know where the story will turn next. Yet these conversations aren’t even used in the film. It’s an example of why Murakami has always presented such a challenge to directors adapting his works for the screen. The character’s internal monologues in the first person are what gives the writing its power – but this is difficult to translate to a visual medium.
The actor is presented as a rather timid man who is attractive to the women without having any strong characteristics. He’s more of a threat in the book and his outbreaks of violence are easier to accept, especially as they are grounded in alcoholism.
I can’t say that this film has done a bad job of adapting the story. In some ways it’s very original – it borrows some details from other stories in the same collection and it works. A lot of the stories that the wife tells him come from Scheherazade in the same collection – and Hamaguchi manages to interpolate these within the story of Drive my Car without losing the cohesion of the narrative.
Yet it doesn’t have the mysterious Murakami quality you get from reading the book. What the film does have that the book doesn’t – is a powerful scene where the actor/director is comforted by a Korean-signing actress who tells him to carry on living, it could and should have been the ending. Yet the film ends with the driver now living on Korea but driving Yusuke’s red Saab. It’s an oddly flat ending that really lacks an emotional catharsis that the film had led us to expect. The film has found favour with critics who found something more in the film than I did. It’s said to show another side of Japan, and is even being touted as a tourist advertisement. Yet the film shows very few famous landmarks that we would expect to see. Perhaps this is inevitable from a film that wants to focus on the banal reality at the expanse of any wonder. Yet it’s an oddly cold, uninvolving film, and it’s not been a success in Japan, with people largely ignoring it for bigger homegrown films such as Demonslayer.
The Most Beautiful Things to Do in Japan While You Are on Your Holiday!
Years of travel and study would be required to fully comprehend the Japanese people’s culture.
In this article, I’d like to assist you in deciding what should not be missed on a trip to Japan in order to fully immerse yourself in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Here are some of the things to do in Japan, in no particular order:
1. Attend A Matsuri
Matsuri, or Japanese festivals (generally Shinto), can be found in all cities of Japan and are very common as they mark the various changes in the climate, or pay homage to a historical, cultural anniversary, or may indicate a rite of passage (like the age of majority), or they can still represent a popular or Shintoist belief.
These are always colorful and cheerful parties that take over the city and involve a large number of people. During Matsuri, you can often find stalls of traditional food and sweets in the city, filling the festive streets with their delectable aroma.
2. Sleep In A Ryokan
The Ryokan are traditional Japanese hotels where the rooms with tatami floors have a table in the center where you can eat sitting on a pillow and where the futon, the Japanese bed that is placed on the tatami at night, is stored in the closet (by the maid )
Mount Fuji is not just any mountain; it is the highest peak in Japan (3776 m) and is considered sacred by the Japanese.
Those who want to admire the view and take some nice photos can hike up to the fifth Kawaguchiko station, which is 2305 meters above sea level, and then take the bus back.
According to a Japanese proverb, “Whoever climbs Mount Fuji once in a lifetime is wise; who climbs it twice is a fool.”
Entering one of these coffee shops is an all-Japanese experience to try.
These establishments are mostly found in Akihabara, and the waitresses, dressed in Victorian attire, are there to serve the customer in all aspects, thus impersonating the role of the devoted “maid” who will not fail to surprise you with a few touches of “magic,” thanks to the almost enchanted atmosphere of the internal environment.
Sumo is Japan’s national sport, and I am confident that witnessing a match of this hand-to-hand combat dating back to the 6th century will be an adventure to remember.
The Sumo Tournaments, also known as hon-basho, are held only in the odd months, six times a year, and last 15 days. A meeting can be held in Tokyo in January, May, and September, as well as in Osaka in March, Nagoya in July, and Fukuoka in November.https://trulytokyo.com/how-to-buy-tickets-for-a-tokyo-sumo-match/
6. Going To An Onsen
Onsen is Japanese for “thermal spring,” and the country has over 3000 of them. The Japanese bathing tradition dates back to ancient times and has almost sacred significance.
After a long day at work, the Japanese prefer to relax in a hot tub, especially if it is a thermal spring, which has even more beneficial effects on body and mind.
The geisha (or geiko, in the Kyoto dialect) is one of many images that come to mind when we think of Japan, as it embodies Japanese beauty and art, with precious kimonos, elegant and precise gestures, musicality, traditional ceremonies and dances.
The geisha is an artist with various skills (singing, music, conversation, etc.) whose job it is to entertain clients in tearooms called ochaya in the evenings.https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-geisha
8. Visit The Most Beautiful Hotels
Japan is a very beautiful country and there are a lot of places to stay while you are on vacation.
Please see below some of the most comfortable hotels to stay:
If you miss your pets that have been left at home, or if you simply adore cats and want to spoil someone, you can visit a Neko Cafe (or in Japanese neko kissa), where a feline colony awaits you in one of the many cafes scattered throughout Japan.https://www.kanpai-japan.com/travel-guide/neko-cafe-cat-experience
10. Go To A Love Hotel
Confidentiality is well known in Japan, but contrary to popular belief, the Japanese are not cold, despite the fact that it is impolite to show effusions in public. In fact, the Japanese are just as passionate as the Westerners in private, but they prefer to show it away from prying eyes.
Films about teenagers make up the bulk of Japanese cinema in the nineties, The period between puberty and adulthood is even more romanticised than in America. Yet at the end of the century one film came out that was to change the face of Japanese cinema and bring about new Asian influence in American cinema.
Battle Royale managed to subvert the typical high school film by giving the youngsters a panoply of weapons. The idea of children turning feral goes back to `lord of the Flies’ in literature, but ‘Battle Royale’ was more shocking in showing the teenagers still wearing their school uniforms while massacring each other.
Directed by Fukasu, battle Royale turned out to be the last film of a director best known in the west for directing ‘Battles Without Honor and Humanity’. HE managed to achieve a film that was far more successful than he could ever have imagined. Certainly, it was helped by having a great starring role from Takeshi Kitano, and a very charismatic cast of actors.
The violence was incredibly well-choreographed, stylish and sometimes beautiful, and it was set to the backdrop of the standards of classical music. By the time it came to be released in the US, fears of the film inciting another school shooting were enough for it to be delayed indefinitely, and when it was finally released, people were watching the Hunger Games, sometimes not aware of how much that film had borrowed from Battle Royale.
Yet it’s Battle Royale that has had a much stronger cultural legacy, with the film as highly regarded now as it was on its first release in the year 2000.
A dating coach famously announced that he didn’t consider British Women to be worth dating, based mainly on their looks and attitudes. His name is Richard Ruina, although for the purposes of this article it doesn’t really matter.
On the other hand, a number of people (British, it must be said) leapt to their defence, calling the guru a dick, asshole, and misogynist. I don’t have the right to criticise anyone, least of all when it comes to appearances. But I can see how some might consider women who are overweight, sport tattoos, and are badly dressed, as being unattractive.
So what’s the truth of the matter? The fact is, there are some stunners (at the top end) and a lot of average women in between, and then the ‘mingers’ (british slang for unattractive) making up a large group at the bottom.
Women on a night out in Liverpool, a city in the north of England.
It’s the last group that are responsible for the low opinion held for British women in the UK. The women seen on holidays in Spain and Greece, for example, acting like hooligans or ‘ladettes’ according to some British tabloids. The majority of British women are not like this at all. In fact, there is a rich phenotype made up of mixed races in many English women, which is why you will find it quite difficult to identify a British woman from women from other countries in Europe.
Still, if you’re a man from England, you’ll probably have some complaints about British women being cold, too demanding, difficult to please. As a result, you’ll probably enjoy dating women from other countries who visit here. And that doesn’t mean you think British women are ugly, just that it’s good to have some new experiences.
