I am going on this trip with my wife in mid October. I've out together an itinerary and was hoping someone with experience could give their view on it and whether I have planned too much. Also, whether anything I've included is actually not worth the hassle or similar to something else.
About us... Mid 30s. I am not a fan of crowds (they bring my heart rate up) and am aware that many of the places on the itinerary are crowded but my wife really wants to go to Japan so here we are. My favourite holiday activities are things like kayaking and nature walking (moderate hikes are fine with us) - I love nature and beautiful scenary. To be honest, I've struggled to incorporate these things into the itinerary so if there's any suggestions people may have for activities close to where we are going I'd love to here them. I saw you could kayak in Okutama but all I could find is group things and we really don't like group activites.
I have one request for food suggestions which is a fancy dinner local to The Gate Hotel in Ginza on Day 13 (But not so fancy that jeans/smart shoes are needed as we won't have those).
Neither of us are into anime but the wife likes pokemon.
We are flying from the UK. Flight departs at 7.20pm so we expect to sleep on the plane.
Day 1 - Monday 16th October - Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
Land at 5.15pm. Check in at hotel and go to Asakusa / Senso-ji / Sumida Park
Day 2 - Tuesday 17th October - Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
Teamlabs 9am. Pokemon Cade midday. Shibuya Sky 4.30pm. Shinjuku in evening (getting all the reservation places done in one day)
Day 3 - Wednesday 18th October - Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
If the weather is nice, we will do the Hakone Round Course recommended by Japan Guide, ending with using the onsen at Yuryo.
If it's cloudy we will do one of the following day trips: DisneySea, Nikko, Okutama, Takao (I've looked at all of these but none of them really grabbed me)
Day 4 - Thursday 19th October - Tokyo/Kyoto - Good Nature
Checkin at 3pm. Nishiki Market (right next to hotel). Walk to Kiyomizu-Dera and Yasaka Pagoda. Then Pontocho Alley for food.
Day 5 - Friday 20th October - Kyoto - Good Nature
Arashiyama bamboo at 7am. Row boat on river. Walk to Otagi. Then Sakyo-ku if not tired. In the afternoon/eve, head to Shinbashi-Dori / Shirakawa River Walk
Day 6 - Saturday 21st October - Kyoto - Good Nature
Have a lay in due to early rise yesterday. Either rent a bike and roll around or spend the day at Kibune (any suggested bike routes for a Saturday?). Another alternative is a river boat but I've struggled to find ones other than the rapid one near Arashiyama which we don't want to do. In the evening, go to Koda-ji.
Day 7 - Sunday 22nd October - Kyoto/Osaka - Swissotel or Fraser Residence
Fushimi Inari at 6.30am. Checkin 3pm, travelling via Kyo-train Garaku if we can. In Osaka - Shinsekai in the afternoon and go to Dotombori in evening.
Day 8 - Monday 23rd October - Osaka - Swissotel or Fraser Residence
Minoh Park (is this too similar to Kibune?) 10am to 1pm. Then Sumiyoshi Taisha and Dotombori in evening.
Day 9 - Tuesday 24th October - Osaka - Swissotel or Fraser Residence
Universal Studios. Umeda Sky Building in evening.
Day 10 - Wednesday 25th October - Osaka/Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi or Dai-ichi
Checkin 3pm. Tokyo Dome / Akihabara
Day 11 - Thursday 26th October - Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi or Dai-ichi
If we didn't do Hakone on Day 3, we'll do it here regardless of weather.
Otherwise, one of the day trips mentioned in Day 3: DisneySea, Nikko, Okutama, Takao
Day 12 - Friday 27th October - Tokyo - Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi or Dai-ichi
Another one of the day trips: DisneySea, Nikko, Okutama, Takao
Day 13 - Saturday 28th October - Tokyo - Gate Hotel
Checkin 1pm. We are switching hotels as this one has a cool, big room and a hot tub on a terrace high up. Plan is to chill during the day and go for a fancy local dinner in the evening (suggestions for dinner would be great) then chill in the hot tub with the city lights.
Day 14 - Sunday 29th October - Tokyo - Gate Hotel
This is technically the final day as we will be checking out at 11pm to travel to the airport for a flight that leaves at 2.45am on Day 15. Plan is Harajuku and Yoyogi Park during the day.
The only bits I have listed on my spreadsheet that I've not included in the above are going to Hamarikyu Gardens and going to the tea house and getting a ferry, plus seeing Rainbow Bridge. I've struggled to fit these in.
Thanks for reading!

So, I work in the financial aid office at a college. My former director had worked there for nearly 20 years before retiring. When she left. She recommended our assistant director, who had 16 years at this college, for her position. Well, they had recently promoted a new person into a decision making role about the financial aid office, and he is obsessed with outside hiring. So despite this person knowing how to do the job, having a PHD when the job required a bachelors, and having 16 years of experience when the job required 5, they gave it to someone outside the college just because he was outside the college.
So this guy comes in, and is completely incompetent. Has clearly lied about his credentials and abilities as he knows almost nothing about the universal processes or guidelines. He is lazy, often being seen in his office on his phone playing games. When concerns were raised by the two assistant directors they were berated, and implied that they were jealous he got the job instead of one of them. All of us advisors see the strain of this slowly trickling down to us. Eventually both our assistant directors and one of our office managers quite within four weeks of each other.
Now it is just him. No assistant directors and only one office manager. After about a month, they post the office manager job and let us know they will have two openings. They interview everyone who is interested and we have two really great internal candidates…and zero external applicants. They chose to tell the second internal candidate no, because they want an outside hire for the second role. They then told her that the reason she got passed over was for “questioning the decisions of her superiors” by asking about the position after the interviews, when no one heard anything for another month. The second reason they gave was that she should work on finishing her bachelors degree, which is not a requirement for the job.
All through this process I, the only other male presenting person besides the new director, have been getting treated like shit by him. He talks to me like I am a moron, questions every single thing I do, and threatened my job over putting a ticket in with IT.
We went to our union and it did nothing. They had a meeting with him and his boss, and nothing came of it. I had already accepted this and started job hunting.
Now they are introducing a new thing in the office that they call hoteling. Basically they created new positions and there aren’t enough desks in the office for everyone. So now we are going to rotate and share desks with other people at random. Where will we sit during this? At the front desk, which is essentially a bank teller window were part time and student workers sit. We no longer have a personal space at work. We are now forced to sit in a tiny space to be constantly interrupted in it because they refuse to utilize other empty office space.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, I am just running out of space in the post.
I had my second interview at a more prestigious four year institution on Thursday and should find out if I got the job this coming week. Keep your fingers crossed for me peeps, cause I am drowning.

Hi guys!
Kansas Citian here who just spent Tuesday night through Friday morning in your city and just wanted to say what a great time I had!
I was there for a work trip so I wasn't able to be a full on tourist, but your city, much like Kansas City, is very underrated I must say! When I found out I was going to Cincinnati, I wasn't dreading it by any means, but it wasn't like "oh I get to go to Hawaii/NYC/Miami!" Basically I had not much knowledge on Cincinnati either way so I just felt neutral about it, I knew it straddled the Ohio river into Kentucky and that you had the Bengals and Reds.
However, I ended up being super happy I got to experience a place I probably wouldn't have ever thought to go!
For one, the view of the skyline suddenly appearing as I came from the south on 71 was so pretty! I'm a sucker for skylines so it was so cool how I was just driving along and then suddenly "boom" there was the heart of the city in plain view!
I also went to the Cincinnati art museum (I'm cheap and told myself I'd only go do things that are free) and was super impressed. Reminded me a lot of the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City.
I also walked across the john roebling bridge cuz i also love bridges and found out it served as inspiration for the brooklyn bridge! before i knew that i was thinking, "this feels very brookly bridge-esque."
Although I did not catch any games I loved how the Bengals and Reds stadiums were right in the middle of downtown. One thing I hate about Kansas City (that st louis does a lot better but dont tell them) is how the sports stadiums are out in the ugly suburbs 20 minutes from downtown!
Lastly, and most importantly, someone I was with REALLY wanted to try graters ice cream on thursday night (i dont personally like ice cream, like at all, i know im weird) because they said it was famous. So we drove downtown and OMG!
It did take us about 20 minutes to find a free parking spot, but after that we were right by fountain square and apparently salsa night was going on that night. It looked like so much fun! I saw people of ever age, gender, race, etc dancing along to the instructions that the ladies were giving everyone. I believe they said it had been going on for 16 years and also that different nights of the week were different genres.
Lastly, Cincinnati in general felt very tree-covered to me, it reminded me of the ozarks (where im from). Rolling hills of trees. I also saw a lot of cute areas downtown and near my hotel that I didn’t actually explore but that I felt looked really cool.
Anyways, 10/10 recommend! Almost bought a Reds hat even though I’m a Boston fan!

