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beowulfs-booty-call · 6 years

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1, 3, 10, 15, 16, 24 and 51!

HOOO BOYYYYY I DIDN’T GET TO ANSWER THIIIISSSSSSS KLAUS

1: What's your OCs favorite color?

For Demi: Green, but he’s partial to more “mystical colors” like purple and aqua!

For Fimbulvetr: He actually “doesn’t like” colors, but only because he never took time out to, y’know, know life beyond being a sentinel. But he unconsciously likes green and red! Demi likes to tease him by making him look like a Christmas reindeer in the winter season much to his displeasure.

Persephone: Loves almost every single light and showy color of the spectrum, and has many decadent and flashy dresses of all shapes and sizes because she has a rainbow in her closet. If she were to choose just one, it’d be royal purple. It was the color Hades specifically chose to adorn her with when he first brought her to the underground.

3: What's your OCs favorite food?

Demi loves loves loves meat, but he’s very fond of seafood! But, really, my boy loves nothing more than digging into roasted chicken or a whole seafood combo, he’s very “big” on eating meals and not snacks. Get him chicken over rice, and he will tearfully thank you.

...It’d also be a lie to say he wasn’t run out of a Chinese buffet because he just wouldn’t stop eating all the king crab legs.

Fimbulvetr doesn’t “try” to eat, but after learning from Demi, his favorite food isn’t really... Food. He just loves drinking tea! And of course, he’s fine and dandy with a salad or something “light”. TO this day, Demi doesn’t understand how a guy that built eats something “light”.

10: What is your OCs favorite outfit?

Demi actually really loves wearing this “special” t shirt he got from a wrestler he’s a super big fan of. Like, he is so... Devoted to it, he considered it a holy artifact and only wore it once every now and again because he really loves that wrestler. And like, he has a Captain America shirt that conforms to his body and boy oh boy does he enjoy that.

But his favorite besides that is flannel definitely! Skinny jeans, a must, and besides that? Leather jacket and leather jeans. He’s a bad boy with black sunglasses that apologizes 20 times to the in and out fast food rollerskating waitress for asking to get extra sauce.

He’s... Something else entirely, even if he shows up as someone totally else.

Fimbulvetr likes being modest but... The truth is he likes going shirtless or just wearing only a jacket and his “pants”. He claims its to make him feel less burdened but the reality is: When you used to be a demon tree, one supposes you miss the feeling of standing stationary and beginning photosynthesis.

15: What makes your OC angry?

Oy, for Demi, that’s:

- Being told what to wear and what to do without giving him a choice

- Being called a “fool” (Ironically he pulls the food card more than anyone else.)

- Making other people feel bad (He takes things out on himself a lot.)

- Controlling people and making fun of his friends or him

- “Fake” people and not being able to eat or sleep in

- “Your call is very important to us, please hold an-”

- When you can’t find a good tv show to watch while eating

- Spending time with people he’s uncomfortable with

- Disney movies / Movies that are all about singing (He can’t stand them!)

For Fimb:

- Told that he won’t fall in love or be “human”

- Someone hurting the person he’s devoted himself to. (He’s vehemently protective.)

- Talkative people (to a point)

- Know-it-alls

- People with no manners, clean up after yourself

- People who don’t respect the environment

- The supposed preordained

- When trying to thread a needle, and the thread won’t go through. (He’s had to fix his clothes... Quite a bit.)

16: When is your OCs favorite time of year?

Demi? He’s... sort of a pollyanna, he likes all the seasons of the year in the little ways: But he likes fall the best because it’s not too cold, and it’s not too warm and he likes to stick around in a certain forest watching a certain “knight” defend it.

It’s also when he gets discounts for chai lattes and he’s HEADS OVER HEELS FOR THEM

Fimbulvetr likes spring the most, it reminds him that life is abundant, and

“For a tall, built man like him to be making flower wreaths and crowns? It’s absolutely adorable!!!” (Demi Lilith, “My Unrequited Crush”, 2017)

He likes making gifts for someone. Who? Dunno, but he does like making wooden animals and crafts just for the hell of it, he’s very particular about this one little carved wolf he had made long ago. Every spring, he makes a new one to form a pack of little wolves.

24: What does your OC smell like?

Hm, this one’s a bit interesting, actually!

Demi precisely smells like frankincense and myrrh mixed with this “fruity” scent due to the whole incubi gig. Instead of sweat, he like other lust demons just make a sweet fragrance unique to them all, each one different to the other. Demi’s is just a light... More “soft” floral scent that’s earthy but not too pungent.

Fimbulvetr though, he smells like pine and fresh earth from being well, a tree before. Though, he does prefer to smell all kinds of perfumes and colognes that Demi has told him about in the city, it’s like the reverse of that one perfume shop in Spongebob

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While Demi’s dying, Fimbulvetr is asking for every single handout there is and doesn’t understand why Demi hates “scents”. (My dude just wants to literally smell like you Fimb you smell like pine and smoke for god sakes it’s meant to be, he’s a lumberjack.)

51: What is your OCs favorite genre of music?

Oh man, Demi loves Lounge Music, but he also likes music he can dance to because, well, he IS a stripper after all. That said? He loves traditional songs Parvati dances to and wants to learn under her someday! But otherwise, he sticks to 80′s songs or Disco / Funk if he’s not too busy singing “Ally-Ana” and her many tracks such as:

“So like, into you”

“Night to Night”

But he ALSO loves “New Gersey club” remixes, he can’t help but dance to them, however...

He sometimes forget people can see him and gets immediately flustered and stiff because he HATES when people watch him dancing. Ironic for a stripper, but in his case,

“When I’m in the scene, I’m a whole other Demi, I’m Demetri, and no one can tell me otherwise. I’m on fire, and babe? I’m gonna make you mine.”

“Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that, ahhhhh.”

(Demi Lilith, “My Unrequited Crush”, 2017)

Don’t be surprised you see him in Jazz clubs though, he’s a very budding critic of them!

Fimbulvetr actually likes traditional music too, but only in the sense of gothic violins and such. Similar to how Castelvania did a violin mix of Richter’s theme in 64

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He personally digs the sort of vibe and aesthetic and has been poking at a certain “dancer” to dance this sort song for him. Why? He doesn’t really “know”, just that it’s his favorite and that he hopes that sort of practice will help someone learn more about traditional dancing!

Otherwise, he’s a generally sweet guy who likes jazz songs, but doesn’t really take time to listen to music much because he’s very big about his job. Work first, self later, so to speak.

Gosh, I can’t thank you enough, Klaus! Sorry I didn’t answer this quick enough though!!!!

