Estamos ante la noche mas fiestera y terrorífica del año, HALLOWEEN, los niños y no tan niños invaden las calles de nuestras ciudades con sus terroríficos disfraces. En USA los inventores de este tinglado, lo celebran también surfeando, un ejemplo estos videos donde la gente se lo pasa “monstruosamente” bien en las olas de la costa de California.
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Catalan Independence: What We Know And What We Don’t Know
We know that a lot of people turn to Stoke Travel for guidance in times of political uncertainty. The current crisis playing out in Catalunya is one that is particularly close to home, because Barcelona is literally our home. As such, despite being unable to vote and have our opinions count officially, we do find ourselves following the independence situation, out of personal curiosity and to keep our friends abroad informed. This is by no means all you need to know about Catalan independence, but it’s our take on it. More like a beginner’s course into a very complex situation.
Has Catalunya ever been an independent nation?
Not really. From prehistory to Roman times and the Muslim occupation, the region we now know as Catalunya had an experience in line with the rest of what we now know as Spain, with Catalunya having a little more French influence due to its location as a buffer from Muslim invasion. Around the 1100s Catalunya became a County of the Kingdom of Aragon and Catalan influence expanded into Valencia and the Balearic Islands. In 1469, when Spain was unified by the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabel of Castile, Catalunya was along for the ride, and was left more or less to its own devices. Following the Spanish War of Succession (1702-1714), when two European monarchs fought over the right to rule Spain, Catalunya ceased to be a County of Aragon and was made a province of the Crown of Castile by Philip V of the House of Bourbon, due to the Catalans’ support for the Habsburg Archduke Charles, now known as the losing side in the war. From then until the Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939) there were various Catalan calls for independence, none successful, followed by brief peace and satisfaction under the republic before Catalans fought alongside Republican forces from the rest of Spain against the forces of General Franco during the Spanish Civil War. After their defeat, the Catalans suffered repression under Franco’s dictatorship and following his death voted enthusiastically to adopt the terms of the 1978 Spanish constitution.
Now that’s a very abridged version of Spanish and Catalan history, but the basic idea is that for the entirety of its existence Catalan history has been attached to that of Spain. There is little to no historical justification for an independent Catalunya based on it once being an independent nation. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible, just that it’s without precedent.
Has Catalunya ever been autonomous?
Oh yeah, that’s kind of like the default setting here. From being a County of Aragon, up until the Spanish War of Succession, Catalan language and laws were given the freedom to flourish and spread, which is why in the Balearic Islands and Valencia they still speak Catalan dialects today. Catalan institutions were abolished following their support for the losing side in the Spanish War of Succession, including the parliament, and the Catalan language was outlawed in official business, and in schools. Under the Second Spanish Republic Catalan institutions were reinstated and autonomy was regained until the rule of Franco. Franco sought to punish the Catalans for their resistance during the Spanish Civil War, and there was widespread repression of all things Catalan, but this was overturned following his death and the 1978 constitution. Since then Catalunya has been autonomous to the degree of having control over its own police force and public broadcaster, and departments of education, healthcare, culture, and justice, among others. The Catalan language is taught in schools and is used almost exclusively in communications between the regional government and the people.
In 2005 a new draft was created to the statute of Catalan autonomy. In it greater fiscal control was afforded the region, as well as recognition of Catalunya as a nation. In 2010 the, then in opposition, Partido Popular made a challenge to the amendments and had much of it ruled unconstitutional, or changed the interpretation. It was this act by PP, who are the current government of Spain, that set off this latest round of Catalan independence.
Have Catalans always wanted independence?
Support for this current independence movement has risen in the last decade or so from a low of around 15% to where we are today, with anywhere from 40% to more than 50% of the Catalan population desiring independence. This rise has been ascribed to the effects of the Global Financial Crisis on Spain, and the feeling that Catalans were bailing out less prosperous regions of Spain, and the aforementioned reversal of the amended Autonomy statute. Real numbers are difficult to ascertain, the most recent comprehensive poll by the Catalan government put independence at 41% against 49% desiring to remain, and the 2015 Catalan elections that were seen as a litmus test for the movement failed to gift separatist parties a clear majority. The October 1st referendum saw 90% of voters opt for secession from Spain, but with 42% voter turnout. What is clear is that supporters of independence rise during times of economic and political turmoil in Catalunya.
Who’s to blame for the current situation?
While it’s obviously the fault of both sides, we’re going to go right out on a limb here and blame the conservative Partido Popular government, and the Spanish president Mariano Rajoy, for this rise in Catalan separatism. Their almost autocratic application of Spain-centric policy have driven the Catalans away from the rest of the country, from their successful 2010 overturning of the autonomy revisions, to barefaced refusal to engage and have dialogue with the separatists, it has been PP policy that has fostered this rise in Catalan separatism. And while their repeated claims that they have been given no other options when faced with a Catalan government that openly breaks constitutional laws and only seeks dialogue that will end in independence, as the more powerful party in the relationship they’ve had ample opportunity to put aside their rigidity for a moment and allow the Catalans come concessions, and in doing so deescalate the crisis.
