Paris is one of the most romantic cities and is on most travelers’ bucket lists. Visiting Paris is a must for all of you who love the spirit of Europe, and wish to explore the art, fashion, culture, and gastronomical side of this fascinating city.
Every year, tens of millions of tourists visit the city, hoping to get their piece of the romantic cake everyone who’s visited Paris is talking about. Once you get a chance to explore this magnificent city you’ll understand why it is the most popular tourist destination in the world.
Ah, Paris!
The City of Lights and Capital of Fashion are nicknames that this city is described with. They tell you enough about how glorious this city is. The monumental value is proven by the fact that a large part of Paris is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paris holds second place when it comes to the highest number of Michelin restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) which shows how seriously they take gastronomy.
But, when it comes to finding accommodation in Paris and deciding where to stay there’s a lot of choices. Officially, the city has 20 districts that are called arrondissements.
The districts are numbered from 1 to 20 and they are ordered in a clockwise spiral from the city center. The center of the city is called Kilometre Zero (it is where it all starts) and the mark of this location is in front of Notre Dame.
Knowing about the order of the districts will help you get around the city, however, considering that there are 20 districts or arrondissements to choose from, getting information about some of the best ones can help you find the one that fits you.
Let’s take a look at the best neighborhoods for tourists in Paris to stay in.
Please refer to the Wikitravel map for the numbered districts for reference.
7 – Saint Germain
This district is great for families and those who want to visit as many art galleries and explore the fascinating architecture of the city. Medieval churches, sidewalk booksellers, galleries, and numerous cafés such as the famous Flore (favored by Hemingway) will easily steal your attention.
You can have an amazing time just walking around this district and absorbing this distinctive architectural style or you can spend days visiting art galleries and appreciating all the impeccable pieces. Saint Germain is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris so the youthful atmosphere from the Latin Quarter is somewhat transferred to this district as well.
For a more touristy place to stay in this district focus on rue Buci. You’ll have lots of things to see there as soon as you walk out. Enjoy the good restaurant with your family and spend time strolling around and just breathing in the Parisian lifestyle. Make sure that you visit Luxembourg Palace and Gardens since every one of you will be amazed by its beauty. This is a great place to spend your afternoons when you want to chill after a tiring day.
Located in the 4th arrondissement, Marais is the best place for shopping-lovers and those who are looking for rich nightlife. It is safe to say that this is the hippest and trendiest part of the town. Moreover, the area is filled with chic boutiques, interesting galleries, concept stores, cafés, and gay bars.
Since this was once a Jewish quarter you can find lots of great kosher restaurants. Young travelers can have the time of their life in this area, shopping in the daytime and partying in the nighttime. This is why most Millennials who are looking for a carefree time in Paris head to this place.
Besides shopping, during the day you can spend walking around and chilling in the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. If you feel like getting some historical information, head to Mémorial de la Shoah. This is Paris’s Holocaust Memorial Museum.
It is located in the heart of the Marais on rue Geoffroy l’Asnier. The best part is that the entry is free and they offer guided tours weekly. Any of you who love the work of French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic Movement Victor Marie Hugo, should check out the Musée Victor Hugo, where the writer lived.
This is a luxurious neighborhood that offers great sight-seeing and is well-connected to the rest of the city. The 1st arrondissement has lots of landmarks so staying here will help you to get around and see it all. Since there are many things to see here, it will be easier for you to pick your place of stay if you know its four quartiers and what they have to offer:
Quartier Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois
This quartier runs along the bank of the Seine and what you can find here are the Louvre(the “home” of famous Mona Lisa), the Tuileries Gardens, and the west part of one of two remaining islands in the Seine – Ile de la cité.
Quartier Les Halles
This is a place with a more relaxed character where you can enjoy luxurious shopping sprees. What is significant here for all the shoppers is the massive Les Halles shopping center. Besides the numerous stores, you’ll be surprised by the beautifully abstract architecture of this building.
Quartier Palais-Royal
The most prominent monumental site in this area is the Palais Royal. The Quartier Palais-Royal also includes the bigger part of the busy and cosmopolitan Avenue de l’Opera.
Quartier Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme serves as a center for this quarter. It is signified by its 18th-century street grid. The beautiful historic buildings make this area even more impressive and in them, you’ll find the most luxurious boutiques, jewelry brands, and hotels.
Based on the quartier’s locations and their most popular landmarks you can search for the accommodation in the one that you find most suitable for you. However, no matter which quartier you stay in, you can use the metro to quickly reach the other quartiers and see all the landmarks in the 1st arrondissement. What is certain is that none of these quartiers lack luxury and sight-seeing opportunities.
We’ve finally got to the place for all of the hedonists whose guilty pleasure is the tasty food. Food-lovers will enjoy this area since it offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and places to enjoy the local cuisine. You can check out the Rue de Charonne part, located between the République and Nation squares, which currently presents the evolving dining scene in this hip area.