#Wulf answers #Long post #OC asks #Demi #Fimbulvetr #My OCs #Lore #Klaus #klausvonreinherz

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instantdeerlover · 4 years

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Our Three Favorite Spots For Everything added to Google Docs

Our Three Favorite Spots For Everything

We think about food a lot. Like, a lot a lot. And while we have plenty of guides to great first date spots and lists of literally every single sports bar in LA, sometimes, what’s really on our minds are specific dishes. Singular foods that, much like a Kylie Minogue love interest, we just can’t get out of our heads.

And thus, Our Three Favorite Spots For Everything was born. Each week, we give a different staff member free rein to write about the very best spots for those very dishes - from gluten-free pastas to big ol’ chicken parms, and everything in between. This is our very specific field guide to eating in LA, and we’ll be updating it regularly, so check back often for more inside looks at what’s going on in our brains (spoiler alert: it’s mostly just cured meat plates and this video of Kim Cattrall scatting).

three spots for: lobster rolls

Chances are that within approximately seven minutes of meeting LA Staff Writer Brett Keating, you’re going to know two things about him: He grew up in Massachusetts, and he has strong feelings about seafood. (Don’t get him started on how to pronounce “scallop.”) So needless to say, he’s very critical when it comes to lobster rolls. Here are his three favorites in town.

Jakob Layman Broad Street Oyster Co. $ $ $ $ American , Seafood in Malibu $$$$ 23359 Pacific Coast Hwy 8.6 /10

I always thought only tasteless yuppies from Connecticut preferred hot-buttered lobster rolls to cold ones with mayo, until I tried the one at Broad Street Oyster Co. in Malibu. The roll is perfectly toasted, the lobster is fresh and not at all spongey, and the clarified butter takes it to another level.

Jakob Layman Found Oyster $ $ $ $ Seafood in East Hollywood $$$$ 4880 Fountain Ave Not

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Found Oyster does quite literally everything right - including their lobster bisque/lobster roll mashup, a fantastic, cayenne-heavy version that I’ll happily sacrifice a couple orange-ish stains on my shirt for.

Jakob Layman Connie And Ted's $ $ $ $ Seafood in West Hollywood $$$$ 8171 Santa Monica Blvd. 8.3 /10

The most substantial roll of the three, the cold roll at Connie and Ted’s is a classic. It’s heavy on knuckle meat (the premier lobster roll meat, if you ask me), and lightly dressed with mayo. I absolutely douse it with lemon, too.

three spots for: eating alone

Editorial Operations Manager Jess Basser Sanders enjoys being alone. It’s why she wrote guides like Where To Get Some Pasta And A Glass Of Wine By Yourself, and shows up to work an hour-and-a-half before anyone else. So as a self-proclaimed master of solitude, here are her three favorite places to eat by herself. Don’t try to join her.

Jakob Layman Hippo $ $ $ $ American , Italian in Highland Park $$$$ 5918 N Figueroa St 8.2 /10

If I had a spirit meal, it would be pasta and a glass of wine (OK, sometimes I swap in a martini). It’s fun to do with a friend, but secretly, I love it when everyone else is busy. If I’m in Highland Park, my preferred solo meal is at Hippo. You can almost always walk in and sit at the bar. Bring a book, try one of the wines on tap, and order whatever pasta they’re serving that night.

Pho 2000 $ $ $ $ Vietnamese in Koreatown $$$$ 215 N Western Ave Not

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Years ago, I worked in Koreatown at a job I hated. So whenever I could escape for lunch, I’d jump in my car and drive to Pho 2000 on Olympic. I’d get the oxtail pho and spend an hour slurping in silence, scrolling through my phone looking at job postings. Now I just go back for the pho - and the nostalgia.

Jakob Layman Gjusta $ $ $ $ American , Sandwiches , Deli in Venice $$$$ 320 Sunset Ave 8.7 /10

I used to live in Venice, and while I miss nothing about weaving my way through the tourists every weekend, I do miss Gjusta like it’s an actual real person. One reason is that I can no longer use this place the way the locals do - walking in at 2pm on a weekday, ordering a tuna conserva or tomato confit or smoked fish plate without having to wait, and eating it while leaning on the counter, knowing you’ve got life all figured out.

three spots for: gluten-free pasta

We talk about pasta a lot at Infatuation LA HQ, which makes life in the office pretty hard for our gluten-free LA Marketing Manager Marika Jayne. But rather than getting mad, she got busy - putting together this list of her favorite spots for gluten-free pasta in LA.

Holly Liss Osteria La Buca $ $ $ $ Italian in Hancock Park , Hollywood , Larchmont $$$$ 5210 Melrose Ave 8.2 /10

The carbonara at Osteria La Buca is one of the best plates of pasta in LA, and just because there may not be any gluten in the noodles doesn’t make it any less great.

Jakob Layman All Time $ $ $ $ American in Los Feliz $$$$ 2040 Hillhurst Ave 8.9 /10

All Time doesn’t always have gluten-free pasta, but when they do, you better get after it. Their gnocchi with lemon parm can only be described with three words: Potato pasta pillows.

Benji Dell Jones Hollywood $ $ $ $ Italian in West Hollywood $$$$ 7205 Santa Monica Blvd. 8.3 /10

There’s no reason to be sad about being gluten-free at Jones Hollywood, because almost any pasta can be made gluten-free, and they’re all excellent. It doesn’t hurt to get a Dirty Sue martini, either.

three spots for: Japanese breakfast

On the rare occasion LA Editorial Assistant Kat Hong wakes up at an “acceptable time” for breakfast, there’s only one choice for her - 朝ごはん, a.k.a. asagohan, the glorious, perfect meal known as Japanese breakfast (and no, we’re not talking about Michelle Zauner’s indie rock alias). Here are her three spots for the most important meal of the day.

Azay $ $ $ $ Japanese , French in Little Tokyo $$$$ 226 E 1st St Not

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Azay is my go-to weekend spot. There’s nothing better than grabbing a corner seat on a Sunday morning, digging into their simple, homestyle breakfast set (and realistically, also whatever special they have that day) and going on Twitter while pretending to read.

Jakob Layman Orsa & Winston $$$$ 122 W 4th St

For my birthday last year, I called out of work and treated myself to Orsa & Winston’s breakfast omakase. I like that it’s not very traditional - expect dishes like pear and apple salad, and miso-based minestrone - plus, they gave me a free pot of tea even though I didn’t even mention the birthday thing?

