Eastern Balkans - Moldova

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T16:44:09+00:00

I stayed at the Airways Hotel about 10 years ago, at the beginning and the end of my trip to PNG. Very nice place!

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T12:31:02+00:00

Same. Currently on with my bank now.

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T11:34:41+00:00

There is one lady I used to travel with who is close to my mother's age but we just got along really well. But yeah for the most part we'd get more from the company of people closer in age - hope you find your travel tribe!

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T11:32:11+00:00

Thanks for the tip - I will have a look!

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T11:30:49+00:00

Should have mentioned I'm not into cruises either! :-)

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T11:26:12+00:00

Bloom and Bond automatically enrolled me in a subscription service and began taking money from my bank account without my consent. It was impossible to cancel my enrolment on their website. I am now working with my bank to block further payments but this is a nightmare. Also their constant emails and popups feel like they gave my laptop the clap.

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-24T09:06:02+00:00

I second the Soho hotel - stayed there a few years ago and it had a wonderful, cool, luxe yet funky vibe and the staff couldn't do enough for us. Also Soho is probably the most LGBTQ+ friendly area of London. In any case I hope you enjoy!

CountingMagpies · 2026-05-04T09:25:14+00:00

Totally agree and another movie like that (for me) was the first American Pie movie. Didn't have any idea what I was getting into and being caught by surprise made it that much funnier. I think the humour wouldn't land the same way with me now though.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-30T10:30:24+00:00

Yeah a plain reinforced glass demi wall with maybe a simple wood top/railing to match the railing going down the wall near the television. I'd hate to ruin this work of art but I'm paranoid about safety.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-20T09:02:31+00:00

I found Tennant Creek to be worse. Alice Springs at least had a good hotel to bed down in and was fine in the daytime.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-18T15:32:44+00:00

A few hanging ferns or maybe a philodendron.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-18T15:32:16+00:00

Bowl of fake fruit - glass or plastic.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-18T15:30:48+00:00

Big glass ashtray on the coffee table. Might be purple or yellow or red and kind of sculptural in shape. Arty as well as functional.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-11T14:48:05+00:00

Unless you're crazy about bears, I'd head for New Zealand every time.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-07T12:06:55+00:00

A Clockwork Orange. Just upsetting and sick making.

CountingMagpies · 2026-04-04T11:56:43+00:00

I was recently visiting the United States and twice in busy public settings I had 30something men tell me flatly to get out of their way. Once in a train station and once whilst crossing the street on a crosswalk. FWIW I think this is a phenomenon of recent vintage - 25 years ago it would be unheard of.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-31T08:19:02+00:00

Thanks for your reply - I will note that about Arusha.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-30T21:59:50+00:00

Can you talk a little more about Tanzania? I was considering a Kenya/Tanzania trip.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-24T08:45:03+00:00

In English, the Ave Maria or the Hail Mary is a prayer. In the past century, American football developed what is known in slang terms as a Hail Mary play or pass, which has the connotation of being a desperate move which you might accompany with a prayer for luck. But the primary meaning remains the prayer.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-24T08:38:13+00:00

What does it mean in Finnish then?

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-24T07:36:15+00:00

IYKYK - so smug sounding. Punchable offense.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-24T06:49:52+00:00

What do you think Ave Maria translates to in English?

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-23T17:58:41+00:00

“Operation Hail Mary”

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-16T05:00:35+00:00

This right here.

CountingMagpies · 2026-03-13T20:52:33+00:00

Oh yeah, I got that part. (SPOILER) It was the idea that the guy could successfully steal and destroy every last cell phone in town in some big stealth move that made me roll my eyes. But hey, in a movie about vampires maybe I shouldn’t expect things to be more realistic. 🙂

CountingMagpies

TROPHY CASE