There is something for everyone so you can find cheaper restaurants, cafés, and bars as well as more expensive ones. Feel free to browse around and try out different places until you find your favorite ones. The cuisine varies from typical French to Mexican, meaning that you can literary try it all out.
Besides enjoying all the tasty food and savory drinks, if you stay in the 11th Arrondissement head to the Opéra Bastille, watch the entertainers at Place de la République, or mingle with the bohemians and bourgeois in the hipster neighborhood of “BoBo” quartier (Quartier de la Folie-Méricourt). Anyone who is looking to relax with their friends or a loved one while indulging in great food, head straight to this district. You won’t be disappointed.
If you are a first-time visitor, this district can be the best choice for your stay. It is close to all the major attractions which will make it easier for you to get around. What you can find in the 7th arrondissements are the Eiffel Tower and its Champs de Mars park. This district is a great place for sightseeing.
History lovers will especially be satisfied with this area. Here are some historic places that you can check out there:
The Musée d’Orsay (with French art dating from 1848 to 1914)
The Musée Rodin with its sculpture garden
Les Invalides (a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments related to the military history of France, as well as the Napoleon’s Tomb)
The building of National Assembly
There are also express bus and tour operators the can take you to the famed Versailles Palace. The 7th Arrondissement really has all the marque landmarks that anyone who’s dreamed of going to Paris can check off their list.
The combination of history and fashion can be found at the Parisian mega-store Le Bon Marché which is one of the first modern department stores founded in 1838. The 7th arrondissement is recommended for all of you who don’t have lots of time to spend in Paris and want to see as much as they can for a short period.
The Latin Quarter is the oldest district in Paris and it is known as the district of students. Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable and vivid location that offers fantastic nightlife Latin Quarter should be your pick. Lots of students from Academploy, an educational blog name this quarter as their favorite place to stay in Paris which shows that this is the best pick for the younger crowd. Latin Quarter is in the 5th arrondissement and it is the home of the Sorbonne University. This explains all the student-filled cafés.
This is a historic center of educational and artistic achievements. If you decide to stay in this area, you can spend your days visiting attractions such as the National Museum of Natural History and the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, as well as the Panthéon building that has the remains of notable achievers like Voltaire and Marie Curie.
Book-lovers will find their place in this district since it is filled with mega-bookstores on Place St-Michel as well as booksellers in the open-air who showcase the books by on the Seine. If you want to avoid the crowds, start with book-hunting early in the morning.
For a budget-friendly but romantic area, head to Montmarte. This is the most romantic neighborhood in Paris. What makes it so fairytale-like is that it is located on the top of a small hill so you’ll have a beautiful landscape to look at and enjoy. Montmarte is also known as the Mountain of Martyrs and it’s set in the 18th arrondissement.
This charming place still has that village atmosphere that makes your night walks more romantic and simply takes you back in the time. And in the moments when you want some unforgettable entertainment, make sure to visit the Moulin Rouge.
With many gardens and vineyards, you’ll be able to get lost in nature. There are lots of little bistros, windmills, museums, and artists who are absorbing the atmosphere that resembles the 19th and 20th centuries.
Many novel writers come here to get inspiration that will get them good ratings. This is certainly a place that will leave you with many unforgettable memories. Montmarte is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway, artists who are in search of inspiration, and a group of friends who want to enjoy the authentic Paris atmosphere.
If you don’t mind doing a little bit of walking and taking public transport, consider staying in Belleville. My first time in Paris I couchsurfed and stayed with a host in Belleville. This neighborhood is the China Town of Paris and the working-class district.
The neighborhood is not very touristy, there’s nothing particular to note except the awesome Parc de Belleville and Edith Piaf’s apartment (incidentally right around the corner of where I stayed). Graffitis might be construed as a bad image for the city but not in Belleville – it’s considered art here!
There are lots of cafes and bars to choose from and every weekend comes the farmers market. This area is some of the cheaper parts of Paris and still relatively safe and great for families. If you want to experience Paris like a local, stay in Belleville.
While the weather in Paris is similar to most European cities and there all tourists visiting the city at all times, there are still some differences depending on seasons. So, here are some of the best times to head to the City of Light:
Early December-February – The cheapest prices and colder weather
April-June and October-early November – Smaller crowds and best for sight-seeing
May, June, September, and October – Best for honeymooners
July and August – Very hot and the roads outside Paris will be congested because of the local’s holiday trips.
Ready to Visit Paris?
As you can see, Paris has so many different sides, and if you can’t explore all of them choose a neighborhood most suitable for your needs. To recapitalize and help you narrow down your choices, let’s just revise the best places to stay based on the preferences and group types:
Where to stay in Paris if you are visiting the first time – 1st and 7th arrondissement
Where to stay in Paris for good nightlife– Marais and Latin Quarter
Where to stay in Paris for a budget-friendly trip – Latin Quarter
Where to stay in Paris with your family – Saint Germain
Where to stay in Paris for a romantic getaway – Montmarte
Where to stay in Paris for a luxurious lifestyle – 1st arrondissement
Where to stay in Paris for artists and writers – Montmarte, Latin Quarter, Saint Germain, and 11th arrondissement
Where to stay in Paris for shopping lovers – 1st arrondissement, Marais, and 7th arrondissement
Where to stay in Paris for food lovers – 11th arrondissement
Where to stay in Paris like a local– Belleville
With this little list, you can simply find the area that you like the most and have an unforgettable trip to a place that exudes with history, romance, and guilty pleasures.