Fukagawa Soba & Udon $$$$ 1630 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Ste 6

While I love Orsa & Winston’s non-traditional take, sometimes, I just want a classic Japanese Breakfast. And my favorite place for that is Fukagawa in Gardena. It’s a bit of a journey from my apartment in [REDACTED], but the D Combo, which comes with grilled fish and natto (very important!!), reminds me of the mornings when I lived in Japan.

three spots for: sandwiches so big you’ll need a nap

LA Editor James Montgomery loves big sandwiches and even bigger naps, so whenever he can combine the two, it’s gonna be a good day (though not necessarily a productive one). Here are his favorite spots for sandwiches so filling they make you sleepy.

Jakob Layman Eastside Market Italian Deli $ $ $ $ Sandwiches , Italian in Chinatown , Downtown LA $$$$ 1013 Alpine St Not

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There’s a lot to love at Eastside Market Italian Deli, but if I’m looking to conk out for an afternoon, there’s nothing better than their massive D.A. Special, approximately 15 lbs of sausage, meatballs, roast beef, and pastrami on crunchy bread. Sweet dreams!

All Day Baby $ $ $ $ American in Silver Lake $$$$ 3200 W Sunset Blvd Not

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Silver Lake’s All Day Baby is pretty new, but their smoked beef and cheese sandwich - tender beef, creamy cheese sauce, and horseradish mayo on a soft brioche roll - is a sleep aid as timeless as counting sheep.

Jakob Layman Wax Paper $ $ $ $ Sandwiches in Chinatown $$$$ 736 N Broadway Not

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The sandwiches at Wax Paper are named after NPR hosts, which already sounds pretty sleepy, but their Larry Mantle takes it to another level - especially if you like bologna, salami, pickled peppers, and dozing off on your drive home.

three spots for: cold brew

If there’s one thing LA Staff Writer Brett Keating is known for around the office (aside from his obnoxious support for the Patriots), it’s coffee consumption. And until he gets that cold brew tap installed at his desk, he’s going to keep pursuing his mission of finding LA’s best cold brew.

Menotti's Coffee Stop $$$$ 56 Windward Ave

If you think all cold brew tastes the same, I’m very sorry for all the mediocre versions you’ve been drinking. And also, head straight to Menotti’s in Venice. They pick their favorite cold brew batches, and send them off to a brewery to have them kegged for a perfect nitro brew.

Modern Times Beer: The Dankness Dojo $ $ $ $ Bar Food , Vegetarian in Downtown LA $$$$ 832 S. Olive St. Not

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Speaking of breweries, you probably know that Modern Times’ Dankness Dojo is one of the best in LA County. But they also roast their own coffee, and it’s great - and also reasonably priced. Get it without ice.

Spoon By H $ $ $ $ Korean , Dessert in Beverly Grove , Hancock Park $$$$ 7158 Beverly Blvd 8.7 /10

Cold brew ice cubes are a discovery akin to that moment you learned your AirPods case doubles as a phone stand. Ask for them with your fantastic iced coffee at Spoon By H, where they come in the shape of coffee beans.

three spots for: Excellent table bread

Does everything taste better if it’s free? Perhaps. LA Editorial Lead Brant Cox argues that a basket of great table bread has the power to change the course of an entire meal - if not your life. Hyperbole? Not at these spots.

Jakob Layman Jones Hollywood $ $ $ $ Italian in West Hollywood $$$$ 7205 Santa Monica Blvd. 8.3 /10

With solid pizza, incredible dessert, and our favorite martini in town, there are all sorts of reasons to be hanging at Jones Hollywood - and that includes their table bread. It’s basically seasoned flatbread, but when you dip it into some balsamic and olive oil, you’ll forget you came here to eat dinner.

Jakob Layman Craig's $ $ $ $ American , Italian in West Hollywood $$$$ 8826 Melrose Ave 5.1 /10

Craig’s in West Hollywood is probably the most celebrity-packed restaurant in LA, but unfortunately, the food is absolutely awful. That makes filling up on their incredible table bread even more of a requirement.

Holly Liss C&O Trattoria $ $ $ $ Italian in Marina Del Rey , Venice $$$$ 31 Washington Blvd 7.1 /10

If free carbohydrates come with a warning from the waitstaff to “please exercise restraint,” you know they’re going to be good. And make no mistake, the free garlic knots they hand out at C&O Trattoria are tremendous.

three spots for: french onion soup

When you hear the words “pinnacle of human creation,” what comes to mind? The immortality of the written word? The convenience of indoor plumbing? Dev Patel’s face? Well, if you’re LA Editorial Assistant Kat Hong, you think of French onion soup. Here are her favorite spots in LA to fire up a hot, hot bowl:

Benji Dell Petit Trois $ $ $ $ French in Hollywood $$$$ 718 N. Highland Ave. 8.3 /10

You literally can’t talk about French onion soup without mentioning Petit Trois. Their version is mega-traditional, which means it comes full of caramelized onions, toasted baguette bits, and enough gruyère to forget about the time I misquoted the “Myth of Sisyphus” in the company-wide Slack channel.

Jakob Layman Oriel $ $ $ $ French , Wine Bar in Chinatown $$$$ 1135 North Alameda Street 7.9 /10

I am fully obsessed with Oriel, to the point that I once made this photo of their dining room the background on both my phone and my work computer. And while I will happily eat everything on the menu here, their F.O.S. is trèèèèèèès bon.

Trader Joe's $$$$ 8611 Santa Monica Blvd.

Trader Joe’s: Frozen section. Two-pack. Thank me later.

three spots for: A big ol’ chicken parm

LA Editor James Montgomery isn’t here to take part in your small-plate scam. All he wants is some good ol’ gut-busting chicken parm, the kind that’s buried beneath a sheet of bubbling cheese, drowned in a sea of marinara, and so big that the accompanying side of pasta feels like a cruel joke. Here are three spots that do it right.

Dan Tana's $ $ $ $ Italian in West Hollywood $$$$ 9071 Santa Monica Blvd 8.6 /10

Ordering the chicken parm at Dan Tana’s is practically a prerequisite, right up there with getting hit on by Ron Jeremy. It’s cheesy, saucy, and the more martinis you drink, the better it gets. And you can say the same thing about Ron.

Little Toni's $$$$ 4745 Lankershim Blvd

It’s certainly not as well-known as other old-school Italian spots, but Little Toni’s in North Hollywood makes a chicken parm that I’d put up against any in the city. You will have leftovers.

Jakob Layman Dear John's $ $ $ $ American , Steaks , Italian in Culver City $$$$ 11208 Culver Blvd 8.0 /10

The rebooted Dear John’s in Culver City pays homage to Old Hollywood, so I expected them to do a mean chicken parm - I didn’t expect it to be stuffed with cheese, though.

three spots for: a whole damn fish

LA Staff Writer Brett Keating grew up in New England, so he’s basically always talking about Cape Cod. It also means that he spends a lot of time thinking about seafood, and if he sees a whole fish on the menu, he orders it. So here are the best places in LA when you want to pretend you’re a grizzly bear and eat a fish whole.