Journey – LHR to Manchester. I had a travel voucher from British Airways from a cancelled flight, so I decided to use it for a trip to Manchester. Rather than having to take the train, I wanted to try flying instead. I had booked through BA.com. This allowed me the option of selecting my seat for an extra £5 each way. It wasn’t something I wanted to do
Check in
I was issued a paper ticket through one of the self-service machines at Heathrow Terminal 5, and did not need to wait at the check-in line as I was only taking hand-luggage on board.
Security: there was an extra-long line for the security, partly due to it being half term. We were told several times that we couldn’t have liquids in our hand- luggage. After bagging my aftershave and toothpaste, I was surprised that my luggage was cordoned off. Apparently it was because I had a can of deodorant inside, I hadn’t thought that this would be problem.
At the gates: When it was time to board, we were led to an airport shuttle which drove up to the runway.
Getting on board: Boarding was done at the front of the plane.
Seating: I hadn’t booked my seat in advance. However, I had a middle row seat in between aisle and window. It was right at the back and definitely the worst seat on the airplane. The seat itself was a black leather upholstered airplane seat, so it was comfortable enough.
On board food service: no hot food was served to economy. However, we were given mineral water and a Kellogs cereal bar. It was better than nothing.
Cabin Crew – staff were talking at the back as I entered. However, they were happy to help with my enquiry about newspapers and magazines.
Anything else – the flight had some turbulence as the plane was not able to reach the correct height.
Arrival time – we arrived in Manchester 30 minutes later than scheduled. It was frustrating to say the least. Disembarking was very straightforward
Final comments
If I need to travel to Manchester at short notice, I think I’ll be more likely to take the train or bus. Taking the plane will be not much different in terms of the time spent travelling, especially when you include the time spent at the airport.
If the Korean wave, (known as Hallyu) began in the mid nineties, then it ended on February 2020, when Parasite became the first foreign film to win the academy for best film. The idea of Korean culture as something new and exciting was fading, but for a while it was the newest cultural force, with Korea leading the way when it came to innovative film, fashion and music.
the word ‘Hallyu’ refers to the spread Korean culture throughout Asia
It was quite different in the eighties. The country that everyone talked about was Japan. Japan was cool. Everyone said so. You didn’t need to have ever been to Japan to have an idea of what Japan was about. Sushi, Geisha, manga cartoons. These were well-known. And they didn’t need the Japanese government to help promote them. With Korea, it wasn’t until after the end of the country’s dictatorship that the country opened up. And by 1995, the government was funding Korean movies. An even bigger revolution was occurring in television. Sandglass was the first major TV drama with mass appeal. not just in Korea, but in other countries. Ministers realised that they could sell Korea (specifically its technology) through TV dramas that were shown across Asia. The spread of Korea had not quite reached beyond the Pacific Rim just yet.
By the 2000s, the music form Korea was catching on too. What was a beguiling me of techno, rap and electronica was being called “k-pop.” And then with Youtube, it was possible for this music to break through the language barrier and start to gain much wider appeal. Certainly, the internet helped to share Korean music to fans all over the world. But it’s likely that it would have taken off anyway, even without Youtube, which gave Psy’s Gangnam Style the most watched Korean music video.
Psy’s Gangnam Style broke the billion views on Youtube.
As the likes of Girls Generation, Super Junior and Big Bang were making a lot of noise in Asia, people were realising that Korea was in many ways the new country to discover. Korean restaurants were spreading fast, and kimchi became a new superfood. Again, this was no accident. the government deliberately promoted it. And for a while, it was exciting. You couldn’t move for Korean restaurants in London, even if they were churning out the same familiar food. And yet by 2017, it was starting to look as if Korean culture was losing it’s edge. BTS, Twice, Big Bang. the top Korean k-pop groups were now polished, slick, more professional than ever before, but people were criticising the methods involved in the manufacture of these acts.
One of the best K-pop groups and most original, 2NE1 have now broken up.
Was there any different about BTS that was distinctive from Super Junior? OR Big Bang? Red Velvet were just an updated version of 2NE1. The films were no longer breaking artistic ground. Meanwhile, people were using the prefix ‘K’ to describe anything that was from Korea, in attempt to sell its novelty. There was k-drama. then it was k-bbq. And K-make-up. All of it was beginning to grow tiresome. Was the only thing these products had going for them was that they were Korean? Maybe not, but it felt as though people felt they could make more money if people thought they were buying something Korean.
Everything from Korea now comes with the prefix ‘K”, in case we weren’t aware that Korea produces cosmetics, or kimchi.
Meanwhile, Japanese culture was quietly carrying on. It didn’t need an army of fans to sell its culture abroad, or government ministers to prop up its film industry. And however hard the Korean tourist board tries to sell Korean culture abroad, it’s Japan that is the first country non-Asians want to visit when they travel to the continent. No amount of B.T.S. videos are going to change that.
The joys of the Asian girl on a working holiday visa in UK
Every year, some 2000 working holiday visas are granted to people aged up to 30 in some of the east Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan. The majority are here for enjoying a break from the often hectic lives they have in their own countries. Some come to learn English. Others might be here for work. The good news is that most are single and up for a good time.
But you need to know a few things so that you can make the most of the situation. A girl I met recently is on a two year working holiday in London. Sakura is in her late twenties, and she is over here to enjoy London. As well as working in the Japan Centre https://www.japancentre.com/en, Sakura also has a second job in a restaurant. Sakura* is as a good an example of the many Japanese and Korean girls who come to London.
They won’t have the best English, so bear that in mind when you come to approach them. And they will be changing jobs, moving around, perhaps doing some studying at the same time. It’s common for most girls to stay with with a ‘host’ family to help them settle in, for the first few months, and quite possibly the length of their stay. So bear that in mind too, because in these situations it’s going to be hard for you to be able turn up at the host family’s house, however much you want to have sex.
It’s good to be realistic, so that you can make things easy for both of you.Let’s say you’re lucky enough to meet a nice girl from Japan and you’re both into each other. You become a couple. Then her 2 years’ are up. You try the long distance relationship and it fails. You could have spent that time getting with all the other girls you ignored when you wanted to be with her exclusively. Sometimes, it works, and a lot of girls who have a working holiday will return, especially if she likes you a lot. But bear in mind that it could go either way.
Another thing you will find is that these women have only a very basic idea of what life in the UK is actually like, because there is not much connection with the UK and their own countries. It’s hard for girls to come here and know how to make money , when the pound is an unfamiliar quantity – also they won’t really know how much money they will need until they actually live here.
Working holiday girls are easy?
Its not as though all girls on a working holiday are sluts, but some are going to be quite open to the idea of sleeping with a foreigner. You may have a good chance if you live in a nice area of London where she’s going to want to spend time in. Notting Hill (because of the film) and Camden (no idea why), are two of the places you are guaranteed to find Asian girls. Don’t go thinking they are going to sleep with you just because you gave them directions to the mall or told them which side of the escalator to go on. They won’t make it that easy for you. Most of the girls on a working holiday are fairly serious, and may only want a relationship, if they even want anything from you at all. And if I’m being honest, I’ve wasted a lot of time taking girls out to the sights of London, when I would have preferred to have taken them to a hotel.
If you’re looking to have sex with a girl on a working holiday, go for it. Although my experience is that quite a few girls from Japan are a bit shy and it will take a long time to warm them up to the idea. Or it could be simply that they don’t find me attractive. If you are a bit awkward at talking to girls cold, you can try some dating services. Japan Cupid https://www.japancupid.com is only worth it if you pay the membership, but you can find one or two Japanese girls who are living abroad. Otherwise, you might be lucky to find a Japanese girl who somehow has decided she is going to find the love of her life on Tinderhttps://www.reddit.com/r/Tinder/comments/ta3t7o/what_is_it_with_japanese_girls_and_photos_from/
So in a nutshell, meeting an Asian girl on a working holiday can be a great opportunity if you are patient and able to deal with them wanting to do stuff you consider boring. But you risk becoming attached to the same girl for too much of your time, and most of the women on a working holiday are quite boring. So there you have it guys. here’s a video on the subject as well.