Where are we at now?
The Catalan minority government insisted pressed on with their vow to create an independent republic and have repeatedly called for a referendum, which the government has equally repeatedly said is against the constitution and therefore illegal. Ignoring claims of the vote’s illegality, the referendum went ahead on October 1st, and despite police violence that was seen around the world, and amid claims of voter fraud, 43% of eligible Catalans cast their ballot for independence, of which 90% voted for yes. The referendum organisers saw this as a clear mandate for the formation of a Catalan republic, despite only around 2,000,000 of Catalunya’s 5,300,000 voters opting for independence. The reason for the low turnout was that, given the vote’s illegality in the eyes of the Spanish state, the vast majority of remain voters boycotted the referendum, while separatists claim that the police action prevented people from voting.
Citing the results, the Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, declared independence on the 10th of October, and then immediately suspended it to allow for dialogue. The Spanish government gave him until the 16th of October to simply state whether independence had been declared or not, which Puigdemont failed to respond to. Following that the Spanish government stated its intention to trigger Article 155 of the constitution, which would give Madrid control over Catalunya’s autonomy due to its “undermining of national interests.” With 155 looming, the Catalan parliament hastily voted in a declaration of independence, doing so mere hours before the Spanish government were due to vote for the application of 155.
There were jubilant scenes in Barcelona for a few hours before it was announced that the Spanish government had sacked the Catalan parliament and many public servants, taken control of the regional police force, and called for Catalan elections on December 21st that should serve as a de facto referendum on independence, but this time with participation from those who wish to remain in Spain. If, however, a majority of Catalans vote for pro-independence parties the Spanish government will be forced to address the issue, meaning a probable change to the constitution followed by a binding referendum. The call for elections so quickly indicates that the Mariano Rajoy government in Madrid doesn’t want their suspension of Catalan autonomy to appear like a return to Francoist oppression in the region, and desire a swift solution to what has already been a prolonged political crisis. Up to 20 pro-independence politicians have also been charged with rebellion, a charge that is punishable for up to 30 years in jail, and at the time of writing now-former-president Puigdemont is apparently in Belgium seeking asylum from the Flemish separatists who are coalition partners there.
What happens next?
Catalans go back to the polls, and given the wavering nature of separatist sentiment in Catalunya, what both sides of the debate do over the coming weeks will have a profound impact on the outcome of the election. The imagery of police beating voters was a massive PR coup for the separatists, and likely turned many undecided Catalans into independentists. The Spanish government would be wise to exercise restraint and gently control Catalunya during this period of suspended autonomy, to not use all the powers available to them. Similarly, the unilateral declaration of Catalan independence was seen as an unnecessary provocation by many moderate separatists. If independence parties lose the election, the fervour that has propelled the movement so far will somewhat subside. If the people show that support for independence has gone up, however, then that outcome will have to be seriously considered by all sides of politics, and political actors in Spain and abroad.
Do we even know how an independent Catalunya would be received by the world?
One of the strangest things about this recent push for Catalan independence is that it came without any clear indication of what post-Spain Catalunya would look like, from finances to defence, to recognition by other countries, relationship with Spain and membership in the European Union. Separatists were so happy to discard their ties with Spain, even while European diplomats and governments around the world said that they would not recognise a Catalan republic. If a majority of Catalans do desire an independent republic they need assurances as to how such a republic would operate in the world, and, ideally, retain EU membership. This is a massive change to Catalunya, Spain and Europe and the repercussions will be felt for a while afterwards, not least of which in regions that have similar separatist aspirations, like the Basque Country in Spain, and across Europe, from the Scots, to the Bavarians and down to Corsica.
Is being a part of Spain ain’t so bad?
It really isn’t. Under the current terms Catalunya enjoys more autonomy than almost any other European region and is consequently one of the most prosperous. Far from the dark days of fascism, Catalans are free and able to exercise their culture and language as they please. Talk of a fiscal deficit coming out of Catalunya to pay for poorer regions has been overblown by separatists, but nevertheless that is how nations work — richer regions prop up their poorer partners. Many Catalans complain about being left out of Spain, of being disliked in other parts of the country, and this has become increasingly true during this constitutional crisis. Moving forward, the Madrid government will have to work hard at changing the perception of catalans in Spain, for citizens both within and outside the region if they are to put a limit on separatist sentiment in the future.
Can Catalunya be an independent state WITHIN the European Union?
If the Catalans really do want out, there is a fairly good case for smaller nation states, to prosper if they have defence and trade matters taken care of by, say, someone like the EU. Smaller states can better take care of their citizens needs than big, distant central governments and the people rightfully feel more engaged with decision making. Currently, the European Union isn’t quite ready for this kind of political arrangement, but with talk of a European Defence Force perhaps this isn’t too far off.
But for now we’re dealing with massive division in Catalunya and Spain.
People’s families are being literally ripped in half, there are protests and counter protests every other day, half the populace is angry at the Policia Nacional for their heavy-handed actions during the October 1st elections and the other half feels like the Catalan Mossos force let them down by not acting on that very same day. Following the uncertainty in Catalunya, more than 1800 companies have changed their registered business addresses (not Stoke Travel) and the tourism sector is reporting a 15% drop in bookings on this time last year.