Jakob Layman Here's Looking at You $ $ $ $ American , Seafood in Koreatown $$$$ 3901 W 6th St 8.3 /10

Here’s Looking At You’s whole-cooked sea bream comes coated in what are basically green curry Rice Krispies, and it’s fantastic because of it. And because it comes with a sauce made from coconut caramel.

Cheko El Rey Del Sarandeado $ $ $ $ Seafood in Long Beach $$$$ 343 E Market St 8.4 /10

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by options at Cheko El Rey Del Sarandeado. But the Mexican seafood spot in Long Beach’s whole-grilled snook - flayed open, and grilled over low heat - reigns supreme.

Jakob Layman Dudley Market $ $ $ $ American , Seafood in Venice $$$$ 9 Dudley Ave 8.5 /10

Reasons I’ve gone to Dudley Market: The wine list, the clam and pork toast, to prove to my boss that it’s really true they own a fishing boat (it is). And in addition to all those, anytime it’s on the menu, I get the Vietnamese-inspired fried rockfish with nuoc cham.

three spots for: pad thai

LA Marketing Manager Marika Jayne has a lot of opinions about a lot of foods - but she’s most passionate about pad thai, a food that can be eaten for any reason, at any time of day. Here are the best places to eat the ubiquitous Thai dish, in her words.

Luv2Eat Thai Bistro $ $ $ $ Thai in Hollywood $$$$ 6660 W. Sunset Blvd. 8.7 /10

No matter what time of day, if you’re alone or in a group, or if you go to the restaurant or get delivery, Luv2Eat Thai is never going to let you down. They have the best pad thai in LA, with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Get it with the duck.

Jakob Layman Jitlada $ $ $ $ Thai in East Hollywood , Thai Town $$$$ 5233 Sunset Blvd. 9.4 /10

You’ll be tempted to try everything at Jitlada, and you should, but don’t skip the pad thai just because you see it on so many menus. They do it very, very well, and it’s also a great palate-neutralizer after their extremely spicy Jungle Curry.

The Original Hoy-Ka Hollywood $ $ $ $ Thai in East Hollywood , Hollywood $$$$ 5908 Sunset Blvd. 8.1 /10

Not only is The Original Hoy-Ka a great lunch option in Hollywood, the portions of the pad thai (and almost everything) are big enough to become your dinner that night, too.

three spots for: tsukemen

LA Editor James Montgomery grew up in Florida, so whenever he mentions dipping, we assume he means tobacco. But sometimes, he’s actually talking about dipping noodles - a.k.a. tsukemen, noodles dunked in a bowl of rich broth. And while that sounds simple, good tsukemen is actually tough to pull off. Both the noodles and the broth must be perfect, because there’s nowhere to hide the shortcomings of either. Here are three places that get pretty close to perfection.

Tsujita Tsujita LA $ $ $ $ Japanese , Ramen in West LA $$$$ 2057 Sawtelle Blvd 8.3 /10

You will always wait at Tsujita, but at least you’re waiting for LA’s best tsukemen - their rich and flavorful cha siu, with BBQ pork over cold noodles.

Palms Ramen Yumeya $$$$ 11127 Palms Blvd

Palms Ramen Yumeya is an unassuming spot, but their tonkotsu tsukemen definitely deserves accolades. Plus, if you ask for extra garlic (which you should), they’ll deliver fresh cloves - and a garlic press - right to your table. Go wild.

Menya Musashi $ $ $ $ Japanese in Sawtelle Japantown $$$$ 2012 Sawtelle Blvd Not

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Menya Musashi is located on the same stretch of Sawtelle as Tsujita, which is a pretty bold move. Good thing their tsukemen is up to par, especially if you order it with pork belly, thin pork katsu, and a soft-boiled egg.

three spots for: pastries

Editorial Operations Manager Jess Basser Sanders has a unique role. She works in our LA office, but has to be on our New York office’s time. So she starts work every morning around the same time everyone else is waking up. But as such, she’s learned a lot about LA mornings. Specifically, where to find the best baked goods in the city.

Konbi $ $ $ $ Japanese , Sandwiches in Echo Park $$$$ 1463 W Sunset Blvd 8.0 /10

My favorite time of day at Konbi is 8:56am. It’s the perfect time to sit at the counter, order a breakfast set, and put dibs on a couple of LA’s best pastries right as they come out of the oven. Don’t try and choose between the plain and chocolate croissants - just get both.

Jakob Layman Huge Tree Pastry $ $ $ $ Chinese , Taiwanese in Monterey Park $$$$ 423 N Atlantic Blvd # 105-106 8.0 /10

I am not the kind of person who would a) order a glass of milk or b) dip anything in it, but I make an exception for Huge Tree Pastry in Monterey Park, where the Taiwanese donuts are not complete without a mug of house-made soy milk to dip them in.

Jakob Layman Lodge Bread Co $ $ $ $ Cafe/Bakery in Culver City $$$$ 11918 W Washington Blvd 8.7 /10

I don’t have any kids, but every time I order the cinnamon bun from Lodge Bread Co. I get a little insight into what the parent life might be like. It’s almost as heavy as a newborn (my arm gets sore carrying it home), and wherever it goes, people want to take photos of it.

three spots for: khao soi

In the waking moments of your day, what’s the first thing that crosses your mind? Is it the overbearing work project you’ve been putting off all week? Why Rose didn’t pull Jack onto the door with her? Lizzo? If you’re LA Editorial Lead Brant Cox, the answer is khao soi. And more specifically, how soon he can get the curry noodle soup into his body. Here are his three favorite spots when he needs to scratch the itch.

Jakob Layman Northern Thai Food Club $ $ $ $ Thai in East Hollywood , Thai Town $$$$ 5301 Sunset Blvd #11 8.3 /10

For me, it’s the creamy coconut broth that usually makes a khao soi. At Northern Thai Food Club, it’s the giant leg of chicken that’s so perfectly-cooked the meat falls off with one brush of the fork.

Jakob Layman Pailin Thai Cuisine $ $ $ $ Thai in Hollywood , Thai Town $$$$ 5621 Hollywood Blvd 8.1 /10

You could pass Pailin 100 times and not notice it. But you can eat Pailin’s khao soi once and be changed forever.