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I'm 31, great worker, college grad, no criminal history, nevwr been fired. Worked as marketing managers at two small businesses when I was younger, some time at a hotel, claims processor for insurance and nearly 4 years at a massive marketing company as a project manager. Quit fter being burned out and no future for pay.
Have not been able to find anything for months, rejections and ghosts even for stuff I'm wildly overqualified for. Currently workinf overnight at Walmart. Winner. Where's this great America people like to talk about? Haven't experience it my entire life. If it's hard for me how bad is it for people without degrees, who get fired, are lazy, have criminal history etc

I work in hospitality, a very popular chain company here at the UK, I won't mention the name, but I can honestly say, it's the best job I've ever had, I didn't think I would enjoy a job so much especially working the night shifts. When I was being interviewed, everything was sounding amazing until they mentioned I would be working completely alone, I have to admit that made my heart skip a beat and I almost refused the job. But honestly accepting the job was the best thing I ever did and being there for nearly 2 years has proven that, I still can't believe I work there. The staff are amazing, the guests are 99.9% pleasant and overall I'm very happy.
But of course, where there's good, there is bad. Sure I've dealt with awkard guests, guests who came back drunk after a night out, I even had to kick out a few guests because they were being way too loud and disturbing other guests sleeping. So it's not all sun shine and roses I admit but that doesn't put me off my job. Until one night where a guest made me question that very thing.
It happened a few weeks ago, I arrived at my normal time to take over from evening staff, the duty manager that was working took me to one side and gave me the run down on what happened to her and the staff that evening during dinner service. According to her, the 2 guests (a man and a woman) who is staying in room 1 was acting very strange, apparently they stepped out to have a cigarette but the guy was disturbing the guests who was eating dinner, by slamming his entire body against the windows that looked into the restaurant, shouting profanities, and making rude hand gestures. He then disappeared for a few minutes then came back with a fire extinguisher that he got from our bin shed. Whilst all this was happening, the duty manager stepped out and gave him a warning and told him if they disturb any more guests or attempts to destroy the hotel property again, they'll be out. Apparently the guy made some empty threatening remarks then disappeared back into his room with his lady friend.
The duty manager assured me that it's highly doubtful that the strange couple will come out of their room for the rest of the night and that everything should be ok. Oh how wrong she was.
After the duty manger and front of house staff left at around 11.15pm, i locked the doors and grabbed my panic button, something that the manager insists us night shift workers wear as a precaution, and although I never had to use it, I'm very glad I wore it that night. I knuckled down and got on with my duties, cleaning, setting up continental breakfast, emptying rubbish bags, counting the till, restocking juices and defrosting pancakes, crumpets and muffins. Little but necessary jobs. At around 1.30am I just finished mopping and getting ready to sit down to take a little break with some snacks and scroll through my phone in the restaurant area, I was just about to take a bite when all of a sudden I heard the hotel door open. It was the couple from room 1, making their way outside to have another cigarette. Going by what the duty manager told me about the guy I didn't feel at all safe being alone in the open, so I gathered all my things and made my way to the office where I could lock myself in a keep an eye on them on the CCTV monitor.
Some time went by, and the lady made her way back in, and she did not look at all well, she was walking so slowly, like she was in pain, swaying while she walked, stopping every few steps, but she managed to get back into her room from what I can see on the monitors. The guy how ever was not at all in a rush to go back to the room. He made his way back in the hotel with his key card and decided he was going to explore the restaurant area, ok nothing alarming, at first i thought he was looking for me, and I almost opened the door to let him know I was there, until I looked up at the monitor and there he was standing on a table and dancing, now I know that doesn't sound at all threatening but you have to admit, very strange behaviour. So instead of opening the door, I decided to observe him for a while and for the next hour or so, his behaviour went from strange, to damn right disturbing.
As I said he started off by just dancing on a table, then danced around the restaurant area, then made his way to the lobby area where he decided to stand very still like a statue, then a few seconds later, move position, then stand still again. Again not very threatening, in fact I was giggling a little just watching him doing what ever the heck he was doing. But the worse was yet to come.
At around 2.45am the guy was still acting strange, he was constantly going in and out of the hotel, dancing some more and jumping around. Then he decided it would be a good idea to take the condiment tray, take a seat on the chair behind the desk and start drinking the ketchup and brown sauce. Ok, now his behaviour has gone from strange, to a bit concerning. I was not about to open the office and tell him he needs to stop what he's doing and go back to his room, being a lone female worker I wasn't about to put myself in any danger, but I wasn't in enough danger to call anybody so again, I just watched him. As time went on his behaviour slowly went from concerning to disgusting.
Around 3.25am after he finished drinking the condiments, he got up and took his shirt off and wiped away the sauce that was around his mouth, he then draped his shirt over the desk chair walked around a little bit until he came to a complete stop and slowly turned his head towards the office door. Now I'm scared, the way he slowly walked towards the office door, the way he made direct eye contact at the camera as if to say, "I know you're in there watching me" he pressed his body against the office door and started kissing it whilst making direct eye contact with the camera, he then started putting his hand down his shorts and yes he was doing exactly what you're thinking. I felt sick, my whole body broke into a kind of frozen mode, like I couldn't believe what I was looking at but I knew I had to do something and fast.
So I pressed my panic button and called the police, I wanted him gone, time was passing fast and pretty soon breakfast service would be starting and I didn't want any other guests to be in danger. As I was on the phone to the police I spoke in a kind of whisper talk, so the guy right outside the door couldn't hear me, I told the dispatcher everything and of course they sent a call out for officers to come to the hotel to see the situation. It was just before 4am when the police officers arrived, and the guy was still in the lobby area but not doing what he was doing before. Instead in a very dramatic way he went down on his knees and yelled "not me, not me" I made my way out of the office, feeling safer that the police were there and whilst he was still on his knees with his hands above his head I told one officer everything that I told dispatch. The officers tried to communicate with him that him and his lady friend needs to leave the premises, there was a language barrier I think the guy was polish he kept saying "not me" or " I no go"
One officer asked to be let into his room to check on the lady friend, as soon as I opened the door, we were hit with the most foulest of smells ever, it smelt like urine and feaces, bottle of beer scattered everywhere, hard drugs on the bedroom desk. The lady friend was sat up naked on the bed that was drenched with urine and alcohol. I never seen anything like it.
After much argueing and alot more police officers arriving with a riot van. The guy was arrested and was put into the back of the van. A relative arrived just before 6.15 am to collect the lady. They couldn't be more apologetic, trying to explain to me that both of them had mental issues and have been missing for days. I tried to be understanding, I really did, but after what I saw, at that moment I just wanted them gone.
By 6.45am the police and the couple were gone. And the day manager arrived. I told them everything and showed them what had happened on the cctv. They gave me a big hug and praised me for how I treated the situation, but all I wanted to do was go home and take a long hot shower and go to bed. I was exhausted.
It's been a few weeks and I was told the guy was charged for indesent exposure and the lady is staying with a relative. I really do hope that both of them get the help they desperately need. As for me, I'm still working there, I'm not about to let one major incident make me leave a job I love. But what it has taught me, is to always, always trust your gut, if I didn't run to the office when I did, god knows what would of happened to me.