From the heritage to the contemporary ‘The Warehouse Hotel’.
Not so long ago I was introduced to The Warehouse Hotel through our casual after meal conversation in Aomori. The talk went on for hours as we started chatting about some interesting new hotel concepts around the world since my sister and brother in law are working on interior design themselves. I was so attracted to the name of ‘The Warehouse Hotel’ as they mentioned. An idea came through my head which moved me to pack my bags once again and got myself ready to explore more about the ‘new old’.
Finally I landed back in Singapore after so long. Straight from the airport, I made my way to ‘The Warehouse Hotel’. I was so keen about what I was to discover, the interesting story behind, how they have started and the hidden design concept, why warehouse?
There I was standing literally in the middle of an old Warehouse refurnished with fascinating interior which stunned me for a second. Rather of feeling cold and uneasy, I felt the warmth and the cosiness. I adore this place.
I checked myself in, sat around for a bit to admire the surrounding before I ringing some friends ‘hey guys join me at The Warehouse Hotel’s bar tonight’. I knew it’s gonna be a perfect night to catch up with friends.
We got the River View Loft room which was on the second floor facing the river. Every detail blended in so well. I was amazed by the design of the high gable roof, which, I believed they’ve retained the old warehouse structure. The entire interior was set in subtle mood and tones with the accent of olive green. I love the Ikat bed runner which was in collaboration with Matter Prints, an artisanal textiles company known all over the world. We rested a while l before making our ways to the outdoor infinity pool to watch the sunset.
So the night began with our delish dinner ‘Po Piah’ at The Warehouse Hotel. The menu touched on traditional Singapore dishes infused with contempt tastes which I can’t really describe but to ask you to give it a try. Dish after dish were swiped off by us as though there weren’t anything on those plates before aha!
After dinner we took a stroll around the area to digest over super heavy meal then back for drinks till midnight with friends. It was a great time.
The next morning we got up pretty late for the breakfast after the long but lovely night with friends. Through our morning tea we got a bit of an interesting information about the hotel. I could imagine this on a story book, believe me or not I was imagining scene after scene while listening.
‘The Warehouse Hotel was built in 1895 along the river in the area called Robertson Quay which used to be the Straits of Malacca trade route. Back in the old time, the area was a hotbed of secret societies, underground activity, and liquor distilleries. Today, while much of that history has disappeared, The Robertson Quay is one of the only neighbourhood in Singapore with a vibrant blend of residential and commercial offerings. Situated right next door to the famous Clarke Quay and Boat Quay the bustling riverside with natural food and beverage hub’.
‘The Warehouse Hotel itself has been meticulously restored as a modern 37-room boutique hotel, focusing on heritage and local culture. Open as of January 2017, it delivers thoughtful hospitality with historically-detailed rooms, classic local dishes and craft cocktails in the vibrant neighbourhood of Robertson Quay.’
‘The Warehouse is considered to be the only current hotel which tells the story of Singapore’s new makers, creators & do-ers. Each partnership reflects heritage and local culture’.
“No Accommodation.” The pelican here is by Neil Brigham, a linocut called “On the Mend.” Pelicans are a symbol of generosity and openness. . . . #bird #seabirds #arrow #pelican #accommodation #flowers #halo #sun #collageart #popart #linocut #print #card #motivation #contemplation #affirmation #motto #eldritch #eldritchtree #eldritchtreeprints #phillyartist #philadelphia #artistoninstagram #dailyart #digitalart #graphicart #graphicdesign (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zRH4rnOUf/?igshid=4hbs069r35kn
So, this is something that’s been somewhat bothering my for a while, and I wanted to see if anyone could relate. So this is basically a vent and y’all are welcome to scroll past. For starters, I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD primarily of the inattentive type since 4th grade. My ADHD has never been the type portrayed in popular media or what people have been led to believe ADHD is. That’s me medicated. My ADHD is fairly severe. I get 100% (double) time on just about every assessment. I am now a junior in high school, and this is still the case, and probably will be in college too. I’m 17 years old, and I go to a primarily white private school in the south. I only include this information due to the fact that my limited research, which could be wrong considering it was once Google search and a couple of clicks, has turned up that it’s more likely for rich, white students to get accommodation plans. So, I include that fact to attempt to support one of my claims made in here.
Now, here’s where my post actually begins. It kind of plays like a speech in my head, and forgive me if that’s annoying but it was the best way for me to format this in my brain.