TERUMI KAI, THE FOUNDER OF JLF IN HER HOME IN HERKALION
At just 150 cms and slight of build, Terumu Kai makes a very big impact in the city of HEraklion, Greece. It’s here that she set up her ‘Japanese Langauge Factory; and shehas been living in Greece for the last 6 years, first teaching in person, and then solely online to a hundred or so students who have signed up for her innovative language program.
Heraklion is not a big city, although it has an airport for the tourists who flood the city in summer. When I arrive, it’s still the Christmas season so Christmas trees and lights are everywhere. Terumi’s house is off the main road, and it takes me a little more than 30 minutes to walk there from the Ibis hotel. When I get there, I’m first amazed by the size of the building, and then I’m taken aback by how slight she is (I’ve only seen her from the waist up in video call). When we take the car to go the centre, she can only just see over the steering wheel.
Terumi lives with her daughter, an exuberant half-Japanese girl I’ve seen in some of the videos on her Youtube reels, the entire upper floor is where she works. The room looks out on to the mountains in the distance, and the sea is right in front of us. Terumi has fixed her cameras and sound recording equipment above her desk so that she can produce her regular group sessions for her students. There’s an expensive sofa, BOSE entertainment centre and a full kitchen. I’ve come to her house so that I can take part in the group session, and also so that I can film a video for her Youtube channel.*
It’s when we go to the restaurant and the waiters all recognize her that I see she has become something of a celebrity on the island. Maybe that’s easy when there are only 3 Japanese people living on the island. In total. clearly, the locals aren’t sure what to make of this striking individual who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. An example is how she can navigate the tricky parents who think that their children can pick up the language in just a few months, for example. another is the issue of vaccination. This came up because when we got to the cafe, we were both asked to present our vaccination status. Whilst I’ve received the vaccine, Terumi tells me that she hasn’t. I ask her if she thinks that she should take it. ‘I’d rather build my immunity’, is basically what she tells me.#
Filming with Terumi for Youtube
After a dinner of grilled fish, vegetables, and the same assorted cold dishes that are served everywhere (tzatziki, taramousalata) I want to see Terumi-san in a different environment. I’ve seen her in her house, I’ve seen her at the wheel of her black VW polo. but I want to know how she acts in a more relaxed spot.
Terumi has so ,much natural energy that you get caught up in it.
We walk up the hill to the commercial centre, several terraces are full of people sitting outside on the pavements. It soon becomes clear that the Greeks really love to sit around – they make it their habit to sit in the same place for simply hours. Terumi glides in to the place, and when she is unable to present a vaccination certificate, she is unflappable when told that she is restricted from accessing the main section of the restaurant. After this little bit of bureaucracy is over, Terumi glances through the menu and chooses something gin-based and fruity.
We look at how the Greeks are essentially very conservative. And they are even more like this on the islands, where most people are stuck in their ways. This rigid rule-following is totally odds with her approach to language acquisition. In fact, I’m wondering why someone so individual should want to live here. The idea of Terumi having a relationship with one of these Cretans is almost laughable. But after spotting some overly swarthy-looking Greeks, she tells me that they use their parents cars, never have any money or ambition. I start to feel somewhat guilty for agreeing with her about this. . But then again, the Greeks I meet are not in any way friendly towards me. Sadly, I didn’t get the sense that I was especially welcome in Greece, although maybe the lockdown has made this situation worse. What I did notice is that the Greeks have become intensely zealous about all kinds of petty bureaucracy. something to bear in mind if you do happen to travel here.
With absolute confidence in her method, Terumi is convinced that most Japanese language learners will develop quicker if they focus on communication instead of traditional grammar.
Some background into how I began studying Japanese. Growing up with the idea that Japanese was hard to learn, I never really took it seriously. Even when I had a Japanese girlfriend, I only spent a little time on it. There weren’t many options for learning Japanese as a second language, most of the courses were following textbooks. In fact, even when I booked tutors online through programs like preply, I had to try out several Japanese tutors, most of whom didn’t really know what to teach me and didn’t have any goal for me to work towards. Whereas, the main difference with Terumi is that her course is focused on getting you to be a confident Japanese speaker.
With regards to the course, the first thing to note is that it’s expensive. you pay 3000 dollars for the first stage of the program. that’s a lot of money, and some people will think that they can learn Japanese only from watching youtube videos. Unfortunately, without the regular practice and contact with a teacher, you’re going to be wasting time this way.
If you’re not sure what an image consultant is, or what they do, you’re not the only one. I visited Selfridges Oxford Street for a wardrobe makeover. You have the option of booking an appointment with a personal shopper (minimum spend of £2000), or the wardrobe makeover, which is free. Naturally, I didn’t want to feel under pressure to spend that kind of money.
I opted for the free option. Although I was certainly expecting to have to spend some kind of money along the way. The wardrobe makeover is for 2 hours, so you have enough time to look at the clothes, try them on, and discuss with the stylist about which clothes suit you and make you look your best.
Selfridges has one floor given over to menswear, as opposed to two for women. This implies that men are slightly left out when it comes to shoppingand indeed, fashion in general (which I’ve long believed is the case). My personal shopper Han asked me some questions about my budget and the kind of amount I’d be comfortable spending. I felt that £1000 would be a good amount to walk away with at least one really good outfit that would give me some impressive style for the money. In reality, this was very optimistic. As a trendy department store, Selfridges skews to top-end names for men’s fashion, most of which is very fashion forward.
Han was my wardrobe consultant.
Feeling sympathetic to my budget, Han steered me towards a couple of ‘reasonably’ priced brands. The first was a British fashion label called ‘prevu’ – affordable by most people’s standards. Han picked out a nice cream-coloured jacket. It fitted me well, but I wasn’t loving it. A few years’ back, I was told that whenever you buy new clothes, they need to be ‘must have.’ This jacket definitely didn’t make me feel like that. So it was back on the shelf with that choice.
The prevu jacket that I debated buying, I know nothing about this brand.
Even for ready to wear, Selfridges offers little for budget shoppers. Gone are familiar brands such as Ted Baker and Tommy Hilfiger. We mainly avoided Paul Smith. I’ve liked some of his clothes before, but most of the new styles seemed overly out there – too busy, according to Han. I was starting to think we’d find nothing that would be suitable – both in terms of price and style.
We moved on to All Saints. I’ve never really cared for it this brand – too British, too boring, what someone would wear if they wanted to look cool without standing out. After trying on a particularly boring grey coat that did nothing for me, we managed to choose a burgundy tee (45) and a pair of slim-fit black jeans (£99).
I was quite taken with the styles at Eleventy, but not so much the price. A sheepskin lined puffer for £1000 was just one example of crazy pricing – you could probably find the same item for half the price online.
We passed one more luxury brand, French fashion house Sandro. Han persuaded me to buy a zip-up cardigan even though it was expensive. that said, I recognized it as a key-piece, something you would always need in your wardrobe and could wear all year round. I was really taking a risk on it – spending three times the amount I would have considered it worth.
Sandro half zip cardigan (£269).
Back in the fitting rooms of the personal shopping area, Han took photos so I could see exactly how I looked in the different clothes. Sometimes, store lighting can be misleading – making clothes appear nicer than they really are. Girls know this, which is why they always go shopping with friends.
Trying on some of the selections including the jeans that don’t fit properly.