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Hi. Im just visiting ottawa. Im staying at hotel near airport on hunt club. I see the rideau river, wondering if there was paths or anything for jogging purposes. Thanks

Myself and my wife are travelling to Manchester to watch some speedway in a few weeks. We are staying near old trafford and I was wondering if anyone could recommend something to do with a 5 year old in that rough area prior to checking into our hotel. Something that may be good for an hour or two....

This is an update to my other post about my new coworker.
So yesterday was my new coworkers 3rd week with the hotel. The gm put her on 3 to 11 shift
I get their for my nightly audit shift near the end of hers. It’s a line of people at the desk… this late their shouldn’t be a line. I was a little early so for 10 minutes I watch her make simple errors like running the card to the wrong terminal pos. I correct her but she had a snide / superior attitude. Last time she was rude when I tried to show her a simple check out. She said jokingly she would “keep her foot on our necks” as in whip us into shape but she is the worst worker we have ironically.
A Hispanic man was angrily yelling at the maintenance man who stepped in to help the new coworker who had no idea what she was doing.
I told my maintenance homie to go home and that I would handle it. I clock in early and try to put out the fires like a good night auditor should. Let’s call the angry man Pedro. Pedro made a res over the phone bc he was driving. My dumb ass trainee coworker charged him the deposit and not for the fee for the room . (The deposit isn’t due until they check in)
We have the option to just waive the deposit and let them check in as long as the room fee is paid, if we want bc the hotel rather sell the room then not get anything. I couldn’t waive his deposit bc my coworker charged him already so his card was declining for his room fee, which should have been processed over the phone already when the res was made. I correct the mistake but my coworker has been here 3 weeks and she should know what to do by now.
I talked to the maintenance homie and he said she had been charging people But not checking them in which for our hotel is a big screw up and a safety hazard since our box needs to list everyone in the building. She made countless errors
I found hella mistakes she made and I fixed them best I could.
To my horror I check the schedule and see they got her working 3 to 11 Tomorrow.

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Embarking on a spiritual journey can be a transformative and enlightening experience. One such destination that holds immense spiritual significance is Yamunotri Dham and its surrounding areas. Nestled in the breathtaking Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India, Yamunotri Dham is considered one of the holiest sites for devout Hindus. This comprehensive guide will take you through the essential aspects of planning your spiritual journey to Yamunotri Dham, including the best time to visit, transportation options, accommodations, and the must-visit attractions in the surrounding areas.

The Importance of Yamunotri Dham

Before delving into the details of planning your journey, let’s understand the significance of Yamunotri Dham. It is believed to be the source of the sacred Yamuna River, which holds great religious importance in Hindu mythology. According to legend, Yamuna is the sister of Yama, the god of death. Taking a dip in the holy waters of Yamunotri is said to cleanse one’s sins and provide spiritual liberation.

Best Time to Visit Yamunotri Dham

Choosing the right time to visit Yamunotri Dham is crucial to make the most of your spiritual journey. The temple and surrounding areas remain open to devotees from May to November, with the peak season being from May to June and September to November. The weather during these months is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius.
During the winter months, Yamunotri Dham is covered in a blanket of snow, making it inaccessible for most travelers. It is advisable to avoid the monsoon season, as heavy rainfall can lead to landslides and road blockages, making the journey challenging and unsafe.

How to Reach Yamunotri Dham

Planning your travel logistics is essential for a hassle-free journey. Here are the transportation options to consider when heading to Yamunotri Dham:

1. By Air: The nearest airport to Yamunotri Dham is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 210 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach the town of Hanuman Chatti, the base for the trek to Yamunotri.
2. By Train: The closest railway station to Yamunotri Dham is Rishikesh Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Hanuman Chatti.
3. By Road: If you prefer to travel by road, you can drive or take a bus from major cities like Delhi or Dehradun to Hanuman Chatti. Regular bus services operate from these cities to Hanuman Chatti, making it a convenient option for many travelers.

Accommodations in Yamunotri Dham

Finding suitable accommodations during your spiritual journey is essential for a comfortable stay. Here are some options to consider in and around Yamunotri Dham:

1. Hotels and Guesthouses: There are several budget and mid-range hotels and guesthouses available in the town of Hanuman Chatti and nearby areas. These accommodations offer basic amenities and are ideal for those seeking a comfortable yet affordable stay.
2. Yatri Niwas: The Yamunotri Temple Committee operates Yatri Niwas, which provides simple and clean rooms for pilgrims. It is advisable to make prior bookings, especially during the peak season.
3. Camps and Tents: For an adventurous experience, you can opt for camping or staying in tents near Yamunotri Dham. There are camping facilities available in locations like Janki Chatti and Hanuman Chatti. These camps offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the serene surroundings.
4. Dharamshalas: There are also Dharamshala (pilgrim rest houses) available in Yamunotri Dham, providing basic accommodations at affordable rates. These are maintained by local authorities and are a popular choice for pilgrims seeking a spiritual and budget-friendly stay.

Now that we have covered the essentials, let’s dive into a comprehensive guide to planning your spiritual journey to Yamunotri Dham. This section will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ensure a fulfilling and memorable experience.

Step 1: Research and Prepare

Before embarking on your spiritual journey, it is important to conduct thorough research and gather all the necessary information. This includes understanding the religious significance of Yamunotri Dham, learning about the local customs and traditions, and familiarizing yourself with the dos and don’ts of the pilgrimage.

Step 2: Plan Your Itinerary

Once you have gathered the necessary information, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Consider the duration of your trip, the time required for the trek, and the places you want to explore in the surrounding areas. It is recommended to allocate at least 2–3 days for your visit to Yamunotri Dham to fully absorb the spiritual atmosphere.

Step 3: Pack Essentials

Make a checklist of essential items to pack for your journey. This includes appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, comfortable walking shoes, personal hygiene products, medications, and any religious items or offerings you may want to carry for your visit to the temple.

Step 4: Stay Hydrated and Nourished

During the trek to Yamunotri Dham, it is essential to stay hydrated and nourished. Carry an adequate supply of water, energy bars, and snacks to keep your energy levels up throughout the journey. It is also advisable to carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at designated points to minimize plastic waste.

Step 5: Trekking Tips and Safety Measures

Trekking to Yamunotri Dham requires physical endurance and stamina. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• Start your trek early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
• Pace yourself and take regular breaks to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.
• Follow the designated trekking path and avoid taking shortcuts.
• Carry a first aid kit and basic medication for emergencies.
• Respect the environment and do not litter. Dispose of waste responsibly.

Step 6: Immerse Yourself in Spirituality

Once you reach Yamunotri Dham, take the time to immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere. Participate in religious rituals, offer prayers at the temple, and take a dip in the holy waters of the Yamuna River. Engage in self-reflection and meditation to connect with your inner self and experience the serenity of your surroundings.