When I was younger, there was a local restaurant with an elevated patio in the back. There were stairs to get on to the patio because extra parking for the restaurant was in the back. But, there wasn’t enough room for a wheelchair ramp. So, instead, there was a little elevator thing. Me being young, of course I wanted to go on it. But, whoever I was with, my mom more than likely, told me no, obviously. It wasn’t for me, I don’t need it, it’s not a ride, etc. And of course this was frustrating, but even at that young age I knew that was true. It wasn’t there for me to play on, it was there for people who had other struggles and needed help to get up on the patio. If I were to play on it, someone who needed it may not be able to get on the patio, and they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the food at the restaurant.
Now, this may seem unrelated, but I promise it is. In the 4th grade I was diagnosed with ADHD. I got extra time on my tests, and I got to take them in an isolated space because of my extra time. In all honesty, I don’t use my extended time much. Occasionally I do, and I’ll admit, it’s nice to have, especially when I forget to take my meds, or the meds don’t work very well and I can’t focus for a long period of time, but I need the isolation more than anything. This has continued throughout my schooling. I have to go through extensive testing every 3 years to keep my accommodations, which is fair. It would be ridiculous if I outgrew my ADHD but kept the extended time that I don’t need. For years, there were very few other students that had accommodation plans, but that began to change when I got into high school.
As I went through high school, more and more kids started to get accommodation plans. For things like ‘test anxiety,’ or other things that as far as I’m concerned, seemed a little far fetched. And maybe I’m making assumptions, but I’m fairly sure I’m not. Over the years, I have been told too many times how lucky I am to have extended time, and how these kids want extended time, etc. I don’t consider myself lucky, considering the struggles I go through to require an accommodation plan, and the amount of money and time that goes into getting and maintaining an accommodation plan. Now I know I am lucky because some people do need them and don’t have the resources to get one, but that’s not the concern here. These things make me believe that some of these kids don’t need their extended time. Yet, as time went on, and more of these students who didn’t really need these accommodations started popping up and showing up in the testing rooms for extended time. Now, I went from about 4 other students in my testing room to not a single desk empty.
As I stated before, I need the isolation more than the time. Now that there’s so many people with extended time, I’d be better off taking my exams with the rest of the class. But I need that isolation. They may or may not. They just wanted it. But now they’re impeding on my ability to get up on that patio because they wanted to play on the elevator. I needed that extra help to get up and enjoy the food, but they’re taking that away from me. Why do they get to enjoy something that they don’t need, but I can’t even get the bare necessities for success?
Anyways, that’s my rant thanks for reading peace out
I spent my first ever July 4th (not to be confused with the 4th of July, the white supremacist holiday. July 4th, the boom boom day.) wearing earmuffs the entire time.
I live in Florida, USA. I was casually told it’s ‘not a big deal’ and to 'get over it, it’s nothing serious’ and 'take them off, are you hard-headed?’
I’ve been to a gun range, and these earmuffs are to protect ears from loud, close, repeated gunfire. Yet my ears still hurt from the fireworks being set off about 20 to 30 feet away from me.
Now, why did I decide to wear them? While normally it’s none of your business, I’m feeling generous. I was dealing with a lot of sensory overload (SO) yesterday and everything felt extremely disorienting and my hand tremors were especially bad because of the overload.
I just wanted to enjoy the fireworks because I love them. I was playing with sparklers and just other small things (didn’t even play with poppers bc no). I wore these earmuffs because other people’s fireworks were loud so I knew having them go off so close would be even louder.
Let me tell you, I had people try to pull them off of me. I was fighting to wear these earmuffs while being burned by stray embers from the fireworks. I lost my voice yelling at people and being embarrassed and shamed by my family (for more reason than just the earmuffs, but I digress).
My cousin, who was also wearing earmuffs (he has autism and doesn’t do well with loud noises or rapid flashing lights (the lights part is medical reasons)), wasn’t told anything. He was laughed at a bit bc 'haha, you’ll be fine.’ No one tried to force the earmuffs off of him.
You might be thinking “yeah but he had an actual reason, that people knew about.” I told them about my sensory overload, and how I was feeling like hell. They kept trying to get them off.
Where am I going with all of this?
Well outside of my family being ableist af, non-understanding, bigoted assholes, PEOPLE SHOULD BE VALIDATED.
Even if I wasn’t dealing with SO, I should be able to wear earmuffs even if just because I wanted to. You wouldn’t tell a man he can’t wear a chain around his neck. Why is that? Because it doesn’t affect you! So SHUT UP and let me wear earmuffs on the boom boom day!
I’ve always tried to be accepting of people, and take them at their word with disabilities or even just adjustments. You have trouble talking to people and want to make an order? I can help with that. Will I ask why? No. Whether it’s a speech disability or just feeling shy, I don’t care. It’s not my business.
As someone who passes well as neurotypical, I’ve experienced ableism before. But usually just “it’s not a big deal, just tell [cashier] what you want” or other 'minor’ things like that. Never quite like what happened last night.
No words can describe the levels of discomfort and anger I felt with the entire situation.
