HOUSE	FRAGRANCE	SIZE	REMAINING	Notes/Condition	Price	Type
1	Amouage	Incense Rori Attar	12mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$439	Niche
2	Amouage	Material (Woman)	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; Tester Cap	$145	Niche
3	Amouage	Orris Wakan Attar	12mL	99% Full	Full Presentation	$419	Niche
4	Amouage	Rose Aqor Attar	12mL	99% Full	Full Presentation	$419	Niche
5	Amouage	Vanilla Barka Attar	12mL	99% Full	Full Presentation	$419	Niche
6	Andy Tauer	Cologne du Maghreb	50mL	99% Full	First Release, Rectangular Clear Bottle; With box	$95	Niche
7	Bond No. 9	Hamptons	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$125	Niche
8	Bond No. 9	Madison Square Park	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$135	Niche
9	By Kilian	Apple Brandy on the Rocks	50mL	99% Full	Full Presentation, Box has some wear.	$160	Niche
10	By Kilian	Bamboo Harmony	100mL	100% Full	Tester Refill (No Spray)	$209	Niche
11	By Kilian	Black Phantom	100mL	100% Full	Tester Refill (No Spray)	$215	Niche
12	By Kilian	Gold Knight	100mL	100% Full	Tester Refill (No Spray)	$209	Niche
13	By Kilian	Good Girl Gone Bad	250mL	99% Full	Decanter; No Box	$800	Niche
14	By Kilian	Intoxicated	100mL	100% Full	Tester Refill (No Spray)	$209	Niche
15	By Kilian	Love Don't Be Shy	50mL	99% Full	Full Presentation, Box has some wear.	$160	Niche
16	By Kilian	Love Don't Be Shy Extreme	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$195	Niche
17	Byredo	Infloresence	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Niche
18	Byredo	Lil Fleur	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Niche
19	Byredo	Mixed Emotions	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Niche
20	Byredo	Mumbai Noise	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Niche
21	Byredo	Sunday Cologne	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Niche
22	Chanel Exclusif	Misia EdT	200mL	95% Full	Vintage Discontinued Formula; No Box	$350	Niche
23	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Bois D'Argent	7.5mL	100% Full	Official Mini	$30	Niche
24	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Bois D'Argent	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 0V01 (2010 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$35	Niche
25	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Cologne Royale	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 1X01 (2011 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$30	Niche
26	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Diorissima	7.5mL	100% Full	Official Mini; No Cannister - Price includes shipping	$30	Niche
27	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Eau Noire	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 1R01 (2011 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$35	Niche
28	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Eden Roc	7.5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Price includes shipping	$30	Niche
29	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Granville	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 0V01 (2010 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$35	Niche
30	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Milly-La-Foret	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 0W01 (2010 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$30	Niche
31	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	Mitzah	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 1W01 (2011 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$35	Niche
32	Christian Dior / Dior Privee	New Look 1947	5mL	100% Full	Official Mini - Batch Code 1R01 (2011 Production Date) - Price includes shipping	$30	Niche
33	Clive Christian	I Pour Femme (Woody Floral with Vintage Rose)	50mL	99% Full	No Box	$180	Niche
34	Clive Christian	Rock Rose	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$289	Niche
35	Creed	Acqua Florentina - F Batch	75mL	95% Full	Box, Can add a Creed Cap as well	$175	Niche
36	Creed	Aventus - 22A11A	100mL	100% Full	Full Presentation	$250	Niche
37	Creed	Aventus Cologne - 2022 Batch	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$229	Niche
38	Creed	Aventus Cologne - F Batch (Plastic Cap)	100mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed in Box	$239	Niche
39	Creed	Aventus for Her - F567	75mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$185	Niche
40	Creed	Erolfa - 15X01	120mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$349	Niche
41	Creed	Erolfa - F Batch	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$160	Niche
42	Creed	Green Irish Tweed - 19U11	50mL	99% Full	No Cap	$139	Niche
43	Creed	Green Irish Tweed - 2022 Batch	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$195	Niche
44	Creed	Himalaya - 22B01A	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Square Style Cap	$175	Niche
45	Creed	Millesime Imperial - F Batch	100mL	100% Full	Comes with Box and SQUARE Older Style Cap.	$180	Niche
46	Creed	Neroli Sauvage - F241	100mL	100% Full	Comes with Box and SQUARE Older Style Cap.	$180	Niche
47	Creed	Original Santal - F511	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$160	Niche
48	Creed	Royal Mayfair - 15R01	120mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$229	Niche
49	Creed	Royal Oud - F BATCH	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$250	Niche
50	Creed	Royal Water - 20C01N	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Square Style Cap	$175	Niche
51	Creed	Silver Mountain Water - 21V01A	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Square Style Cap	$180	Niche
52	Creed	Spring Flowers 2023	75mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$209	Niche
53	Creed	Tabarome - 21Y01A	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$160	Niche
54	Creed	Viking - F512	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$205	Niche
55	Creed	Virgin Island Water - F473	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$195	Niche
56	Creed	White Amber - 17W01	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$149	Niche
57	Creed	White Flowers	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$200	Niche
58	Creed	Wind Flowers - 22C01B	75mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap	$199	Niche
59	DS & DURGA	Amber Kiso	100mL	100% Full	New, No Box	$125	Niche
60	Frederic Malle	Eau de Magnolia	10mL	100% Full	Official Travel Spray	$55	Niche
61	Gallagher	Bergamot Silk	100mL	99% Full		$84	Niche
62	Giorgio Armani / Armani Prive	Gardenia Antigua	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$155	Niche
63	Giorgio Armani / Armani Prive	Pierre de Lune	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$155	Niche
64	Giorgio Armani / Armani Prive	Rose Alexandrie	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$155	Niche
65	Guerlain	Angelique Noire	30mL	100% Full	Mini Bee Bottle Decant	$215	Niche
66	Guerlain	Angelique Noire	10mL	100% Full	Tall Glass Decant	$55	Niche
67	Guerlain	Bois D'Armenie	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$379	Niche
68	Guerlain	Cherry Oud	100mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$279	Niche
69	Guerlain	Cruel Gardenia	200mL	95% Full	Tester; No Box	$319	Niche
70	Guerlain	Embruns D'Ylang	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$339	Niche
71	Guerlain	Epices Volee	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$339	Niche
72	Guerlain	Gourmand Coquin	10mL	100% Full	Tall Glass Decant	$60	Niche
73	Guerlain	Herbes Troublantes	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$339	Niche
74	Guerlain	Joyeuse Tuberuese	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$349	Niche
75	Guerlain	Musc Outreblanc	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$349	Niche
76	Guerlain	Oeillet Pourpre	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$339	Niche
77	Guerlain	Oud Nude	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$349	Niche
78	Guerlain	Rose Barbare	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$339	Niche
79	Guerlain	Rose Barbare	200mL	90% Full	DECANTED - NO ORIGINAL BOTTLE	$250	Niche
80	Guerlain	Santal Pao Rosa	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$349	Niche
81	Guerlain	Tonka Imperiale	30mL	100% Full	Mini Bee Bottle Decant	$199	Niche
82	Guerlain	Tonka Imperiale	10mL	100% Full	Tall Glass Decant	$55	Niche
83	Hermes / Hermessence	Agar Ebene	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$150	Niche
84	Hermes / Hermessence	Brin de Reglisse	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
85	Hermes / Hermessence	Cedre Sambac	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
86	Hermes / Hermessence	Epice Marine	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$170	Niche
87	Hermes / Hermessence	Iris Ukiyoe	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$150	Niche
88	Hermes / Hermessence	Muguet Porcelaine	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
89	Hermes / Hermessence	Myrrhe Eglantine	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$185	Niche
90	Hermes / Hermessence	Osmanthe Yunnan	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$150	Niche
91	Hermes / Hermessence	Paprika Brasil	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$170	Niche
92	Hermes / Hermessence	Santal Massoia	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$170	Niche
93	Hermes / Hermessence	Vanille Galante	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$150	Niche
94	Hermes / Hermessence	Vetiver Tonka	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box, No Cap	$150	Niche
95	Hermes / Hermessence	Vetiver Tonka	200mL	100% Full	Full Presentation, Brand New.	$399	Niche
96	Hermes / Hermessence	Violette Volynka	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$185	Niche
97	Hiram Green	Vetiver	50mL	95% Full	Full Presentation	$130	Niche
98	House of Sillage	Hufflepuff	75mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$325	Niche
99	House of Sillage	Nouez Moi	75mL	99% Full	Tester	$120	Niche
100	I Profumi di Firenze	Caterina De Medici	50mL	99% Full	No Box	$35	Niche
101	Initio	Side Effect	10mL	100% Full	Official Travel Atomizer	$75	Niche
102	Knize	Knize Ten	125mL	99% Full	No Box	$110	Niche
103	Le Labo	Another 13	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$189	Niche
104	Le Labo	Baie 19	100mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$225	Niche
105	Le Labo	Cedrat 37 – Berlin City Exclusive	100mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$275	Niche
106	Le Labo	Cedrat 37 – Berlin City Exclusive	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$225	Niche
107	Le Labo	Gaiac 10 – Tokyo City Exclusive	100mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$400	Niche
108	Le Labo	Mousse de Chene 30 - Amsterdam City Exclusive	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$300	Niche
109	Le Labo	Musc 25 – Los Angeles City Exclusive	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$250	Niche
110	Le Labo	Rose 31	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$175	Niche
111	Le Labo	Tabac 28 – Miami City Exclusive	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$250	Niche
112	Le Labo	The Noir 29	50mL	99% Full	Sprayed Once to Test / Brand New; No Box	$175	Niche
113	Maison Crivelli	Bois Datchai	100mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$169	Niche
114	Maison Crivelli	Rose Saltifolia	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$159	Niche
115	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	724	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$365	Niche
116	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	724	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
117	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Amyris Femme Extrait Special Edition Bottle	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$245	Niche
118	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Celestia	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$115	Niche
119	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte	200mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$279	Niche
120	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$149	Niche
121	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Celestia Forte	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$159	Niche
122	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Media Cologne Forte	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$175	Niche
123	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Universalis Cologne Forte	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$119	Niche
124	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Universalis EdT	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$219	Niche
125	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Vitae	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$219	Niche
126	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Vitae Cologne Forte	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$119	Niche
127	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Aqua Vitae Forte EdP	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$159	Niche
128	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Baccarat Rouge 540 EdP	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$205	Niche
129	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Baccarat Rouge 540 EdP	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$409	Niche
130	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Gentle Fluidity Gold	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
131	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Grand Soir	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$170	Niche
132	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	L'eau a La Rose	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$129	Niche
133	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	L'eau a la Rose	35mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$90	Niche
134	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	L'homme A la Rose	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$159	Niche
135	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Oud EdP	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$170	Niche
136	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Oud Extrait	10mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$35	Niche
137	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Oud Satin Mood EdP	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$190	Niche
138	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Oud Silk Mood EdP	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$170	Niche
139	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Oud Silk Mood Extrait	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$190	Niche
140	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Petit Matin	70mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$145	Niche
141	Maison Francis Kurkdjian	Petit Matin	200mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$350	Niche
142	Maison Lancome	Orange Bigarades	100mL	100% Full	Full presentation with Box	$229	Niche
143	Mark Birley	Charles Street	75mL	97% Full	Travel Version	$90	Niche
144	Masque Milano	Tango	35mL	99% Full		$90	Niche
145	Memo Paris	French Leather	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$135	Niche
146	Memo Paris	Inle	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$135	Niche
147	Memo Paris	Italian Leather	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box or Cap	$135	Niche
148	Memo Paris	Lailabella	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$135	Niche
149	Memo Paris	Marfa	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$135	Niche
150	Memo Paris	Moon Fever	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$135	Niche
151	Memo Paris	Oriental Leather	75mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box; No Cap	$135	Niche
152	Mind Games	Caissa	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$250	Niche
153	Mind Games	Gardez (Black Queen)	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$225	Niche
154	Mind Games	Scholar's Mate	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$225	Niche
155	Mizensir	Cologne de Figuer	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$175	Niche
156	Mizensir	Cologne de Matte	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$175	Niche
157	Mizensir	Ideal Oud	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
158	Mizensir	Luxury	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap	$165	Niche
159	Mizensir	Mythique Vetiver	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$175	Niche
160	Mizensir	Sweet Prailine	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
161	Mizensir	Bois de Mysore	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
162	Mona di Orio	Cuir	75mL	99% Full	No Box	$120	Niche
163	Oliver and Co.	M.O.U.S.S.E.	50mL	99% Full	Limited Edition 87/133	$110	Niche
164	Parfums de Nicolai	Patchouli Intense	100mL	98% Full	Full Presentation	$119	Niche
165	Perris Monte Carlo	Tuberuese Absolue	100mL	99% Full	No Box	$99	Niche
166	Pomare's Stolen Perfume	Angel's Share	9mL	70% Full	No Box	$40	Niche
167	Roja Dove	Apex Discovery Atomizer	7.5mL	99% Full		$50	Niche
168	Roja Dove	Creation-E Essence de Parfum	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
169	Roja Dove	Scandal Essence de Parfum	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$165	Niche
170	Roman Monegal	L'eau de Rose	50mL	97% Full		$70	Niche
171	Santa Maria Novella	Sandalo	100mL	95% Full	No Box	$80	Niche
172	The Harmonist	Desired Earth Eau de Parfum	50mL	100% Full	Brand new, Sealed	$219	Niche
173	The Harmonist	Magnetic Wood Parfum	50mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$229	Niche
174	Tom Ford	Beau de Jour	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$1,000	Niche
175	Tom Ford	Ebene Fume	250mL	99% Full	Decanter; No Box	$750	Niche
176	Tom Ford	Ebene Fume	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$170	Niche
177	Tom Ford	Fougere Platine	250mL	90% Full	Decanter; No Box	$625	Niche
178	Tom Ford	Fougere Platine	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$1,000	Niche
179	Tom Ford	Fucking Fabulous	250mL	99% Full	Decanter; No Box	$750	Niche
180	Tom Ford	Fucking Fabulous	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$180	Niche
181	Tom Ford	Grey Vetiver Parfum	100mL	100% Full	Sealed, New in Box	$170	Niche
182	Tom Ford	Oud Fleur	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$1,000	Niche
183	Tom Ford	Oud Wood	250mL	99% Full	Decanter; No Box	$750	Niche
184	Tom Ford	Rose de Chine	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$175	Niche
185	Tom Ford	Rose Prick	100mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$269	Niche
186	Tom Ford	Soleil Blanc EdP	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$140	Niche
187	Tom Ford	Soleil Brulant	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$145	Niche
188	Tom Ford	Soleil Neige	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$850	Niche
189	Tom Ford	Tobacco Oud	50mL	95% Full	No Box	$180	Niche
190	Tom Ford	Tobacco Vanille	50mL	90% Full	Full Presentation with Box	$155	Niche
191	Tom Ford	Tuscan Leather	50mL	100% Full	Magnetic Cap Decant	$119	Niche
192	Tom Ford	Vert des Bois	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$900	Niche
193	Tom Ford	White Suede	1000mL	100% Full	Sealed Dramming Bottle	$850	Niche
194	TVGA	Milestones Extrait	9mL	90% Full	No Box	$40	Niche
195	Washington Tremlett	Black Tie	100mL	95% Full		$125	Niche
196	Yves Saint Laurent	Tuxedo	250mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$375	Niche
197	Acqua di Parma	Arancia Di Capri	150mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$65	Designer
198	Acqua di Parma	Colonia EdC	100mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$75	Designer
199	Acqua di Parma	Colonia Intensa	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$65	Designer
200	Aqua di Parma	Magnolia Nobile	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$115	Designer
201	Caron	Pour un Homme de Caron Le Matin	125mL	100% Full	Opened to test, sprayed once	$69	Designer
202	Caron	Pour un Homme de Caron Le Soir	125mL	100% Full	Opened to test, sprayed once	$69	Designer
203	Caron	Pour Un Homme Impact Parfum	75mL	97% Full	No Box	$175	Designer
204	Chanel	Allure Homme Sport - Aftershave Balm	100mL	99% Full	No Box	$65	Designer
205	Chanel	Allure Pour Femme EdT	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$65	Designer
206	Chanel	Antaeus	100mL	85% Full	Silver Sprayer	$125	Designer
207	Chanel	Bleu de Chanel - Aftershave Balm	100mL	99% Full	No Box, Minor Cosmetic Damage	$55	Designer
208	Chanel	Bleu de Chanel - Aftershave Lotion	100mL	99% Full	No Box, Minor Cosmetic Damage	$55	Designer
209	Chanel	Bleu de Chanel Parfum	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$130	Designer
210	Chanel	Chance Eau Tendre EdP	50mL	90% Full	Tester; No Box	$90	Designer
211	Chanel	Chance Eau Tendre EdT	150mL	99% Full	Tester; No Box	$120	Designer
212	Chanel	Coco EdP	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$85	Designer
213	Chanel	Coco Mademoiselle - Moisturizing Body Lotion	200mL	99% Full	No Box	$55	Designer
214	Chanel	Coco Mademoiselle EdP	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$90	Designer
215	Chanel	Coco Mademoiselle EdT	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$65	Designer
216	Chanel	Coco Mademoiselle L'eau Privee	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$90	Designer
217	Chanel	Cristalle Eau Vert EdT Concentree	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Designer
218	Chanel	Cristalle EdP	50mL	95% Full	Tester; No Box	$135	Designer
219	Chanel	No. 19	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$115	Designer
220	Chanel	No. 5 Eau Premiere	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$85	Designer
221	Chanel	No. 5 EdP	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$85	Designer
222	Chanel	Platinum Egoiste	75mL	99% Full	SPLASH, NOT SPRAY Older Formulation	$125	Designer
223	Christian Dior	Dior Homme Sport - 2017 Version	125mL	99% Full	Tester; No Box Batch Code is 6Y02	$89	Designer
224	Christian Dior	J'adore in Joy EdT	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap, No Box	$60	Designer
225	Floris	007	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap, No Box	$100	Designer
226	Floris	A Rose For...	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$65	Designer
227	Floris	Cefiro	100mL	100% Full	Tester with Cap, No Box	$59	Designer
228	Floris	Lily of the Valley	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box.	$65	Designer
229	Gucci	Gucci Guilty Absolute	90mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$70	Designer
230	Guerlain	Habit Rouge L'instinct	100mL	99% Full	Sprayed once	$84	Designer
231	Guerlain	L'instant de Guerlain Pour Homme EXTREME	10mL	100% Full	VINTAGE BLACK RIM - DECANT	$50	Designer
232	Hermes	Twilly	80mL	100% Full	Tester; No Box	$65	Designer
233	Jo Malone	Amber & Lavender	30mL	90% Full	No Box	$52	Designer
234	Jo Malone	English Oak & Redcurrant	30mL	80% Full	No Box	$49	Designer
235	Jo Malone	English Pear & Freesia	100mL	100% Full	Brand New with Gift Box and Gift Set (Body Wash, Body Lotion)	$180	Designer
236	Jo Malone	Rose & White Musk Absolu	100mL	100% Full	No Box	$180	Designer
237	Jo Malone	Velvet Rose and Oud Cologne Intense	50mL	99% Full	Tester; No Box	$90	Designer
238	Thierry Mugler	A*MEN	100mL	99% Full	Rubber Flask; No Box	$75	Designer
239	Thierry Mugler	A*MEN Ultra Zest	100mL	85-90% Full	Rubber Flask; No Box	$250	Designer
240	Tom Ford	Costa Azzura Parfum	50mL	100% Full	Brand New, Sealed	$130	Designer
241	Amouage	Cristal and Gold Ladies	50mL	95% Full	Vintage, Incredibly hard to find. Full presentation in nice condition	$399	Vintage
242	Cartier	Santos EdT	100mL	100% Full	Spray; Refill.	$299	Vintage
243	Chanel	Egoiste Cologne Concentree	100mL	97% Full	Bottle Only	$399	Vintage
244	Chanel	Gardenia EdT	100mL	100% Full	Vintage; Sealed	$390	Vintage
245	Crabtree & Evelyn	Crabtree & Evelyn Extract of West Indian and Sicilian Limes	125mL	100% Full	Full presentation with Box	$209	Vintage
246	Dunhill	Cologne	125mL	99% Full	Vintage; Splash	$100	Vintage
247	Escada	Pour Homme Aftershave	75mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$165	Vintage
248	Escada	Pour Homme Aftershave	125mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$240	Vintage
249	Floris	Bay Rum	3.5 Oz	97% Full	Vintage; Splash. "Use as a cologne, after shave lotion, or hair lotion."	$84	Vintage
250	Floris	Special 127	100mL	98% Full	Vintage; Dark Blue Box., 2 Royal Warrants, Vintage Version	$70	Vintage
251	Fragonard	Zizanie	240mL	80% Full	Shaker bottle (Splash, not spray) no box. At least 80% Full.	$240	Vintage
252	Geo F Trumper	Ajaccio Violets	100mL	99% Full		$40	Vintage
253	Gucci	Envy Aftershave	50mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$140	Vintage
254	Gucci	Envy Aftershave	100mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$215	Vintage
255	Gucci	Rush for Men	50mL	100% Full	Full Presentation; These do not come fully filled	$190	Vintage
256	Gucci	Rush for Men Aftershave	100mL	100% Full	BNIB Sealed	$140	Vintage
257	Guerlain	Heritage EdT	200mL	100% Full	New; Vintage; Splash. 1991 Bottle.	$225	Vintage
258	Guerlain	Samrasa EdP	50mL	100% Full	No Box	$109	Vintage
259	Guerlain	Samsara EdT 1992-1993 Formulation	100mL	100% Full	Tester; No Cap; No Box	$109	Vintage
260	Jean Desprez	Bal a Versailles	9 Oz	70% Full	Vintage; Splash; No Box Open to offers on this enormous bottle.	$135	Vintage
261	Lacoste	Eau de Sport Vivifiante	100mL	99% Full	No Box	$110	Vintage
262	Lacoste	Land	100mL	99% Full		$130	Vintage
263	Nino Cerruti	Fair Play Pour Homme	100mL	99% Full	Full presentation with Box	$275	Vintage
264	Paco Rabanne	Eau de Metal	20mL	100% Full	Vintage; Mini	$15	Vintage
265	Ralph Lauren	Silver Romance for Men	100mL	80% Full	No Box, No Cap	$145	Vintage
266	Revillon	Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Super Concentrate	60mL	99% Full	Atomizer	$190	Vintage
267	Revillon	Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Super Concentrate	90mL	99% Full	Atomizer	$290	Vintage​