Step 7: Explore the Surrounding Areas

Yamunotri Dham is not just about the temple; it offers stunning natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Take the opportunity to explore the nearby attractions, such as Surya Kund, Divya Shila, and the scenic trek to Saptrishi Kund. These places offer breathtaking views and are perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about planning a spiritual journey to Yamunotri Dham and their answers:
Q1: Can I visit Yamunotri Dham with my family?
Absolutely! Yamunotri Dham is a family-friendly destination and welcomes visitors of all ages. It is a great opportunity to embark on a spiritual journey with your loved ones and create lasting memories together.
Q2: Are there any medical facilities available in Yamunotri Dham?
While Yamunotri Dham is a remote location, there are basic medical facilities available in nearby towns like Hanuman Chatti and Janki Chatti. It is advisable to carry any necessary medications with you and consult a healthcare professional before your trip.
Q3: Is photography allowed in Yamunotri Dham?
Yes, photography is allowed in Yamunotri Dham. However, it is important to respect the religious sanctity of the place and be mindful of others’ privacy. Avoid using flash photography inside the temple and follow any guidelines provided by the temple authorities.
Q4: Can I visit Yamunotri Dham during the monsoon season?
It is not recommended to visit Yamunotri Dham during the monsoon season (July to August) due to heavy rainfall and the increased risk of landslides. The terrain becomes challenging and unsafe, making it difficult to undertake the trek. It is best to plan your visit during the peak season from May to June or September to November.
Q5: Are there any restrictions or dress codes for visiting the temple?
Yes, there are certain dress codes and restrictions to be followed when visiting the temple. Both men and women are required to dress modestly, covering their shoulders and legs. It is advisable to carry a shawl or scarf to cover your head as a sign of respect. Footwear should be removed before entering the temple premises.
Q6: Can I hire a guide for the trek to Yamunotri Dham?
Yes, if you prefer assistance and guidance during the trek, you can hire a local guide. They can provide valuable information about the route, share interesting facts about the place, and ensure your safety throughout the journey. Hiring a guide can enhance your overall experience and make the trek more enjoyable.

Conclusion

Embarking on a spiritual journey to Yamunotri Dham and its surrounding areas is a truly enriching experience. From the religious significance of the place to the breathtaking natural beauty, every aspect of this destination is bound to leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul. By following this comprehensive guide and planning your trip effectively, you can ensure a smooth and fulfilling pilgrimage to Yamunotri Dham, connecting with the divine and finding inner peace amidst the Himalayan serenity.
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Introduction:
Indore, known as the "Heart of Madhya Pradesh," is a vibrant city that blends rich history with modern charm. While it offers a range of attractions and experiences, sometimes you need to escape the bustling city life and immerse yourself in tranquility and luxury. Fortunately, Indore and its surroundings are dotted with spectacular resorts that offer a perfect blend of opulence, comfort, and natural beauty. In this blog, we will explore some of the finest resorts near Indore where you can experience the epitome of luxury.
Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar:

1. Situated on the banks of the Narmada River, Ahilya Fort is a majestic heritage resort that exudes elegance and grandeur. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and luxury. The fort has been converted into a boutique hotel, providing guests with a regal experience amidst splendid architecture, exquisite interiors, and stunning river views. Indulge in royal treatments, savor delectable cuisine, and immerse yourself in the serene ambiance of this luxurious resort.

The Tiger's Den Resort, Bandhavgarh:

1. If you're a nature enthusiast and wish to combine luxury with wildlife exploration, The Tiger's Den Resort in Bandhavgarh is the ideal destination. Nestled in the lap of nature, this resort offers lavish cottages, modern amenities, and impeccable service. After thrilling jungle safaris in the renowned Bandhavgarh National Park, unwind in the resort's pool, indulge in spa treatments, or simply bask in the beauty of the surrounding lush greenery.

Chokhi Dhani Indore

1. Chokhi Dhani Indore is a luxury resort in indore . It is a Rajasthani village-themed village and resort. It is adorned with era-reminiscent furnishings, handcrafted lamps and earthen lanes that replicate a traditional Rajasthani village. The resort’s spacious executive cottages offer you unmatched serenity with every modern amenity & comfort while you bask in the splendour of rich Rajasthani culture.

Indore Marriott Hotel:

1. For a luxurious urban escape within Indore, the Indore Marriott Hotel is a top-notch option. This five-star property boasts elegant rooms, upscale amenities, and a wide array of dining options. Relax by the poolside, pamper yourself with rejuvenating spa therapies, or relish a gourmet meal at one of their exquisite restaurants. The Indore Marriott Hotel ensures a memorable stay with its impeccable hospitality and attention to detail.

Kali Caves Resort, Dewas:

1. Located in the picturesque town of Dewas, the Kali Caves Resort offers a serene and luxurious getaway. The resort is built around ancient rock-cut caves and offers a blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. Surrounded by lush green landscapes and overlooking a tranquil lake, the resort provides a perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Unwind in spacious cottages, take a leisurely stroll in the gardens, or enjoy a boat ride on the lake for a truly enchanting experience.

Indana Palace, Rau:

1. Indana Palace, situated in the outskirts of Indore, is a magnificent palace-style resort that promises a regal retreat. The grand architecture, lavish interiors, and royal ambiance transport you to a bygone era of opulence. The resort offers well-appointed rooms, a rejuvenating spa, a swimming pool, and multiple dining options. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the region while enjoying a luxurious stay at Indana Palace.

Conclusion:
If you're seeking a break from the everyday routine and wish to indulge in a luxury resort near Indore, these resorts provide the perfect escape. Whether you prefer a historical fort, a wildlife retreat, an urban oasis, a nature-centric getaway, or a regal palace experience, each resort offers its own unique charm and opulence. Embark on a journey of relaxation, rejuvenation, and lavishness as you explore these luxurious retreats near Indore. Prepare to be pampered and create memories that will last a lifetime.