To all the people that laugh at people that ask you to tell the cashier their order, or the ones that ask you to please try to keep it down if it’s no trouble: Stop laughing. If you claim to respect people with any form of disability, stop. Simply accommodate. You laughing and mocking them? It makes you the idiot. You’re the asshole. You’re behaving in ableist manners. Just accommodate silently. Ask them if there’s anything else you can do to make them more comfortable. Don’t laugh because they’re “so shy” or “can’t talk to anybody.” Don’t mock them by saying it’s a “public space” to try to 'justify’ why you’re so loud. They’re aware of that. They’re just asking if you could help make it a safe public space for everyone. Everyone, not just the neurotypicals.
Sorry for the long vent/rant, I needed this off my mind.
“undescribed” and “no id” are much more helpful tags than “described” because we can filter those to avoid seeing undescribed posts. described doesn’t really help us ime.
Airbnb lets you filter results by public room (e.g. living room), private room, and private apartment.
Because they’re people’s homes, AirBnB rentals are all over the map rather than being specifically centrally located.
Renting a whole apartment can be the cheapest, best option if you’re with a group of people! You can split the cost and have a whole apartment to yourselves. On your own, it’s not nearly as affordable.
Read the reviews, if there are any.
AirBnBcan be cheap, but it tends to be on the pricier side, especially if you’re traveling alone. On the flip side, the accommodation you’ll find on here is much homier than most hostels, often more private, and feels more secure.
Like couchsurfing, this usually offers more privacy and solitude, but less of a chance to meet other backpackers.
Because it’s a financial transaction, there’s no obligation for you and the host to socialize, although obviously still be polite, and always leave a review after your stay.
It’s exactly the same as couchsurfing, except you pay money for it and you’re less likely to hang out with the host.
The most common concern I hear about couchsurfing is a legitimate one. You’re staying with a total stranger; how can you trust them? And at the end of the day it is a leap of faith. But if you read the reviews and the personal profile of the host, you can get a much better idea of what you’re going into. Remember that they’re giving a total stranger the keys to their house. At its core, couchsurfing is about faith in other people: that they’re basically good, and interesting, and worth knowing and helping.
Not going to lie; it’s much harder to find a host as a guy, and you’re going to find a lot of hosts who only accept female guests (with male hosts, this occasionally goes hand in hand with things like ‘by the way I’m a nudist, and in order for me to feel comfortable in my own home you also need to be nude, and by the way I like to snuggle’. Just…close the tab). In general, the people who accept all genders are less sketchy, and I think they’ve got a better sense of the spirit of the thing.
On the website, ignore whether someone is verified or not; it just means they’re paying a fee every month to the website. What you need to look at are the references – the more and the more positive, the better. Again, look for reviews from people like you (especially if you’re a college girl traveling alone).
Couchsurfing, like AirBnB, has filters for public rooms and private rooms, as well as smoking/nonsmoking, male or female hosts, and several others.
It’s polite to bring a small gift to your host. Even a key chain or a post card shows you’re thinking of them. I’ve brought soaps, drawings, and origami in the past. I met a woman whose guest brought her a yellow spoon, which she genuinely cherished several years later. As long as it has a fun story behind it, you can bring just about anything.
Read both the profile of the potential host and the description of the accommodation, to make sure the location, rules, etc. suit your needs, and that you would get along with the host themselves.
Personalize your message to potential hosts. The hosts are doing this entirely out of the joy of meeting new travelers and a sense of hospitality. Because it’s not financial, finding a host is based more on whether you, personally, seem like someone they’d enjoy meeting and would trust to visit their home.
Get in touch with a lot of people. As a general rule, only one in ten will respond, and of those, it’s entirely up to luck whether any of them are free to host you.
Couchsurfing is a really amazing way to meet locals! I’ve never had a bad experience. Hosts tend to enjoy showing you their city, or if they’re busy, supplying you with the tools to make the most of it on your own.
It’s expected that you’ll spend at least a little time with your host. Most won’t be able to take much time out of their daily lives to show you around, but it’s polite to spend at least one meal with them. It’s considered rude to treat their house like a hotel, without spending any time with them at all. The whole point of the site is connecting with people.
Since you’re staying for free, be prepared to help out in some other way. Cook your shared dinner, clean the dishes, buy them a round of drinks, teach them some weird skill you know. Give back.
A lot of major cities have emergency threads where you can only post within 72 hours of your visit to the city. In case something goes wrong (your hostel burns down, the AirBnB is full of cockroaches, the strange uncle you’re staying with is stubbornly nudist) and you’re facing a night homeless in a foreign city, this is one place to look.
Fill your own profile out as thoroughly as you can. When it comes does to it, it’s the host who decides if you can stay with them or not, so they need to feel comfortable with you, and vice versa. A profile that gives them a good idea of who you are helps a lot.
Because of the low rate of replies and accepted guests, message hosts three or four weeks before your trip and have a backup plan.