PART 4:
Those of you who have been following my posts know that I’ve been getting sticky notes from a stalker, so you already know what to expect when I post. This time though, I need you to expect the unexpected…
I received another sticky note (a purple one again) and it came with another strange marking on one of the corners…
“You’re running out of time, little mouse...”
Purple Sticky Note #2: https://imgur.com/a/xB0E0vb
All 3 Sticky Notes: https://imgur.com/a/mpihXK8
One of the comments on my last post mentioned that it may be a puzzle, and that maybe I should connect the sticky notes to see if it makes a picture? Since receiving this new sticky note, I think they might just be right… I also need to address the note I got from my neighbor across the hall from me, but I’ll get to that in a few paragraphs. Just bear with me and be patient... You'll understand why I saved that whole interaction for the ending of my post.
So, I finally took some time out to meet some of the other tenants on my floor. I’ll document what I thought about each of them individually, and maybe some of you can help me figure out if any of them might be a suspect? Someone in my last post mentioned my landlord (Jack), but for some reason I just can’t fathom him doing anything sinister? But then again… I really don’t know who I can trust, can I?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YESTERDAY, 4:30 PM
Mrs. Kirtley & Derek _______?
“Can I help you with something?”
“Hi! I’m the new tenant that just moved into 13B, I just wanted to introduce myself!” Handing the woman the neatly wrapped box of cookies, I smiled and said, “I’m Anna, nice to meet you.” I figured if I was going to meet (interrogate) my neighbors, the best course of action would be to sweeten them up first.
Yanking the cookies from my grasp, the woman threw them on the ground and looked me right in the eye before saying, “Stay away from me. I don’t want anything that’s touched you or your apartment in my space.”
With a nod, I backed away and quickly apologized before she slammed the door. Confusion bubbled within me and my eyes couldn’t help but water when I saw the box on the ground. The cookies had all toppled out, some of them broken. The twine had come loose during the tumble. Crouching down, I scooped up the pieces and the crumbs and shoved them back into the box. Embarrassment burned at my cheeks as I scrambled to do so as fast as I could. Most of them fell onto her welcome mat which looked incredibly pristine before my unwanted cookies landed on it. Maybe she just didn’t take kindly to visitors? I know I certainly didn’t feel very “welcome”. My first impression of this woman was that she wasn’t very pleasant in the slightest. I didn’t even get her name. She was a willowy looking woman with thin gray hair and unusually blue eyes. Upon first glance, she didn’t even look as if she could hurt a fly, but her words said otherwise.
Before I could stand back up though, I felt a hand on my shoulder. A gasp escaped my lips and I jerked, the touch catching me off guard. Before I knew it, my elbow connected with a face and in the same instant I heard a slight groaning sound. Dropping the cookies, I turned around to see a man. I cringed when I noticed his hand clutching his nose, blood continuing to seep out from beneath his fingertips.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” Rushing across the hallway to my door, I hurriedly pulled it open and called out to him, “Stay right there!” Grabbing a handful of napkins, I ran back out into the hall and handed them to him, guilt clawing at my insides. If only he knew why I was so jumpy. I’d been on nothing but high alert for days… “I’m so sorry! I didn’t even hear you walking up to me.”
A small chuckle escaped his lips as he took the napkins from my hands and held them up to his nose. “You sure are a lot stronger than you look, that’s for sure. I think you broke it.”
A million more apologies danced on the tip of my tongue and I started to recite them all before he cut me off and said, “It’s alright! It wouldn’t be the first time after all.”
I looked up at him curiously and he was quick to answer me.
“First time was during a boxing match with a buddy.” His hand applied steady pressure to the area, but the napkin was quickly filling up as he continued to speak. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but I caught the tail end of your encounter with our friendliest neighbor, Mrs. Kirtley.” The sarcasm in his voice was enough to make me crack a little grin. After my incident with that woman, I could really use a kind face. Before I could respond though, he was introducing himself. “I actually live right across from Mrs. Kirtley. My name’s Derek.”
Derek was tall and slim and athletic looking. He looked like the type that probably ran track in highschool?
“Well it’s very nice to meet you, Derek. I hate that your first impression of me wasn’t exactly…” I trailed off again before I continued, embarrassed that I let my paranoia get the better of me. “I, um, just moved in right across the hall here, do you want to come in for a bit? I’ve got a first aid kit -”
“Oh I’m fine! Really!” His eyes darted in the direction of my apartment. The look on his face mirrored the same look I received from Mrs. Kirtley… Fear?
I didn’t want to be pushy, but I also felt the extreme need to atone for my actions. Looking at the ground he shuffled his feet some as I spoke. “Please? I feel horrible about your nose. I’ve already made one bad impression, and the last thing I’d want is for another one.”
Glancing up at me, he looked at his watch and then finally relented. “I guess I could come in for a bit. You did hit me pretty hard after all. Not the nicest way to greet a neighbor…” My cheeks once again burned red before I broke out into laughter. His sarcasm was much needed and my laughter only seemed to push him onward. “I mean, if you greet all your neighbors like that-”
“Only the nice ones.” I interrupt, the corners of my mouth tugged up into a cheeky grin. His face mirrored mine as he made his way into my apartment.
“You’re witty.” He responded, “I like it. We could use a little of that around here. Most of the other neighbors are pretty dry.”
“Well,” I said as I grabbed the first aid kit from my bathroom, “I’m glad that I’ve offered some much needed change around here then.”
Opening the kit, he pilfered through it till he found the gauze. Shoving some of it into his nose, he looked over at me and pointed to my freezer. “You got a bag of frozen peas or somethin’?”
“I think I actually might!” Handing him the peas, he winced a little as he held the bag to his nose.
“Thanks…? Sorry, I never caught your name?”
“Oh, it’s Anna! I was too busy trying to knock you out to introduce myself, I guess.” A small laugh slipped past my lips when he shook his head and smiled back.
“Injury aside, you seem like a nice girl, so I’ll forgive ya this time!” Once again, his words were coated in just the right amount of sarcasm. Setting down the peas, he rubbed the bridge of his nose gingerly.
“Well..” I started awkwardly, “I would have brought you some cookies too, but unfortunately those all ended up on Mrs. Kirtley’s welcome mat…”
“You mean these?” Setting on my coffee table was the crumbled box of broken cookies. I’d forgotten to even grab them after all the commotion.
“Yes, actually! Thank you for grabbing those for me.”
“Of course. I ate a piece of one while you were looking for the first aid kit, and I’ve gotta hand it to ya, you’re a pretty decent baker.”
Brushing back a strand of my hair and tucking it behind my ear, my face lit up just the tiniest bit at that remark. Having a friend would be nice… But could I trust him??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY
The person I needed to meet the most lived right across from me and right beside Derek. He was the one that left me the note… And he was also the neighbor I was the most hesitant about meeting for that exact reason.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YESTERDAY, 5:00 PM
Dr. Matt Pryor
Knocking on his door took me at least a good 5 minutes. 3 minutes trying to figure out what I would even say and 2 minutes trying to convince myself to knock. But when I finally did, he was quick to answer.
“Hi, you were the one who left me the-”
“Come inside.”
The abrupt way in which he cut me off was slightly unnerving. I knew he’d probably been expecting me since he left that note on my doorstep, but I didn’t expect him to be so eager to see me?
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into his apartment was how insanely clean it was? It almost looked as if no one lived there at all. His apartment was very modern and everything was either in a shade of gray or black. It felt very... Sterile?
“Take a seat.” He said, instructing me to sit on one of the couches in the living room.
His strange demeanor was only proving to make me more nervous and uncomfortable, but despite his off-putting way of speaking, I knew I needed to hear him out.
“I apologize for coming across so…” He trailed off before changing the subject and holding out a hand in my direction. “Dr. Pryor, but you can just call me Matt.”
Matt looked to be of Italian descent. His hair was thick and dark and his face sported a couple of wrinkles above his forehead that led me to believe that maybe he was in his 40’s or 50’s? And he was dressed in formal attire. He donned black slacks, a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his tie was slightly loosened.
Shaking his hand, I tried to paste a smile across my face and offer my own pleasantries. “I’m Anna, nice to meet you.”
Nodding, he sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers together in thought for a few moments before he finally broke the silence. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I left that note on your doorstep. I didn’t mean for it to come across as strange, and I hope you didn’t take it that way, but I felt like I needed to warn you.”
“Warn me of what, exactly?” My own fingers fidgeted with a stray piece of string that had come loose at the bottom of my blouse.
He sucked in a quiet breath and appeared sort of apprehensive. “I’m not exactly sure how to say this without it sounding strange, but… I’ve been keeping an eye on you.”
“Excuse me...?” My breathing stilled for a moment and my eyes darted towards his door.
He instantly noticed my change in expression. “I- It’s not like that.” Stuttering over his words, he rubbed the bridge of his nose before saying, “What I mean is that I’ve noticed someone exiting your apartment… But I’ve never seen them enter.”
Every hair on my body stood on end at his words. “What… What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that I find it incredibly concerning that this person is somehow able to get into your apartment other than using your door…” His eyebrows were knitted together in worry. “Have you…” He paused. “Have you been noticing anything strange? Things moving in your apartment perhaps??”
I instantly paled. “I’ve been… Receiving strange notes. Sticky notes left in different places. Up until recently, they have only ever been in my apartment.”
“Well I just… I wanted you to know that I’m looking out for you. Whoever it is has been incredibly good at hiding their identity, because I cannot explain to you for the life of me what this person looks like.”
I watched as his hands carded through his hair. This man was just as on edge as I was, and in a way, it was almost sort of comforting to know that I wasn’t alone in feeling absolutely terrified.
“And you can’t recall any details about what this person looks like?” I questioned.
Scratching the stubble on his chin, he sat quietly for a few moments before commenting. “I honestly cannot tell you anything appearance wise. Every Time I’ve seen them leave, they have always been covered. Black hoodie, black pants, black shoes. I can only guess based on the height and build that it might be a man?”
“The handwriting on the sticky notes makes me believe that he is a man as well.”
Nodding, he sat in silence for a beat or two before he looked down at his watch. “Well, I’ve got some errands I need to run so I will see you out, but I just wanted you to know that I’d be on the lookout for any more suspicious activity.”
Reaching out, I shook his hand again and thanked him before leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY
In the end, I don’t know if meeting my neighbors really shed any light on the situation, but it was a relief to have my suspicions validated and to know that I wasn’t absolutely crazy. That someone had really been in my apartment. But then there was the chilling statement I’d heard him say that still continued to bother me… It was playing over and over in my head like some sick mantra.
“What I mean is that I’ve noticed someone exiting your apartment… But I’ve never seen them enter.”
Somehow, whoever this psycho was, he was accessing my apartment… From the inside.
​
If you missed PART 3: https://www.reddit.com/nosleep/comments/144i2aw/i_think_ive_got_a_stalker_and_he_sends_me_sticky/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
​