Spicy BBQ Restaurant $ $ $ $ Thai in East Hollywood $$$$ 5101 Santa Monica Blvd 8.0 /10

I once ate Spicy BBQ’s khao soi three times in one day. And yes, that’s a brag.

three spots for: prosciutto

How do you measure luxury? In bubble baths and champagne? In sports cars named after arachnids? Well, if you’re Infatuation LA Editorial Assistant Kat Hong, it’s all about cured meat. If you’re looking to get in touch with your inner George Alexander Louis, she’s got three places that serve prosciutto so good, you’ll feel like a little prince.

Phillip Guerette The Factory Kitchen $ $ $ $ Italian in Arts District $$$$ 1306 Factory Place 8.6 /10

I’m not particularly religious, but if there was any indication that God exists, it would be the prosciutto + fried dough + burrata behemoth from Factory Kitchen.

Jakob Layman Larchmont Wine and Cheese $ $ $ $ Sandwiches in Larchmont $$$$ 223 N. Larchmont Blvd. 8.9 /10

For the days you wake up with a fever and the only prescription is more prosciutto, head to Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese and get the #5 sandwich.

Cookbook $$$$ 1549 Echo Park Ave

I once left Cookbook with five packages of their prosciutto. Maybe that was overkill, or perhaps pure hubris. Either way, it was worth it.

three spots for: drinking a martini tonight

Is there ever a bad time to get a martini? Not really. But the best time is definitely tonight. Here’s where LA Staff Writer Brett Keating is headed as soon as he’s done here.

Freedman’s $ $ $ $ Deli in Silver Lake $$$$ 2619 Sunset Blvd 8.4 /10

Sure, Freedman’s has great food. But their Classic Martini is the real reason I go to this Silver Lake spot twice a week.

Jones Hollywood $ $ $ $ Italian in West Hollywood $$$$ 7205 Santa Monica Blvd. 8.3 /10

Jones has the best martini in West Hollywood, and no matter what restaurant I’m driving back from, they’re never too far out of the way.

Chez Jay $ $ $ $ Santa Monica $$$$ 1657 Ocean Ave Not

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Yet

Chez Jay’s martini isn’t going to blow you away. But it’s the size of a 7-Eleven Slurpee, so anytime quantity is more important than quality, this is where I go.

via The Infatuation Feed https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-food-breakfast-lunch-dinner-la Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://trello.com/userhuongsen

Created February 25, 2020 at 12:44AM /huong sen View Google Doc Nhà hàng Hương Sen chuyên buffet hải sản cao cấp✅ Tổ chức tiệc cưới✅ Hội nghị, hội thảo✅ Tiệc lưu động✅ Sự kiện mang tầm cỡ quốc gia 52 Phố Miếu Đầm, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội http://huongsen.vn/ 0904988999 http://huongsen.vn/to-chuc-tiec-hoi-nghi/ https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xa6sRugRZk4MDSyctcqusGYBv1lXYkrF

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riannagalvez · 5 years

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Hello, dolls!! Hello, weekend! ❤ Less than 3 months left and I will be on my way to the Philippines…with my kids! Am I worried about the flight? A little I would say. Some of you might think I am being too facile about this, but after traveling 36 hours with little A when he was 6 months old, I feel optimistic about our upcoming trip with baby C! Traveling with a baby is A LOT of work and exhausting — if you hate packing, you will hate it even more once you have kids! Luckily, I enjoy packing so this does not bother me at all.

Anyway, A and I have been traveling internationally with little A since he was 6 months old. Believe me, when I say, I will do it over and over again because the flight does not bother me. Maybe I am lucky that my little one is a good traveler or the fact I prepare for our trip like it’s the armageddon.

Get Baby’s Passport Done (and visas ready if necessary).

Before you book anything, make sure you have your baby’s passport in hand. This is a common mistake that most travelers tend to overlook. Not only is the agony of waiting very stressful, but it is best to avoid any rebooking fees.

I was guilty of this last year when we went to London. I did not anticipate that my visa would be delayed. I literally got it 24 hours before our trip and I remember being so stressed all week!

2. Toy Story

Entertainment for kids is important when traveling. They get bored easily and it almost feels like their energy never runs out. It would be helpful to have their favorite toys in your carry on for whenever they need them. I know “every toy” is their favorite, so pick the ones that are not too heavy and bulky to have room for other things that are more important.

3. Baby Gear

If you think lugging along 2 big suitcases is hard, imagine how overwhelming it is to travel with a car seat and stroller. Consider checking in your stroller and car seat at the gate. You might be the annoying parent at the security line because of all the stuff you have to put on the belt but to me, it’s all worth it! I like to use our stroller as my bag helper. Instead of carrying at least three bags (diaper, cooler bag for milk, and my personal bag) I have a durable bag hook that I use so it will be easier for me to go around the airport without hurting my shoulders! 😛

Car seats are also important when traveling with a baby. It is best to know about your destination’s law about car seats to know what you have to prepare for prior to your flight. You might also want to look into renting a car seat when you arrive at your destination if that would make the flight easier for you and your baby.

Another piece of baby gear that I’ve seen from other parents when traveling is a baby carrier. Though this is something that A and I don’t use when we go on a flight with little A, I believe that it’s very helpful! In fact, my sister did that when she traveled from the US to the Philippines with my niece earlier this year. It’s probably best for infants since they feel comfortable being held most of the time.

4. Bring Extra Outfits

Spit ups and poop throughs are no fun and unfortunately, it’s pretty inevitable with a baby. Having an extra outfit with you in case this happens will be very helpful. I like to put in our carry on bag so it’s accessible.

As much as I love dressing up my babies, the best extra outfit to pack for your flight is a footsie pj! It’s easy to put on/take off and keeps baby warm since it can get pretty cold once you’re up in the air. Call me crazy but I had three extra outfits for little A when we went to the Philippines. One outfit for every stop! It may be over the top but I am the kind of Mom who says “just in case” (a lot) when packing.

5. Layover- Prepare for the next flight

I know, I know! You just got off the plane and all you want to do is to take a breather. But rushing yourself the last minute is just as bad as sitting next to a snorer. Before I wander around the airport, I try to do little things like moving things to our main carry on bag. If we used an extra outfit or used a bottle for feeding, I transfer it to another bag that we do not intend to open during the flight to avoid clutter.

This is the best time to change baby’s diaper. Restroom cubicles on the plane are really tight and gross if I am being honest. If you are lucky, you wouldn’t have to deal with that with your baby. There’s more space in family restrooms at the airport..and much cleaner too!

Tip: To save time, go to the service center and ask all of the spots you intend to go to at the airport. Most of the time, family/nursing rooms are in certain areas only.