So, I’m writing this on my phone because I figured I should share my experiences. I’ve shared one already but I figured I should share more as I have had quite the run-ins with some odd things in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.
I live in Oregon, but I do tend to travel on my off time in the wilderness, despite my run ins I love the forest, nature, and all I just tend to be much more careful now.
This first story takes place in my home state. I have a buddy who is a park ranger and he shared me a story of his own. He works at Crater Lake National Park and was patrolling one of the trails that was reported by hikers who said they heard a bear in the area. He went out with a tranquilizer to move the bear out of an area that was close to a campground. He was walking as usual when he felt eyes on him…he began to hear movement in the woods, and he shouted out “anybody out there?”
No response.
He got his tranquilizer ready and proceeded toward the noise. But as he approached, he heard another noise behind him.
Now he was thinking, “Oh no there’s more than one out here.”
Not sure what to do he prepared for the worst but then to his relief it was two deer. He sighed in relief thanking God that he wasn’t going to be mauled that day. But suddenly he noticed blood on one of the deer’s antlers and next to it behind the bushes it came out of was the carcass of a black bear. The two deer just stared at him and returned to feasting on the bear. He wasn’t sure what to do, tranquilize them or risk being a victim? He decided it was best to take the shot and hit both. They didn’t even budge and just walked off into the forest.
He reported the dead carcass of the bear and just had a team remove the remains. Still gives him the Chills thinking back to that day.
The next story was when I went on a fishing trip with a friend in Washington.
We had set out to fish along this river that was calm that day.
We caught a few fish and even some crawdads. I love seafood so I wanted us to stay out longer to catch a few more fish. My friend ended up taking a nap while I continued to fish. All was well but I suddenly noticed something in the distance, something dark moving along the river. I thought it was some sort of log that was stuck and got free and was floating along the river, but its movements didn’t appear normal. It would move back and forth getting closer and closer. I began to get nervous; I can’t really explain why it just felt like I needed to get away from whatever this thing was.
I turned to my friend who was still asleep and heard a splash.
I looked back and the thing was just gone. I looked around wondering where it went, and I saw it. Perched on top of a tree, I thought it was a cougar, I grabbed my binoculars for a closer look, and it was crouched but was tall, lanky and had milky white eyes but covered in black feathers and wearing some sort of animal pelt. I felt a sudden sense of dread and fear I never felt before. I looked back to my friend to wake him but before I could I heard another splash and saw it was back in the water now headed to the boat. I said “F this “and then turned on the motor and hauled ass out of there. My friend woke up yelling at me and asked, “What the hell are you doing?” but I didn’t respond. When we got to the loading dock, I anchored the boat and told him to get in the truck and he protested about leaving the boat and I said, “We will get it later get in now!”
The car ride back I explained everything, and I saw how pale he got. He’s part Native American and explained to me that what I saw was a Skinwalker.
This next story takes place in the Canadian Wilderness. I was on a hunting trip with my buddy who has a cabin in Canada deep in the wilderness, off-grid type of deal. It was the beginning of winter so the snow wasn’t so bad to where you just couldn’t move. He had this goal to get a mountain lion. So, we headed out to a ridge where you could see out to a clearing where he said he saw this specific mountain lion every year. It always came to the same spot, maybe its home was nearby I don’t know. So, its nighttime, and we had a small fire going, I went to go take a piss when I noticed something or somethings… 3 humanoid figures were in the clearing, I quickly put the fire out, and my friend told me “Dude why did you do that?” I told him to shush, and we observed the 3 beings. The thing was this was way out in the middle of the wilderness, there’s absolutely no way that anybody else knew about this spot. Also, the 3 figures looked human, but I could tell they were much taller than normal and their arms, skinny and just moved unnaturally. They were circling something, but I couldn’t tell what exactly. Then one of the figures stopped and looked directly at us. We rushed to cover and didn’t really know what to do. So, we decided to not sleep that night and have our rifles ready just in case. The following morning, we went down to the clearing to see what those figures were circling and sure enough we saw footprints much larger than a normal human and the beheaded mountain lion that my friend wanted mounted in his cabin so badly but now not so much…
This story still comes across my mind to this day. Me and my buddy from our hiking club were going on a hike one day, it was a beautiful hike along a river, and we were looking for places to set up camp. We saw a campground with food and trash everywhere and at first, I was upset that someone just left this much of a mess here. But the longer I looked around the weirder things got…Their trash bag was still hoisted up on a tree branch but ripped open, the food was still there and if a bear or another animal got to the food, they would of ate everything. Also, there tents were still set up, but ripped as if from the inside, clothes still around and even 2 pairs of boots. The whole campground looked as if whoever was there was immediately in a rush to get out of there and just left all their belongings, not even bothering to take their shoes. The hairs on my neck stood up and both my buddy and I decided that we should call it a day and just hike back to the car. I reported the incident to the forest rangers, but they said they weren’t aware of anybody camping in the area and did not receive any reports from the area. Still freaks me out thinking what could have spooked these people so bad they left their tents, not even bothering to use the zipper and leaving their clothes and shoes behind.
This next one comes from a solo hike. I was doing a 3-day solo trip somewhere in Washington near the Canadian border. I was literally way out there no facilities or normal campground. I was just hiking along, and dusk was approaching, my campsite was already set but I just went for a stroll when I thought I heard a child’s voice calling for help. I thought it was my imagination, but I heard it again. I began to follow it and then I saw the child. He looked dirty; clothes still intact but his back was facing me. I called out to this kid, and he turned around but before he could speak, he was pulled by someone or something down on the other side of this hill. Then I heard a loud crash as if a metal down shut. I ran to where I saw the kid and saw nothing but the same clothes, he was wearing neatly folded and his shoes right next to them. After a few minutes to no avail, I made my way back to the campsite gathered all my things and headed back. I went to the forest ranger station and told them about what I saw. Never found out if they found that kid or not.
Now this story comes from my close friend in Oregon, but this happened in Washington. So, I was hanging out with my friend who has pretty much grew up in the outdoors all his life and I asked him what his most creepy experience in the woods was. He told me he didn’t have a lot of experiences like that aside from hearing weird things at night when he went camping. But, this one time he was out hiking with his dog, they usually are a pair for hiking with friends but this time he was out hiking with just his dog in the deep woods of Washington on a trail that had very little traffic, like you wouldn’t expect to run into anybody. So, his dog is off leash, roaming a little in front of him and as they come to a corner the dog just stopped and his hair stood on the back of his neck, did a single bark moved up one step and then just ran behind my friend, not behind his legs but down the trail behind my friend, about 25 yards behind him. My friend pulled out his firearm and aimed forward, considering this was an area where black bears are he thought maybe his dog saw a bear but after a few minutes he didn’t find anything, no animals, nothing. His dog refused to go near him even after he kept calling for his dog. He eventually left the trail with his dog and got back home in one piece. But he said he never saw his dog act like that, his dog and he have hiked plenty, and his dog has been spooked before, but he never acted that way and he would always come back to my friend even when spooked.
This last story I have for now occurred when I was hunting with my buddy in Washington. The area still had trees but was on the dryer side with us being closer to the desert.
We had a deer blind set up near a clearing and scanned the area for some deer when we noticed a big elk with a couple of doe. They were grazing and we just watched since we didn’t want this deer.
What was odd though was the weather began to get rainy and fog rolled in as evening was approaching. We noticed that the elk began to showcase defensive behavior, going back and forth making grunting noises and huffing as it began to set up a defensive area around the doe who were now cowering in a small area. Kind of like “Back up these are mine” This elk was staring at the tree line, and we thought, “oh shit maybe it’s a bear”. But to our surprise it wasn’t, it was another elk. We got a little excited thinking we were about to see these two elk go at it to see who gets to take the herd of doe home, but I stopped once I put it together. Why did the doe seem so afraid then?
Then I saw another elk and another and another all just staring at the protective elk.
But then to our shock all the elks began to stand. On two legs.
Now sometimes deer will do this as a protective or displaying behavior of superiority, but these elk were not.
The protective elk began to show more aggression attempting to scare them off.
My friend whispered to me. “What the hell is this, I’ve never seen this before in my life.”
My friend has been hunting for over 15 years from Alaska all the way to Colorado and parts in the East coast. A seasoned man who didn’t scare easily but I could tell this freaked him out.
The group of bipedal elk just stood there and then they all bolted towards the Elk and the elk charged them at the same time. Managing to impale two of the elks but he was outnumbered, and the elks didn’t use their antlers but began to bite the elk with what looked like jagged sharp fangs.
It was horrible. They then they circled the elk and just looked up to the moon and made these god-awful gurgling noises
It looked like some sort of F’d up ritual.
We decided that we should leave and began to grab our things to leave. I’m positive that we were too far for anyone to hear but I sweat as soon as we moved one of the deer stopped and looked right at us.
And that’s when we nopped out of there, we ran all the way to the truck hoping we didn’t run into those elks or whatever the hell those things were. I have seen deer display hostile behavior but never like that.
We were rushing to throw our stuff and sped out onto the dirt road. We got about 1/4 a mile away when we noticed a giant log blocking our path that wasn’t there before.
My friend said: “dammit we have to move it”
Luckily, we had a chainsaw in the back, and he cut some of the log away so we could move it. But God those logs were heavy, when we got to the last of the log my friend said, “help me move it!” I joined in, and we both lifted the last of the log out of the way out we noticed something on the road. It was one of those deer. Just standing looking at us. We backed up towards the truck my friend not even caring to grab the chainsaw and I swear it opened its mouth and said “hhe hhe-hel-help me moo-move iiiit”
It was distorted but sounded exactly like my friend.
We just ran to the truck from there and we hit the gas and this deer just ran towards the truck and hopped on the front and then the top of the truck and I’m just shitting bricks at this point and attempt to grab the shotgun from under the seat when my friend says “hang on” and just hits the brakes hard and this deer just goes flying off the truck and he quickly speeds around it .
We stayed at a hotel after driving 2 hours straight back to civilization.
Honestly, I believe deer just have some messed up ways, but I really don’t know what they were but I’m positive they weren’t deer, I don’t know what they were.
Part 2
I figured I’d mention this since I didn’t add it to my previous post.
These experiences I had forever changed my perspective on the woods and I questioned whether I should ever step foot in the woods again. I don’t know why I attract these experiences but part of it motivates me to keep going to share what I see.
This other story was a time I went out with a friend to explore. We were in the backcountry just exploring and I suddenly saw this weird structure. My friend decided we should check it out and we saw this stone-like structure covered in moss and it must have been there for decades. What was weird though it had this rectangular structure that had a door, the door was perfectly preserved as if someone just installed it. No rust on the door handle or any weather damage, it’s like it came fresh out of the store.
I went to get a closer look and I was about to try to open the door when my internal gut feeling was screaming to me that something was wrong and we should not be here, and extreme sense of fear flooded my entire being and my hair on the back of my neck stood up.
My friend told me “What’s wrong?”
I told him “Maybe we should just go”
And he said “we can’t just leave now let’s at least see what’s inside”
Just as I fought my fear off and went for the handle the door began to creak open and I felt something was just VERY wrong, and I think my friend just instinctively knew we had to run, and we just got the hell out of dodge.
We returned with more people and armed to the teeth to try the door again.
But we couldn’t find the structure anywhere despite me marking this area on my map before we even attempted the door.
I always wondered what would have happened had I opened that door….
This next one I was camping with my old roommate, and we were enjoying the night and headed to bed soon after our fire was put out.
Around 3 am I had to piss so I went to the tree at the edge of our campsite
I heard movement after I finished and thought it was my friend having to do the same as me. A few feet away I gave him the okay hand sign and he gave it back
But the way his fingers moved just looked …wrong
I thought maybe I was just tired and headed back to my tent.
The following morning, we made breakfast and I mentioned to him how I drank too much the night before and don’t like having to piss at night but at least I wasn’t the only one who had to go.
My friend looked confused by that last part and said “what do you mean only one? “
I told him: “you don’t remember? We went to pee at the same time.” Then I showed him the okay gesture that I gave him last night to jog his memory and he just told me: “dude I didn’t get up at all last night…”
A chill ran up my spine and I just played it off that I was dreaming.
I don’t know who or what that was last night, we never saw anybody out there and I checked around the campsite after breakfast for footprints, saw mine but nobody’s where I thought I saw my friend the night before.
This next one is like the previous one, but I was camping with my girlfriend at the time. We had a great night doing you know couple of things and then in the middle of the night I had to piss. Did my business at a nearby tree, and then I heard my girlfriend calling my name, in the woods. I figured she had to go to and just wanted to have some privacy. Maybe she needed toilet paper and forgot, as I went to the tent to grab a roll, I heard her call my name again then said help me.
I thought about going over to her but went to grab the roll anyway because I didn’t want to go out there then she tells me she needs the toilet paper. As I opened the tent, I just stood there surprised, my girlfriend was sound asleep still. So, who was calling my name?... I heard my name again but louder and my girlfriend's voice saying “COME HERE NOW”
I just decided to go in the tent, and just laid there silent, not sure what to do. I didn’t hear anything for the rest of the night and passed out after the surge of adrenaline just put me out.
I didn’t tell my girlfriend about it, and just told her we had to cut the trip short because I forgot I have a paper to write.
This Last one happened in 2019. I took a drive on a forest road about 45 mins in. Parked near this trailhead and took off to the trail.
I was admiring the flora and fauna and just going on a normal hike when I noticed my vision completely changed as if I was looking through prescription glasses that weren’t mine. The vegetation changed and it was daylight when I was hiking but now it was dark as if sunset just passed.
This happens almost instantly. It was like I was in a completely new environment.
I then felt something graze my shoulder, it was a hairy arm, like the one you’d see from an ape or Bigfoot, and it was about to grab me, but I managed to take a step back, and I just see the hand grab where my neck would have been. I felt this sudden sense of dread and just began to backpedal and after a couple of steps, my vision went back to normal. The sunlight returned as well as the flora and fauna. I just saw a fuzzy-like outline in a circular shape in front of me from where I just stepped out of, and it eventually disappeared the more steps back I took.
I just stood there completely shocked about what just happened and came to my senses as my internal red flags were going off and I just turned around and ran to my truck and got out of the area. I never had this happen to me before and it thankfully hasn’t happened since. Since this happened, I have never gone hiking alone again.
To end this off, I just want to add that I enjoy the woods and nature it is full of beauty and wonder. But there are things out there…things even the natives knew to stay away from. There are things out there, that don’t care about you, or that you have families, or loved ones. I still go out to the woods, but after that last experience, it took me a long time to get the courage to go out there again. I never go out for solo hikes anymore, and if I can’t go with someone, I always take my dog. Thanks for hearing my stories and I’ll be sure to share any future experiences I have.