It was a long trip. This is a long post. Apologies in advance.
HIGHLIGHTS (Days 1-14 of 28) KYOTO--Kiyomizu temple; Nanzenji temple; Nijo Castle; Sanjusangendo temple; Shugakuin Imperial Villa; Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion); Fushimi Inari shrine; 184th Kamogawa-Odori geisha show HIMEJI-The castle and garden. NARA-Todaiji temple UJI-Byodoin temple IZU KOGEN--Jogasaki Coast nature trail
TOKYO, Monday 5/8
We arrived mid-afternoon at Tokyo/Haneda, right after Golden Week ended. It turned out to be, coincidentally, the day when the Japanese government officially downgraded the Covid pandemic to the level of a seasonal flu.
Fresh off a 13-hour flight and experiencing Japan for the first time, we went from touchdown to hotel check-in in something like 90 minutes, braving an almost-rush-hour crush on the Keikyu Line train from the Terminal 3 station.
Experience has taught us that meticulously planning every step of arrival in a new country is crucial to avoiding confusion, getting lost or simply wasting time.
Pre-loaded Suica cards on our smartphones led us straight to the train without standing in any lines.
We' chose the Shinagawa Station area of central Tokyo to spare our jetlagged selves another leg of indeterminate length--four or five hours at least--to reach our Kyoto base. Shinagawa is a straight shot--no transfers--from Haneda and a great place to catch a bullet train.
It was a geezer move that gave us plenty of time to familiarize ourselves with the layout and operation of one of Japan's busiest train stations.
Before crashing for the night, we'd taken care of some business by getting cash from an ATM and picking up reserved seat tickets for a post-Kyoto leg. We used a JR Railway ticket machine to print out the tickets, using QR codes emailed to us the previous month when we bought the tickets online directly from JR-East railway (we avoided costly middlemen in all our travel and entertainment purchases, something that requires planning but is easily doable from abroad). Like all our electronic machine transactions in Japan, there was an English language option on the touch-screen.
A machine also checked us in at the Prince Hotel Shinagawa, part of a modern high-rise development, chosen mainly for convenience. It's a one-block walk from the train station and was perfect for a couple jet-lagged Japan newbies. What we got, for the princely sum of $116 USD, was a spacious (by Japan standards) room on the 34th floor with a dead-on view of Tokyo Tower. Dinner was carryout sushi from the Queen's Isetan department store on the opposite side of the station, plus beer and sake from a convenience store, all consumed in the hotel room with Tokyo's skyline at our feet.
KYOTO , Tuesday 5/9
On the advice of an old Japan hand, we made Kyoto our base for the first two weeks. It worked well. We explored a fabulous city, took three day trips (Himeji/Osaka; Nara; Uji) and left town wishing we'd had time for more.
We expected our first full day to be a blur, due to jetlag, but it wasn't too bad. Following advice from this sub for first-time shinkansen travelers, we got to the station an hour early.
We bought far enough in advance on the Smart EX app to get a slight discount. We booked back row seats on the right-hand side for easy luggage storage but discovered that both our bags (including my larger one, which measures 142 cm [L+H+W]) also fit on the overhead rack. We never had luggage problems on trains during our trip.
Our train to Kyoto had great Fuji views, our first. After depositing the bags in a Kyoto station storage locker (rented with the smartphone Suica card), we made our first sightseeing stop: Toji Temple, a quick subway ride and walk away.
About picking hotels
We used triangulation to pick hotels; that is, cross-checking information from various sources to give us the best possible chance of getting a good place at a decent price. Sources included a handful of guidebooks from the public library, Trip Advisor and this sub.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier ($221 USD per night with massive breakfast buffet, best of the trip) turned out to be a great base. We paid extra for a room facing the Kamo River, a popular gathering spot for locals, tourists and joggers. We benefited from early booking (more than six months in advance, shortly after Japan began opening up). Inflation and other factors have since raised the price of the same room by about 10 percent.
The newish (opened in 2017) hotel attracts mainly Japanese/Asian travelers who, like me, enjoyed the onsen in the basement. We also put the coin-operated washedryers to good use.
KYOTO, Wednesday 5/10
Up and out, thanks to jetlag, shortly after 5 a.m., walking deserted streets to the foot of magical Kiyomizu temple, arriving just as it opened at 6 a.m. We were back at the hotel for breakfast by 8, after walking down the picturesque, cobbled streets of Sannenzaka, shops still closed, with more tourists starting to trickle in.
About choosing sightseeing spots
I'm a sucker for ratings, assuming they're done well. So, guidebook must-sees, like DK Eyewitness's or Lonely Planet's, star ratings in the Michelin Green Guide to Japan or in the downloaded Gateway to Japan guide (a steal at $10 and in your pocket for free on Kindle app) and, finally, Japan Guide's recommendations helped guide our steps.
That's how we ended up spending the afternoon at Nanzenji, a must-see Zen temple, which, like Kiyomizu, is laid out at the foot of the mountains east of town.
Lunch this day was at Junsei, a yudofo (boiled tofu) restaurant we stumbled onto near the temple. We used wooden sticks to skim the surface of an iron vat filled with simmering soy milk, that was set before us over a gas flame.
About finding restaurants
If you've never been to Japan but lurk on this sub, you've already heard that it's practically impossible to get a bad meal. We booked a handful of places before leaving home but agree with others that you rarely need to do that to eat well. If you're determined to hit a place that's highly popular, often with deep-pocketed foreign tourists, reservations may be required.
We're foodies, up to a point, but Japan's profusion of starred Michelin restaurants was wasted on us. We've learned over the years that we seldom enjoy paying the inflated cost. Over four weeks, we ate once at a Michelin one-star, chosen for other reasons.
That said, Michelin's Bib Gourmands (good, affordable restaurants) never disappointed us. They are plentiful in Japan, especially in Kyoto and Tokyo, and worth seeking out. Most of the time, though, we picked places to eat by cross-checking Google (asking for "soba noodles" near me, for example) and Tabelog, the indispensible crowd-sourced Japanese website (we looked for places in the 3.5 range).
Non-speakers of Japanese can have a hard time making reservations. We found that we could make them in advance from abroad through services like TableCheck (and an apparently expanding number of others aimed at tourists, usually charging a fee; sometimes small, sometimes steep). On the ground in Japan, we sometimes reserved for free through Google and Tabelog (at random places which you can find on Google or Tabelog restaurant listings); they were always honored. We also asked hotel reception desks for reservation help on occasion. We went to a couple restaurants in person and booked a table for later. But the easiest and often best way to get in is simply to arrive on the early side for lunch (by 11:30 or so) or dinner (between 5 and 5:30). More than once, we walked right into a place and were seated, only to discover lots of people waiting in line outside when we left. That said, if you're looking for an above-average meal on a Saturday night, especially in a popular location, you might want to book in advance.
Konbinis (convenience stores) are cheap, good and extremely reliable sources of takeout. And though we liked what we got there (mainly onigiri), we wound up relying on them less and less as the trip went along. The same was true of department store basements, which lived up to their reputation as fantastic food sources, for locals and tourists alike. We learned that we could often eat for the same amount or less in restaurants geared to locals or foreigners on limited budgets, rather than chowing down in our hotel room.
KYOTO, Thursday 5/11
We hit Nijo Castle in the morning and Sento Imperial Palace, one of several attractions we reserved in advance through the Imperial Household Agency. All were well worth it (and free of charge). The agency website explains the rules, which vary somewhat from site to site. We also toured Kyoto Imperial Palace.
About navigation
Just as the Google Translate app (and similar devices) have broken down language barriers, several travel apps have vastly simplified the business of getting around. Google Maps was our basic navigational tool and it rarely failed us. Another app that helped work in concert with Google Maps was Navitime's Japan Travel guide. Both provide alternate routes, detailed information on trains and stations and much more. Sometimes, when we popped out of subway station, we'd check the compass app on the smartphone to make sure we were heading off in the right direction. It doesn't hurt that public transit throughout the country increasingly uses English or romaji to translate Japanese. Over four weeks, we only found one place where we had trouble deciphering the destination signs on buses (oddly enough, in Himeji, a tourist magnet).
KYOTO, Friday, 5/12
A busy day started at Katsura Imperial Villa. Like other Imperial Household venues, a guided tour (in Japanese, but with free English audio guide) is the only way to see the place and its beautiful gardens.
We also caught a kabuki for beginners show at sumptuous Minamiza Theatre--tickets purchased online in advance--after briefly stopping by bustling Yasaka-jinja shrine down the street.
Dinner was our priciest splurge: Itoh, a serene, traditional style steak house in the atmospheric Gion neighborhood. We hadn't initially planned on eating Kobe beef, since we've pretty much given up beef in our everyday lives, but we were persuaded by a family member who correctly posed the question: If not now, when? Worth the steep tab ($264), not least because our table overlooked the tiny Shirakawa canal, the service was great and now we can say we know what Kobe beef is all about. Like buttah.
KYOTO, Saturday 5/13
We were at Sanjusangendo when it opened and glad we'd gone. The display of 500 life-size, gilded 1000-armed kannon in Japan's longest wooden structure was unforgettable.
We're museum people--either you are or you ain't--and the special exhibition at Kyoto National Museum on the 850th anniversary of the founder of Shin Buddhism was well worth it. Unfortunately, like most Japanese museums, photos were prohibited inside. In this regard, technically advanced Japan lags much of the civilized world; even Old Europe has greatly loosened such restrictions in recent years. Smartphone cameras can be a nuisance to other visitors, but they are a quick and easy way of capturing what you've seen and preserving it for later study.
Lunch was at Vegan Ramen Uzu Kyoto, a Bib Gourmand and the weirdest place we ate. Expanded availability of vegetarian ramen is a promising, healthier trend, and we enjoyed it at several places in Tokyo and Kyoto. A TableCheck reservation, made well in advance, got us seats at this cutting-edge spot. Dining is at a polished black surface in a darkened room bathed by the illumination of a giant, swirling teamLab artwork. Pricey but good.
KYOTO, Sunday 5/14
We're horseplayers and enjoyed a day at recently reopened Kyoto Racecourse, capacity 120,000. Betting is easy; just stop by the information desk for instructions in English.
Dinner at Tiger Gyoza Hall was lively, inexpensive and delicious. It was the only restaurant on our trip that we visited twice; reservable on Google.
KYOTO, Monday 5/15
No place put us through more hoops than Kokedera, better known at Moss Temple. It was well worth the difficulty of getting a needed reservation; if you do it by mail from abroad--the least expensive way to go--you need a couple months head start (and an International Reply Coupon, which you have to buy online from the Swiss Postal System). We got there and back via city buses. Along the way we crossed Togetsukyo Bridge in the very congested tourist hotbed of Arashiyama. It didn't make us regret our decision to skip the area.
Afterward we visited Ninnaji temple. Ryoanji temple and its famous rock garden (where noisy fellow tourists made a Zen experience impossible) and Kinkakuji, the incredible Golden Pavilion. The place was jammed but crowd control is excellent and we're glad we made it.
KYOTO, Tuesday 5/16
Shugakuin Imperial Villa, a vast imperial property of gardens and buildings (which you cannot enter) on the northeastern outskirts, was our favorite Imperial Household Agency site. We felt fortunate to get advance tickets through their lottery but saw that same-day tickets were also available there and at other Agency sites; it would be a long way to go, however, if all tickets were gone on the day you wanted to enter. Since we made a conscious decision to visit Japan after the cherry blossom and Golden Week crowds were gone, we have no idea what things are like during busier times.
We strolled the Philosopher's Path after lunch. Perhaps if it had been a quiet early or cherry blossom time, we might have been blown away. Instead, it was a rare disappointment. It struck us as a very conventional touristy trail; nothing special at all.
On the other hand, Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), near one end of the path, lived up to the hype. We capped the day by off by catching the procession of Aoi Matsuri, or Hollyhock Festival, one of Kyoto's three big annual festivals. The parade of hundreds of elaborately costumed people, some on horseback, highlighted by a pair of ox-drawn carts, was a hoot. What surprised us was the absence of music or any sort of percussion.
HIMEJI and OSAKA, Wednesday 5/17
A shinkansen whisked us to Himeji for a tour of the incomparable castle and impressive gardens. We took advantage of the unique Himeji Castle English Speaking Guide service, which generously provides personal tours with an area resident, in English, at no cost (book online in advance).
Lunch was at Mentetsu, a very good ramen shop at a mall located between the train station and the castle. Recommended.
We finished the excursion at Osaka's famous, crazy Dotonburi neighborhood, a cross between Times Square and Disney. Dinner was our first okonomiyaki, deliciously prepared at Okonomiyaki Mizuno (a Bib Gourmand). We're allergic to standing in line---life is too short--and we never waited more than 30 minutes for a table on our trip. They took our order at Mizuno while we were in line, and it was prepared before our countertop seats shortly after we got in. Oishī!
UJI, Thursday 5/18
Uji is renowned for its tea and Byodoin temple, best known for its elegant phoenix hall, which is pictured on the back of the 10 Yen coin. It was a great day trip, including lunch at a traditional local soba shop that served cold noodles sobayu style; you pour hot soba stock--the cloudy water the noodles were boiled in--into what's left of your soy-based dipping sauce and drink the (supposedly) healthy brew. Definitely the way to go. Mampukuji, a Zen temple, was a worthwhile stop before we caught a train back to Kyoto.
NARA, Friday 5/19
Our first day of heavy rain failed to dampen the visit to one of the best places on our trip. The town, a tourist favorite because, or in spite of, the overpopulation of overly friendly deer, is well-described elsewhere. We toured Todai-ji, with its giant Bronze Buddha, had lunch at the cute and delicious Pizzeria Trattoria Magazzino (Bib Gourmand) and checked out Kohfukuji temple, too.
KYOTO, Saturday 5/20
Fushimi Inari shrine, on almost every Kyoto must-see list, lives up to its reputation. We followed good advice from this sub and arrived early, a few minutes before 8 a.m. Already, crowds were building. We detoured from the main path through thousands of torii gates and wandered instead up an almost totally deserted sylvan trail on the south side of Mt. Inari, past bamboo groves, a few minor shrines and some houses. After about 45 minutes, we reached a set of stone stairs to the summit. From the top, we took the main path down, dodging the stream of fellow tourists as best we could and gaping at the gates and the view from the halfway point. We highly recommend this alternative way of seeing the best of two Fushimi Inari worlds.
We celebrated our last full day in Kyoto, and our 40th wedding anniversary, with a memorable kaiseki lunch at Hana Kitcho, a Michelin one-star booked weeks in advance from home. The beautifully decorated private room, attentive service, imaginative presentation, museum-quality stoneware and delicious food were certainly up to one-star standards.
The minute that advance online tickets went on sale for the 184th Kamogawa Odori, I jumped on them. The tourist-oriented geisha dance performance is held in May at a theater that overlooks the Kamo River. We were lucky to have been given seats in the front row and when one of the geishas tossed a white cloth package in my direction I snatched it. I now have an unexpected souvenir, a cloth banner autographed by the geisha herself. The fantastic show will remain in memory.
IZU KOGEN, Sunday 5/21
We left Kyoto for the Izu Peninsula and what turned out to be the best single night of our trip. Hanafubuki, a modern ryokan I learned about on this sub, was everything we could have wanted. It features 9 private outdoor onsens on beautifully landscaped property and elegant guest rooms with fluffy futons for sleeping on tatami mats. The ten-course dinner was exquisite. Breakfast, a seven-course feast that featured whole grilled horse mackerel and golden-eye sea bream, was simply amazing.
IZU KOGEN, Monday 5/22
A short walk from the ryokan is the scenic Jogasaki Coast nature trail, a rugged stretch of rocks and pounding surf. A guy I met there who introduced himself as Zeus, a Japanese native currently living in California and in town to visit his parents, compared the coastline to Monterey Bay. We could have used another night to allow us to explore the trail at greater length.
Lunch was at a great local restaurant, walking distance from the train station, Honke Maguroya, featuring local fish and top-grade tuna. The wasabi rhizome, which you grate yourself, is a tipoff to the quality of the sushi, but the prices are extremely reasonable. Recommended.
From there we headed back to Tokyo and the remainder of our trip. Highlights and a full (too full?) final report coming soon.

Hi everyone! This sub was so incredibly helpful to me in the planning process - I was deeply grateful for everything I learned, so I thought I'd post a trip report now that we're back!
About us: We're a 30s couple from the Midwest US. We're pretty experienced travelers (South America, UK/Ireland, Europe, lots of places in the US), but this was our first visit to Asia and first visit to Japan. As travelers, we love getting out on foot, local food/drink (especially street food), live music, nerd shit, weird art/vending machines. Also, my partner is a cis guy, but I am a trans masc person who is visibly trans (post-op in a few ways, but not passing/not stealth).
Dates: May 13 - May 29
What we did: Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Hakone Back to Tokyo
Tips and tricks:

• Definitely get your walking training in ahead of time! We walked 10 miles a day on the trip. We're pretty avid backcountry camping/hiking fans who regularly put in 8 - 10 miles on the trail (not to mention taking our dog for multiple walks a day in the neighborhood), so I figured we'd be good - but it was A LOT, especially since you're also trying to translate and navigate at the same time. Japan is not generally a super accessible place from a disability perspective; benches and public seating areas are not common. I found myself wishing I'd packed a collapsible seat of some kind, tbh!
• Good shoes a must! Merrell Moabs are my go-to for hiking, but for this trip I went with Nike Dunk 6 high-tops, which rocked. My partner went with Onitsukas and didn't do as well - he wound up buying inserts partway through the trip, which helped.
• Work on a little Japanese ahead of time! We came in with about a dozen words/phrases, which was honestly truly helpful. So many people are so kind and thoughtful anyway, but it was an appreciated gesture that we had planned ahead and were trying our best. Google Translate's camera feature (Google Lens) was a life-saver for translating written words on signs!
• We had a great experience with Ubigi for an eSIM. The days of purchasing an actual SIM card or even a burner device (like we used to do when backpacking in Europe) are long past. We hooked up our Ubigi eSIMs beforehand, flipped the switch when we got there, and we were golden. Just in case, we'd set up our Verizon coverage to include a Pay-As-You-Go international plan, but we didn't end up using it. We also didn't use half as much data as we thought we would - we both came home with extra GB on our Ubigi plan still. We didn't do a PocketWifi and I don't think we needed it - Ubigi did most of the heavy lifting, and free WiFi at various places did the rest.
• Fly into Haneda, not Narita - way closer to Tokyo city center.
• Get your Suica right away at the airport - our beloved Suica got us through so many things! We also withdrew some cash and split it up between us - we withdrew a few more times on the trip and it worked like a charm. (Just make sure it's an international ATM that includes your card type - not all of them do. Also, notify your bank you'll be traveling, so your card doesn't throw a flag!) We used our credit card as well - the Chase card was accepted pretty much all places CCs are, but many places remain cash-only, especially bars and restaurants.
• Had a great experience using the Friendly Limousine Airport Bus service straight from Haneda to our hotel area.
• I booked shinkansen tix ahead of time, so I got nice discounts on weekday Green Car tix for two - but I really needn't have worried, there were plenty of seats available day-of.
• Don't bother with shinkansen for Kyoto to Osaka - we wound up just hopping on a local with our Suicas and it was fine.
• Don't bother with the Romancecar from Hakone back to Tokyo - it's fastemaybe a nicer seating experience, but just hopping on a local with your Suica is an order of magnitude cheaper.
• Look things up in Japanese if using Google Translate; use Tabelog for restaurants if possible. Google Maps in English is more touristy reviews/reactions.
• Tokyo Skytree was hit-or-miss - only real letdown of the trip.
• Tokyo teamLab PLANETS was completely worth it - absolutely worth the hype in my opinion.
• Queer and trans travelers - I felt completely safe, but as a plus-size trans masc nonbinary queerdo, I stuck out like a sore thumb. I didn't feel in danger, but I was absolutely aware that I did not fit in. Stares were common, especially from older men and young kids. (Weirdly, local women seemed more friendly and curious about me!) Just be prepared for it and remember you're not in any danger physically - it's all just curiosity.
• I have to thank this subreddit for recommending Hakone, especially for the tip to book a ryokan with private onsen access. We had an absolutely beautiful experience at Yamanochaya in Hakone, which included both a private "onsen" soaking tub in our room and private 1:1 access to a larger, actual hot spring onsen on the property. I otherwise would not have been able to experience a real hot spring onsen at all, as they are gender-segregated. Thank you, /JapanTravel!

Because I'm a nerd, here's the actual breakdown!
DAY 1 ARRIVAL 📍 Flew into Haneda; made it to our hotel (lovely experience at Hotel Plaza Sunroute); had our first world-famous konbini 7/11 experience; walked around Shinjuku; went out for dinner at Ryu no Miyako Inshokugai - talk about jumping in the deep end 🍣 Onigiri and vending machine green tea; little whipped cream treats; Nagahama ramen and sesame mackerel donburi 👣 10,400 steps 🏁 4.8 miles
DAY 2 SHIBUYA 📍 Meiji Shrine and Gardens - got goshuin and omamori; Harajuku, went to 7/11; back to the hotel for a nap; Shibuya, including Don Quijote, Center Gai and Dogenzaka Street; Nonbei Yokocho for late night 🍣 7/11 (plum onigiri and corn/mayo sandwich, some kind of spam musubi situation, matcha roll); Ichiran coin-op ramen with extra chashu and a matcha tofu custard thing; banana shock smoothie at Shibuya109 in Center Gai; chicken and pork belly yakitori with beers at Morimoto; brown sugar shoju and shoju-infused Oolong tea cocktails at Tight Bar (strong recommend for this joint!); grilled squid, octopus, and okonomiyaki for afters at Tsukishima Monja Kuuya Shibuya 👣 32,000 steps 🏁 14.5 miles 😮‍💨
DAY 3 SHINJUKU 📍 Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden; Shinjuku area (including Disk Union, Disney, Onitsuka); Kabukicho and Kabukicho Tower; GODZ metal bar; Golden Gai; Omoide Yokocho 🍣 7/11 (onigiri, matcha filled roll thing, royal milk tea, tomago sushi, strawberry donut, cafe latte); many types of dango (sesame oil, soy sauce, and apricot mochi were our favs); McDonald's (weirdly good chicken sandwich with yuzu radish topping, vanilla custard chocolate pie, white grape soda); yummy little warm imagawayaki filled with adzuki bean paste + royal milk from depachika); a couple of Asahis at GODZ; simple yakitori snacks at Golden Gai (including some… mystery offal items); back to 7/11 for drunk matcha ice cream and waffle snacks 👣 28,800 steps 🏁 13.0 miles
DAY 4 ASAKUSA 📍 Went out for coffee; walked around Kinarimon Gate and Nakamise; toured Asakusa Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, surrounding Shinto and Buddhist shrines; stopped for sushi and mochi; went for a walk up Sumida River; dipped into Shoden and Imado shrines; crossed Kototoi Bridge to Tokyo Skytree; went up Tokyo Skytree; back to Senso-ji for night photos; capped off evening with gyoza 🍣 Lattes at cute puppet theater coffeeshop (espresso, dandelion tea); 7/11 for breakfast-y fuel; strawberries from a street stall at Nakamise; sushi lunch; beautiful mochi + tea dessert; grilled gyoza, soup dumpling gyoza, shoujo Oolong tea cocktail for afters 👣 25,500 steps 🏁 11.66 miles
DAY 5 JIMBŌCHŌ, AKIHABARA 📍 Train to Ichigaya - notable French-inspired neighborhood; breakfast at local French café; Yasakuni Shrine; Kanda River walk by Hosei University; Tokyo Daijingu Shrine; Jimbōchō Old Book Town; walked from there to Akihibara; hit up noodles, arcade, nerd shops (comics, TCGs/CCGs, retro video games systems, TTRPGS, etc); gachapons; hit up the bizarre rare vending machines 🍣 Vending machine coffee and milk tea; yummy French pastries (bacon and sour cream roll, quiche, sour cream raisin custard thing); had to try some avocado and cheese Doritos; cold udon with duck broth soup, curry rice for Chris; fish-shaped taiyaki with custard cream dessert treat; dope gyoza place ("weekday" version with pork and cabbage, shrimp and chili mayo, yakitori with tare, and shogayaki with onions) 👣 Forgot watch at hotel - we’ll say 10,000 steps 🏁 Guessing about 5 or 6?
DAY 6 TEAMLAB PLANETS, TRAVEL TO KYOTO 📍 Hit up teamLabs, had an amazing time exploring the exhibits - the infinite light crystal room was our fav; train to Tokyo Station; lunch at underground Ramen Street restaurants under the station - went with Soranoiro, one of the few veg/vegan ramen shops in Japan - delicious; shinkansen to Kyoto; out for nightlife in Kiyamachi-Dori and Pontocho 🍣 Quick 7/11 snacks; train snacks (pocky, coffee, little teriyaki cutlet sandwich); Soranoiro ramen bowls; killer yakitori we fried right at our table in izakaya in Pontocho (honestly probably a meal highlight of the whole trip); brown sugar shoujo; 7/11 for ice cream on the way back 👣 18,900 steps 🏁 8.63 miles
DAY 7 KINKAKUJI, NISHIKI, GION 📍 Kinkakuji Temple; bus back to Kiyamachi-dori; spent whole afternoon walking and eating street food at Nishiki Market; back to hotel for rest, laundry, rooftop drink; out for nightlife in Gion 🍣 Family Mart for coffee and doughnuts; Nishiki Market Street street food delights - seared yakitori style crab stick, little octopus chuka idako on skewers, kara-age on skewers, sea squid croquettes and beer, strawberry and adzuki bean mochi balls; mimosas and red wine; Kyoto Gion Okaru - geisha-decorated izakaya with insane curry udon bowls and beers; picked up box of mochi dango for dessert 👣 20,200 steps 🏁 9.07 miles
DAY 8 SHRINE DAY 📍 OK, this is a lot:

• Yasakajinja (we happened to be here while a young couple was having a Shinto wedding ceremony!)
• Yasui Kompira-gū (built 1170, shrine for ending bad relationships and starting new ones, has special stone that you pin your wishes to - many young girls will crawl through the stone to mark a breakup or wish for love)
• Kennin-ji (built 1202, large grounds - among the oldest in Kyoto);
• Reigen-in (part of Kennin-ji grounds, a Zen teahouse with a tea garden where they served adzuki bean buns with tea made from the actual hydrangeas of the tea garden outside!)
• Zenkyoan (boar shrine which we initially thought were cute hedgehogs)
• Kyoto Ebisu Shrine (dedicated to fishermen - we happened to be here during the shrine's annual mikoshi festival - a battalion of locals in traditional clothes, hoisting and dancing with the mikoshi around the neighborhood)
• Kodai-ji (built 1606, gorgeous grounds - we skipped the tour)
• Hōkan-ji/Yasaka Pagoda (dating back to 589 and rebuilt in 1400s, huge black 5-story pagoda featuring massive shakyamuni pole inside and reliquary of a bone of the Buddha in the foundations)
• Ryōzen Kannon (built 1955 after WW2, massive Buddha statue and active Buddhist temple)
• Of course the world-famous Kiyomizudera (built 778, enormous Kyoto-red temple with beautiful buildings spiraling up into the forest)