I bought the cardigan, the jeans, and the burgundy t shirt. One month on, I’ve not felt too many changes from my re-invigorated wardrobe. I’ve worn the black cardigan a few times and I’m sad to see that the wool has already started to run. The jeans are not a close fit, which is so disappointing. After trying them on in the fitting rooms, they felt fine, but now I can’t wear them without a belt. It seems that most designers think men’s waists fit neatly in increments of two inches, and provide nothing for men in between. Also, its common for jeans to be too long – with sagging, loose hems at the ankles.
That’s something I should have really paid attention to at the fitting. I’m now left with some jeans which don’t fit me, that I can’t return. They’ve been worn too much to meet the store’s stringent return policies. If I sold them through ebay, I’d be lucky to make a tenner on them. I’ve had more luck with the Sandro cardigan. It’s a close fit, though a little short at the waist. It’s really unforgiving on the stomach and makes me aware constantly that I need to lose weight. The second time I wore it to the club, I managed to dance with the most beautiful Brazilian in the place, a result I owe to the gorgeousness of the piece. But after a few weeks, I’ve noticed that it’s started to pill slightly, even without being washed. So, would I recommend a wardrobe makeover? Possibly, but please keep the receipts, and remember, stores won’t accept worn or marked items.
To book the wardrobe makeover at Selfridges, please go to:
Hong Kong, the present day. Officer Fai is taking a fishing boat with a colleague to Tuen Man. We flash back to 1996. Naïve but pretty teenager is attached to her young boyfriend. But when she becomes pregnant, she keeps the baby instead of having an abortion. When things become financially difficult, the father gets involved with triads, and commits a crime so terrible he is forced to escape to Thailand.
Shown as part of the festival’s Hong Kong strand, the film is more a social-realist drama than an action film. It’s one that roots the police officer as the moral center of the film, but he acts in ways that are less than perfect. At the same time, he acts as a father figure to Elisa and her young daughter. First-time director Alan Fung tries to show how tragic events can re-occur if society does not intervene. If parents cannot raise children, then others must do what they can to make sure that the mistakes of past generations do not re-occur. So, when Fai’s associate wants to arrest the husband, he prevents it because he doesn’t want to break up the family and see the child become orphaned.
Shooting in grey, largely avoiding any sense of style, the film feels very cold and flat. Unfortunately, it’s not helped by a very plodding soundtrack that doesn’t do anything for the film’s overall tone. The film’s structure is unnecessarily complicated from being told over 20 years and means that the characters age unconvincingly. More problematic is the treatment of the supposed main character Elisa. Seemingly in love with her daughter, she inexplicably goes from an innocent teen to a cold-hearted prostitute in a couple of years. This change would be believable if the director had given the girl a solid sense of personality to work with, but she’s an almost one-dimensional female figure, little more than cliché. The father is not much better fleshed out. Does he really love the girl, or is he just hanging around because he feels he has to? If he has a sense of love for the mother of his child, it never came through.
There are some things I liked about the film. When the girl is due to meet her partner, Officer Fai tracks her down to a cinema (where she goes to meet men for sex). It’s there, in the film’s foyer, that he meets the kindly Aunt Bo. We’re in the nineties, so the cinema has posters for the Truman Show and Goodwill Hunting. Seeing Aunt Bo playing with the little girl reminds him that she used to look after him. Calling her mom, we realise that the cop was abandoned by his own parents. His interest in the teenaged girl stems from wanting to do everything he can to make sure that the child is not left to the mercies of the streets, as he was.
But as we see in the tragic events of the second half, his power can only go so far in protecting them from what seems like inevitability of fate. Overall, the film is slow, plodding and often uninspired. In the right hands, it could have been very powerful, but its handling is too dull to fully engross us in the lives of the characters.
As far as I’m concerned, the film is a dud. ALsmost no real excitement is generated from it’s bizarre time-crossing scenario. It’s been said that Marvel has a problem with featuring Asian characters, but this film fails to do for Asians what Black Panther did for black people.
Here are the reasons why I hated this movie:
Slow start. What was the point of the half hour spent showing us how boring the main character’s life is?
Awkwafina. What was she doing in the movie? She doesn’t provide anything to add to the story, neither does she perform any kung fu.
Script. I was groaning most of the time from the leaden and clunky dialogue.
where’s the kung fu? Apart from the bus sequence, where Shang uses a metal pole to take out some villains, he simply stands around the whole time.
the CGI made most scenes look totally unbelievable.
There’s no romance whatsoever. Compare to a film about martial arts which was full of action, spectacle and love – Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Simu Liu – totally unsuited to the part. Why not cast a Chinese born actor who can convincingly speak Mandarin?
The music – thumping bass heavy chords just got louder during supposedly exciting scenes.
The film’s obvious pandering to Chinese audiences mean that the villain isn’t able to be seen as showing Chinese people in a bad light, so it means he comes across totally non-threateningly, and bland.
today I had the fortune (or misfortune) of attending a Japanese meetup group in London. I very rarely attend organised meetings set up online. I enjoy meeting new people but I often find these planned group activities to be fairly awkward.
I enjoyed a group called Japan dating because I was bored and I like the possibility, however small, of being able to meet attractive Japanese ladies. The meetup group in question had over 900 members in all, so I felt sure that it should have been worth my time.
Anyway, I went to London to join the group for the first time. I was having doubts of the choice of venue, which was a very rundown cafe in London somewhere. I suspect that the organiser got some kind of commission for hosting it there or something.
Because I had some commitments earlier in the day, I wasn’t able to arrive at the planned time, which was 12pm. In my experience of previous events, I have found that members can arrive at different times throughout the day without it being a problem.
I arrived before 1, to an almost empty restaurant, I was so tempted to go back but I gritted my teeth and carried on. I was led to a table where the host, Andre, showed himself to be a very strange man with a speech impediment. I immediately found it hard to accept him as the manager of the group or that he could have had much experience of dating Japanese women.
I introduced myself to the two Japanese members of the group. Everytime I tried to answer a question, Andre would cut in. Soon, I grew tired of listening to his inane questions. I told him politely that I wanted the opportunity to talk with the members, which is why I was there in the first place.
He immediately became angry, and started to berate me, asking me to explain why I was late, and that I should have let him know if I was not going to be on time.
I apologised, but he carried on in the same vein. He then told me that he would ban me from future events and that I was an idiot. I was about to walk out, but thankfully he left after that, leaving me in peace to eat my lunch and chat to my new friends. It wasn’t very pleasant, and I was left with the impression of a narcissistic individual who arranged the meetups for his own ego.
I know I should have told him that I was late, but it was still a big effort for me to attend his meeting in the first place.
I leave you to decide who was right in this situation. Perhaps you have some interesting meetup stories yourself?
There are a lot of restaurants that can serve THAI FOOD, but most of it is kind of a watered down approach. I mean, I ate in Busaba about ten years ago when it was one of the first THAI Chains, and it was nothing special, but maybe if you’ve never been to Thailand, you’d enjoy it.
A lot of food in Thailand is eaten by roadsides, because the weather is so hot, people crowd around plastic tables and sit around for hours drinking and piling tables high with plates and bowls. Even when it comes to street food, you can get some really amazing food from vendors selling pork broths and skewers. Usually, it’s just one dish that they have been cooking for years and years.
Now you can find some good Thai food if you go to Giggling Squid , but if you want something that is reminiscent of the food they actually eat in Thailand, you can go to a wonderful Surrey restaurant. Chim’s avoids the cliched image of Thai restaurants, there are no plastic buddhas or elephant sculptures. It’s just a bare restaurant with minimal design, but everything has been carefully set up for you to really experience Thai food in it’s totality.