My dreams always take place in very specific places that are always the same every time I’m there; a hotel, an old train station, a grocery store, a mansion, a school, and a rest stop (specifically in Idaho). As my dreams have progressed, it feels like I’m unlocking the map of this dream city. It is very common for me to consciously recognize these places as a dream place but I don’t believe I am consciously lucid dreaming after making this realization because I can’t control the dream. It almost feels as if I am body doubling my dream self.
To give some back story, the mansion is my most frequent dream. When I began dreaming about it nearly two years ago, I was stuck in a basement endlessly climbing up flights of stairs and never reaching the top. After weeks of the same repetitive dream, one night I woke up face down in the mansion’s kitchen. My first thought after opening my eyes (in my dream) was that I finally made it to the top floor. The cold tile beneath my cheek felt so eerily real.
This mansion consists of 90% of my dreams. I have never been outside the mansion beyond the enclosed porch—until last night.
The dream started off outside the school and to be honest I don’t remember anything that happened leading up to the moment I got into a taxi/uber. We turned down a nearby neighborhood to get away from the chaos on the main road and passed by the mansion, to which I say out loud “oh, that’s the place I dream about!”. The taxi driver asked me to repeat it, then turned to his passenger and said “she said she dreams about that place”. Did I unconsciously break the fifth wall by mentioning dreams to dream characters?

Nearly 15 years ago, I went to work for a company. The intent was for me to complete a project in quality and then move over into program management but someone quit and I was asked to fill in as a customer quality engineer. This meant that every month, I traveled to customer sites, did the first pass analysis of our defective products, and got yelled at - A LOT. It sucked.
Also worth mentioning, our branch of the company was too small to use the corporate travel so for every trip I was scouring discount travel sites to find the cheapest flight/hotel/car. I was ridiculously vigorous in seeking best prices. If the shittiest shitbox car was $32/day and the not-so-shitty car was $34/day, I picked the $32/day car to save the company $2/day.
One fine trip, several months in, was spectacularly awful. Not only did I have a truly terrible car, the hotel was all new depths of yuck. My shoes stuck to the carpet in my room and the security flipper thing on the door was plastic. Also, it was in the worst part of town and I worried about my safety to the point that I ended up pulling the little couch over to block the door and sleeping on it.
Adding to my misery, I was sick. I had some creeping crud that plugged my sinuses and made me long for death. Normally, I’d have canceled the trip but the customer was in an uproar about our continued repeating defects and required someone to be there.
I made this trek every month. And once during every trip, I would eat at the local Outback Steakhouse. It was a known quantity, the people who worked there were great, and it helped me to have that connection.
On this particular trip, I made my way to the outback for dinner and I was clearly sick and miserable. And the workers took care of me. They sat me next to the fireplace, brought me tea, and had the kitchen make me chicken noodle soup even though it wasn’t on the menu. I nearly cried I was so grateful. My bill for dinner was less than $10 so I charged $20. Yes, more than a 100% tip but their kindness kept me going.
I got home, did my expense report, and turned it in. My director called me into his office and screamed at me about how the corporate policy was 10% tip and it should never exceed 15% and what was wrong with me for paying them so much. Remember: total bill including “excessive” tip was $20. It broke me. Well. It shattered my loyalty to the company’s bottom line.
So, I made them give me the corporate travel policy where the tip policy was outlined and from that moment on, I followed the corporate travel policy exactly. No more shitbox $32/day cars; I’m in midsize or better. No more flying out at 4am in the center seat; the flights fit my schedule and I sat where I wanted. No more scary hotels in the worst part of town; now I’m staying at the nicest executive hotel allowed by the policy.
The cost of my trips were pretty regularly double or triple what they had been, adding up to thousands of dollars a year but I never disobeyed their allowable tip policy again.
The true irony: their corporate tip policy actually had verbiage that said “exceptional” service could be recognized with an additional gratuity but basically, don’t make a habit of it. Also, the allowable per diem was $50/day and a receipt was only required if over that amount so the tip that started the whole thing was within per diem, allowable for exceptional service, and the receipt for it had not been necessary.