🍣 Hotel coffee, tea, cream puffs; adzuki bean buns with tea made from the actual hydrangeas of the tea garden at the shrine; dope bento box lunch; got takeout fast food donburi and fizzy lemonade 👣 22,800 steps 🏁 10.39 miles
DAY 9 FUSHIMI-INARI 📍 Fushimi Inari, the famous shrine of over 1,000 torii gates - super amazing (and intense!) summit of Mt Inari! Back to Nishiki Market for reward street food and drinks; back to hotel for a rooftop drink and soak; finally out for soba at Kawamichiya Ginka in Pontocho. 🍣 Snack pack on our hike (sausages, cheese, some kind of fish meat/cheese stick, and surume - sweet chewy dried squid stuff); orange smoothie; conveyor belt sushi; strawberry mochi roll; whisky highball and red wine; massive soba spreads (chicken seared with wasabi/yuzu/horseradish dipped in ponzu sauce, fried soba noodles in a rich soup, cold soba noodles dipped tsukemen-style in a really amazing umami soy sauce soup, tempura shrimp and veggies, a hot soba noodles in a clear broth soup) 👣 27,600 steps 🏁 Supposedly 12.3 miles, but that hike to summit Mt Inari was something else 😤
DAY 10 TRAVEL TO OSAKA, SHINSABASHISUJI, AMEMURA, DOTONBURI 📍 Beautiful brunch on the bank of the canal in Kyoto; local train to Osaka-Umeda; checked into Osaka hotel; walked around Shinsaibashisuji and Dotonburi a little bit; scoped out Amemura ("Ameri-mura") for dope American-inspired Japanese streetwear; wandered up and down street food stalls in Dotonbori; swung by Namba Hips (mostly pachinko); found a couple of fun little hole-in-the-wall places (little Japanese craft beer brewery, retro video games bar) 🍣 Brunch at Kawa Cafe (croque monsieur, ramen, tea and delicious apple tart); takoyaki, cheesy waffle shaped like a massive 10yen coin, sweet chili hotdogs from stands in Dotonbori; dashi gose craft beer (by Derailleur Brew Works) from Umineko, shots at Space Station bar 👣 19,500 steps 🏁 9.01 miles
DAY 11 NAMBAYASAKIJINA, DOTONBURI 📍 Morning Japanese breakfast at a wonderful little 24-hour diner; Hozen-ji (moss shrine); Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum across the street (focusing on Osaka woodcuts celebrating Dotonburi's kabuki and entertainment history); Nambayasaka-jinja (lion head shrine); Den Den Town (Osaka's Akihabara); ended up at a cozy little kushikatsu bar which actually was playing the Tigers game (away game vs the Swallows at Tokyo); street food waffles for dessert; hit up a late-night batting cage - ended up at Round1 (a big multi-floor arcade complex) and did the rooftop batting cage! My partner won a giant plushie for me from a claw machine! 🍣 Dope traditional japanese omelette and fish breakfast; cute macarons from market stand; Family Mart for snacks before nightlife; skewers, beer, and highballs from Dotonbori kushikatsu place; ridiculous nutella, whip, and strawberry stuffed waffle from Waffle Khan 👣 29,100 steps 🏁 13.31 miles
DAY 12 KUROMON ICHIBA, OSAKA CASTLE, DOTONBURI 📍 Kuromon Ichiba Market for street food; Osaka Castle Park and Nishinomaru Gardens; toured Osaka Castle and museum all the way up to the top; subway to Tanimachi-9-chome subway station for amazing live jazz at Sub Jazz Cafe. (This was amazing! Akira "Ro" Hasegawa (sax) and Yukie Fujikawa (keys) - Ro is also the owner and was bartending on this particular night too.) Out to Don Don for killer yakiniku and beer; found our way to Oboradaren, an Tokunoshima-themed island vibes bar and music spot where there was a great live band playing fun island vibes beach rock - big crowd of 40s+ Japanese women who knew all the songs, wound up drinking passionfruit chuhai and joining them in the conga line around the bar 🍣 Oden hot pot, wagyu skewer, otoro sashimi, crab gratin in the half-shell, bracken green tea soy cakes at Kuromon Market; ice cream sandwiches at Osaka Castle; milk tea, little roast beef sandwich, and cheesecake at Sub Jazz Cafe; yakiniku-style wagyu, ribs, ox tongue, assorted mushrooms; passionfruit chuhai and red wine at the island vibes spot; taro and brown sugar boba teas 👣 23,000 steps 🏁 10.42 miles
DAY 13 KAIYUKAN, SHINSEKAI, DOTONBURI 📍 Fun trip to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan; quick pass through Shinsekai; lunch at spot where you can fish your own catch from an indoor fishing boat pool; out for one last Dotonburi night - wound up getting konbini snacks and sitting on the waterfront talking and people-watching for hours 🍣 Not a banger food-wise, but interesting little spread at the fish-your-own place - huge prawn for grilling, kara-age, and fatty tuna nigiri for Max, tempura veggies and whitefish with doteyaki for Chris; from Family Mart, fruit smoothie, ice cup, and KitKat for Max, onigiri and lemonade for Chris 👣 19,100 steps 🏁 8.64 miles
DAY 14 TRAVEL TO HAKONE, HAKONE SHRINE 📍 Bombed to Shin-Osaka for an early shinkansen to Odawara; trained to Odawara to Hakone; dropped luggage off at ryokan, then bus to Motohakone; saw Hakone Shrine and Onshi-Hakone Park (as well as a segment of the actual Old Tokaido!); returned to ryokan for the night, where we were treated to a gorgeous 1:1 kaiseki from a Michelin-star chef, private hot spring onsen, and private in-room hot spring bath 🍣 Konbini snacks before shinkansen; snacks and coffee on train; late lunch in Motohakone (curry and soba, pork cutlet); incredible, massive multi-course kaiseki and sake for dinner, plus strawberry cake, champagne, and more sake for dessert 👣 13,900 steps 🏁 6.26 miles
DAY 15 HAKONE OPEN AIR MUSEUM, TRAVEL TO TOKYO, LAST NIGHT IN SHINJUKU 📍 Woke up in gorgeous ryokan; leisurely kaiseki breakfast with leftover cake; final soak in the private onsen; Hakone Open Air Museum - very cool; had kind of a challenging trip back but finally made it from Museum back to ryokan to bus stop to Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara to Shinjuku to the hotel 😮‍💨 Considering the last night as our real "last night" of the trip, our final night out in Tokyo was all just extra icing on the cake - went out for yakitori skewers and Asahi Superdrys in cozy alley in Omoide Yokocho, found really wonderful cake and tea dessert open late also in Omoide, hit up 🎵 Donki! 🎵 for a final round of bulk snacks and souvenirs, ended up on a late-night excursion to find Park Hyatt Hotel (featured in Lost in Translation); finished night at hotel watching the city go to sleep from our balcony 👣 22,700 steps 🏁 10.3 miles
FINAL SCORE 📸 Pics: 1,929 👣 Steps: 337,700 🏁 Miles: 153.78 (we averaged 9.6 miles per day, every day, for 16 days) 🇯🇵 “Nihongo jōzu!”: 4 (I know more proficient Japanese speakers are insulted, but it's honestly a pretty nice comment when you're at my level) 👶 Comments on how young we look/how we can’t possibly be celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary: 3 ✨ Gratitude: Infinite.

This is the story info for Real Bout Fatal Fury Special.

• Real Bout Special strategy guide

Terry Bogard

Beloved Eternal Hungry Wolf

Profile
Fighting-style:	Martial Arts
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Freeter
Birthday:	1971.3.15
Age:	25
Height:	182cm
Weight:	82kg
Blood-type:	O
Hobbies:	Video Games
Favorite Food:	Fast Food
Dislikes:	Slugs
Most Important Things:	Jeff's Keepsake Gloves
Favorite Sport:	Basketball
Favorite Music:	Rock
Special Skill:	Accurately guessing a woman's measurements

The reason he started fighting was because the hatred that burned within. He wanted to become stronger in order to avenge his adoptive father. He doesn't really remember his parents. "My dad is Jeff Bogard... I'm going to be strong like Jeff."
Today, he has grown into one of the world's top-class martial artists. What did he find by crossing fists with so many opponents? He's not looking for answers with hatred. Perhaps he was just starving for affection.
"I've come to believe that fighting is the best way to understand each other. Everyone who fights has a reason and if they fight, they will understand."
He said this with a smile prepared for the real bout. He not only fights for strength but also with his opponent's heart in mind. That's how he fights.

Andy Bogard

Trains to surpass his brother

Profile
Fighting-style:	Koppō
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Shiranui Style Taijutsu Instructor
Birthday:	1972.8.16
Age:	24
Height:	171cm
Weight:	67kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Training
Favorite Food:	Natto spaghetti
Dislikes:	Dogs
Most Important Things:	Photos from his training (with his master Hanzo Shiranui)
Favorite Sport:	Short Track
Favorite Music:	Silence
Special Skill:	Fasting

His posture is perfect no matter what he does. He has a rather small build but makes up for it with finely-honed senses.
He never hides his attitude even in battle. He specializes in sharp and speedy ariel attacks as a means of exhausting his opponent.
“By sharpening my nerves, I can imagine how the opponent will move next. If I can read his movements, I have the confidence to strike from any distance. Even if it's at a nose-to-nose distance. ”
He has made it his goal to surpass his older brother Terry Bogard. For that reason, he has studied all kinds of martial arts. But he has never been able to win against Terry's wild skills.

Joe Higashi

Hot-blooded Japanese Muay Thai boy

Profile
Fighting-style:	Muay Thai
Nationality:	Japanese
Profession:	Muay Thai Fighter
Birthday:	1972.3.29
Age:	24
Height:	180cm
Weight:	71kg
Blood-type:	AB
Hobbies:	Storage
Favorite Food:	Fried crocodile
Dislikes:	Dressing up
Most Important Things:	His Headband
Favorite Sport:	General martial arts
Favorite Music:	De Enka
Special Skill:	Numbers (99% success rate and personal conversation)

Joe Higashi, a man who can move anyone with his unconventional fighting style. He does not know the meaning of the word "retreat". He is arguably the greatest Muay Thai champion in history and is a spectacle of natural talent.
He says, "I'm thinking about the look on my face when I get punched. Now I feel like I'm going to get punched with a cool face." He may look like a jerk, but he is a real hero to the poor children of Thailand.
"I'm holding a muay thai class with the neighborhood kids, but they're dark. Everyone is desperately trying to get stronger because they can't eat, but they have a strong sense of duty and don't enjoy it. I'm not having fun That's why I won't lose in order to teach them how to fight a real bout."
He spoke really happily, his expression was impressive.

Mai Shiranui

Freedom is the way I live.

Profile
Fighting-style:	Shiranui Ninjutsu
Nationality:	Japanese
Profession:	Successor of Shiranui Ninjutsu
Birthday:	1974.1.1
Age:	23
Height:	165cm
Weight:	46kg
Blood-type:	B
Measurements:	87-54-90
Hobbies:	Dieting
Favorite Food:	Osechi
Dislikes:	Spiders
Most Important Things:	Grandmother's Memento Hairpin
Favorite Sport:	Japanese badminton
Favorite Music:	Heavy Metal
Special Skill:	Japanese dressmaking

Despite being a woman, she has become the rightful successor to the Shiranui Ninjutsu. Though, she has conflicting feelings about it.
"Because I don't know anything about her. I didn't know about Mochizuki at all..."
After the death of Shiranui Hanzo, her education has been under the supervision of senior citizens known as the Five Elders. They are Hanzo's beloved disciples, and they seem to have considerable skill, but due to their age, they have retired from teaching practical skills. Mai and Andy are learning from these old people. And although Andy enjoys their lessons, Mai doesn't seem to like them at all. For the old people, she was teaching them everything about their relationship with Mochizuki...
"Because I'm studying surrounded by grandpas..."
It seems her selfishness hasn't changed at all.

Sokaku Mochizuki

A man who fights with inner Shura

Profile
Fighting-style:	Shoden Mudo-ryu Bujutsu
Nationality:	Japanese
Profession:	chief priest
Birthday:	1946.7.3
Age:	50
Height:	176cm
Weight:	86kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Shogi
Favorite Food:	Sweets (Shiruko Anmitsu)
Dislikes:	Shiranui Ninjutsu
Most Important Things:	Japanese sword (Memento of his teacher)
Favorite Sport:	Light swimming
Favorite Music:	Rokyoku
Special Skill:	Calming the spirit

He is the master of Shoden Mudo-ryu, and continues to use the Book of Secrets to cut off the root of Shura. As a result, he is attacked by Shura's delusions, losing control of his mind, and slowly becoming Shura itself. Could this also be due to the magical power of the Book of Secrets?
"I was prepared for this to happen. It's not like I'm completely shredded yet. The real bout is now."
After being defeated in the battle against the Shiranui-ryu, the Shoden Mudō-ryū established Shura-gari as the way of life for the school. And his psychokinesis was said to be the most powerful in history. Now, the battle will be with oneself. Because if he turns into a Shura, no one will be able to stop his power. His struggle for who he is may end Mudo-ryu's history, but that may be Mudo-ryu's long-awaited fate. How will he end up...

Bob Wilson

Cheerful Capoeirista

Profile
Fighting-style:	Capoeira
Nationality:	Brazilian
Profession:	Pao Pao Cafe 2 Manager
Birthday:	1974.5.15
Age:	22
Height:	184cm
Weight:	84kg
Blood-type:	O
Hobbies:	Dance (samba and reggae dance)
Favorite Food:	Fruits (apples, pineapples)
Dislikes:	Insects
Most Important Things:	His Family
Favorite Sport:	Basketball
Favorite Music:	Acid Jazz
Special Skill:	Ribbing

Bob Wilson, a proud Capoeirista. Together with his teacher, Richard Meyer, he continues to challenge all styles of martial arts.
From dance-like footwork to a variety of kicking techniques, he unleashes endlessly. If a stranger jumps in, he will surely make them dance their dance of death.
“There are many great martial artists like Terry in the world. But this time I won't lose to anyone. My capoeira has no blind spots."
His capoeira, which he claims to be the best, certainly has the beauty of perfection. The Pao Pao Cafe is bustling with customers every day to watch the beautiful martial arts. Their tireless challenge continues.

Hon-Fu

Kyushu boy from Hong Kong

Profile
Fighting-style:	Kung Fu
Nationality:	Hong Kong
Profession:	Detective
Birthday:	1966.8.21
Age:	30
Height:	176cm
Weight:	78kg
Blood-type:	O
Hobbies:	Sting operations (Currently on Confinement)
Favorite Food:	Jiaozi
Dislikes:	Rules
Most Important Things:	His Lover
Favorite Sport:	Cycling
Favorite Music:	Any female idol song
Special Skill:	Make things awkward

He still has a seat in the Hong Kong police force, and his reckless investigations continue to make the police's upper echelons nervous. On the other hand, he seems to be very much loved by the locals, and his whereabouts can usually be traced out by asking the townsfolk. Detectives who are this open to him are rare, but his ability to take action during investigations is extraordinary, and criminals who are targeted almost never escape.
He has never fired a gun in any of his investigations. He owns a pistol, but his prowess is questionable, and when he uses it, it is exclusively as a throwing weapon.
His favorite weapon is the nunchaku. Having mastered kung fu, he started using nunchaku under the influence of Bruce Reichi, a skill difficult for an average martial artist. However, he put on a sly face and said, "This is easier to use than a pistol. I'll just use this instead." He plays dumb but is a lot stronger than he looks.

Blue Mary

An agent who fulfills the request perfectly

Profile
Fighting-style:	Command Sambo
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Private Detective
Birthday:	1973.2.4
Age:	23
Height:	168cm
Weight:	49kg
Blood-type:	AB
Measurements:	86-54-85
Hobbies:	Motorcycle touring
Favorite Food:	Beef and Broth
Dislikes:	Cats
Most Important Things:	Leather Jacket
Favorite Sport:	Baseball
Favorite Music:	Ballads
Special Skill:	Forgetting about painful events

Born into a family that has produced excellent martial artists for generations, she is active as a free agent. Her good blood blossomed especially in her mastery of Commando Sambo. At first glance, she appears to be an ordinary woman with an intimidating physique. However, her mastery over Command Sambo has enough destructive power to easily destroy the human body.
"There are many fragile parts of the human body. All I have to do is to accurately capture them. Besides, I can't choose where my job is, so I search for the most effective way to fight on the spot."
She constantly researches and practices how to fight without waste. And as an agent, she can get the best results in any situation and any request.
"I'm the only true fighting professional in the world, and I won't lose to a weak martial artist. ”

Franco Bash

Burning! Father

Profile
Fighting-style:	Kickboxing
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Kickboxer (Recently returned to active duty)
Birthday:	1963.9.16
Age:	33
Height:	195cm
Weight:	115kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Bodybuilding
Favorite Food:	Curry Rice
Dislikes:	People who bully his son
Most Important Things:	His son (Junior)
Favorite Sport:	Ice Hockey
Favorite Music:	Jazz
Special Skill:	Beer Chugging

Franco once retired from the kickboxing world for the sake of his family, who preferred stability over wealth and fame. But, his instincts did not allow him to forget the fight. With the understanding of his family, he made a comeback and returned to the championship as if his body was too blessed.
His super-heavyweight punches terrified his opponents and gradually isolated him.
"It's no fun if you don't have an opponent. From now on, I won't choose a ring. Any martial artist will be my opponent."
With no opponents in the kickboxing world, he ignited his passion for mixed martial arts fights. Since he is naturally good at punching, he is eager to fight against a super-heavyweight boxer. If Axel Hawk accepts the challenge, we'll see the biggest fistfight of the century...

Ryuji Yamazaki

Believe in his own strength

Profile
Fighting-style:	Self-taught Homicide Karate
Nationality:	Japanese
Profession:	Dark Broker
Birthday:	1963.8.8
Age:	33
Height:	192cm
Weight:	96kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Knife Collecting
Favorite Food:	Horsemeat sashimi
Dislikes:	Labor
Most Important Things:	Anything related to his interests
Favorite Sport:	None
Favorite Music:	None
Special Skill:	Has no trouble going three days without sleep

Karate is the basis of his fighting style, but it can be said that his style has been established in another world of martial arts. His living environment consisted of levels of "live" or "die", "kill" or "be killed". He believes that martial arts with rules are a playful gathering of the most untrustworthy people.
"Why do you fight? Hehe... I like it. I just love the sound of bones cracking and flesh being cut."
He thinks there is no point in fighting other than carnage. He lives and breathes carnage. Trusting only his strength, he is insensitive and has nothing to bear. A wild and real bout feeds him, and that's what makes him terrifying.

Jin Chonshu

The strongest fist unleashed by the soul dwelling in the body.

Profile
Fighting-style:	Diwangquan
Nationality:	Chinese
Profession:	Unemployed
Birthday:	1980.6.6
Age:	16
Height:	170cm
Weight:	Unclear
Blood-type:	Unclear
Hobbies:	Trip
Favorite Food:	Spicy Foods
Dislikes:	Deep sea fishes (he's scared of their faces)
Most Important Things:	His brother
Favorite Sport:	All non-ball games
Favorite Music:	Anime music themes
Special Skill:	Sarcasm (no offense)

Jin's Book of Secrets is said to have been sought after by all fighters aiming to become the strongest in its long history. These brothers are ordinary boys who remain innocent and seem to live in a world completely unrelated to them. However, fate formed them as multiple personalities.
"We sometimes have unconscious moments. Neither I nor my brother can remember what we were doing during that time."
In this unconscious time, he suddenly transforms into a fighting machine like a demon god. His personality is controlled by the soul of his ancestors who are wrapped in the Book of Secrets, and his body begins to make full use of Diwangquan. Teioken, the origin of all fighting styles, has now been revived in this world through their bodies.