The first thing you notice when you get the menu is how varied the food is. Most people are familiar with Pad THAI and curries. And if you want them, you can get them here. I first tasted their food when I odered their Massaman curry over the grim lockdown period. It came studded with tender pieces of sweet potato that I at first ssumed to be lumps of fat. The curry had been simmered for hours to create a velvety smooth broth.
When I came to eat last Saturday, I was looking for the kind of food I wouldn’t be able to make at home.
A common idea about Thai food is that it is very spicy, but many of the dishes here are more subtle. Take the Isaan sausage, which is fermented and served with peanuts. It’s not fatty but it was still juicy, and it turned on its head the idea that sausages are cheaply made and processed.
Picture shows Nam Sausage, Tofu and Crispy noodles
I ordered Tofu Larb, because in the right hands it can be excellent. Rather than the overused Thai basil, it came with fresh mint, and red onions – a deliciously summery salad. I remembered that larb is a popular dish in some parts of northern Thailand and I meant to ask why they had used tofu instead of beef or pork, but I forgot to ask the server. After this healthy opener, I needed something richer to follow it. I ordered deep fried squid, because you have to order at least one seafood dish when eating Thai food. The squid came in some insanely sweet tamarind marinade that nearly broke out of the batter, but was awesome anyway. And I think this one had some grapefruit segments in, maybe because they couldn’t get any pomelo (it is a challenge to find the correct ingredients). By this point I was buzzing from the Italian chardonnay and the huge array of flavours, but I wanted more.
Deep fried squid with grapefruit and peanuts
After reading the list of curries available, I was most interested in the Hinlay from Burma. It came in a blue china bowl decorated with roasted peanuts and fronds of coriander; I inhaled the fragrance of fish sauce and turmeric and my heart pounded in anticipation.
Hinlay Curry
The curry itself was gloriously thick, but what stood out were the slices of caramelised plantain that studded the dish. Beside it I had a bowl of virgin white coconut rice that I used to soak up the curry…. One glass of Singha beer on draft and that was me done, in just under two hours I had tasted the real heart of thai cuisine and I had only tried a small section of the menu. I was going to have to return.
In the end, I went back two more times. Like a film that you re-watch to get more meaning, I wanted to see what else the kitchens could offer, and it turned out there were more surprises. Street food often means food that is drunk with alcohol, so I wanted to try one of their cocktails.
Whisky Sour with tamarind
Tamarind Whisky sour put a spin on the classic and made an excellent accompaniment to my deep fried tofu. But on the third visit, I was most taken with the Thai Tea-rimasu. Not enough people appreciate how good Thai tea can be. Redder than Chinese tea, it’s often drunk in sweetened form with condensed milk and sugar. But here, they use it’s bright flavour in a truly brilliant dish that is in many ways nicer than a standard tiramasu dessert.
Thai Tea-ramisu
If you go to Chim’s, you get the sense of dishes that have evolved over time. But it’s nothing serious or boring, like a dish that people are too scared to adapt. The basic ingredients may not change, but each time you try the dishes you will get something new from them.
A reminder of my most recent dinner at the restaurant.
My travel destination this year is Indonesia. With more than six UNESCO designations it has the highest of any Asian country, and manages to provide a year’s worth of highlights in one trip.
Here are some of the places and activities I would like to see once international travel is possible in Indonesia.
Bali/Lombok
Known as a tropical paradise around the world, Bali is the most visited part of Indonesia. In fact, Bali is one of two islands that are considered to be world class – Lombok is the quieter one. People go to Bali for all kinds of purposes. Watesports and scuba diving are some of the most popular pastimes. Famous TV chef Anthony Bourdain made a documentary about the food, see picture below.
Ubud in Bali is known as a home to several famous yoga retreats and upscale resorts, in fact the whole island is home to some incredible hotels such as The Legian in Seminyak.
You can also stay very reasonably in a villa for 20 dollars a night. as well as the luxury and splendour of the resorts you can find centres of spirituality, such as the famous Uluwata Temple.
Komodo Island
Home to the biggest lizard’s in the world. Komodo Island can only be visited with a tour guide, and its very dangerous to get to close to the man-eating dragons.
Mount Merapi
The still active volcano erupted last year.
Jakarta
The bustling city is home to more than eight million people and would be a good place to start your trip, assuming you don’t mind heavy traffic and crowds. You can find some great food here.
People
“The friendliest people you can ever meet” according to Trevor Noah, who visited Bali in 2018. Indonesians are a diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures: the national language is Bahasa but Javanese is spoken in Java. There are Chinese Indonesians, moslems, Christians and Buddhists.
Music and culture
The Raid made a big impression five years ago, and the music of Indonesia that is most common is gamelan.
When it comes to Asian women there are various fetishes around. Some men are turned on by the ultra skinny girls with tiny waists and narrow legs that are all you see in China and Korea. But for my money, I’d choose a big-titted Japanese girl. There’s just something about the combination of their cute faces (less sharp and more rounded than other Asians) along with their soft simpering voices and huge tits that hang over their soft torsos that I can’t get over.
I met Mitsumi when I was browsing over some accessories at the Japanese centre. I asked about the incense sticks that she was selling. I could have asked the man who was also working there, but what would be the point of that?
After thoroughly going through the various scents, I managed to lightly brush up against her arm. I could see Mitsumi’s breasts straining against the fabric of her t-shirt, and the thickness of the strap suggested that she was a D or E cup, at the very least. She was wearing an apron over the t-shirt, so I couldn’t see any cleavage, but there was no hiding from the fact that she had massive tits.
As she didn’t seem to mind me touching her, I decided to go back the following day to see if I could meet her one evening. Mitsumi was cleaning up and the manager had already gone home for the night.
Mitsumi was wearing the same outfit, and as she was sweeping the floor, the strap of her apron fell loose. Finally, she got tired of pulling it up and then she took it off and put it on the seat.
I wasted no more time and went in inside to speak to her.
“Oh, hi,” she said. ‘I’m sorry, we’re about to close.” I walked in to the shop and shut the door.
“That’s ok. I’m not here to buy anything.”
Mitsumi put the broom down and then put it in the back.
“Have you tried the incense?”
“I have. It’s great, thank you for recommending it. Do you have a few minutes so that we can talk?“
“I don’t mind.”
“Great.”
Mitsumi closed the door and flipped the sign over to ‘Closed.’
She led me to the store-room at the back of the shop.
She sat down on one of the office chairs, and leant forward slightly. She seemed to enjoy letting me have a better look at her wonderful breasts.
I decided to ask her if she had a boyfriend.
“No, I don’t have time at the moment.”
“That must be boring sometimes,” I said.
“It is.”
“You must get a lot of looks from men in the shop?”
“Oh, some of them. Like, this one guy recently who couldn’t stop staring at me.”
I hoped she wasn’t talking about me.
‘So I usually wear these t-shirts when I work here, even though at home I like to wear looser, low-cut tops, I just get too many looks if I dress like that here.’
“I would love to see you wearing those,” I offered her by way of subtle suggestion, and watched her smile at me.
“Can you be good? I’ll show you something but we need to be careful.
Follow me.”
Mitsumi led me to another room at the back that was used for storing stationery and other materials.
“Sit down.”
I followed her order and was dumbstruck when Mitsumi sat on top of me and started to thrust her chest directly into my face, so that I was surrounded by her soft tit-flesh.
“Would you like to see more?”
I nodded silently as she lifted up her t-shirt to her neck, and I gazed at her breasts as they sat upright in her pale blue bra. Her hair was loose and she gave her tits a little shake for me, letting her black fringe swish over her round face. I was about to get the greatest strip of my life – a one-man porn film starring me was about to start.