Oh my. This is my first Reddit post ever! Sorry this is pretty lengthy, trying to be thorough! I got so much help from reading through this sub that I felt compelled to share. I got tickets to see LCD Soundsystem over Memorial Day. It was my first visit to Red Rocks. I was very excited but pretty nervous. I adore live music but am also a highly anxious person. Unknown situations can really overwhelm me. I need to feel prepared when I visit new places. I am a fat person and a flatlander who is out of shape so I was extremely worried about how hard it would be to navigate the venue. I did many deep dives on this sub and others and am happy to report I had the perfect visit. Just wanted to share some info for those nervous Nellies like me.
My sister and I stayed at a Holiday Inn in Lakewood. This is far from the Denver Airport but a 15 minute drive to Red Rocks. It is a suburb - there were plenty of chain restaurants, coffee shops, and a Trader Joe's. While not overly exciting or interesting, it was very convenient and met our needs. Also! I highly recommended A Taste of Denmark, an absolutely devine Danish bakery.
We rented a car via Turo and decided to park at the venue. We went at 5 pm (doors at 6 show at 7)and parked in the Upper South Lot. Parking was easy and quick, the staff were friendly and helpful. There was a line of 50-100 people waiting by the fence for when the doors opened. We scoped things out around the parking lot. People had little screen tents, bean bag boards, and camp chairs set up. Since we weren't local/flew in we didn't have camp chairs, but if we had it would've been totally fine to set up by our car and chill until the doors opened or even wander around and talk to people. A crazy swirling dust storm whipped up for a few minutes so we just chilled in the car until the doors opened.
The entrance to the amphitheater from the Upper South lot is via a walk up a ramp that is STEEP but doable. Even my sister, who is in good shape, got a little winded. There was plenty of space and time to step to the side and catch our breath. Nobody was pushy or annoyed. We waited in line on the ramp for maybe 15 minutes and then were able to move through security. There were steps up to the security screening that were fine to navigate and not too difficult. Time to walk from car (front/middle of Upper South Lot) to security check point was less than 10 minutes total (not including wait time on the ramp).
I brought a draw string backpack (like the ones they give away at business conferences 😂). I had most of my things in a bunch of smaller bags and satchels-security didn't ask to go through any of the smaller bags. They had me open the top of my bag, kind of felt around, and asked if my water bottle was sealed. Easy peasy. There was a merch table to the left immediately upon entering. They were busy when we got in @ 6 (an hour before the show) but didn't have crazy long lines.
There are really nice bathrooms to your left as you walk towards the venue from this entrance. They are all gender bathrooms with big tall wooden doors/no gaps. It's like your own personal bathroom. These are the only bathrooms I used at the venue, before and during the show. I never waited more than 5-10 minutes in line.
The seating was broken up into GA sections and Reserved Seating sections. It was all clearly marked with ropes. We were in row 29, so not front row but not at the tippy top. The stairs are challenging, but again, we had plenty of space and time to stop and catch our breath. There are some hand railings on the left side but they do not go all the way up the amphitheater. So be aware that you may have to traverse stairs without the assistance of a railing.
My sister brought a picnic blanket that folds up with a handle. We unfolded it on our seats which was great to have this set out for once the shows got going and we wanted to sit and rest. We went right to our seats upon arriving. We really just took in the venue-the views and the vibes. The people watching is great. Each of us had time to check out merch, grab a drink, etc. I was not bored at all and was glad we went as early as we did. It made for a long day but it was worth it.
We only purchased 1 alcoholic seltzer and a bottle of water which were obviously expensive. I brought in 1 bottle of water (they have to be sealed) and wished I had brought 2. Everything is cashless-cards only. We did not try any of the food, although I saw a couple people go by with some tasty looking tacos and other fair style food. It would also be totally legit to throw a granola bar or sandwich into your bag if you think you'll need food (would definitely recommend if you are drinking). We ate right before we went to the venue and hit up a fast food drive thru at the end of the night and that was fine for us.
We had a group of people next to us-it was clear some of the friends had purchased Reserved tickets and their friends had GA tickets but were just going chill with their friends @ their Reserved seats - stacking each other 2-3 people deep per seat. They were nice and respectful. And during the openers I honestly didn't care. But before LCD started I did ask who all had tickets as the group was kinda jamming us up (they were obviously getting more and more intoxicated and dancing wider and wider into our seats). The guy who had the Reserved seat TOTALLY got it. I shared that we had come from out of state, paid for the reserved seats and this show was very important to me. He and his friends immediately apologized and had everyone on their best behavior, nobody was stepping in front of us during the show. We even kinda made friends with the dude and chatted a bit. His friends said something along the lines of 'oh we've only EVER been to GA shows so this assigned seating thing is hard.' 🙄 We had several people who were too drunk/high or trying to scam folks by being lost and unable to find their seats. They apparently decided to look for their seats 15 minutes into the LCD set. At that point in the game you are just out of luck. The seat numbers are on teeny tiny plaques that are not lit up. Figure out where your seats are before the chaos starts. We had to shoo them along because they were interrupting the show and weren't super aware of their behavior or surroundings.
I've read multiple articles and subs that have said marijuana is illegal to use in public! You can totally be arrested! This is definitely not the case. Everyone, everywhere was freely using drugs. It smelled of marijuana the whole show. Just a heads up if that bothers you. It is constant and potent. You can't get away from it, even in an outdoor venue! I had no problem with this but some people might care.
The show was at the end of May. I wore mid weight long pants, a t-shirt, and medium weight sweatshirt. This was the perfect outfit. No sweating and no shivering. We had a light comfortable breeze all night. It was a dream! I had packed a light jacket and rain poncho in my pack but didn't need either. This was easily stowed underneath our seats. I wore comfy running shoes. They aren't the most stylish but there is lots of uneven ground to traverse and you spend hours standing on cement which can be hard on the body and joints. Forget the cute heels for Red Rocks.
We stayed until the very end. MANY people left before the last song, I'm guessing to beat the traffic. Exiting the venue was slightly chaotic but uneventful. It took us 10-15 minutes to get back to the car. The ramp on the way back down is steep. I chose to use the hand railing just to be safe.
And then we zipped out of the Upper South Lot and down into Morrison in not even 5 minutes. We barely had to wait. I was expecting to sit for hours to exit per all the info I've read about parking at Red Rocks. It was a great surprise and a perk of going early!
I know this is a lot. Thanks if you read it all. Hoping by sharing I can inspire others to go. I was second guessing myself and my abilities prior to going and I'm so glad I didn't cancel! It was truly a once in a life time experience. Thanks to the info I found on reddit I felt pretty prepared and comfortable!