Jin Chonrei

Emperor's fist that never weakens

Profile
Fighting-style:	Diwangquan
Nationality:	Chinese
Profession:	Unemployed
Birthday:	1980.6.6
Age:	16
Height:	170cm
Weight:	Unclear
Blood-type:	Unclear
Hobbies:	Snowboarding
Favorite Food:	Almond Tofu
Dislikes:	Effort
Most Important Things:	His younger brother
Favorite Sport:	Any individual sports
Favorite Music:	None
Special Skill:	Fashionability

Jin's Book of Secrets is said to have been sought after by all fighters aiming to become the strongest in its long history. These brothers are ordinary boys who remain innocent and seem to live in a world completely unrelated to them. However, fate formed them as multiple personalities.
"We sometimes have unconscious moments. Neither I nor my brother can remember what we were doing during that time."
During this unconscious time, the Jin brothers suddenly transform into fighting machines like demon gods. Their personalities are controlled by the souls of their ancestors wrapped in the Book of Secrets, and their bodies begin to make full use of the Diwangquan. Teioken, the origin of all fighting styles, has now been revived in this world through their bodies. And the Jin brothers are led to the unconscious battlefield. They fight with a fate that is too sad...

Duck King

Splendid Dancing Fighter

Profile
Fighting-style:	Martial Arts
Nationality:	American
Profession:	Professional Dancer
Birthday:	1967.2.2
Age:	29
Height:	179cm
Weight:	62kg
Blood-type:	B
Hobbies:	Dance, dance, dance!
Favorite Food:	Buttercorn
Dislikes:	The Rising Tackle
Most Important Things:	P-chan the chick
Favorite Sport:	Street basketball
Favorite Music:	Rap Music
Special Skill:	American jokes (too cliché to laugh)

There may be martial artists who hate losing, but it's rare for their competitive attitude to drive their actions. When he was a boy, he dreamed of becoming a dancer, but he was a delinquent in his neighborhood. His dancing talent was certainly the best in the street, and there was no one who could surpass him. Why did the boy choose the path of a martial artist?
"At that time, I was so frustrated that I couldn't sleep at night. That kid, Terry, made a fool out of me."
After that, he followed Terry to every fighting tournament. "My life has gone crazy because of him. By this time, I was changing the world's club scene. Terry is a big star who can't be called out. ”
He believes that they'll be even after he beats Terry.

Kim Kaphwan

The road to becoming the strongest continues

Profile
Fighting-style:	Taekwondo
Nationality:	Korea
Profession:	Taekwondo master
Birthday:	1964.12.21
Age:	32
Height:	176cm
Weight:	78kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Karaoke
Favorite Food:	Grilled meat
Dislikes:	Evil
Most Important Things:	His 2 sons
Favorite Sport:	Gymnastics
Favorite Music:	Mood song
Special Skill:	Enduring hot baths

Kim Kaphwan, a man who is said to be undefeated for 10 years in the taekwondo world. One of the primary reasons why he has risen to this level is his passion for taekwondo. He believes that it is the strongest martial art in the world. What does taekwondo mean to him?
"I fight to prove the strength of taekwondo. I hope it will give confidence to the people and country I love."
He spoke eloquently to convey his feelings for his loved ones. Taekwondo is said to be more popular than karate. However, due to the small number of onstage practitioners, it gives the reverse impression. It's not strange that his fight is the dream of his native people.

Billy Kane

Who are you fighting for?

Profile
Fighting-style:	Bojutsu
Nationality:	English
Profession:	Geese's Entourage
Birthday:	1966.12.25
Age:	30
Height:	179cm
Weight:	77kg
Blood-type:	B
Hobbies:	Washing
Favorite Food:	Egg dish
Dislikes:	Order
Most Important Things:	His younger sister
Favorite Sport:	Pole Vaulting
Favorite Music:	Punk Rock
Special Skill:	Playing long guitar solos

He has the mark of the world's No. 2 and the world's best right hand, but it always been that way. Especially in terms of fighting habits, he is in a position to reign over the world against Joe Higashi and Ryuji Yamazaki. The reason why he devoted himself to No.2 was his encounter with Geese Howard.
Until then, the people around him had only seen him as hypocrites who wanted to see his complexion. However, the man named Geese confronts him with his strength. After being shown a huge difference in ability, he devotes himself to the role of Geese's assistant. For Geese, he was the most trusted subordinate and played a key role in Geese's strides forward.
"My boss will always be Geese, forever."
For him, Geese is the best person he can trust from the bottom of his heart.

Cheng Senzan

The Fighting Merchants Will Rise Again

Profile
Fighting-style:	Taichi
Nationality:	Taiwanese
Profession:	Businessman
Birthday:	1952.8.10
Age:	44
Height:	160cm
Weight:	130kg
Blood-type:	O
Hobbies:	Savings
Favorite Food:	Ramen
Dislikes:	Bimbos
Most Important Things:	Money
Favorite Sport:	Tennis
Favorite Music:	Pop Music
Special Skill:	Playing mahjong all night (his record is four days straight)

Based in Hong Kong, he is active as a promoter who fights by himself. He is based on Taijiquan, but has studied with Tung Fu Rue long ago and is also familiar with bajiquan. His talent flourished during his time as a Hakkyokuseiken, but his innate money-making philosophy drove him to be expelled.
"I did a street fight that was forbidden by Master Tung. Moreover, I played match-fixing and lost on purpose. At that time, Tung was furious." At the time, he used Hakkyokuseiken, so his betting odds were biased against him. So he got a second party to bet on him, and he played the match beautifully.
After that, he could no longer claim to be a user of Hakkyokuseiken. But his skills, as well as his innate commercial spirit, were all genuine.

Tung Fu Rue

The essence of Hakkyokuseiken is now here...

Profile
Fighting-style:	Hakkyokuseiken
Nationality:	Chinese
Profession:	Hakkyokuseiken Master
Birthday:	1924.4.14
Age:	72
Height:	163cm
Weight:	46kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Meditation
Favorite Food:	Cha-tamago
Dislikes:	Extravagance
Most Important Things:	Disciples
Favorite Sport:	Taichi
Favorite Music:	Folk music
Special Skill:	Assimilating with nature

He is the founder of Hakkyokuseiken and a great master who trained many martial artists. He has fought an extraordinary number of times and is a living encyclopedia who has personally studied all martial arts. The essence of Hakkyokuseiken lies in the control of "Ki". Among his disciples, Geese Howard was the one who was able to harness his Ki. The man with the highest potential for it was Terry Bogard. Whose father, Jeff, was also one of Tung's beloved disciples.
“Jeff Bogard was the role model for a martial artist. That's why I chose him as my successor. I didn't expect that to happen... ”
A long time ago, Jeff and Geese fought for the throne of succession. Geese, who lost, killed Jeff.
He decided to remain active for the rest of his life and stopped taking his students, the only exception being Terry Bogard.

Laurence Blood

A crazy matador that invites silence

Profile
Fighting-style:	Self-taught matador assassination techniques
Nationality:	Spanish
Profession:	Stroheim Castle Guard Captain
Birthday:	1960.9.4
Age:	36
Height:	195cm
Weight:	95kg
Blood-type:	B
Hobbies:	Playing Flamenco guitar
Favorite Food:	Beef stew
Dislikes:	Women and children
Most Important Things:	Honor
Favorite Sport:	Fencing
Favorite Music:	Flamenco
Special Skill:	Sidelong glances (he's overconfident about it)

He was a hero in his native Spain as a matador who fought bullfights with his bare hands, but people gradually hated him for his brutal fighting style. It was Krauser who took an interest in him, and the insane matador later became Krauser's right hand and played an active role. Since he became part of Krauser, he has been fighting exclusively against humans, but his style hasn't changed at all. The maddening battle will have no choice but to silence the viewer.
"Fufu... Maybe I went too far again. But that's how fighting is supposed to be. Beasts instinctively attack you until you can't move."
Ironically, as he changed his battlefield, his madness only grew more radiant.
Is there no one in this world who has the power to stop him other than Krauser?

Wolfgang Krauser

Proud Supreme Warrior

Profile
Fighting-style:	Mixed Martial Arts
Nationality:	German
Profession:	Lord of the Stroheim Castle
Birthday:	Unclear
Age:	Unclear
Height:	200cm
Weight:	145kg
Blood-type:	A
Hobbies:	Medieval antique collecting
Favorite Food:	Rare Steaks
Dislikes:	Vanity, falsehood
Most Important Things:	Chivalry
Favorite Sport:	Not interested in sports (but able to do anything)
Favorite Music:	Classical
Special Skill:	All forms of gambling (he's surprisingly stingy)

The head of the prestigious Stroheim family behind the history of Europe. He possesses the most excellent body and fighting senses among the successive family heads. In other words, he got everything at a young age.
“Art is the ultimate, and my struggle exists in that realm. Like Mozart and Gotti, I am a fighting genius.”
He treats fighting as an art, and tries to satisfy his desires by perfectly he beats his opponents. As if creating a work, the energy of the battle is full of madness. The boredom of his fame has shaped him into a top-notch predilection, and he continues to search today for prey to serve as the subject matter for his future masterpieces.
Krauser pursues an endless search even in the underworld. All for myself...

Hi everyone,
Verification
For sale are:
Pilot Custom 845, size 15, 18K, M, black - Comes with the original box and papers.
- Condition [A1]. This M nib is super smooth. It's also beautiful to look at, as is the rest of the pen. This is a flagship pen with a bit of size that's plenty long without having to post it. Takes Pilot cartridges, of course, but also includes a CON-70 converter. Pen comes with the Pilot's wood box packaging. Dipped for nib testing. In immaculate condition. Price €400

1. Pilot Capless C-300GW 1966 (14K nib) Condition [C] – It has some markings of use. The nib was bend and repaired. The click works fine, not as a new one. No box. Usable condition. €90 €70
   
2. Sailor ProGear Micarta.
   

- Condition [B] (I'm being conservative about the rating) NIB H-F, 21K . Asking €620 or OBO.
Shipping internationally is included in the price. With converter and 2 cartridges.

1. Sailor ProGear Fika Cup Limited Edition

- Condition [A1] . NIB H-MF, 21K. Asking €220.
Comes with the original box and papers.

1. Sailor 1319 from the '80s- Condition [C] even there are no signs of wear or scratches .

NIB 14K with the text ,,Gold From the SwissBank''. Asking €180 or OBO.
Comes with the original box and papers.

1. Otto Hutt Design 04

Checkered White Matte - Condition [A2] Bicolor steel nib size M. The Design 04 fountain pen uses a cartridge/converter system. A cartridge and a converter are included. Price €120 €100 Comes with the original box and papers.
Photos
I will send more photos on request.
Shipping from E.U. Shipping to E.U. is 14 euro. Shipping worldwide - to be seen (depends on the destination).
Please reply here before messaging me.
All sellers and buyers must use PayPal Goods and Services as the method of payment.

Tier 1 for Chelsea

Happy almost summer. Today is the release day for Nocturne Alchemy (NAVA) Summer 2023 Limited Collection and Resurgence. The collections will be up from June 9, 2023, at 8AM PST and will come down July 28, 2023, at 8PM PST. Ajevie will decant the collection, as will Crypta Obscura. I will edit this to be prettier.
Also, Thoth’s Spring 2023 Archive is still running and will be up until July 3, 2023, at 8PM PST.

Limited Collection

BLEU FELINE COLLECTION

6ml sky blue transparent bottle with black dropper insert and lid.
AEGEAN BLEU

Lemon/Orange zest, Crete Orange Blossom extraction, Tonka Bean, Wild Juniper Berries, eNVie saphir absolute, Vanilla Bean, Bastet’s Musk, Benzoin absolute, and Mandarin Zest.

CYAN BLEU

Oak, Mallow Root, Transylvania Blue Juniper, Vanilla Bean, eNVie saphir absolute, Romanian Clove, Sugar Cookies, Buttercream Frosting, Vanilla Extract, Blue Clove, Kashmir (Studio Limited Originals) Red Musk, and Cemetery Snow (Permanent Collection) absolute: Cemetery Dirt, White Patchouli lite, Sandalwood Musk, and White Cedar Vanilla.

EGYPTIAN BLEU

Patchouli, Dried Date accord, Egyptian Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, Rockrose, Vetiver, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Bastet’s Musk absolute, and eNVie saphir absolute.

PHTHALO BLEU

Black Honey accord, Vanilla smoked Sandalwood, Caramelized Tonka Bean, Amber, Maple Wood, Dried Pipe Tobacco, Coriander essential oil, Tanaka Wood, eNVie saphir absolute, and Bastet’s Musk absolute.

PRUSSIAN BLEU

Garden Rose accord, Rose Petals, Rose absolute, Candied Figs accord, Green Fir accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, eNVie saphir absolute, Lotus Blossom, Nevada desert Patchouli, French Vanilla Bean, and Bulgarian Rose.

CAT SIDHE COLLECTION

6ml pink matte bottle with black dropper insert and lid.
ANAM

Irish Blue Hydrangea, French Vanilla Bean, Patchouli Musk accord, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Moonstone (Studio Limited) Vanilla, and Lotus Amber accord.

CAISLEAN OIR

Irish Vanilla Cream, Vanilla Musk accord, Labdanum, Languid Amber Cordial accord (rich PC Ozymandias amber absolute), Bastet’s Amber, and a touch of Irish cream Whiskey accord (non-alcoholic).

Dúlamán

Irish Clover, Irish Heather, Irish Yellow Furze Flower, Irish Wisteria, Coconut Milk, Bastet’s Musk, Sweet Musk, and Crimson (Studio Limited) Red Musk.

MOYA

Irish Caramel Bread Pudding accord, Custard accord, Vanilla absolute, Mallow, Warm Caramel Sauce accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, and Whipped Cream accord (vegan) with a dusting of Cocoa powder.

SPRING ’23 HONEY BEE COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid
AMBER COTTON CANDY & HONEY BEE

Fossilized Amber accord, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Labdanum, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedar Chips, Cotton Candy accord, Vanilla-sugar, Whipped Orange Blossom Honey accord, Languid Amber Cordial accord (rich PC Ozymandias amber absolute), French Vanilla, Caramel and Raspberry Essence.

FRANKINCENSE & HONEY BEE

Sacred Frankincense resin, Egyptian Frankincense, Whipped Orange Blossom Honey accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute. Pear skin, Wisteria accord, Clove dust, Lemon Zest, Pine, and calming Cedar-Vanilla accord.

23 TEA (and Service) SUMMER COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid. New tea-inspired perfume and service.
NOTE: Spring ’23 LAIT perfume can be found in the Summer Resurgence.
Blueberry Cheesecake Tea

Summer Blueberries, Blueberry Skin, Blueberry Syrup accord, Egyptian Sugar accord, Cheesecake (vegan) accord, Vanilla, Japanese Yuzu Lemon zest, Black Tea accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute.

Lait de Riz a la Vanille

Vanilla Bean, Rice Milk accord, Sweet Milk accord, a dash of Bastet’s Ice Cream accord, Bastet’s Musk, Sweet Mallow, and Tahitian Vanilla Beans.

Peach Vanille Crème Tea

Peach skin, Peach pit, Ripened Peach accord, Black Tea, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Vanilla Bean Cordial, and Vanilla-Sugar.

thé sucré

Iced Tea accord, Sweet Tea accord, Black Tea, Sugar, Pink Sugar accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, and warmed Vanilla Husk sweetened with Sugar.

SUMMER ’23 SLUSHIE PERFUME COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid, also available in 6ml blue-pearl colored bottle with white dropper insert and lid. See drop-down for specifics.
Blue Raspberry Cream Soda Slushie

Blue Raspberry Syrup accord, Vanilla Cream accord, Vanilla Bean, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Caramelized Vanilla-Sugar, Raspberry Essence.

Orange Cream Soda Slushie

Blood Orange zest Syrup accord, Blood Orange essential oil, Vanilla Bean Cordial, Orange Zest, Caramelized Vanilla-Sugar, French Vanilla, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Bergamot essence, Tonka Bean, Mandarin infused Vanilla-Cream.

Pineapple Cream Soda Slushie

Whipped Pineapple Syrup accord, Vanilla Cream accord, Vanilla Bean, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Caramelized Vanilla-Sugar and sweet freshly cut Pineapple accord.

Strawberry Cream Soda Slushie

Vine-ripened Strawberry Syrup accord, Strawberry Shake accord (vegan), Caramelized Vanilla-Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Cream accord, Strawberry essence accord, Marshmallow Cream, Peach nectar, and Sugar Crystals.

Watermelon Cream Soda Slushie

Sweet Watermelon Syrup accord, Caramelized Vanilla-Sugar, Vanilla Cream accord, Strawberry/Pineapple/Peach essence, Vanilla Musk, Bastet’s Amber, and Bastet’s Musk.

NA ZODIAC COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid
Zodiac: Libra

Orange Skin, Peach Nectar, Cherry Blossom, Japanese Jasmine extract, Rice Milk accord, eNVie saphir, and Bastet’s Amber Absolute.

Zodiac: Virgo

Lily of the Valley essence, Heliotrope, White Patchouli, Japanese Bergamot essence, Bastet’s Musk, and eNVie saphir.

CRYSTALLINE COLLECTION

C10-C12 in 6ml purple bottle twist cap with dropper insert made specifically for these special colored bottles *see below for colored bottle information. The Crystalline Collection will not return in the purple bottle or Resurgence next year.
Crystalline #10

Toasted Coconut, Coconut Pulp, Caramelized Sugar, Tonka, Coconut Milk, Bastet’s Musk, eNVie saphir, Crystalline (Studio Limited Originals).

Crystalline #11

Sandalwood Milk accord, Santalum extract, Australian Sandalwood, Sandalwood Chips in Oudh blend, Golden Indian Sandalwood, Kobalt (Studio Limited Originals) Vanilla, Jasmine, Cedarwood, Red Sandalwood and Crystalline (Studio Limited Originals).

Crystalline #12

Bastet’s Ice Cream; Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar, Mallow Root extract, Sweet Mallow, Sugar, Bastet’s Musk absolute and Crystalline (Studio Limited Originals).

NOTE (by me): I think Crystalline #12 is Bastet's Ice Cream (notes: Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar) and then the remainder of the perfume is Mallow Root extract, Sweet Mallow, Sugar, Bastet's Musk absolute, and Crystalline.

ENCENS COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid
Encens étoile (Star Incense)

Egyptian Myrrh, Wood Ember accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, Lotus Blossom, Incense, Patchouli Musk, and French Vanilla Bean Fleck.

Encens Lune (Moon Incense)

Water Lily, Incense, Amber, Sandalwood, Labdanum, Lotus Blossom petal, eNVie saphir absolute, Vetiver, and Cedarwood.

Encens Soleil (Sun Incense)

Frankincense Resin, Red Sandalwood, Incense, eNVie saphir absolute, Lemon peel, Pine, Wisteria, Clove, and Pear skin.

SUMMER ECLIPSE COLLECTION

6ml blue-pearl bottle with a dropper insert and lid *see colored bottles below. Eclipse perfume does not return as a Resurgence. Limited to 75 bottles each.
Eclipse Khayal

Cola Root Extract, Languid Amber Cordial accord (rich PC Ozymandias amber absolute), Labdanum absolute, Bastet’s Musk absolute, and Tonka Bean.

Eclipse Sahar

Black Currant Extract, Tonka Bean, Labdanum absolute, eNVie saphir absolute, and Bourbon Vanilla (Studio Limited Originals) absolute.

SUMMER ’23 COTTON CANDY COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid
Cotton Candy Blueberry Marshmallow Musk

Blueberry Skin, Blueberry Essence accord, Cotton Candy accord, Vanilla Spun Sugar, Mallow, Bastet’s Musk, Caramel, Raspberry essence, and Vanilla Bean.

Cotton Candy Pistachio Cherry Marshmallow Musk

Pistachio essence, Cherry Skin, Almond accord, Cherry Juice, Mallow, Bastet’s Musk, Caramel, Strawberry essence, Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Spun Sugar, Cotton Candy accord, Crystalline (Studio Limited), Heliotrope, Honey and Vanilla Pudding accord.

Cotton Candy Tonka Marshmallow Musk

Tonka Bean absolute, Mallow, Bastet’s Musk, Caramel, Raspberry essence, Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Spun Sugar, Cotton Candy accord, Bastet’s Amber and Vanilla Bean Cordial.

SUMMER ’23 ICE CREAM COLLECTION

5ml cobalt blue bottle with phenolic lid
Ice Cream & Estate Gianduja alle Nocciole

Chocolate Hazelnut accord, Cacao absolute, White Chocolate essence, Bastet’s Ice Cream blend (Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar), and Vanilla-butter.

Ice Cream & Summer Cardamom & Butter Pecan

Summer Cardamom essential oil, Caramelized Pralines, Butter Toasted Pecans, Bastet’s Ice Cream blend (Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar), and Vanilla Buttercream.