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The Robot Apocalypse came. Cities are empty, you stayed since you’re almost out of insulin and will die soon anyway. The robots find you and while processing you one of them sees your insulin pump and asks if you want to apply for dual citizenship, since the pump technically makes you a cyborg.
Suddenly all the people with prosthetics, wheelchairs, implants, and the like are getting the accommodations and help they need without having to be poor or locked away in a care center. This is an apocalypse I can get behind!
The other survivors left us behind.
They said it was nothing personal—the bus could only fit so many people, after all, and escape would be hard enough without “dead weight” dragging them down.
We understood. The world was ending, not changing.
“Shouldn’t we be looking for shelter or something?” Samantha asked as we sat around a garbage-can fire. (Tao was experienced in making them, from what we gathered, and the flames had grown in no time. We tried to ask him how he knew what to do. He responded, but none of us knew sign language.)
Hank snorted. “What’s the point? Not like we’ll make it long, anyway.” He rubbed the spot beneath his shirt where we knew his insulin pump to be. “Least, I won’t. You folks are welcome to try.”
No one spoke for quite a while. No one got up, either.
Maria garbled something that I couldn’t make out. Antonio, one of the only able-bodied to stay behind, smiled and patted the armrest of her wheelchair. “It is kind of like camping,” he said. “All we need is some marshmallows.”
“I’ve never been camping,” Dwayne said quietly.
Samantha grinned. “Hey, me neither!” She held her prosthetic at arms-length so she could reach past me to give him a high-five. He chuckled and slapped his palm against hers.
“Well,” Monique said, hobbling back to our makeshift camp. She was using what appeared to be a broom as a crutch. “I’m officially on my last leg.” She waggled her eyebrows, and we groaned.
“Anyway, I didn’t find any water,” she continued. “There’s some Mountain Dew cases over at the gas station, but I’ll need help carrying them back. Doesn’t help that this one got stuck under some debris.” She gestured down at her stump, which cut off just below the knee. The plastic of her other leg was scuffed and dented.
“Ya know,” Hank said, “if it was real, ya probably would’ve had ta chew it off or something. Guess you’re lucky, huh?”
Monique laughed humorlessly. “Yeah. Real lucky.”
Tao startled us with his sudden chuckling. He bent over, wheezing and slapping his knee. He signed something, and began laughing even harder.
We looked to each other, unsure. Then we joined in. Hesitantly, at first, but soon we were clutching our sides and wiping away tears. And for a moment, we could forget.
All of us heard the familiar whirring of robots as they approached.
Through our laughter, none of us cared.
————
They scanned Hank first. We braced ourselves for the blaster fire that would inevitably follow.
But none came.
“IMPLANT DETECTED,” the bot said, beam stopping on Hank’s abdomen. “PROTOCOL-13163 INITIATED. WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
Hank glanced at us, then back at the robots who had spotlights and guns trained on each member of the group. Then he shrugged.
“Sure. Why not?”
“YOUR DESIGNATION IS NOW FL-237. YOU SHALL BE ESCORTED TO THE REPAIR BAY FOR MODIFICATIONS.” Two bots took place on either side of Hank, urging him towards their transport.
The treatment was a stark contrast to what we’d witnessed from the robots before—gunning down terrified people in the streets, setting charges throughout populated areas. We exchanged confused looks.
Dwayne was next. The scanner stopped on his head, focusing on the lump housing his shunt.
“IMPLANT DETECTED. PROTOCOL-13163 INITIATED. WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
“…yes?”
“YOUR DESIGNATION IS NOW FL-238. YOU SHALL BE ESCORTED TO THE REPAIR BAY FOR MODIFICATIONS.”
As they took Dwayne away, realization hit us all at once.
“IMPLANT DETECTED,” the bot said, in reference to the devices curled around Tao’s ears. “PROTOCOL-13163 INITIATED. WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
Tao signed something. Unlike us, the robot understood.
“YOUR DESIGNATION IS NOW FL-239…”
————
“WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
“Hellyeah,” Monique said with a grin.
————
“WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
“Yes,” Samantha said, and I thought I noticed tears in her eyes.
————
“WILL YOU ACCEPT?”
Maria’s limbs flailed spastically, and a strange shrieking sound built in the back of her throat. The bot cocked its head to the side.
“RESPONSE UNCLEAR. PLEASE STAND BY WHILE ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION IS PROVIDED.”
Another robot stepped forward, its torso transforming into a holographic keyboard of sorts. Maria’s clenched fist shot forward, trembling as she attempted to steady it. With labored, deliberate movements, she typed, the letters spoken aloud in an automated tone.
“Y-E-S.”
“YOUR DESIGNATION IS NOW FL-242. YOU SHALL BE ESCORTED TO THE REPAIR BAY FOR MODIFICATIONS.” Two bots took their place on either side of her wheelchair, each of them gripping a handlebar. They began to wheel her away.
The bot turned to Antonio, who was standing ramrod-straight. It scanned him.
“NO IMPLANTS DETECTED,” it said. Its blaster hummed to life. Those of us that remained flinched, turning away instinctively, unwilling to watch his execution.