6. Layover – Start Your Food Adventure

If you have enough time to go around before your next flight, do it! A lot of airports now have exciting things to see or try. One of my favorite airports is Changi Airport. I’ve been to Singapore multiple times so when I saw our layover will be there, I got really excited!

Our vacation starts at the airport! I am the kind of traveler who gets satisfaction being at the airport. I like to go around and eat! If I know I have 15 minutes to spare before check-in, I will be somewhere buying food!

Singapore Milk Tea

Laksa

A must when going to Singapore!! Creamy broth with seafood and thick noodles. YUM!

Hainanese Chicken

Another must when in Singapore. The soft texture of the chicken steamed to perfection gives me nostalgia of eating lunch at hawkers with my family.

Anyway, this motivated A to go to Changi Airport’s food court. One of the best airport food courts in the world 😛 I love how we did not have to leave the airport to try authentic Singaporean food!

Roasted Duck Breast

German Weiner at Frankfurt airport. As much as possible I prefer nonstop flights, but if the layover is somewhere with delicious food to try, I wouldn’t mind!

Chocolates from Germany!

Remind yourself that this trip is not about being your baby’s personal assistant. Think about yourself too and do little things that would make you happy with the time that you have.

6. Have A Positive Attitude

Don’t let the exhaustion and anxiety take over. Having a positive attitude will help you stay focused on having a pleasant trip with your baby. Remember, your baby can feel when you are stressed so try not to overthink what could go wrong.

Just think about the free perks when traveling with your baby! Like early boarding and being able to bring bottled water in the airport 😛

…and know it’s okay to unwind!

7. Pack Snacks

Babies get tired and hungry too! How they are going to be while traveling is pretty unpredictable so it is best to have something in your carry on bag they can munch on. Most airlines give free baby food which is awesome! These are some of the baby food Singapore Airlines gave us during our flight from New York to Manila.

Snack alert for parents: FITCRUNCH Cheddar Cheese High Protein Puffs

I am all about healthy snacks! I tend to feel guilty when we travel because I end up buying unhealthy snacks. Traveling with Little A inspired me to find better options for us and luckily, FITCRUNCH is now on the market! I love how FITCRUNCH is made with simple ingredients. Each pack is filled with a good amount of crunchy puffs and it doesn’t take up too much space in my bag. WIN!

8. Breastfeeding When Traveling

I exclusively pump so packing my breastfeeding supplies was another task in itself. Since I wasn’t sure if I would have an outlet for my pump I decided to bring my manual pump with me — which Mommas who pump would understand is a lot of work. I was also concerned that my electric breast pump would be too loud for the other passengers so it wasn’t really an option for me to use during the flight.

The first thing you have to think about when pumping multiple times during your travel is sanitation. How do you keep everything safe from bacteria? Since I knew I might not have enough time to wash all of the parts of my breast pump, I decided to bring extras. I counted how many times I would have to pump during my flight. If you think you will have time (and you trust the water on the plane — go for it and bring a small bottle of bottle soap with you).

9. Breastmilk

To me, this was the most important item on my packing list. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to supply enough milk during our trip so I wanted to bring some of my frozen milk in case Little A would need them.

Before you start grabbing your breastmilk, understand that there are risks when doing so. The main one is going through security. It is best to call all of the airports that will involve security checks in your itinerary and ask about their regulations about hand-carrying breastmilk. Some airports are very strict about this and I read horror stories from other Moms about security asking them to dump their breastmilk. When we flew out of New York, the security asked me to open a bag of breastmilk for them to check. It added at least 20 minutes to our pre-boarding process. So if you plan to travel with breastmilk, be there early! NOT 2 hours before your flight. I think it also helped that Little A was with me so they did not really ask a lot of questions.

Packing your breastmilk is crucial too. You do not want to risk the temperature to go down and force you to dump your liquid gold. I had a large traveling cooler bag from Ameda which was very helpful! I put freezer packs on every side (including top and bottom) to make sure Little A’s breastmilk would stay cold. We traveled for 36 hours and this method actually worked great! My breastmilk was still a little frozen when we arrived in Manila.

If you ever need to warm up a bottle of milk for your little one, ask for a cup of hot/warm water from your flight attendant.

10. The Little Things

Comfort is number one for me! Although it leads me to overpack most of the time, I make sure I have everything to make me and my family comfortable when traveling.

It is helpful to bring some of these items… “just in case” (in a travel size of course!)

Dish/bottle soap – for baby’s bottles, medicine for the baby like Tylenol, body wash if you plan to clean baby, and lots of patience! 😛

11. Baby Cot

One of the most convenient ways to travel with a baby is to reserve a baby cot. Not all airlines offer this so when I was booking our flight to Manila, this was one of the things I looked for.

Not only did it help A and I to feel comfortable during our long flight, Little A snoozed like he was in his crib! He had his own space where he was able to stretch and lay on his back. Our arms did not hurt from holding him for long hours or being in an awkward position.

12. Make Friends

Most of us know traveling with a baby is a nightmare for some passengers. I might just be really blessed with a good baby because Little A did not give us a hard time during our long travel to the Philippines. Prior to our flight, I planned to make an effort to talk to the person who will be sitting next to us and introduce Little A to make sure they are aware of how the flight is going to be with a baby next to them. It will also give them a chance to switch seats if they wish to.

During our flight to the Philippines, we were lucky to be seated next to an older lady who loved playing with Little A! She even offered to hold him while I was busy pumping and A was asleep.

After that trip, I realized that I should not worry about what other passengers might think. What’s important is the safety and comfort of my family. People can always adjust!

13. How To Avoid Crying

One of the best tricks I learned when traveling with a baby is to let them suck during take-off and landing. It helps their ears from the pressure and soothes them to sleep. Ever wonder why a lot of babies cry during this time? They are in pain, and it makes me feel bad whenever I hear that when traveling.

My favorite travel buddy ❤

R ❤

How To Survive Long Haul Flights With A Baby Hello, dolls!! Hello, weekend! ❤ Less than 3 months left and I will be on my way to the Philippines...with my kids!

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thehairytraveller-blog · 7 years

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Seeing the World | Bangkok, TH

As we arrived into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, the excitement of starting a new adventure seemed outweighed the tiredness of the 15+ hours travelling time and I was ready to see the sights from the word go. However, we had to get to the place we were staying first. There are plenty ways of getting into the city from the airport: buses to TukTuks to taxis, and because we'd been travelling for so long and it was sweltering, we decided to go for the latter and treat ourselves to a nice air-conditioned taxi cab.