Ice Cream & Summer Iced Coffee

Iced Espresso accord, Organic Coffee Bean extraction, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Bastet’s Ice Cream blend (Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar), and Vanilla Bean Cordial.

SUMMER ’23 MUSK COLLECTION

6ml clear cylindrical bottle with silver domed lid and insert dropper. Special Musks do not return as a Resurgence. PINK MUSK has a very light pink-tinged metallic-colored domed lid and insert dropper.
Pink Musk

Satsuma Plum, Bubblegum accord, Pear skin, Apple skin, Cotton Candy accord, Japanese Yuzu essential oil, Vanilla, Crimson (Studio Limited) Red Musk, Violet, Pink Sugar accord, Honeysuckle nectar, Bastet’s Musk: white floral blends of Tuberose, Mallow, Angelica, Musk Flower, and White Lily.

Buttercream Musk

Buttercream accord, Sugar, Butter, Whipped Cream, Vanilla Bean Absolute, Madagascar Vanilla Bean essence, and Bastet’s Musk white floral blends of Tuberose, Mallow, Angelica, Musk Flower, and White Lily.

Neptune Musk

Ambergris accord, Ocean Salt accord, eNVie saphir, Sea water accord, Driftwood accord, and Bastet’s Musk white floral blends of Tuberose, Mallow, Angelica, Musk Flower, and White Lily.

Resurgence Collection

SUMMER ROAR, REST AND RELAXATION

REX

Limestone Amber accord, Amber, eNVie saphir absolute, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Bourbon Vanille Absolute and NA Jurassic Amber accord

Lounge Lizard

White Patchouli, Amber accord, Green Cardamom, White Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Black Pepper, Himalayan Cedarwood, Moonstone Vanilla absolute, Vanilla Bean and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla

THE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER COLLECTION

Ederra

Peach/Apple/Rose Dew accord, Orange Flower, Coconut Milk and Shavings, Bastet Amber absolute and Egyptian White Linen accord.

Kaunis

Pink Raspberry, Lime, Juniper, Violet Leaf, Lemon zest, Kashmir Red Musk absolute, Red Pine, Green Pine Needle, Egyptian Musk, Egyptian Black Linen accord, Raisin accord, Dried Date accord, Sandalwood and Amber.

Aljamal

Mandarin, Geranium, Black Amber, Bourbon accord, Ruby Red Grapefruit zest, Pink Sugar accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, Vanilla Bean Cordial and Crimson Musk absolute.

Magnifique

Red Frangipani, French Apple Blossom, French Vanilla, Snow Musk accord, Vanilla Bean essence and Vanilla Bean Musk.

Utsukushi

Japanese Honeydew Melon accord, Peach essence, Strawberry accord, Japanese Pear essence, Bourbon Vanille absolute, Sweet Egyptian Musk and Bastet’s Musk blend.

Go Halainn

Hyacinth, Jasmine, Narcissus, Rose petals, Ocean accord, Sea salt essence accord, Ambergris (vegan) and Bastet’s Musk absolute.

BASTET’S AMBER SUMMER ’22 COLLECTION

5ml traditional amber bottle in the drop-down. Aging Bastet Amber will allow the perfume to radiate and permeate.
Bastet Amber note: Bastet Amber is a perfume created from Amber Resin transformed over time in the Studio into a beautiful, enhancing Royal Amber oil experience; Amber Resin is imported from Alexandria and lit from the truest essential oil of Rare and Exotic Guiacwood and Crystal Benzoin and Crystal Frankincense. Using the base of the Amber described above, the resin has been turned into a fossilized perfume resin from ancient recipes and then turned back into perfume oil, diluting nothing, only the use of Alchemy and inspiring this scent to be made and created for the Goddess Bastet. What is different with Bastet Amber – is noting the magic that has gone into this creation; apply and forget. The perfume will arise from your skin and connect with your chemistry naturally and become even more sensual when your skin is warmed by the sun or naturally. A sensually charged perfume.
Bastet’s Amber Summer Twilight

French Vanilla Bean powder, Jasmine petal powder, Lotus Blossom, Patchouli essence, Bastet’s Amber absolute, toasted Black Peppercorn essential oil and eNVie saphir absolute.

Bastet’s Amber Summer Dawn

Blue Orchid accord, Blueberry essence, NA Oudh, California Redwood essence, Oak essence and Bastet’s Amber absolute.

SUMMER COTTON CANDY 2022

Cotton Candy Cola Marshmallow Musk

Cola Root, Cola accord, Lemon Zest, Marshmallow Crème, Vanilla Bean essence, Bastet’s Musk absolute, Cotton Candy accord, Strawberry essence accord, French Vanilla Bean.

Cotton Candy Jasmine Marshmallow Musk

Egyptian Jasmine Sambac, Ghost Velvet Jasmine accord, Vanilla Bean essence, Cotton Candy accord, Jasmine petals, French Vanilla Bean infused Marshmallow Crème, Bastet’s Musk absolute.

Cotton Candy Mango Rice Milk Marshmallow Musk

Mango skin essence, Mango seed, Mango accord, Rice Milk accord, Marshmallow Crème, Mallow root, Crystalline Vanilla absolute, Vanilla Bean essence, Cotton Candy accord and Vanilla Crème.

SUMMER HONEY BEE COLLECTION 2022

Heather & Honeysuckle Honey Bee

Heather accord, Egyptian Honeysuckle, Nevada Honeysuckle, Wood Moss, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Whipped Orange Blossom Honey.

Strawberry & Rose Honey Bee

Strawberry essence accord, Strawberry Crème accord, Red Rose accord, Bulgarian Rose, Spanish Saffron, Tea Rose, Mallow Crème, Vanilla Bean whipped accord, Whipped Orange Blossom Honey.

Cardamom & Custard Honey Bee

Sri Lanka Cardamom, Vanilla Crème Brûlée accord, Sugared Vanilla Bean Fleck, Custard accord, Crystalline Vanilla absolute, Whipped Orange Blossom Honey, Whipped Crème, Caramel essence and French Vanilla. -please note due to natural perfume notes the blend is naturally creamy-opaque, do give a little shake in the bottle before application

BASTET'S PYRAMID CAFÉ

Pyramid Cake Caramel Carrot

Carrot Cake accord, Carrot Seed, Cinnamon/Clove/Nutmeg essence, Raisin accord, Caramel accord, Caramel Crème accord, Egyptian Sugar, Carrot juice accord, Coconut milk, Peach skin, Italian Orange zest, Maple Sugar accord, Vanilla Bean Cake accord, Crystalline Vanilla and Musk.

Pyramid Cake Raspberry Van

Raspberry Seed, Raspberry essence accord, Vanilla Bean Cordial, Crystalline Vanilla infused Raspberry Sugar, Bastet’s Ice Cream essence, Vanilla Cake accord and Lemon zest infused Cotton Candy accord.

Pyramid Cake Red Velvet

Cocoa Absolute, Cacao Absolute, Chocolate Cake accord, Chocolate Frosting, Bastet’s Amber absolute, Bastet’s Musk absolute, Toffee Almond accord, Coconut Shred, Tonka Bean, Santalum White and Vanilla Bean Musk.

SUMMER ICE CREAMS

Ice Cream & Summer Apricot

NA Summer Apricot accord, Apricot skin, Apricot seed, Vanilla Bean Absolute, eNVie parfum saphir (Egyptian Amber & Musk Resin, blue balsamic amber, sweet papyrus oil from Cairo and Siam benzoin) and Bastet’s Ice Cream (Vanilla Crystalline Cream, Butter accord, Caramel Accord, French Vanilla Bean Absolute, Vanilla Milk accord, Vanilla Orchid, Crystalline Absolute and Vanilla Sugar).

Ice Cream & Summer Lavender

NA Summer Lavender accord, French Lavender, English Lavender, Crystalline Vanilla Absolute, eNVie parfum saphir and Bastet’s Ice Cream.

Ice Cream & Summer Gardenia & Coconut

NA Summer Gardenia accord, Hyacinth accord, Narcissus, Coconut Pulp, Toasted Coconut, Coconut Milk, Buttercream, Heliotrope, Vanilla, Lime zest, eNVie parfum saphir and Bastet’s Ice Cream.

Ice Cream & Summer Peach

NA Summer Peach accord, Peach skin, Ripe Peach accord, Tonka, Crystalline Vanilla Absolute, eNVie parfum saphir and Bastet’s Ice Cream.

Ice Cream & Summer Rose

Bastet’s Ice Cream, Egyptian Rosewater, Romanian Rosewater, Summer Bulgarian Rose, Saffron, Agarwood essence, Vanilla Sugar, Vanilla Musk and eNVie parfum saphir.

Lait was sold out in early Spring '23 Limited but we're bringing it back this Summer in the Summer Resurgence. Please note this perfume may sell out again. It is at the bottom of the drop down.
Lait

Rice Milk accord, Sweet Milk accord, Bastet’s Musk, Sweet Mallow, Vanilla essence, Bastet’s Amber, and Marshmallow accord.

2 mL sample with release

OPAL Sandalwood

French Vanilla, Vanilla Bean Cordial, Bavarian Crème accord, Bastet’s Musk absolute, Vanilla Custard accord, Santalum (Studio Limited) absolute, Sandalwood, Red Sandalwood chips and Vanilla Bean whole.

Both of these are available from the same private seller near me, and they are looking for approx $400 CAD for each. I have only been spinning for 6 mos with a drop spindle and wasn't planning on getting a wheel for a while, but these seem like a great deal. One is a single treadle Ashford Traveller circa late 1980s/early 1990s. The other is older, circa 1975. When I search Travellers, they all seem to be double treadle now - is there a reason I should avoid the single?
I'll read up on the parts to make sure they're intact, but would you recommend one or the other (or neither) for a first wheel? These are the only photos but I will ask for a closeup of the various parts if they're worth pursing. The price seems decent compared to what I've seen and from the photos, they seem to be in good shape. Any other thoughts or observations before I nibble on these?
https://preview.redd.it/jv6mi9jc705b1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e28627f900d002dd93ec9fff099cd8755ff8367
https://preview.redd.it/wlzct5jc705b1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcec672d1261ace593377660bb845ae668539490

LONG tale ahead of an EPIC (lol jokes) journey in a friendship spanning eighteen years!
(If you want to make yourself a cuppa tea and settle in for a read, go ahead - or also you don't have to read any of this, that's fine too).
ALRIGHT. SO.
My husband (37M) and I (35F) got married three months ago in a wonderful wedding surrounded by friends and family. Everything went perfectly and we are over the moon with joy.
The only hiccup is that Jo, one of my oldest friends and bridesmaid, seemed determinedly MISERABLE about the whole thing. I'm not sure I care about repairing the friendship anymore but I'd really appreciate an outside perspective.
Some background:
Jo and I met at university in the UK. She says she was the introverted nerd from a small English village, and that I was the glamorous extrovert Italian from Milan. We bonded over shared intellectual pursuits and became best friends. Quickly though, Jo became possessive. She wanted me all to herself and most of the time. As soon as I invited people to join us or if I spent time with others, she would get angry with me. I didn't get it at the time but remember feeling stifled. My parents and sisters often said Jo was a strong personality and was in love with me, which I disagree with (because she only dated men).
After university, we stayed friends and were there for each other. However in time, I noticed some small toxic traits - she was consistently possessive and critical of me, and would try to bring me down at my happiest times. We remained friends - but I gradually did not consider us best friends anymore. I think that upset her.
In our mid- to late twenties, I went through a traumatic period (I married a domestic abuser; then my father and big sister passed away and I got divorced around the same time). To be honest, Jo was ALWAYS there for me in my darkest moments and when I needed her - a wonderful, proactive, insightful support. She really helped me through this tough time.
After my divorce, I dated a couple of guys over a 6-month period, which made Jo pull away from me. When I was fully single again, she "resumed" our friendship and insisted on me spending lots of time with her. One day, she told me in Italian (my native tongue) she liked me ("Mi piaci"). I asked her what she meant and she said in English, "Just that. I like you." I wasn't 100% sure why she had said that. I assumed because she cared about me - so I didn't think more of it.
Meeting my now-hubby:
Three years after my divorce and some considerable healing, I then met the love of my life (my now-hubby) - a kind, courageous, intelligent, happy, strong, beautiful soul. Sadly, Jo pulled away from me again.
A year into my relationship, my partner came up in conversation and Jo made a grimace - I confronted her about it and she told me she had "no interest in him because he is just another one of your many boyfriends." I told her this was cruel and inaccurate, and that she had not answered my question. She didn't say anything further.
So a year later when I announced to her I was engaged and brimming with joy, her reaction was, "Congrats, you look very happy." But she seemed the opposite of happy.
Forming the bridesmaids squad:
Initially, I asked my fiancé's sister and my two best friends (Carys and Holly) to be bridesmaids. My fiance then said he wanted six groomsmen, so I excitedly expanded my squad to match his. I asked three more girls in my friendship group, including Jo, to be bridesmaids. The more the merrier!
(Also, hindsight is a bitch and I now realise asking Jo to be a bridesmaid was a total mistake)
Jo's immediate reaction to being asked to be a bridesmaid was, "Ugh don't ask me out of pity." I assumed she felt hurt that she hadn't been one of the first three to be asked, so I apologised for my clumsy approach and explained the situation, and that I do care about her and wanted her to be part of my special day. She then agreed to be a bridesmaid.
Jo loves poetry and literature, so I subsequently asked if she would do a reading of her choice at our ceremony. She said yes. I had also asked my best friend Carys to do a reading - Carys set out on a mission to find the perfect reading, sending my fiance and me a shortlist of poems to get our thoughts. On the other hand, Jo became disinterested, expressed that she didn't know what to look for, she was uninspired and didn't know what to read (skip forward: she pulled out of her reading 10 days before the wedding).
Over the course of the engagement (1.5 years), Jo grew distant and uninterested despite my attempts to connect with her. At one point she ran for a small political position, so I gathered our friendship group to go canvassing for her. Jo acknowledged my presence there at least. I regularly tried to meet up with her and see how she was doing, but seldom got responses.
The Hen Do:
When it came to my Hen Do, the bridesmaids I'd delegated to organise it couldn't in the end, so I took charge. I sent out Hen Do Save the Dates months in advance. The plan was an afternoon and evening in London (where we all live), filled with activities, dancing, drinks and food.
A couple of weeks before the Hen, Jo messaged our WhatsApp group saying she "didn't realise [she] was required to attend the whole thing", and could only join for a bit. The other bridesmaids expressed "WTF" at that message but I let it slide.
The Hen Do was AWESOME. But - seriously - Jo was a total downer. She sat in a corner by herself looking bored and angry, and making everyone uncomfortable. All of us kept trying to get her to join in the fun but her response was, "No, I'm okay" or "It's not my thing." She persisted in sitting in her corner, so a few of us would regularly leave the games to hang out with her. That said, when I won a trophy for one of the activities, Jo kindly offered to look after it. After the Hen, I asked Jo for my trophy back but she said she'd already thrown it away. I told her that was uncool and that I was quite hurt. She apologised, and I let it go.
The bridesmaid outfit incident:
Regarding wedding planning, I was very hands-on when it came to organising the event - but determinedly hands-off with the bridal party.
I had planned a hair and makeup artist for my bridesmaids and told them they could each wear what they wanted - my only rule was NO MATCHING.
The bridesmaids had organised a separate WhatsApp group to coordinate their outfits and they agreed to each wear a different colour and outfit. All of the ladies collaborated and shared outfit photos in the group early on, except Jo who was apparently mainly silent until the week before the wedding.
So one week before the wedding, my best friend/bridesmaid Carys told me Jo had just sent everyone her outfit photo on the WhatsApp group - and that it was EXACTLY the same as Carys's. She shows me the photo Jo shared - yup, same dress, same colour, same accessories.
To be honest, I didn't actually care about the outfit. What pissed me off was Jo's total disregard for the other bridesmaid, or that she hadn't consulted the group before doing what SHE wanted, and that this felt calculated. Long story short, we asked Jo if she'd noticed her outfit was the same as Carys, to which Jo responded it was a different shade but that she would wear different accessories. Carys was OK with the compromise.
Wedding day:
On the day, Jo had stuck to her guns and copied Carys's look. Frankly, we all agreed to let it go for the sake of the wedding, and to address it afterwards.
In addition to the weird outfit situation, Jo's behaviour was bizarre. She looked miserable as we were all getting ready together. I told her she looked beautiful and at least she said thanks. Not that I care about compliments but she was noticeably the only bridesmaid not to comment on my bridal outfit (and I am not ashamed to say I looked like a sexy rockstar!). After the ceremony, I was on a high and gave her a big hug - she pulled away and said, "I don't know what to say. Well done, I guess." That put a sour taste in my mouth so I kept my distance from her for the rest of the day.
After the wedding:
A couple of weeks after the wedding, I messaged her to see if we could go for dinner. No response. I messaged her a month after that with an article I thought she might like. No response. Last week I asked her if we could meet up for a drink, and sent her a job vacancy that she might be interested in. No response. I know she is spending time with a couple of our friends but has now been ignoring me for 3 months.
Basically, I don't understand why she has been like this and why she won't speak to me. My husband and some of my friends are convinced that she's been in love with me the whole time we've known each other, therefore she's now pulling away - which I disagree with, as she has a boyfriend. I think maybe she feels neglected even though I have tried to connect with her? Or maybe she's just not interested in being friends anymore (people grow apart) but that seems a bit off? Maybe she feels hurt about not being one of the 'first bridesmaids'?
Honestly I don't know. The distance is making me see various toxic traits about her that I don't care to fix the friendship anymore.
From an outsider's perspective, what's your take on the whole thing?
Thank you for reading and have a nice day.

I posted this as a reply to another thread, but thought (thot?) I would share here, too. Please to enjoy my recap of S3 Episode 3. Spoilers (obviously).

1. Starting off in LA. Kim's body guard/ stylist puts them both in black coats and camo pants so she can go meet Scott for pizza and pre-planned gossip. They're both single, so they have lots to talk about. Like how it's too hard for Kim to go on first dates with guys and also too hard for Kim to break up with guys. She did go out with a guy in NYC, but wasn't smart enough to not go to the same place where she used to hang out with Pete, so everyone thought she was getting back together with Pete. Scott recommends she go for an older Italian businessman, but only if he's hot. Kim's not into it. So they talk about Cher and her much younger boyfriend AE. It's the best. But also probably the worst because Cher must be too old to bang him with the lights on. Kim only bangs with the lights off now. You know, because she's shy.

Two. Kourtney is doing a photo shoot for Lemme "Fall in Love" with Travis. Their love was not the result of a Potion No.9, but for people without their chemistry, who have $30, these supplements containing the essence of flowers will open your heart. Domineco Dolce and his dudes stop by so Kourtney can remind everyone she knew them way before her wedding. Also, Kourtney is shy and didn't speak as a child. Until she was a teenager. The stylist puts Travis in no shirt and they roll around together taking pictures very similar to all the other pictures they've taken before.

1. Kris stops by to see Khloe and Rob. I mean Tate. I mean Tatum. Khloe and Tristan are doing great because they are never ever getting back together ever again. They have very good boundaries and Khloe does not want to fall into old habits. Khloe feels guilty she isn't connecting with her second baby -- that she had in secret via surrogate while her ex-fiancee was having his fourth baby with his side chick -- the same as True. So we have to talk about the difficulties of surrogacy/ miracle of being a mother again. Tatem is now on goat milk formula. He might, but does not puke on Kris.
   
2. In NYC, Kendall is getting ready to attend a Marni show at Fashion Week. This is much more fun and relaxing than when she used to walk the shows because now she is good and healthy and has good boundaries. Kris calls and tells Kendall she's the favorite daughter. But we all know it's really Kylie. Kris said so yesterday while taking a lie detector test on TV.
   
3. Back in LA, it's 6 days before the D&G show and Kim's glam team is getting her ready for a pre-show photo shoot. Her role as Kreative Director of the show has involved creating looks. Well, looks D&G originally created in the 90s. They are so cool and Kim-esque. Crystals from head to toe. Kim is worried about how Kourtney will feel about this whole thing. She probably wouldn't mind at all if it was just a little bit later. (Because time heals all wounds?)
   