Mitsumi turned around and revealed her back to me, the thick band of her bra was within reach, and she took my hands and placed them on each of her breasts. I gave them a squeeze and lifted them up under the cups so that her breasts were as high as her chin.
Mitsumi gasped gently, and I felt her nipples stiffening beneath the gauzy material of her bra.
“Are you going to kiss them for me?”
Mitsumi used my hands to unclasp them, and squeezed her arms together so that her bra fell down to her waist.
The curves of her tits were overshadowing her upper body, making perfect round arcs.
“Kiss them for me.”
I turned her around and she lifted her right breast up so that I could suck it, and I used my tongue to stimulate her nipples gently.
“Oh, yessss,” she sighed.
She was moaning a lot, so I let my hands roam over her breasts all the while using my tongue to give her more caresses.
“Mmmmm, you are so good at that.”
‘Well, I am a breast –man. So, I’ve always wondered…. can you cum just from having your tits massaged?
“I sometimes do. They are quite sensitive.”
I slowed down with my tonguing as I didn’t want to get tired, not that I wasn’t having the time of my life!”
“Did I make you excited?” she asked, eyeing the bulge in my trousers.
“Let me help you with that.”
I was really turned on now, especially as she had become aroused enough for her nipples to have turned completely stiff from all the sucking and fondling.
“Would you like a tit-wank?”
She positioned herself higher than me and used some spit to make her breasts smooth and slippery.
My erection bulged out of my trousers and I let it pop out of my fly.
Mitsumi gave it strokes with her palm and I let my hands wander back to her massive mammaries.
I was almost spinning. My cock was smushed between her tits and her hands were on my balls. Mitsumi moving her tits up and down was creating the most perfect sensations. I felt an aching sensation inside and cried out.
Ahhh!!! Fuckkkk!!!!
“Ohhh, sorry.”
I watched my cum spread out of my cock, flooding her chest, and dripping down.
“No need to apologise. I’m sorry I didn’t give you time to come.”
Mitsumi looked at my slyly and said
“How do you know I didn’t? Here, I’ll clean you up.”
She pulled some tissues out of her bag and rubbed my penis gently.
As we sat, she propped my head against her chest so that I could enjoy the view one more time…..
Ahhh!!! Fuckkkk!!!!
“Ohhh, sorry.”
I watched my cum spread out of my cock, flooding her chest, and dripping down.
“No need to apologise. I’m sorry I didn’t give you time to come.”
Mitsumi looked at my slyly and said
“How do you know I didn’t? Here, I’ll clean you up.”
She pulled some tissues out of her bag and rubbed my penis gently.
As we sat, she propped my head against her chest so that I could enjoy the view one more time…..
a guide to some of the best places in Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter.
People visit Birmingham for many reasons. Some come for the sporting events. Others might visit because of the massive indoor Expos that are held at the NEC. Personally, I visited Birmingham because of it’s Chinese Quarter, or Chinatown. England’s 2nd largest city has an area of three streets which are full of Asian restaurants, bars, the occasional nightclub, and even a Wetherspoon’s. The area is located just outside the city’s main train station, Birmingham New Street. After a night in the chaotic Broad Street area, I wanted to experience something more authentic. True, there are some Indian restaurants there which were doing a good trade, but most of the restaurants near my hotel were exactly the same chain-type places you will find up and down the country.
Getting there
As you leave the station, you can see the brown tourist signs directing you to the Chinese Quarter. it’s easy to go the wrong way, but if you come out of the station at the main entrance you can see Hirst road right in front of you. This is where the Chinese Quarter proper begins.
There is a rather lovely looking restaurant with a green-tiled roof (China Court Restaurant) on Edgbaston Street. Next to it is another traditional Cantonese restaurant – Chung Ying.
Chung Ying was the first Chinese restaurant to open here
As you walk along Hirst Street, you notice that most of the buildings have Chinese characters. You can’t miss a very large three-storey building houses Ming Moon, which caters to the Chinese love of gambling.
Further along, there is a branch of the very popular Happy Lemon bubble tea café.
Perhaps you wouldn’t expect to see a traditional pub, but that is what you get, although the styling of the Wetherspoon’s in this area blends in with its name and building’s façade.
If you feel that the street has a slightly faded air, which it does, you can take a left to the modern Arcadian area in Ladywell Way. This is a car-free zone. The restaurants cater to a younger crowd, with a few non-Asian venues such as Las Iguanas.
On show in the centre of the square was a stunning lantern display. As part of the marketing for the film Over the Moon (based on a Chinese fairy tale) Netflix has designed 26 handmade lanterns with characters from the film. Far from being showy and over the top like the Christmas lights in London, these were intricately decorated and looked even more magical in the evening when they were individually illuminated. At nighttime this would be a wonderful place to eat, especially if you can sit outside.
This area is home to a wonderful patisserie with cookies and cakes form Taiwan and Hong Kong – which are clearly made fresh everyday.
Coming back to Hirst Road takes you to an excellent Chinese restaurant which offers Dim Sum in the mornings and then Sichuan cuisine. This region of China is known for its red and black pepper which is pleasantly numbing. Many of the dishes incorporate tofu – eg mapo tofu or Salt and pepper tofu.
Walking still further down, you come to Korean and Japanese restaurants. It’s quite likely that these are still owned and run by Chinese restaurateurs who want to cater for those in the area who happen to like other Asian cuisines as well as traditional Chinese.
As the road goes down past the Glee club, there are student bars and nightclubs, and it seems to have become home to the gay population of Birmingham.
Whatever your thoughts on that, make sure you come to this part of Birmingham when you next visit.
The Asian ‘girlfriend experience’ in two American movies
If we take a look at depictions of Asian women is some famous American films, we can get an idea of how certain ideas and stereotypes have gained a hold in people’s understanding of Asian women. I want to look at two American films that show relationships between a white man and an Asian woman.
Wayne’s World.
Released in 1992, the film is a full length feature about two slacker types who run their own TV show from their basement. The men are typical of the audience the film was presumably aimed at. Whilst Garth has his own dream woman in the form of a blonde fantasy goddess, it’s Cassandra (Tia Carrere) who is the object of Wayne’s affection. That the actress playing Cassandra Wong is not Chinese but Hawaiian is beside the point – most of the time Hollywood will choose actresses who look only part Asian rather than look for an Asian-born actress who can speak fluent English.
Cassandra, Wayne’s World
Cassandra is by no means a submissive Asian woman, but it’s interesting to see how her Asian-ness is at times highlighted in the film. For example, she wears a traditional Chinese dress when meeting her father with Wayne. This is a very curious scene since it plays into the fears white men have of dating an Asian woman. Most commonly these relate to feeling inadequate, especially in the eyes of the girl’s family.
When Wayne meets Cassandra’s father, he needs to show him that he is good enough for his daughter.
In another scene, Cassandra orders Wayne a Chinese takeaway. She’s far from an ‘easy’ woman, in fact she’s not terribly interested in Wayne until he shows that he has the ability to be successful. At the same time, Cassandra is seem to be in every way the perfect girlfriend. It doesn’t hurt that Carerre looks gorgeous in the film. She looks good in every scene, whether it’s the red lace dress she wears performing on TV, the bikini she wears in a dream montage, or the leather outfit for the video shoot. These aren’t the clothes that would normally be worn by a rock singer, even a grunge singer would wear much less revealing outfits. In case we had an idea that Asian women are submissive, the film has Cassandra executing a perfect flying kick to a drunk gig-goer who gets in her way.
scene from a fantasy sequence showing Cassandra as the partner of Rob Lowe
The Social Network, 2010
The second example of an Asian woman girlfriend comes from the film that covers the origins of Facebook. Brenda Song plays Christy, a student at Harvard who meets Eduardo Saverin when he is at a speech given by Bill Gates. Although Christy is not the main character in the film, she makes quite an impact. The film has already explicitly mentioned Asian women as being attracted to Jewish guys, “and you don’t need an algorithm to work it out. “They’re not Jewish and they can’t dance,” says Eduardo at a party scene.