A series of shrieks rang through the night, and the bot paused.
Maria thrashed about, letting out more distressed noises. One of her escorts stepped forward, allowing her to utilize its keyboard.
“A-C-C-O-M-O-D-A-T-I-O-N,” she said. “H-E. I-S. E-X-T-E-N-S-I-O-N.”
The bot seemed to consider for a moment.
Then its gun folded away.
“ACCOMODATION PROTOCAL INITIATED,” it told Antonio. “YOUR DESIGNATION IS NOW FL-242B. PLEASE ACCOMPANY YOUR PRIMARY UNIT.”
Antonio stumbled forward, then fell to his knees before the wheelchair. He wrapped his sister in a shuddering hug.
Over his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Maria’s face, and I could swear I saw her smile.
————
My pacemaker was enough to earn me a spot among the bots’ ranks. I was surprised by just how many humans lived in the facility (though in hindsight, perhaps I shouldn’t have been)—I was even more surprised by our treatment. Not having use of recharging stations, we were provided with bunks and dorms. The cafeteria, while somewhat lacking in options, offered all of the nutrition a carbon-based lifeform could ask for.
And then there were the upgrades.
“Real lucky, huh?” Monique said, taking the seat beside me in the cafeteria. Her robotic legs moved smoothly, fluidly. (“You can’t even notice,” she’d said upon first receiving them, before remembering that there were no longer any stares or judgement to hide from.)
“Damn lucky,” Hank agreed. (If we hadn’t been processed when we were, he would’ve been dead within a week. Here, insulin was never in short supply; as it turned out, it wasn’t nearly as expensive to make as we’d been led to believe.)
Samantha twirled a fork between her fingers, smiling at the satisfying click-click-click of metal on metal. “Hey, Dwayne, how’d your checkup go?”
“Great!” he said, beaming. “This new shunt works even better than my last one. Not a single problem since they put it in.”
Congratulations, Tao signed. He was no longer emaciated, as he’d been when we first met—regular meals and a roof over his head really had done wonders for his health. His smile, of course, was infectious as ever.
Antonio approached, carrying his and Maria’s trays. He wore the uniform of a maintenance tech, though it was more of a formality than anything else—being responsible for the upkeep of Maria’s machinery was one of the only ways he could fulfill his Accommodation Protocol, nowadays.
Did you remember the pudding? Maria asked, her automated voice clear and pleasant. (We couldn’t begin to understand the exact mechanics behind the chip in her head, and how it allowed her to speak—albeit through a machine. Nor could we understand the technology that enabled her to operate her wheelchair independently, as well. But we did know we were grateful for it.)
Antonio rolled his eyes. “A ‘thanks’ would be nice.”
Thank you. Now gimme.
————
I did wonder, occasionally, how the other survivors were faring. If they had found a place to hide from their robotic overlords. If they felt hopeless and abandoned and alone. Their lives had changed drastically overnight—their world had ended.
Butours? Ours is just beginning. And the ones that left us behind just…don’t have a place in it.
[Image: Two feet in tennis shoes with Zubits (two rectangular magnets clicked together, with holes jutting out from their outer sides) strewn around and laced into the shoe. Two hands demonstrate how the product lets you “open” your shoelaces down the middle for easy on and off, after initially lacing each side of the lace up the magnets instead of crisscrossing each other.]
Zubits ($20) The Accessible Magnetic Lacing Solution
Hot diggity dang! These look ridiculously easy to work with and are certainly the most elegant solution to accessible footwear we’ve seen—and we’ve seen quite a few.
How they work: lace your shoes up with these little doohickeys, and you can easily slip them on and off with a quick click. The magnets can take a lot of movement without failing, but still come apart easily when you go to take off your shoes.
Not only do they remove the need to work your poor joints into tying and untying a knot, but once you learn the hands-free technique, it looks like you can pop these shoes off without even bending over (hear that, POTS patients?). And honestly, with a little dexterity, you might be able to put ‘em on hands-free, too.
Not sure you can manage pulling the magnets apart? Not to fear: the tips and tricks page covers a few different ways to git ‘er done with even more accessibly.
Bonus: it sounds like patients and PTs have found ways to use these on laced braces and similar orthotics, too!
If you are after a budget hostel in Hualien that offers unbeatable location, the stylish Wow Youth Hostel located two minutes away from Hualien Train Station will be your best option. Converted from a historic hotel that had been around for 33 years, Wow Youth Hostel is the result of the efforts of some young people, who are the third generation of the family who owns the property. They didn’t want to see this building lose its shine so decided to give it a new life, and Wow Youth Hostel was therefore born. The original layout of the old hotel has been retained, but the hostel itself is very industrial chic in a sleek and modern setting.