4. It's stormy in NYC. Kourtney is in town for fashion shows and Lemme press. She has anxiety and PTSD and needs drugs. Or maybe Lemme matcha. Kourtney wants to show how passionate she is about vitamins. She used to hate press because of the criticism and pressure from the family to earn her keep. But now she's married and confident, so she was able to decide on flavors for her vitamins. Kris watched the Today Show interview and gave it a thumbs up, because Kourtney looked beautiful. Simon thinks that's amazing. The team thinks Kourtney did a great job of organically talking about Lemme during the interview about Lemme.
   
5. Still in NYC, Kourtney is making rounds of the magazines, handing out Lemme pills like Halloween candy. Kourtney loves Lemme Focus, but can't remember why. Travis wore no shirt to perform at a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show. Kris and Kendall show up. Kris tries out a few tag lines for the next campaign like "Lemme get the hell out of here and get a drink." They talk about Khloe's good test results from her melanoma situation. Which Kendall has diagnosed as a result of Khloe being too tired and stressed. Kourtney is a perfectionist and Kendall is a control freak both because of pressure from Kris. Kris thinks thats hilarious. Kendall suggests if they can channel the baggage of their dysfunctional childhoods into productive work, it's all good. Kris will take the blame for any anxiety she has caused, as long as it results in a successful product release.
   
6. Back to LA. Kim is spending quality time with North by allowing her to do her makeup with special effects makeup while she talks to Scott. Scott pitches an idea for an episode where they pretend to be normies. According to Kim, Kris is sad that she has pushed everyone into being so famous they have no sense of actual reality. But Kim can handle it. She's never been depressed. While her daughter continues to work on turning her into an old lady, Kim talks about being fine when her dad died. North farts. It smelled bad. North walks Kim around the house introducing her to the staff as Anika the Art Teacher. The staff helps Kim make her alone time with North fun by playing along. Kim loves making North happy by playing pranks and hanging out with Scott.
   
7. Kourtney and Trav are walking around NYC. Kourtney's outfit choice -- an oversized Blink-182 shirt and over the knee boots -- can't survive the 12 minute walk because the boots are falling down. Trav thinks she should take them off (And walk around barefoot in the rat feces and period blood covered sidewalk? Khloe would never let her set foot in her house ever again!) They make it to the Matcha shop without Travis needing to carry Kourtney like last time. NYC was a whirlwind, but Kourtney will always put family and husband ahead of work.
   
8. Kim arrives in Milan. However, her stylist does not because she forgot her passport. How is Kim supposed to do her job as Fashion Show Kreative Director without a stylist? How is Kim supposed to know what she likes and doesn't like without Danielle there to tell her? Someone needs to fly to Milan with her passport. There are 3 days left and they have no looks. Kim arrives at the D&G studio where 10 people are there ready to get a room full of D&G pieces into looks. Domineco tells Kim, "Your opinion in this case is very great for us." Kim wants people to think this show of rehashed 90s fashions is "Fresh" and "Cool." But it's going to be problematic for Kreative Director Kim to pull this off without her stylist. She always needs someone to confirm that something looks good. Kim doesn't want to do veils (Because Kourtney?). Kim wants more bedazzles, but also needs to check with Danielle. Domineco isn't crazy about bedazzled glasses with a corset dress, but Kim doesn't know without talking to Danielle. There's that fear people won't like it. (Is Danielle supposed to be the scape goat in case this whole show sucks?) A bad show could hurt Kim's brand. People might say Kim doesn't know how to work on the creative side. (Um... they're sure going to say that now, after she is such a floundering mess without her stylist!). She just doesn't know how she's going to do this without Danielle.
   

Scenes: Kim thinks Danielle not being there happened for a reason. Kendall takes Kylie horseback riding and tries to kill her. Kourtney wants to kill Kim for kopying her wedding. Kim is taken completely off guard by Kourtney's reaction. The producers try to pretend there's going to be a "Kendall is pregnant" story line.

One of the most asked questions these days under Devon Larratt vs Denis Cyplenkov arm wrestling supermatch that Is it falling apart (delay) or, will they pull right arm? .
Great little nuggest of armwrestling history there...Here I made a little exercise of assessing of events ,podcasts and plotlines for compatibility .To that points assigned with the following quotes
✅Accurate - Fully backed up by the events
👍Justified - has strong basis
🔥Debatable - not a strong case or contradicts other versions. Or something neutral - no basis but contradicts nothing.
❌Contradiction - Something that directly contradicts
I welcome corrections from people who think I have judged wrong, and may change my assessments with the right evidence . I have tried to project the case with neutral perspective neither as a fanboy nor as a hater.
HERE WE GO......
1.Devon try to get a match with Cyplenkov right arm for years and Dennis and Igor were avoiding devon . Important to note Devon was at his absolute worst when he got smoked by Denis in 2018. Matt Mask vouch the fact before the match with Denis, he was toying with Devon on the left and had no idea why Devon was taking the match. Devon also admitted himself that he went into the match with an "Elitist" mindset. 🔥Debatable
2.So now that Devon is taking just a litle more time to take the match. As poor Denis is preparing day by day for his meeting with Devon and Devon comes out with the answers for which Denis get quite disappointed!!! Makes sesnse becoz Dennis has his training set a certain way counting on it being in October.👍Justified
3. Engin always said it was for sure set for October. Devon said many times he wouldn't want to face Denis directly, if he lost against Genadi, so it means that match wasn't 100% set. BUT on other hand Devon also uploaded youtube shorts 3 months back with caption "c u in October Denis". ❌Contradiction
4, If there was no contract then devon has no commitment. Therefore dennis has no reason to be upset. Devon kept it vague so he can back out of it if he lost to Genadi or anything else, as is the case. Devon is careful with his words and the gentlemen's agreement must have been lost in translation. 👍Justified
5.Denis didn't say anything disrespectful to Devon in the live stream tho, it's just Babken causing drama just becoz he feels offended and wants to express his opinions. Not to mention Babken's translations are almost never accurate anyway because u cant predict how much was actually a translation of Denis' words👍Justified
6.Who is lying , who is exaggerating, who's word lost in translation. Who is chaotic , Who is orderly. Honestly this type of controversy are at most a hype move And Engin has become quick to jump on the drama escalation train whenever he sees a chance..👍Justified
7.Why does Denis reject any other match before October? He is healthy again and sometimes even looks healthier than ever, he is 42 and could easily do a match every three months and would have enough time to recover. Why does he wait until October and waste so much time?🔥 Debatable
8. Devon had planned 2023 to be a stacked year for him back in december, and suddenly Dennis wants to pretend devons taking too much matches ? looks Hypocrisy here,isnot it. Denis thinks Devon isn't taking him as seriously as he should, when having that many super matches every month. 🔥Debatable
9. Tbh Devon is in a tough spot now. Prior to his match with Levan, I think he probably thought he could be the number one arm wrestler in the world, but after that loss, and more importantly the loss to Genadi, there are serious questions whether he's even in the top 5. He can't beat Levan, he lost to Genadi, I highly doubt he could beat Ermes, I don't think he could beat Morozov, and with the narrative of postpone, delayedness I don't think he could beat Cyplenkov. 👍Justified
LOGICAL OUTCOME:
At this point Devon basically has some sort of beef with everyone in arm wrestling 😂😂It looks like mostly Devon will intentionally postpone the match because even he respect Denis, he wanna get a little revenge and make him wait because of everithing what was going on with Mazurenko and Denis and how they play him out.
MY HONEST OPINION:
In my opinion, Devon needs to go forward with the match with Denis in October regardless of the outcomes of his next match with Dave and the rematch with Gennadi. It wasn’t as if Devon wasn’t close with Gennadi in the first match. If the date of the match is announced, it must take place. If one of the participants refuses to go, there must be a replacement.
Comments, criticisms, suggestions and nitpicks are all welcome.
&
Let’s just hope the hype isn’t diminished !! 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
​

For decades, the writer Gabriel Matzneff used Francesca Gee's image and letters to champion his sexual pursuit of adolescents. But her own account was rejected, until now.
March 31, 2020
PARIS—In her telling, Francesca Gee was out with a girlfriend, a late autumn day in Paris in 1983, when they spotted a new bookstore. As they lingered before the storefront, her friend suddenly pointed to the bottom of the window.
"Look, it's you!"
Ms. Gee's face was staring back at her from the cover of a novel, Drunk on Lost Wine, by Gabriel Matzneff, the writer and champion of [child and adolescent sexual abuse].
A decade earlier, at 15, Ms. Gee, had gotten involved in a traumatic three-year relationship with the much older Mr. Matzneff. Now, he was using her teenage face on his novel's cover, and her letters in its pages, without having asked her or even informing her, she said.
For decades, despite Ms. Gee's protests, Mr. Matzneff used her letters to justify [adolescent sexual abuse] and what he cast as great love affairs with teenage girls, all the while supported by members of France's literary, media, business and political elite.
Mr. Matzneff's books were endorsed by some of France's most prestigious publishers, including Gallimard, which printed Drunk on Lost Wine (Ivre du vin perdu) for nearly four decades with the same cover—in effect using Ms. Gee's face to promote the kind of relationship that has scarred some of Mr. Matzneff's victims for life.
"I'm persecuted by this image of me, which is like a malevolent double," Ms. Gee said.
Hers is the story of a woman unable to tell her own story—until now.
Ms. Gee, now 62, contacted The New York Times after the publication of an article that described how Mr. Matzneff openly wrote about and engaged in sex with teenage girls and prepubescent boys for decades.
After anguishing over her decision, Ms. Gee—who had a career as a journalist and speaks fluent English, French, Italian and Spanish—broke her silence of 44 years in a series of interviews over two days in southwest France, where she lives.
That decision was facilitated by a recent cultural shift in France.
Mr. Matzneff first achieved renown in the 1970s, when some French intellectuals regarded [adult-child sex] as a form of liberation against parental oppression. Though those views fell out of favor in the 1990s, he continued to publish and prosper until late last year.
But in the past couple of months, he was charged with promoting the sexual abuse of children, stripped of state-conferred honors and dropped by his three publishers.
Gallimard stopped selling the novel with Ms. Gee's image on the cover only in January, after the publication of Le Consentement (Consent), the first account by one of Mr. Matzneff's underage victims, Vanessa Springora.
Consent turned the widely celebrated Mr. Matzneff into a social pariah overnight. While he went into hiding in Italy, his former supporters, across France's elite, have studiously distanced themselves or jettisoned him.
When she first heard of Consent, Ms. Gee said, she was "elated" that the "Vanessa" in Mr. Matzneff's books—someone she had never met but had always considered a little sister—was speaking.
"She has done the work, I don't have to worry about it anymore," Ms. Gee remembers thinking. "But then within a week or two, I realize that I'm very much a part of this story."
In fact, nearly two decades before Consent shook up France, Ms. Gee tried—unsuccessfully—to tell her story, in 2004. She wrote a manuscript that, in detailing her involvement with Mr. Matzneff, grappled with some of the same themes and used the same vocabulary as Consent.
But no publisher accepted her manuscript.
At Albin Michel, a major house, an editor appeared receptive—but when he took Ms. Gee's manuscript to a committee, it was ultimately turned down.
In a rejection letter, the editor, Thierry Pfister, explained that some committee members had expressed reservations, noting that Mr. Matzneff, was a part of "Saint-Germain-des-Prés"—shorthand for the French publishing industry concentrated in that Paris neighborhood.
"Back then, Matzneff wasn't the old, isolated man he is today," said Mr. Pfister, who is no longer at Albin Michel. "He was still in Paris with his network, his friends."
"We made the decision not to go cross swords with that group," he recalled. "There was more to lose than to gain. I spoke in her favor. They didn't agree with me."
Mr. Matzneff's network of supporters was surprisingly wide.
In 1973, when Ms. Gee was 15 and Mr. Matzneff was 37, a friend of the writer introduced them to a gynecologist who agreed to prescribe contraceptive pills to underage girls without their parents' authorization—an illegal act back then.
In his diary of the period, Élie et Phaéton, Mr. Matzneff writes that the gynecologist, Dr. Michèle Barzach, "at no point felt the need to lecture this man of 37 years and his lover of 15."
Ms. Gee said she saw Dr. Barzach a half-dozen times over three years, always accompanied by Mr. Matzneff.
"He calls her and makes an appointment, and we go," she recalled. "He's in the waiting room while I'm with her. And then he comes in, and they talk and he pays her."
In his other diaries, Mr. Matzneff writes that Dr. Barzach became the go-to gynecologist to whom he took underage girls for years after he and Ms. Gee parted in 1976.
Dr. Barzach, who was also a psychoanalyst, was France's health minister from 1986 to 1988 under President François Mitterrand.
From 2012 to 2015, she was the head in France of UNICEF, the United Nation's child protection agency. Citing privacy reasons, UNICEF refused to provide contact details for Dr. Barzach, who is no longer at the agency. Dr. Barzach did not reply to an interview request that UNICEF said had been forwarded to her.
"Love"? Or a "Hostage Taking"?
For decades, Mr. Matzneff claimed that his relations with underage girls had helped them for the rest of their lives. Their initiation into art, literature, love and sex, by an older man, had left them happier and freer, he claimed.
The claim—repeated by his supporters—went unchallenged until the publication in January of Consent, in which Ms. Springora writes that her involvement with Mr. Matzneff, starting at age 14, left her with psychological problems for decades.
In her unpublished manuscript of 2004, Ms. Gee described her involvement with the writer as a "cataclysm that shattered me when I was 15 years old, and that changed the course of my life"—leaving her "ashamed, bitter and confused."
The accounts by Ms. Gee and Ms. Springora are especially significant because Mr. Matzneff has often described them as two of the three great loves of his life. He devoted diaries, novels, poems and essays to each woman—material that, according to anti-[child sexual abuse] groups, provided the intellectual cover for many men to target prepubescent children or adolescent girls.
Ms. Gee recalls running into Mr. Matzneff for the first time in Paris in 1973 with her mother, who had known him years before.
David Gee, Ms. Gee's younger brother, said their parents regularly invited the writer over for dinner parties. His presence especially pleased their father, a British journalist long based in Paris who sought his place in French society.
"It was one of those very important things, socially speaking, to be established in the intelligentsia," Mr. Gee said. "That was more important than looking at the side effects of [child and adolescent sexual abuse]."
With her father's approval, Ms. Gee saw the writer over three years, unable to break away from him. Ms. Gee's father died in 2014.
Using the same methods he later would with Ms. Springora, Mr. Matzneff exercised a hold on the teenage girl. He isolated her, forbidding her to socialize with friends her age.
He pulled political strings to have Ms. Gee transferred to a high school near his home—and boasted about it in his diaries. Then he got into the habit of waiting for Ms. Gee outside her new high school, Lycée Montaigne, next to the Luxembourg Gardens.
"He came every day to make sure that everyone understood that no one was supposed to try anything with me," Ms. Gee recalled. "It was a very specific place where he was just standing there waiting for me."
Ms. Gee recently met with one of the detectives who began investigating Mr. Matzneff and his supporters in the aftermath of the publication of Consent. After she detailed her involvement with Mr. Matzneff during the five-hour meeting in Paris, she said, the detective described it as a "hostage taking."
Trapped in His Stories
Ms. Gee turned 18 in 1976 and, after several anguished attempts, was finally able to free herself from Mr. Matzneff's grip, having become more and more critical of him. "It was growing up, basically," she said.
Still, she would remain hostage for decades—trapped in his storytelling and his use of her letters.
Encouraged by Mr. Matzneff, Ms. Gee had written him hundreds of amorous and sexually explicit letters during their three years together.
Some of them he published in 1974, without her authorization, in his fierce defense of [child and adolescent sexual abuse], Les moins de seize ans (Under 16 Years Old). He was offering those letters, he wrote in another book, Les passions schismatiques, as evidence that "a relationship of love between an adult and a child could be for the latter extremely rich, and the source of a fullness of life."
Ms. Gee said the words in the letters were those of a teenager manipulated by a man the age of her parents. Her letters were also used in Ivre du vin perdu, the novel whose cover featured an illustration of her.
"Now I consider they were extorted and used as a weapon against me," Ms. Gee said.
In her manuscript, Ms. Gee writes that "he used me to justify the sexual exploitation of children and teenagers."
For years, Ms. Gee's feelings about her experience with Mr. Matzneff were "muddied." Then in the early 1990s, her understanding became clearer.
"It was only when I was almost 35 years old that I realized this wasn't a love story," Ms. Gee recalled.
It was in 1992 that she contacted Mr. Matzneff, demanding that he stop using her letters and that he return them to her. Eventually, he sent her a photocopied stack—a carefully selected batch that excluded her negative correspondence.
A decade later, in 2002, it was Mr. Matzneff who wrote to her, asking, for the first time, her permission to use old photographs of her in a book. In the turquoise blue ink that he always used to pen his letters, Mr. Matzneff offered to identify the teenager as "the young girl who inspired the character of Angiolina in Ivre du vin perdu."
Not only did Ms. Gee refuse, but she also demanded again that his books be purged of her letters and that her face be taken off the cover of Ivre du vin perdu. She also demanded that three old photographs of her be taken off a website devoted to Mr. Matzneff and created by an admirer, Frank Laganier. The photos were pulled only seven years later, in 2010, after Ms. Gee's continued pressure, she said.
Mr. Laganier, who is now living in Paris, declined interview requests. His lawyer, Emmanuel Pierrat—who is representing Mr. Matzneff in a [promotion of child sexual abuse] case and is a longtime supporter of the writer—declined to be interviewed.
In 2004, Ms. Gee began preparing to sue Gallimard, the publisher of Ivre du vin perdu, and La passion Francesca, Mr. Matzneff's diary of their relationship, but stopped because of the high legal costs. Gallimard did not respond to interview requests; Antoine Gallimard, the head of the publishing house, did not respond to an interview request sent to his email address.
Unable to stop Mr. Matzneff, Ms. Gee also could not tell her own story.
After her manuscript was rejected by Albin Michel, she took it, unsuccessfully, to several other publishing houses.
Geneviève Jurgensen, who was an editor at Bayard and met with Ms. Gee in 2004, said the manuscript's focus was not in line with Bayard, which specialized in publishing youth books, as well as works on philosophy and religion.
Ms. Jurgensen, after recently reading excerpts from the manuscript, described it as "well written" and containing "situations that seem almost word for word those described by Vanessa Springora."
"Obviously, it wasn't the quality of the book that was the issue," Ms. Jurgensen said of Ms. Gee's failure to find a publisher in 2004. "Clearly, it was 15 years too early. The world wasn't ready yet."
The final rejection came from Grasset, the very same publisher that broke a taboo by issuing Ms. Springora's Consent in January.
Martine Boutang, an editor at Grasset, remembers being moved by Ms. Gee's account, she said, but couldn't see a way to get it published: the subject was "too sensitive," and two members of Grasset's editorial committee were "close to Matzneff."
"The question wasn't the quality of the text," she said.
Ms. Gee recalls feeling that Ms. Boutang was trying to stall the project by asking her to rework a manuscript that she had no intention of publishing. Ms. Boutang said she did not remember asking for a rewrite.
By contrast, Mr. Matzneff had no problems continuing to get his writings published—including Under 16 Years Old, the book that used Ms. Gee's letters to justify [adult] sex with underage girls.
Whose Story?
In a recent interview in the Italian Riviera, where he has been hiding, Mr. Matzneff said that if Ms. Gee "called me tomorrow, I would be delighted to see her."
Ms. Gee would be delighted if she could stop being reminded of him. In a book published last November, more than four decades after she left him, Mr. Matzneff mentioned her no fewer than a dozen times. Ms. Gee herself is now working on a new manuscript on the writer.
Over the years, unexpected incidents have sometimes reminded her that she remains a prisoner inside Mr. Matzneff's story.
A few years ago, she found herself waiting outside the Lycée Montaigne, her old high school, which her niece Lélia was now attending.
"I wait for her where Matzneff used to wait for me," Ms. Gee recalled.
Over lunch, her niece, a literature student, told her that she was "working on a contemporary author called Gabriel Matzneff."
That's how Lélia, who is now 25, learned that the books she had been reading described a "family history," she says. To this day, she says, she had talked little with her aunt about her days with Mr. Matzneff.
"Most of what I know about all of this comes from Gabriel Matzneff, and not my aunt," she said. "And that's exactly where the problem lies."