After an hour drive and an approximate ฿500 charge between 3 of us (we met another traveller at the airport and car-pooled), we arrived at the backpackers mecca, Khao San Road! From here we needed to get to our hostel, The Overstay, which was a good 2.9km away, so we flagged down a TukTuk. There are so many ways to get around in Bangkok and TukTuks are probably one of the most common ways of getting around in southeast asia as a whole, but they can also be a bit unreliable if you don't have your wits about you. ALWAYS agree on a price before agreeing to a ride; they're all in competition with each other so you can usually get them quite cheap if you tell them that someone down the road offered you a cheaper price. Sometimes they will try and take you to a certain shop or info centre as they get free fuel stamps, you don't have to do this; we agreed a price with a guy and after we got in, he said that we agreed to go to the info centre for him and we refused, so he refused to take us... his loss really, his friend got our custom instead.

We finally arrived at The Overstay (www.theoverstay.com) and it was just what we were expecting: a youthful, grungy place that thrived on free art and self expression, whether that be through music or painting or dancing or whatever, they'll cater for it! We'd booked a couple of weeks in advance and got a large double room for 4 nights at £6.86 per night (£27.44 in total for all you less mathy people!). The room was spacious and colourful, however the only downside was that it only had the one fan on the other side of the room. We didn't expect much for the price we got it at, so we couldn't complain, but in 38°C heat and 98% humidity, it can get hard to sleep. I'd definitely recommend The Overstay as it is such a friendly yet extravagant environment to be in. During our time there we met another English couple who were travelling together, named Emma and Jordan. Although we got chatting to a lot of people, we stuck with these guys and they wanted to explore just as much as we did, but also understood rest and that we'll need to take breathers every so often. I feel that it’s really important to take rest days and put your feet us as in the heat, it can be very to burn out and you won’t enjoy yourself.

Around the corner from our hostel was a huge shopping mall with a giant Tesco Lotus in it, so we could grab every essential that we conveniently forgot to bring with us. It also had market stalls outside that sold various different foodstuff at a fraction of restaurant prices. We got noodles a couple of times at ฿20 (~50p) each, however they weren't always cooking it fresh, so the second time it wasn't nice at all! Always make sure that they're cooking the food in front of you, especially meats; this will decrease the risk of any infection or illness being carried through the food. In Bangkok though, you can find food on every street and it’s always so cheap!

Thailand is notorious for its Buddhist religion and its Buddhist temples (nearly 95% of the country is Buddhist). I'm a born-again Christian, but I really appreciate the morals that come from Buddhism: the peaceful nature, the kindness to all living things and treating others with all of your respect. On a couple of our days, we visited these temples and probably the most impressive of them all was Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The Reclining Buddha is a GIANT statue (I'm talking 150 feet long!) of Buddha led on his side, coated in gold leaf. The statue itself if magnificent and my words don't do it justice. If you're ever in Bangkok, I urge you to go and see it; it's only ฿100 (~£2.50) to get in and you get a free bottle of water outside the temple with your ticket. Note: there are plenty of water filters around the temple grounds, but the water in them isn't the nicest and I think would've probably made us ill if we kept drinking... Stick to bottled.

Another must-see in Bangkok is the Chatuchack Weekend market. This is pretty much what it says on the tin, a gigantic area full of market stalls, that sells pretty much anything you could ever need: from furniture to pets, from food to knockoff brand name trainers. It's brilliant, but be aware that you probably won't be able to see the whole market in a day, it's too big! We decided to use the public transport system to get there as there were ample bus stops in the area we were staying and for an air-conditioned bus, it's only about ฿12 (~25p). After a couple of buses we arrived at the market and went on the hunt for food. Now, the market is split into lots of different sections and we had to find the food section, which was easier said than done! When arriving at the Chatuchack market, try and find the nearest map, as it'll make your experience a lot smoother than ours. We found ourselves walking down a huge road that just sold pets, it was the weirdest thing I think I've ever seen. There were literally hundreds of fish and seafood in tanks and pools and plastic bags ready to be sold and bunnys in cages. I don't agree with how these animals were being sold, as some of the fish had hardly any water or room and you could tell this had stunted their growth. However, I cannot judge another persons culture just because it's different to mine.

We finally found food, a small market store that sold Greek kebabs with cheese for 80b each, and they really hit the spot! Then as we were walking, everyone just stopped, like robots. We soon realised that it's because the national anthem came on the tannoy, but as soon as it ended, everyone just carried on like nothing had happened, it was bizarre. So if everyone suddenly stops next time you're in Thailand, just stop with them and keep quiet, as a form of respect for their culture and their country.

Our last main attraction that we saw in Bangkok was the Taling Chan Floating Markets. It's based on a small pier about a 15 minute cab ride from our hostel. Now, it wasn't the floating markets we've all seen on TV or the internet as it was tiny (the bigger ones are 90km outside of the city) but it was also very homely and cute. Scattered on the canals were small canoes where women cooking different foods and they were being sold on the pier, so we didn't buy from boat to boat as you see on television. Unfortunately, we'd missed the boat tour of all the bigger markets, but we managed to get on a boat ride to visit the local temple on the canals for ฿69 each (£1.75 ish). It was a 20 minute ride to the temple, but the boat stopped just before we got there and locals sold us fresh loaves of bread for ฿12 (~25p) to feed to the carp in the canal. It was amazing to see them come to the surface like a sheet; they covered the water so all you could see were fish. Unfortunately, some of the areas we were sailing through were quite poverty-stricken and it's sad to see these places that people live, although scattered throughout them were huge grand houses, obviously belonging to the rich!

The temple we arrived at seemed to take care of multiple chickens and roosters. They were wandering around the temple grounds and there were even statues of them. We also found the body of an old monk from this temple in a glass case, covered in gold leaf, he must've been quite an important person to be immortalised like that on display. We only had about 15 minutes to look at the temple before we had to get back into the back to get back to the pier. I recommend this boat tour as you pay next to nothing and can tour the canals of Bangkok for an hour whilst seeing a lovely little temple.

We only spent 4 days in Bangkok before heading to our next destination, but it's likely that we're going to use it as a hub once we come back through Thailand. I'd highly recommend Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) as it was probably my favourite part of Bangkok but I definitely recommend the floating markets also, it's just so homely and nice and sells lots of delicious looking food. There are still things we're yet to do in Bangkok, like The Grand Palace (we couldn't get in as we all didn't have our IDs on us), so we'll definitely be back!

You can live relatively cheaply in Bangkok, Tamsin and myself were only spending about £10 (~฿400) a day each (including buses and tickets for things) and we weren't going to bed hungry. Keep an eye out for the street food vendors as they're dirt cheap and the food is wonderful, but make sure they're cooking it for you fresh everytime. If in doubt, there are plenty of restaurants for a bit more money, but you still won't be breaking the bank!