Yeah, so we crashed in the hills in Kamala, and I felt the stone road guard scrape against my leg and arm as we drove next to it and next thing I Remember I was on the floor. I opened my eyes as my friend is kickstarting the moped and people gather round, saying ring Ambulance. My friend said hop back on as I hoped up and got on the back bleeding out. We drove to the nearest pharmacy. They treated my wounds and wrapped me back up for 1400 baht.
My friend didn’t wanna drive anymore so even though I was injured I drove back home. After I passed out in my bed as we got back and got Rks passport and emergency cash he told us to get for him.
I woke up and looked up and everyone from the community we stayed at was at the hanging in the door looking in after hearing about my injuries. I could barely move as I took the pills the pharmacist gave me for pain and passed back out.
I woke up after something told me to get up I thought about Rk. I went on Snapchat and saw his character moving closer to the house. I called him he said the police is dropping him home to get his passport and they want to see me with my passport.
I got up immediately as I realised I gave my passport for deposit in Patong for the moped. I got changed not even considering my injuries and wrapped my leg and arm as I ran for the ped. I drove to Patong. It took me 2 hours to find the moped company. I found it eventually. I called home protested that the police have Rk and my friend from home gave the money to my sister who was gonna transfer it but was gonna have to be the next day.
I told Rk he said come they just wanna talk. I went there with my passport and they took it away and said I have to pay 100000 baht to the rental company and 40000 to the driver we crashed into. And Rk had to pay 40000 for court fees and we had 1 day to pay the 40000 to the guy we crashed into.
Rk got released and stupid us to go party with the Thai lady stacy the one we crashed with. We got fucked and went bayhill celebrating rks release. Nothing too wild. No crashes since we learned to get cabs in Thailand. ( funnily I write this from bayhill.)
We got home as reality hit us and this would be our last night out for a while. We went home ringing everyone we knew trying to get money for the company’s. We didn’t know how long this would take.
We went to the police station to pay the guy we crashed into and for anyone that don’t believe this is a true story I have evidence of everything.
I’ll fast forward time 1 week we payed off the rental company. After we was penniless we had learned our lesson the hard way and we aren’t rich we had 3k English spending me and Rk and my other friend had 1k we were far from well off.
Once we paid off the company we walked past a few times after seeing they had 2 new cars and the other one we crashed was in repair. We realised we had been fully extorted for everything we had as they smiled and waved. I had no money at all at this point and my leg was infected I was treating it day by day as I walked round with a crutch.
Now we were trying to get home but no one had enough but my other friend,(who crashed)his mum was booking him a ticket. We went to extend our visa. I didn’t have enough money so I couldn’t extend my visa, I barely paid off the company, I needed help from friends. They got there visas done and my other friend only got a 3 day extension due to being Russian. He had to leave and we wanted to give him a good send off as it set into mine and rks brain that’d we’d be stuck here.
The last day my friend was here we went partying again for the first time since the night after the crash which was about 2+ weeks ago.
(Forgot to mention Stacy snitch to police on me about the whole crash we learned in them 2 weeks and Rk had her at the house for 2 weeks near enough and she hated me and didn’t try help me even though I couldn’t walk. We came to the decision she needed to leave.)
We went out like we usually did and partied and went bayhill after I was on xannax and barely rember anything but next thing I’m in a bush and Rk and my friend were speaking to 2 girls who said come back to there hotel. They told me and bring me I went back in bayhill to get me a girl. They left me after this without telling me properly and I went back to see them gone. I had a English sim and no credit or data. I sat outside bayhill as everyone was coming out asking if my friend had been seen. A girl told me to get on the back of her ped randomly and I had no other choice lol. She took me back hers we hugged you could say lol. I woke up she took me for food and dropped me back to my friends and she demanded I gave her what she spent on me. I just was shocked thinking she done it out of good heart. I gave her 1000 baht.
I met Rk after he dropped my other friend at the airport. It set in we have to move place Tommorow and we didn’t know where we were going. We got wasted and got cab back to our place with a girl who was rks.
I woke up to the air bnb owner telling us to get out. I packed my stuff as fast as I could. We got all our stuff together and got cab to Patong. We found a small hotel off bangala road called Acca. This would be the start to our new beginnings and a downgrade you could say from our last place.
Acca was a weird hotel, my visa had run out so I had to make excuses to why I couldn’t show my passport everywhere. I forgot the first couple days at Acca but we were struggling for money bad and calling home near enough everyday. There were few days we would have enough money to enjoy ourselves. And the days we didn’t we had to tell the hotel we were waiting for money.
Acca so many memories there, we had made a few friends there so we knew most things by this point (Thais and tourists). The famous person we met the night we crashed had a YouTube channel. So people who watched his videos had seen us on there and were coming up to us asking questions. We planned on doing YouTube but nothing for us goes to plan.
I still couldn’t go out in the day because my leg couldn’t go near the sun. I was trapped inside all day and Rk would go out and meet up with the friends he met there. We got messages from friends in london I had when I was 15. They were coming to patong for a holiday and wanted to meet up.
They came and booked our hotel (different room) and we all stayed together our room slowly turned into a mess as we would get ready and go out everyday and get xannyed, drink beer and smoke weed.
We thought they were gonna be help but it made it worse they loved xannax and had money so A lot of problems would arise.
Fast forward time, Stacy was stalking Rk and I forgot to mention, Stacy was a pro Muay Thai fighter who was the champion of a popular Thai island and when she was mentioned to any local girls they would be scared knowing what she could do.

I'm thinking,"I don't know why they hired me again. I've quit before (it felt like I had quit several times before but kept going back because they needed me) I really hate this job." I'm driving through Podunk, USA - It feels like my home state and I'm looking for a place to stop. I'm at a nondescript hotel, yellowed with a patina of unkempt age, and it's late. Dozens of crew laborers are sleeping on bedrolls laid upon the floor. I decide to go for a walk after pushing through an internal conflict where I feel that this may be looked upon as undesirable behavior by upper management, should it be discovered. I think to myself, "this is how I am." I walk upon a paved path and up a steep hill. As I ascend a thick, foggy mist surrounds me. At the top of the hill I look out over a valley of manicured turf, lined by trees in the distance. There are large birds down below near the tree line, darting from the trees and out of sight into the mist. Are they turkeys? Yeah, they're turkeys and they've seen me. A mob of turkeys in a broken line begin to advance upon my position. A stag and an eagle join the line and they are now getting very close, all with angry intent. I grab the nearest bird, turning it around to face the approaching wildlife while holding it's wings to it's body and thrust it forward in stabbing motions, hoping to use it as deterrent. It's a white goose and it honks with each forward thrust. This goose has talons. It seizes my pinky fingers upon each hand and tightens it's grip. I'm back at the hotel. To avoid walking over the sleeping laborers, I walk through a door. I'm sitting on a toilet, open to a room (?) where a new crew manager, who is unknown to me, lies talking with the operations manager. I'm using a lot of toilet paper and am noticed. Both look at me. I'm back with my crew that are sleeping on bedrolls upon the floor. I lie on my own bedroll. On a wall there are shoe boxes suspended and stacked with illegible names written upon them. One of them reads "girls"? I think,"We don't have any females on the crew". I get up from my bedroll. Two others (I don't know them) are waking, a young man and a woman, and are in their underwear. I follow them outside to the walkway and seat myself with the unknown man, my back to the hotel wall. There is no railing to the walkway and the unknown woman is stretching in a graceful pose upon one foot too near the walkway precipice. I want to warn her of the danger but before I can she falls. I hear her body hit below. I shout, "Call nine-one-one!" Unknown man does not react. I run into the hotel room and tell my number one guy to call nine-one-one. He dials then becomes confused and hands the phone to me saying, "I think it's children." I take the phone and ask into it, "Is this nine-one-one emergency services?" On the other end a calm, cold, knowing voice of an elderly woman speaks with glad enmity, "Do you know where you are? There are no emergency services. You will find no help here."