If Cassandra is in many ways the ideal Asian girlfriend, Christy is the exact opposite. Firstly, she is shown to be jealous and controlling of Eduardo to the point that she openly accuses him of being unfaithful because he hasn’t changed his relationship status from single on the website he co-created. In another scene, Mark asks Eduardo how his relationship with Christy is. ‘It’s terrible, she’s controlling and incredibly jealous. I’m scared of her.’ In the next scene, Eduardo gives his girlfriend a gift in an attempt to mollify her. Instead, she flies into a rage and then sets the scarf on fire. It’s as if the film is sending out a warning to viewers that they shouldn’t become romantically involved with Asian women, unless it’s to have fast and exciting sex in restaurant wash-rooms.
Brenda Song as the vengeful Christy Lee (The Social Network)
I draw these as examples because I feel that the cinema is a strong cultural indicator of society. It may not have quite the range that it did, but films are still a global force. What I’m really interested is how films shape and help us to make sense of the world. If you wanted to understand what it’s like to date an Asian woman, you could watch Wayne’s World and it would give you a good indication of what to say, the kind of things to do and just as importantly, the things you shouldn’t do.
I particularly like the way Wayne at some point in the film realizes that he may be losing Cassandra to the smarmy TV executive, so he has to work harder to get her back. In this way, the film is as positive in in it’s summation of how it is to date a sexy Asian woman. It’s mostly fantastic of course – the film shows us exactly why Wayne has such a thing for Cassandra and gives the idea that the most unconventional of men can attract their very own Asian beauty to be their girlfriend.
Sadly, there are other ideas people have about Asian women that aren’t nearly as positive. If you ask some men what they think of Asian women, they might say something along the likes of ‘Asian women are easy‘ – meaning I guess that Asian woman are easy to have sex with ( as long as you are a white male to begin with).
Unfortunately, Asian women have been portrayed as little more than sex objects and certainly no more than thinly sketched love interests for the main character. In most action films where the male visits Asia there will be a minor character who might provide some extra exoticism to the film. You can see this in franchise movies such as ‘Tokyo Drift’, or some of the Bond films set in Asian countries such as ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and ‘You Only Live Twice’.
Kissy Suzuki (Mie Hama) in You Only Live Twice
You do wonder why Hollywood has been so reticent when showing interracial relationships. Certainly it’s unusual even now to see films where the couple are of different nationalities. Even as international marriages become so common as to be not worth mentioning, the movies are such a long way from catching up that the movie that is closest to the reality of dating an Asian girl is still good old ‘Wayne’s World’ from 1992.
although you might look at me and assume that I am perfectly normal and look in my eyes and get a proper response, I’ve lived my life being made aware that other people find me strange and difficult to get along with. I’ve often had a tough time making friends and even though I’m rarely shy, I still find it hard to interact with people and really struggle to understand exactly what someone is saying. I have to make an effort to read between the lines when someone tells me something that’s not meant to be interpreted at face value.
10 years ago I was diagnosed with adult ADHD and moderate Aspergers syndrome. The label meant that I now had a handy category to put myself in. All the behaviours that were considered so hard to understand could now be put down to being autistic – not perhaps in the classic sense, but certainly with a lot of the traits of the condition. Still, even with a diagnosis, I was left with the realisation that I still had to work hard for myself to live with the condition. Autism never goes away, but you can learn how to deal with it to a degree that your life is easier.
If you have autism or any kind of spectrum disorder, does it make a difference where you live?
If there are certain jobs that autistic people are more suited towards, it makes sense that there would be countries that are more appropriate for me, since autism can make life in ENGLAND very difficult for me sometimes.
When you have a kind of disorder that no one can see, it can make life difficult in all kinds of ways. From making friends and interacting with others, to simply following instructions at work; these are things I have definitely had problems with to some degree. Like most people with conditins like mine, I don’t always tell people, employers included.
But for me the possibility is that Japan will be a lot easier to live in than trying to struggle in England. Whilst many people consioder the style of humour known as banter to be one of the defining features of English culture, it can be damned hard to fit in if you don’t quite understand the subtleties of it. that’s not to say that I don’t enjoy making fun of someone in a light-hearted way, but its hard to judge how much is innocent joking and whne it becomes more malicious.
I can see that for those of other countries, they also struggle to understand just how much of banter is innocent and when it is more mocking.
Thankfully, it’s less of a problem in Japan. Sarcasm isn’t particularly common. Jokes tend to be more wacky, and there is a love of puns, similar to what we would call ‘dad jokes.’ On the whole, Japanese culture is more accomodating to those on the spectrum. you can take people at their word, everyone is friendly to each other and there is less of the back-biting and talking at cross purposes. it’s a country where people are quick to follow the rules of the roles they have been given.
The japanese are said to be very eager to please; sentences are usually designed to facilitate smooth communication, and most conversations end in agreement.
Whether people are more tolerant of those on the spectrum or not, there’s no doubt that life is hard for people with unseen disabilities. A world of greater tolerance and understanding is something we should all push for.
In 2017 I started working in Korea. I was full of excitement to visit the country I had learned so much about. But after living in Korea , I started to notice subtle forms of racism. The classic example that I can give is when I went to a restaurants and was refused entry as a solo diner. I never saw this happen to any Koreans. In fact, the only time I ever saw anyone denied entry was when they were foreign.
It got worse at work in the hagwon. Whilst a few of the Koreans made an effort to be friendly, a lot made it clear that they didn’t want anything to do with us. Perhaps the worst thing that happened was when a large bottle of air freshener was left on our desks – implying that even our body odour was offensive. I looked around to see if anyone had left any air-freshener anywhere else , but no. ours was the only desk to have a large bottle placed none-too subtly on our desk.
Now I know you might be wondering why all this matters? Maybe it’s just a few companies that are like this. And I understand that the majority of Koreans will not be racist.
But here’s the thing. With millions of fans of Korean music, food and culture, Korea is positioning itself as the cultural capital of Asia. For example, the images you see on the Korean tourist board are of beautiful geography, food and costumes which are hard to match up to reality. Less developed Asian countries have bought into the Asian wave that the Korean government worked so assiduously to build. Yet people from South-western countries are often discriminated against for being darker-skinned and coming from poorer countries. It can’t be right that a country with so much cultural power should be able to be so backwards when it comes to acceptance of other races.
Now another thing that makes it hard is when foreigners come to work in Korea without being able to speak much Korean, they get taken advantage of, not just that they miss out on a lot of experiences that would be available to them if they knew the language, but there’s this uncomfortable feeling that a lot of Koreans will speak abusively about foreigners who they assume cannot understand them. I know that foreigners could make a greater effort to learn the language – but where’s the motivation? If I knew that a lot of Koreans would refuse to acknowledge me or talk to me in Korean , I would never have gone to the trouble of learning the amount of Korean language that I did.
For a lot of foreigners living in Korea, the level of Korean that they have learned already won’t be enough to make them easily understood to people. You can bet that this makes them an easy target for even more discrimination. You see, Koreans don’t really expect you to be able to speak Korean. Even if you can, they might act like they don’t understand you. Or laugh and simply ignore you, or speak over you without listening to anything you have said. So you can’t blame the foreigners who want to study and learn Korean only to lose motivation and interest. It’s too easy to give up; there aren’t decent resources available and Koreans refuse to speak to you in their language.
Right now, you could be thinking that I should be giving up. And it’s true that Korea is less of an interest to me these days. But its sad when I think that Korea was the first Asian country I visited, my girlfriend was Korean, and I studied Korean for years.