Wrote some stuff down in a Google Doc every night, so it ended up being super long and rambly. Hopefully I was able to cut it down at least a little bit. I wasn't sure if I could leave references to individual businesses or Airbnb experiences in, so please let me know if I need to remove those.
I planned this trip 2 weeks before I had to leave, so I was in a huge rush. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone’s help here and on the Discord! It was my first time traveling solo, so I was a little more neurotic about it than usual. Also I don’t know how accurate the steps/distance on iOS is, but I figure there’s enough internal consistency to compare between days.
Some personal highlights
Tokyo

• Check out some listening bars if you’re down for a low key night with more of a focus on listening to music than socializing: Grandfather’s, Bar Martha, Bar Track, Ginza Music Bar
• Yoshikami is a pretty interesting (albeit pricey) place for dinner. It’s apparently been there since the 1960s and has a nice diner vibe.

Kyoto

• Otagi Nenbutsuji, Adashino Nenbutsuji, and Nanzenji were my personal favorites.
• Fu-ka near Ginkakuji for fantastic omurice.

Osaka

• I loved Osaka in general for its mixture of being laidback with big city vibe
• Izakaya crawl with Taka was amazing (https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1018635). It’s true that you can plan a night of izakayas for free, but honestly I found the cost pretty worth it. Taka was a really cool guy and made for an incredibly memorable night.
• Okonomiyaki Chitose for okonomiyaki. Great food and great staff.

Monday, May 29 - arriving in Tokyo

• 3pm - Haneda Airport arrival. Withdrew money after immigration, picked up Suica card, then traveled to Ueno Station (close to hostel) to pick up JR Pass due to 1 hour line at airport. In hindsight, I obviously should’ve gotten the JR Pass the following day, but I was jetlagged and exhausted and wasn’t thinking. When I arrived at the hostel, I ended up falling asleep and decided to just start my trip officially the following morning.

Reflections If you’re an anxious planner or traveler like me, definitely don’t plan anything specific on the first day. There’s a good chance your plans will get derailed. The JR Pass line at the airport is often super long and if you can, try to stop by an office close to where you’re staying or near one of your stops.
Walked: 6540 steps / 3.1 miles
Tuesday, May 30 - Tokyo (Akihabara)

• 7am - Yoshinoya for breakfast (Random, but I wanted to try all 3 of the big gyudon places by the end of the trip just because. Even as a big completionist, this wasn’t worth it at all.)
• 8am - Walked around Ueno Park, then Ameya Yokocho.
• 11am - Gyukatsu Motomura for lunch at Ameyoko, which was absolutely incredible.
• 12pm - Walked around Akihabara and checked out the “Weird vending machines” on Google Maps. It was definitely weird. Would recommend if you’re kind of drawn to weird shit, and the hostel staff found it super entertaining when I showed them everything.
• 3pm - I ended up moving through Akihabara pretty fast (I have a bad habit of not being able to take my time with these things). I decided to stop by some places in Ginza, like the Sembikiya flagship store and the Okuno building (Room 306).
• 6pm - I was still pretty jetlagged, so I ate some dinner with people at the hostel and hung out with the hostel residents and staff.
• 10:30pm - Stopped by a convenience store to grab something for breakfast the next morning.

Reflections
Having a list of restaurants or specific foods (e.g. tempura, okonomiyaki) to pull from can be super helpful in being slightly flexible/spontaneous but also settling some of your (my) neuroticism. I had planned to check out Gyukatsu Motomura elsewhere but since it’s a chain and I had no idea what to eat, it helped me make a decision for lunch.
It can be a good idea to have an “overflow list” of things to do in certain areas. I thought I’d spend more time in Akihabara but I think I was still getting the hang of traveling/exploring without rushing around.
Walked: 27728 steps / 12.9 miles
Wednesday, May 31 - Kyoto (Nishiki Market / Department Store food floors / Kiyomizu-dera) * 7:30am - Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto * 10:15am - Walked to hostel and suitcase wheels ripped off on the way there (still left it there for storage). Original plan was to wander Nishiki Market and the food floors for Takashimaya Department Store and Fujii Daimaru, which I did for a bit. Then got a new suitcase at the large tax free store a block down, and walked back to the hostel to put my suitcase there. * 3pm - Check in with a new suitcase and head to Kiyomizudera. Three hours was more than enough time for me to wander around Sannenzaka, Ninnenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera. I’m also not someone that is great at lingering to stop and smell the roses, though. * 6:30pm - Try to line up for Menya Inoichi. The line was already closed for dinner, so I stopped by Nakau for some fast gyudon/tonkatsu instead.
Reflections
Have backup plans for your meals, list out some ideas in the area but expect some of those to be derailed.
You might need an eye mask even if you splurge on a private room in a hostel. The blinds were paper thin here so I woke up at like 4-5am.
Walked: 26290 steps / 12.2 miles
Thursday, June 1 - Kyoto (Arashiyama / Ginkakuji / Philosopher’s Path / Eikan-do / Nanzenji / Gion) This was the day I was prepared to walk the most because of the itinerary. It ended up being pretty packed, but I think it worked out decently well. Both of these things would’ve been better off unrushed as maybe 2/3 of a full day, so I would’ve split this up into 2 days if I could have.

• 7am - Breakfast at a convenience store, then taxi to Otagi Nenbutsuji at 7:30am (opens at 8). It isn’t the cheapest option, but there also isn’t a great alternative. It was pretty empty and a great place to start the day.
• 9am - Walked to Adashino Nenbutsuji, which was also fairly empty but had a beautiful bamboo area that honestly was basically as good as the Arashiyama grove for pictures.
• 10am - Walked to Tenryuji, which included the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street along the way, then did the Arashiyama Walking Tour from Inside Kyoto, which was a great way to see a little bit of everything (https://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-bamboo-grove-guide-walking-tour).
• 12:30pm - Walking tour led me to Togetsukyo Bridge, where I could easily bus over to the Ginkakuji area.
• 1:30pm - Grabbed lunch at Fu-ka, which was a small restaurant run by some very sweet people. The omurice there was amazing, and I would definitely love to go there again someday.
• 2pm - Ginkakuji -> Philosopher’s Path -> Eikan-do -> Nanzenji -> Gion. I was definitely not prepared for how much stuff there was to do at Nanzenji in particular! I definitely could’ve spent 2-3 hours there even rushing around. I ended up not being able to check out the inside of Nanzen-in and the big gate because I ran out of time. Upstairs from the Nanzenji arches there is a great walk to leave Nanzenji when you’re all done (Nanzenji Suirokaku). It takes you past a power station, and then down some abandoned railroad tracks.
• 5:30pm - Went to check out Gion and Pontocho. I couldn’t figure out what to eat for dinner, so I thought I’d give Menya Inoichi another shot. It was pretty early but the line was closed again. There was an amazing fried chicken place nearby called Loco Chicken (would definitely recommend too!)
• 7pm - Checked out Yasaka Shrine and Gion again now that the sun was down. It was nice but admittedly underwhelming after all the amazing temples I had seen. I was originally going to go to an izakaya for the night or experience some nightlife, but I was pretty tired and decided to call it a night.

Reflections
Even if you’re a rusher like I am, Nanzenji especially can take some time. Otagi Nenbutsuji and Adashino Nenbutsuji are a little out of the way, but definitely worth it. The preserved street isn’t all that exciting, but it is along the way from Adashino Nenbutsuji to Tenryuji.
Menya Inoichi apparently closes pretty damn early wtf, possibly due to running out of their limited supply of wagyu. Loco Chicken was suuuuper good though. I guess there see a lot of great food options and planning meals in advance should only be if there’s a restaurant I really want to stop by (e.g. Fu-ka).
Walked: 33577 steps / 16.4 miles
Friday, June 2 - Kyoto / Nara / Osaka

• 7am - Got up to go to Fushimi Inari Taisha. We were on the edge of a typhoon (apparently the landslide zones of Kizugawa were being evacuated?) so it was pouring rain, which meant it was really empty on the actual walk to the summit.
• 10am - Kintetsu train to Nara Park. It was pouring there too, but the deer were still out and about to get their food from visitors. I was a little tired at this point since my feet were soaked through, so I went to check out Todaiji and only took a brief walk around Nara Park before heading to my hostel in Osaka, so I could get my shoes washed and dried at a nearby laundromat.
• 8pm - I did an Airbnb bar crawl (https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/4388157) in the Dotonburi area which was awesome as a solo traveler because I got the chance to meet other people much more easily and check out some local spots I realistically wouldn’t have gone to (or at least navigated easily). The guide was fantastic and fun, and it was a really nice way to get an introduction to Osaka nightlife. I would definitely recommend doing this on your first night if you want to spend some time in Dotonburi! You can find the listing for that one here: . One of the places we stopped by was called the Misono building, which had a bunch of interesting and quirky bars.

Walked: 27023 steps / 12.4 mi
Saturday, June 3 - Osaka (shopping streets and Dotonburi)

• 10am - Took a look around Denden Town and all the different streets in Osaka near Dotonburi (Kuromon Ichiba, Hozenji Yokocho, Ebisu Bashi-Suji, Shinsaibashisuji). I also stopped by the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, which was nice but also not something I’d consider a must-do activity. I imagine it might be even cooler at night when the lights are all on.
• 6pm - I did another izakaya crawl here, and it was AMAZING (https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1018635)! The guide, Taka, has lived all around the world and has some incredible stories to tell about his life. He worked on farms in remote places in Australia, for instance, that even the Aussie guests were astounded to hear about. The vibe was definitely a lot more chill and not super conservative, if that makes any sense. It was the kind of environment where all the guests felt comfortable asking him how to swear in Japanese after the first round of drinks. If you’re not super uptight about stuff and want the feeling of local nightlife with some friends, this is a must-do in my opinion! Taka was such a cool guy and this was an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. We stopped by to do some karaoke at the end, which I felt was mandatory since we were at its birthplace.

Reflections
Taka brought us to one of the streets that I completely missed in my research, which was Tenshinbashi-sushi. It’s supposedly the longest shopping arcade in all of Japan, at 2.6km long. Definitely something to check out!
Walked: 25782 / 11.8 miles
Sunday, June 4 - Osaka (Shinsekai, Abeno Harukas)

• 10:30am - Was starting to get pretty tired by this point so I slept in again, and got to Shinsekai around 10:30. I realized how much I loved the vibe of Osaka, which seemed much more laidback than the other big cities. I remember there was an adorable off leash puppy walking around one of the shopping streets, and a bunch of old people pulled out their phones and started chasing it down to take cute pictures. I might be totally off the mark from my few days’ impression of other big cities, but that just felt kind of unique to me.
• 11:15am - Lined up outside Okonomiyaki Chitose so I could get food there when they opened. Fantastic okonomiyaki, and the owner and staff were super great as well. They chatted with me a bit and joked around with each other while making the food in front of us. Great experience.
• 1pm - Went to Tsutenkaku to look around and check out the viewing area. It also had this big slide that you could pay to go down, which was quite fun too.
• 2:30pm - Walked over to Abeno Harukas to check out the observatory here. The view was fantastic and they also had a fun little VR bungee jump station where they put you on a tilt table and simulate a jump from the observatory area. Didn’t have time to check out the helipad because I had a timed ticket for the aquarium (which didn’t end up being necessary, it wasn’t super busy at this time).
• 4:30pm - Osaka Aquarium! I honestly considered skipping this and I don’t think it was absolutely unmissable, but it was a fun time. I really tried to take my time here but it only took 2 hours.
• 6:30pm - Grabbed dinner at nearby Tempozan Marketplace, then went on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel (waited for one of the clear bottom carriages). Another fun activity that I wouldn’t categorize as a must-do, but definitely worth it if you’re in the area.

Walked: 20954 / 9.6 miles
Monday, June 5 - Hakone This is the part of the trip that I embarrassingly botched, but considering I had less than 2 weeks to plan the whole thing while working full time, I’m trying not to give myself too much shit for it.

• 10:30am - Arrive at Odawara Station and leave luggage in locker there (packed a day bag). Transfer to the train that will eventually take me to Gora Station
• 12pm - Gora Station. Grab a quick lunch at some random cafe and walk over to the Open Air Museum.
• 2pm - Realized I spent too long at the museum and rush to continue the loop. Spend about 30-45 minutes at Owakudani.
• 3:50pm - End up waiting at Togendai until 4:25pm for the next pirate ship.
• 4:50pm - Arrive at Motohakone and decide I’ll do the quick walk to Hakonemachi and catch a cab to my ryokan (checkin before 6 if I want to make it in time for dinner). My big mistake here was not noticing that the taxi stand was empty already by this time.
• 5:10pm - Realize I’ve screwed myself at Hakonemachi and decide to take the Tozan Bus to another major stop to get a taxi. Yunnessen seemed like a good bet but the taxi stand was once again totally empty. Ended up wandering around for about 20 minutes and managed to flag a stray taxi.
• 6pm - Check in and realize my dumb ass accidentally booked without the dinner option and that I could’ve taken the long way to the ryokan after all.
• 7pm - Stop by a nearby kaiseki place for dinner. They seemed a bit wary about having me eat there and really emphasized that this was a set menu that took a long time (probably had bad experiences with tourists in the past?).
• 8pm - Get cleaned up and head to the onsen before bed

Walked: 17975 / 8.2 miles
Reflections If you really want to stay in Hakone for only one night and one day, I would recommend checking into your hotel/ryokan the night before and relaxing there, which gives you the next full day for exploring the city. YMMV of course since I did get to Hakone in the late morning, but I think doing the loop then ryokan will inevitably feel like it’s cutting into ryokan time.
Even though the Hakone transportation system is great, things like the Tozan Bus line can have long lines and alternative/workaround routes like in the big cities don’t really exist. Tight schedules are tough to stick to, and I nearly got stranded because I stood at one of the taxi stops around 5pm and it became clear that no one was going to be coming by.
Booking.com has a lot of ryokans listed as minimum 2 people (I just bit the bullet and decided to splurge), but the staff at Senkyoro were confused about why I paid for 2 instead of 1. Could be good to try to check with the ryokan directly in case you can save some money when booking.
Tuesday, June 6 - Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya)

• 6:30am - Leave for Odawara Station because I had to meet with a relative in the morning (like I said, definitely could’ve scheduled this better). Definitely misplanned this leg of the trip, and didn’t maximize my time in Hakone at all.
• 10:30am - After dropping off luggage at Asakusa Station locker near my hostel, met up at Shinjuku Gyoen, then walked around and grabbed lunch at Omoide Yokocho. Also stopped by Kabukicho and Golden Gai just to look around.
• 1:30pm - Originally planned to spend more time at Shinjuku and go to Shibuya the following day but I realized I didn’t have anything left to do. Walked to Shibuya and checked out the Hachiko Statue and Harajuku. Stopped by Iyoshi Cola. Shibuya Sky tickets were sold out so I had to come back the following day for my original reservation.
• 5pm - Hang out at Grandfather’s before dinner. Great place for people interested in listening bars!
• 6pm - Head back to my hostel (K’s House Tokyo Oasis) to check in, then swing over to Sensoji and Nakamise-dori to check out at night.
• 7:30pm - Grab dinner at Yoshikami, a Japanese style Western restaurant. Had a really good beef stew and cream corn potage. Went here in passing but would definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.

Walked: 27632 / 12.8 miles
Wednesday, June 7 - Tokyo (Shibuya Sky, Akihabara, Bar Martha/Track) I spent a good chunk of my life in Shanghai, China, so I think the appeal of the big city stuff was a little lost on me (not a huge big city guy). In hindsight, I definitely didn’t need to allocate this many days for Tokyo. I definitely should’ve gone further to other areas for day trips that were recommended on the Discord, like Shimokitazawa, Jiyuugaoka, Koenji, Kamakura/Enoshima, Honmonji Ikegami, Yokohama, Nikko, or Fujikamaguchiko.

• 10am - Slept in and explored Nakamise-dori a bit after. Grabbed an early lunch and headed over to Shibuya for my Shibuya Sky reservation.
• 12:40pm - Shibuya Sky for a little over an hour. I wouldn’t consider a must-do, but it’s definitely a nice spot to get a good view of the city. Pretty similar vibe to Abeno Harukas (Harukas 300).
• 2pm - Headed to Akihabara to mess around for a little more and get some gifts for friends. Checked out all the different arcades and peeked at some rhythm gamers in their element.
• 6pm - Headed to Ebisu to grab dinner. Found a Japanese style Italian restaurant called “Uncle Tom” (Google translated name), used Google Lens to translate the photos of the menu and just pointed and ordered.
• 7pm - Stopped by Bar Martha, which was one of my personal must-sees. Some of the reviews online were pretty scathing, and I’m not sure if the staff have just mellowed out in recent years or the reviewers lacked self-awareness, but it was a great experience. You’re not allowed to talk too loudly or otherwise be disruptive (or take photos), but that’s really just your typical listening bar. The Tannoys sounded fantastic!
• 8pm - Went to Bar Track to check it out as well. A little bit more laidback than Bar Martha but with the same rules. Also a great spot.

Walked: 21181 steps / 10.3 miles
Thursday, June 8 - Tokyo

• 10am - Stopped by Tsukiji Outer Market to check it out. There was a fruit stall that sold a cup of Shine muscat grapes for about 2000 yen (super expensive but worth it just to try - they really were pretty amazing). Ended up meeting up with someone on the Discord for lunch, and we wandered Ginza for the Uniqlo and Muji flagship stores.
• 3pm - Split up with Discord buddy because he wanted to head to Shibuya but I had dinner reservations at 5pm. Wandered around a bit more and checked out Kabukiza and then went to Mantensushi Hibiya for 5pm omakase.
• 7pm - Went to Ginza Music Bar. A little difficult to find but very much worth the visit. It was relatively empty but it was a fantastic spot to round out my listening bar visits. It had a little more of a typical bar-like atmosphere but the music and sound system were just as amazing.
• 8pm - Head back to hostel to pack. Grabbed some last second ramen at Asakusashoten on the way back. Needed to be a little more intentional about cash usage here because I wanted to use it all up before leaving. After factoring in my subway and Skyliner costs, I ended up with 210 yen in my pocket and 7 yen in my Welcome Suica (I really should’ve just gotten a regular one) the next morning before my flight, and spent 200 yen at one of the massage chairs in Narita.

Walked: 19530 / 8.9 miles
Thursday, June 9 - Flight out from Tokyo

I recently attempted my first monero purchase with luca_babulli on localmonero due to being rated highly with thousands of only positive ratings but he wanted me to put personal details into a kinda sketchy site to learn italian which i wrote off as him keeping himself safe. long story short he has photos of my bank card drivers license along with my email, phone number and bank i use.But the trade fell through due to faulty captcha.
Have i been scammed? What should i do? What are the consequences?

Despite being big fantasy reader my whole life, it's taken me until I'm 33 to begin the WoT, I'm currently 2/3rds of the way through Dragon Reborn. Given the series is 30 odd years old, topics I'd like to read discourse about through books will likely only read to spoilers. Reddit (something I've rarely used) seems like a safe place to post the haphazard thoughts I have.
The series initially struck me as a LOTR knockoff, but some further investigation tells me some of the language used was a homage to it - which I respect.
The world building is super rich, the plot is unique, the story moves along at a really good pace, which I was concerned about going in, given that there is 15 books. Most of the characters are likeable, ala Perrin, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan, Elaine, Loial ect. Matt is unlikeable in the exact way he's designed to be.
Personally, I'd enjoy the language being a little more adult eg. "burn me" being cursing. Not a GRR level of almost obsession with being as graphic as possible, but something a little more realistic.
My biggest beef so far is why all the main characters - or at least those from Two Rivers, seem to hate Moiraine and especially Nynaeve, who for a completely illogical (unwise lol) reason, her entire character seems to be completely motivated by getting "revenge" on Moiraine for what, saving her whole village, including the boys from being murdered by fades and trollocs? Honestly it feels like if the Fellowship hated Gandalf - and any chapters with Nynaeve, many with Rand or Perrin, are a tough read because their motivation/fears ect. is suspect at best.
Finally, can someone explain why the battles at the end of each book between Rand and The Dark One end in Dark One being defeated but it not actually meaning anything immediately after? or am I missing something crucial.