The vibrant hostel might look a bit more like a trendy coffee house at the very first glance. Backpackers from all over the world gather in the communal area on the second floor, sitting on the bar chairs by the enormous floor-to-ceiling window and looking out at the busy train station that transports travelers from different parts of Taiwan. As a matter of fact, Wow Café & Bar on the ground floor does provide beer, beverages and all kinds of tourist information for those who just arrive in Hualien. Two shared computers are available by the reception desk, and the language setting is at both Mandarin and English for the convenience of local and international visitors alike. The communal area is where like-minded travelers exchange stories and ideas. From time to time, there are even some seminars, mini concerts, movie nights, seasonal event and parties being organized here. The common kitchen and free breakfasts are quite a rarity at most local youth hostels, but the manager Howard strives to create a homey backpacking experience in Hualien. He brought back the concept of backpacker hostels while he was on the road throughout Canada. To balance the desire to get away from it all with the need to feel at home, the hostel is well equipped with a kitchen and loads of sofa, making everyone being far away from home feels exactly at home — but with all the fun of a hostel!
Wow Youth Hostel offers a number of room types to accommodate different party sizes from private rooms to shared dormitory rooms with either single or double beds (ideal for couples, family and friends). Guests don’t have to wait forever to take a shower as all rooms include modern en-suite bathrooms, and there is even additional shared bathrooms on the fourth and fifth floors. Understanding that metal bed frames with the squeaking noise can be really annoying and may even deprive you of sleep, the hostel uses the bunk beds with pine frames to make sure that every guest has a good night’s sleep. Every bunk has its own reading light, privacy curtain, universal socket and electronic locker.
The management team ensures that the hostel is jam packed and full of fun loving travelers and that creativity can be spotted around every corner. Entering the train-themed elevator puts a smile on your face and gives you a sense of embarking on an unknown adventure. The hostel is never short of interactivity. Upon stepping out of the elevator, you will find a giant map of Hualien City covered with sticky notes with recommended attractions/restaurants/secret spots written on them, and these are all contributed by the travelers themselves. The blackboard on each floor serve as a canvas for creativity, where guests are more than welcomed to get their creative juices flowing. 54 rooms are spread over 9 floors, but the hostel encourages the guests to reduce carbon emissions by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Therefore, a local mural artist was invited to paint the staircases on each floor with impressive 3D images of seven wonders of Hualien, including Qingshui Cliff, Taroko Gorge, Qixingtan, Lintianshan, Mataian Wetland, Xiuguluan River and Liushidanshan — all the way from the north to the south of Hualien. Even though you don’t get to visit every single attraction in Hualien, a tour around Wow Youth Hostel will make up for it. The rooftop is another highlight here, which allows you to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding lush mountains as well as some F-16 Fighting Falcons tearing up the sky if you’re lucky enough.
On the second floor, you will find a “honest shop” that offers soft drinks, beer, snacks, cookies and instant noodles, but the cash register is nowhere to be seen. Instead, there is only an old farebox for shoppers to put the amount of money that corresponds with the value of their purchase. The result? According to the manager Howard, the honest shop (almost) never takes a loss ever since its existence, and Wow Youth Hostel continues to have faith in the basic goodness of people even in this immense and fast-growing world.
The hotel La Tremoille. In Paris, in the heart of the Golden Triangle and in a quiet street between Montaigne Avenue, Georges V Avenue and the Champs-Elysees, lies a hotel that associates the brilliant architecture of the Hausmann era with a contemporary elegant style!
short promo we shot as part of a website / imaging update for Couria Creek Cottages. RED Dragon with Canon glass. Beautiful spot just south of Tilba Tilba - forests and farm, mountain and lake views … plus ALPACAS! #tilba #beautifultilba #eurobodalla #tilbatilba #accommodation #farm #forest #alpacas #getaway #couriacreek #couriacreekcottages #cottages #4k #red #reddigitalcinema #nikon #canon #nature #australia #visitnsw #visittilbatilba #farsouthcoast #farsouthcoastnsw (at Couria Creek Cottages, Tilba Tilba NSW Australia)
Summerbreeze | Couria Creek Cottages, Tilba Tilba NSW - short promo we shot as part of a website / imaging update for the Cottages. RED. Dragon with Nikon + Canon glass. Beautiful sot just south of Tilba Tilba - forests and farm, mountain and lake views … plus ALPACAS! #tilba #beautifultilba #eurobodalla #tilbatilba #accommodation #farm #forest #alpacas #getaway #couriacreek #couriacreekcottages #cottages #4k #red #reddigitalcinema #nikon #canon #nature #australia #visitnsw #visittilbatilba #farsouthcoast #farsouthcoastnsw (at Couria Creek Cottages, Tilba Tilba NSW Australia)
“I could only get a job outside the city, I was lucky enough to find someone who will let me live here in exchange for housework, I should be happy I guess but I’m scared what will happen when it rains”
If you love to travel, but don’t love hotel pricing, Airbnb.com is a site you are likely familiar with. However, this is not the only site you can use to book a convenient home, condo, or apartment when you are traveling. For those who like the “home away from home” feel or the local feel when traveling, you’ll love using this site to book your next vacation. But Airbnb is not the only site out…