You often hear it said that Korea has the world’s fastest internet speeds. But that hasn’t led to Koreans becoming as developed in social affairs. But if you have ever bought Korean products, listened to K-pop, or even owned Samsung, you might want to take another look at the politics of the country that is behind them.
These days, there’s so much talk of what’s appropriate or not that you worry precisely when you’re going to be called out for some lack of political correctness.
Remember when Katy Perry wore this to the American Music Awards? Some of the comments at that time ranged from ‘she looks so pretty’ to cries of outrage and a sense that the outfit was cultural appropriation. There were some who felt that Perry had no right to wear the kimono – a Japanese cultural emblem that dates back to the Edo period. Most of the haters failed to realise that it was just a performance – nothing different from a stage show , or let’s use Madame Butterfly as another, slightly different example wherein white singers play the parts of Japanese characters.
Katy Perry’s infamous Geisha dance
Scroll through the negative comments on Youtube and you won’t find any from Japanese people. It seems that nearly all Japanese people are pretty much fine whenever someone not Japanese decides to wear a Kimono. Yet, many still feel that whenever people step outside their culture to wear ethnic clothing they are committing a crime tantamount to racism, or at the very least, cultural appropriation.
I got my own taste of this recently when I borrowed a kimono to wear for the day. Most people understood what I was doing but I was blind-sided by the comments of some. What right did I, as a privileged white male – have wearing a Japanese garment that Japanese people have been mocked for wearing? The argument being that I can never wear a kimono with good intent? Did it make any difference that I was wearing it correctly? Or that it was assembled and sewn by a Japanese person? Apparently not. By this point, I couldn’t think of a good argument that would sufficiently counter these claims.
My head was spinning. Were these people actually saying that people of certain races should be prevented from wearing the clothes of other races? Weren’t they guilty of the same racism and intolerance that I was being accused of? Still more fantastic was the argument that those of true Japanese culture had no say in the debate because they couldn’t appreciate the discrimination that second generations of Japanese had to face in America.
the good news is that I went away with more enthusiasm for the kimono than ever, and I resolved to wear it again as much as I can. I looked for examples of people like me who love wear Japanese clothes (plenty, it turns out). And I looked at examples of famous people over the years and found so many. David Bowie proudly wearing one as ‘Ziggy Stardust’; Bjork for her album cover ‘Homogenic’. Perhaps there are many more for those who care to look. The kimono has permeated our clothing habits so much that we are not aware that a dressing room is a simplified kimono – see Obi Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars film. No-one cried ‘cultural appropriation’ then, and they shouldn’t now. If we aren’t careful, we risk creating a world where no-one can ever really understand the culture of other countries or experience it – something that would make the world a much less diverse and interesting place. I say let everybody wear whatever they want.
First of all, choose the style of kimono as there are many different types available. The most formal are usually black with a gold obi that is tied around the waist. The exciting part of the kimono is the jacket that is laid over the top of the main part of the kimono.
So here are the steps to follow. The First layer is a white cotton sleeveless garment that is a bit like a tunic. There is usually some colourful silk embroidery that is on one side. The idea is that it is visible when you wear the jacket over the top. The sleeveless vest is fastened to the body with a lightweight band that is fixed tightly above the waist.
The next step is to wrap the kimono itself around the body. The kimono I wore was long enough to reach my ankles and needed to be wrapped around twice until it was tight. The difficult part is fitting your arms into the sleeves. They are very loose and baggy – half-sewn up so that your arms can fit through them easily.
A thick braided sash called an obi is then tied tightly over the kimono so that it acts as a belt to keep the kimono in place. I felt very warm by the time this had been done. The obi is always tied at the back – this was done for me but I’m sure that you could do this yourself with practice. The ladies obi is really impressive – almost like a handbag that is attached to the lower back.
You’re almost there. The final part is to where the jacket over the kimono. This is the most delicate and elaborate part. There is a great choice of kimono styles and motifs. Various birds, flowers and Japanese symbols are sewn on to the jacket rather than being printed, this gives them a wonderful decorative flourish. I saw several different colours with many in deep greens and golds and reds. Most would be worn on formal occasions such as weddings and graduation ceremonies. It is also common for children to wear kimonos on their fifth birthdays.
Wearing a kimono for the first time is a special occasion, if a little daunting because of the choices available. Even in Japan, its fairly unusual for people to wear them very often. This being said, I did enjoy wearing it. I had to be extra careful not to damage or stain the sleeves when eating, but it felt great to open the jacket loose and let the sleeves puff out. It certainly is an impressive garment, and the wide sleeves give the wearer plenty of impact.
There are resources on the history of kimono available on line, and the V&A is holding an exhibition of kimonos from 7 August. Titled Kimono – Kiyoto to Catwalk*, it will look at how the style of the kimono has evolved over the years.
Various kimonos are available to hire from kimonodego** in London.
I had only been living in New Malden for a few months, the nondescript suburban neighborhood in South-west London between Wimbledon and Kingston. It’s not known by anyone outside of the area, except for one thing. It has the largest Korean community outside of Korea, and for me that was the reason why I ended up spending more than five years there.
I was living right in the middle of Korea-town – and as far I was concerned this was the best place in London to be. There may have been trendy areas outside – that were better connected to the rest of London. But what did I care? I had twenty Korean restaurants to visit – this was the closest I was going to get to Korea without moving there.
To give things some context, only two years before, Psy had smashed internet records by being the most played video on Youtube. Korean movies had already become well-known, and people were getting excited by Korean dramas. The K-pop scene had yet to become the all-conquering global power it is now, but it was getting there. But all this is just the frills, the extras on what was and is my primary reason for becoming interested in Korea.
I really started to notice the women when I moved to Korea town. The first thing I did was try to learn Korean. There’s no better way to meet a girl than attempting to speak her language. At the same time this was happening I got my first law firm job – providing personal injury support for road accident victims.
Maybe it wasn’t the best job – I was far too underpaid for the stress I got trying to meet targets- but there was one thing that made me happy to come to work each day.
Nak-young was a legal secretary who started working a month after I did. Eun Young was married and had a child. Not that that stopped me speaking to her. Nak-young was tall and slim. As far I was concerned she was the most beautiful woman in my life – she had the oval face, pale skin and full lips that are associated with Korean beauty. She was much nicer than most of the k-pop girls as well. She looked great wearing a hoodie or full evening wear. I soon started treating Nak-young as a close friend and the time we spent together was extremely precious to me.
We didn’t stop seeing each other after I left the job – she got to know me even better – as I felt that i could tell her everything about myself. i started to realise that there were two types of women as far as Asian women are concerned. There are those girls you can go out with – who may go on to be your girlfriend. Then there are those who will become your close friend, someone you can confide in, on the understanding that you will remain only friends. Even if I knew that Nak-young was never going to be more than a friend, I will say that I learned so much from my time with her.
When we went out the first time she told me about her job as an air hostess, then meeting her husband, and having a son with learning difficulties. The second time, it was her turn to talk about me – and she spent most of the time helping me find a way I could have sex with my girlfriend.
I won’t say that Nak-young was my Asian first time because she was not the first Asian woman I was intimate with ( I count our encounters as intimate based on the closeness of our thoughts). I think Nak-young was smart enough to see how much our experiences meant to me, though I’m sure they were more significant to me than her.
For the first time in my life, I felt that my life had a clear sense of purpose.. I felt there was a clear connection between the spicy heat of pickled cabbage, the green bottles of soju I drank, and Nak-young’s jet black hair, long legs and dazzling crescent moon eyes. My world was good and I loved everything in it.
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when I was there.
Watch this and Chill 