Quick Thai lesson:

Hello - Sawatdee (Krub/Kah)

How are you? - Sabai Dee Ru (Krub/Kah)

Fine - Sabai Dee (Krub/Kah)

Thank you - Khob Khun (Krub/Kah)

Yes - Chai

No - Mai Chai

If you are male, add Krub or female, add Kah.

If you have any questions about my time in Bangkok, hit me up on social media or via email and I'll be happy to answer them as quickly as possible.

Stay blessed, stay you.

#bangkok #thailand #southeastasia #traveller #travel #nomad #digitalnomad #amateurphotographer #travelblogger #wanderlust #fernweh

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callme-rez · 7 years

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Life got real in Cuba

Vacations are great times to challenge yourself and gain more life lessons. Here are the top 10 things I learn while vacationing in Havana, Cuba.

1. In the Air

There might be a surge of American tourists in Cuba for several reason. Not only did America and Cuba decide to end the embargo between each country, but the flights to Cuba are very reasonable. The cheap ticket is what caught my cousin's Diane attention. Originally she wanted to go to Grand Cayman Island, but then she saw round trip tickets from Ft Lauderdale to Cuba for around $140, and she was sold.

She invited myself and 8 other family members and friends to embark on an adventure to Cuba. Note that flying from the Southeastern region of America will shorten your travel and cost. Most of the ladies who came along flew directly from Miami and lasted less than 30 minutes in the air.

My experience was a tad different since my sister and I flew from NYC. It took me about 20 hours to get to Cuba. I flew from JFK airport at 6 a.m. via AreoMexico and had a 6 hour layover in Mexico City. Then arrived to Cuba at 11 p.m.

2. Visa to go please. You must have a visa to enter Cuba as a American citizen. You can read this Huffington Post article that explains that under the President Obama adminstration the the sanctions for Americans to travel to Cuba independently has loosen, but you must declare the visit is for an educational journey or one of the other 12 categories to authorize the trip.

Visa can be purchased online or through your airline company. If your flight has a layover in another country, then get your Cuban visa there. I paid $320 Mexican Pesos (MXN) for mine, which is around $20 US Dollars (USD). Jet blue Airlines charges $50 and Spirit Airlines demands for $100. 3. Life without Internet *sigh*

It's 2017 and internet and wifi are still not common in Cuba. Luckily my first night was spent at an Airbnb near an internet cafe. It was literally a park with benches and an Afro-Cuban guy with locs and freckles name Julian selling what looked like calling cards for less than $5 US Dollars (USD). The cards had the sign-on information on it, and it seemed like the wifi worked better on iPhones than Android phones (#ijs). When you find these internet cafe space you must take advantage because outside of a hotel, those are the only places you can get connected.

4. Show me the money.

Cuba has no relations with American banks, therefore, there are no ways to withdraw money. Come.With.Cash.

My group and I tried to find a way around it by getting money transferred through Western Union, but sadly we were informed that Americans cannot receive anything if we aren't exchange or medical students. Although research might say a USD to the Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC) is 1 to 1, but in my experience we received .87 CUC for $1 USD. When exchanging money it became very tricky. We attempted to exchange our money before we arrived, just learn the most banks in US don't have CUC. So we traded in our USD for Canadian dollars, and when we arrived to Cuba we exchanged our Canadian dollars it to CUC, just avoid a 10% surcharge some exchange booth places on USD.

5. Cars go a long way. Cuba is known for their vintage American cars, but I now understand why they've taken pride on restoring and salvaging these classic vehicles.

It's because you need a car to truly get around. There is no Uber, so if you're in the wrong location taxis are very hard to find. It's best to be selective when choosing your lodging location. If you settle down on the outskirts of the city, then secure a full time driver or book through a travel agency/group where grounds commuting is secured.

We secured a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom house with a pool in Santa Fe, Havana, which is a community on far west coast of the city. It is about 14 miles away from the heart of Havana. Our distance was like South Bronx to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (for those who know NYC). 6. Hablo Espanol?

I got to Cuba thinking my Portuguese speaking skills will get me far, but boy I was wrong. Everyone knows how to read and write, but those without a college degree aren't familiar with English language. I found myself being frustrated in the midst of broken translation and conversation with the locals.Travel with your Spanish speaking friend, a translator or a translation app already downloaded to be able to have clear communication. 7. To Airbnb or not to?

Yes Cuba has Airbnb, and from my experience they are cheaper than a hotel room. With a hotel room you'll have Internet, WiFi, a direct currency exchange desk in the lobby, but the price point can range from $300 - $500 CUC a night. Meanwhile an Airbnb in Cuba most likely won't have internet access, but you may will still have breakfast for a reasonable price. Our 4 bedroom 4 bathroom house in Santa Fe was about $970 for three nights. After dividing it among 8 people it just became $121 per person.

8. A comida (the food)

Food in Cuba is very cheap. For about $4-7 CUC you get a hefty plate of rice, beans and chicken/fish from a local restaurant. My group and I had to spent less on food than anything else. We went to Area 53 restaurant for my cousin's birthday dinner.

It was more on the pricey end of things, but many of our meals didn't exceed $10-14 CUC. One thing I noticed is that Cuban love their pork. It should be obvious from their popular Cuban sandwich, but the swine was everywhere especially in the brown rice. In addition, the seafood is superbs. You can purchase two lobster tails for $12 CUC.

9. Plan your Excursions

Planning your trip to Cuba is necessary because you will not have access to do research when you get to the island. We didn't have much time to create a plan on activities to do. There was one thing my cousin was adamant about, which was exploring the caves in Varadero Beach, Cuba.

Varadero is about 2-3 hours away from Havana. For $5 CUC we swam in 22 Farehinet, 66 feet deep, crystal clear fresh water in Cueva de Saturno (Saturn Cave). The water was so refreshing. The lifeguarded told us not to pee in the water because there are little creature that will swim up your urethra. We all were shocked, until he started laughing and confessed he was joking. Supposedly there are no animals in the water, but it's definitely a place worthy enough to bring your goggles to discover what lies beneath.

Shortly after we went to the beach and got to watch and twerk as the sun set.

10. Turn up

This should definitely be a duh? But often times when you're traveling things don't go according the plan. Or there are a series of misfortunate events. Regardless of what goes left, still try to saver the moments.

This is your vacation from your everyday routine and an opportunity to tap into a whole different world and meet new people. Don't get frustrated with the lack of amenities that have been a norm to you like hot water, and fast-food and internet. You'll make it back to your materialistic prize possession in due time. Until embrace the different.

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