And above all, we hope that everyone can just get along.
We love Barcelona! And while the city is humming along like always on the surface, it’s difficult to not think about the ideological rifts tearing the city apart. It’s a real shame to see politicians on both sides act irresponsibly and allow, or even encourage, events to get like this. At a time when dialogue is the only solution we see people entrenching themselves in their positions, unwilling to listen to alternative opinions and bolstering their prejudices with selective readings of history. The Catalan crisis will only be mended by listening to more voices, not less, and that’s why we were happy to throw our interpretation into the fray. We don’t have an entrenched view either way, although we definitely dislike borders and don’t see the point in making more unless you really have to. Every day the situation here is evolving, and the 1st of October notwithstanding, it has been relatively violence free. Barcelona and Catalunya are still very safe places to visit, and if you have any plans coming here in the future we strongly recommend that you stick with them. The city is still beautiful, the food delicious, and you might just see some history unfold.
Visca Catalunya! Viva España! And long live Stoke Travel.
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Vídeo oficial ROCKANDLONG festival. Filmaker AMBAR FILMS
Hoy estamos contentos de presentaros el video oficial del Rock&long festival editado y filmado por los chicos de AMBAR FILMS un buen resúmen de lo que ocurrió en la Playa de Montalvo, mucho surfing y un ambiente de camaradería, que se repite año tras año.
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Halloween Traditions In Spain
Alright Stokies, if you’re fortunate enough to be in Barçelona for this year’s Halloween festivities, you’ve probably got a few questions: where should I go? What should I do? Well read on friends…we’ve got all the details on secret party spots, bomb cuisine, and local Spanish traditions to make your Halloween wickedly unforgettable.
Beyond the typical Halloween rites of passage that can be enjoyed here in Barça (read: seductively suggestive costumes and insane jungle juiced parties) there are many cultural events happening locally that will be sure to uniquely enrich your Halloween experience beyond just partying (although there will be a shitload of that too.)
In Spain, Halloween is actually a three day long celebration (yes there is actually a guaranteed day off to work through the hangover). The festivities kick off with El Día de las Brujas, or the Day of the Witches, on October 31st. This day is associated with all things spooky and supernatural, like lost souls, haunted history, black magic, and of course witches!
On Halloween night you will find people all over Barçelona in “fancy dress” or costumes (see our guide about where to get yours!) bar hopping along Carrer de Joaquín Costa in the Raval, raging at a themed party in one of the city’s premier night clubs like Razzmatazz or Opium, or just meandering about the streets with one euro cans of beer in half-assed costumed hands, taking it all in.
This is the night to enjoy traditional Halloween debauchery, particularly in Barçelona’s haunted Gothic Quarter, where Stoke invites you to join us for our sangria and beer fueled Halloween Ghost Hunt! It is guaranteed to be a wild and unparalleled experience that will have you questioning why clubbing like a basic bitch ever sounded like a good idea in the first place.
The celebration continues on November 1st with Día de Todos Los Santos, or All Saint’s Day. This is a traditional holiday observed throughout Spain as an opportunity to honor the deceased. People gather in cemeteries with friends and family to light candles and place tokens of affection such as ornate flowers wreaths on the graves of loved ones. (Don’t worry, this doesn’t start until after dark so you have plenty of time to sleep in.)
We recommend visiting one of Barçelona’s cemeteries, like Poblenou, Les Corts, or Montjuïc, all of which have extended hours. Many of the cemeteries will have special tours, classic music concerts, and memorial masses you can take in. Or you can you can just post up with the squad and join in party that will be happening all around you as the Spanish locals are known to revel in this macabre day with some serious livelihood.
You can also take a break from all that life and death by enjoying the Catalan autumn tradition of La Castanyada, or “chestnut time.” Vendors around the city will offer warm snacks like castanyes (roasted chestnuts), moniatos (sweet potatoes), panellets (cakes), and muscatel (sweet wine.)
For a more immersive local experience rooted in mythic tradition, you can take a two hour bus ride north to the Catalonian village of Sant Feliu Sassera where there is a two day themed festival to commemorate 23 women who were suspected of witchcraft and sentenced to death there during the Spanish Inquisition. The festival is called Feria de las Brujas in Spanish or Fira de las Bruixes in Catalan. It features everything from a creepy parade through the quaint village to special cuisine offerings and performance art pieces.
And if you’re still in the party spirit (which we certainly hope so,) the festivities culminate on November 2nd with Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The Spanish honor this traditional Mexican holiday with Ruta de Altares, or Route of the Altars. This relatively new tradition in Barçelona consists of specially designed altars set up in about 20 different shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries all across the city, each featuring a different theme and dedication. Check out rutadealtsres.org for maps and info.
Also keep your eyes peeled for Pan de Muerto, or literally bread of death (it won’t kill you though, promise!) This tasty treat is a special type of white brioche bread seasoned with sugar, orange, and sesame. It can only be found publically one day a year so be sure to get your fix while you can!
We hope you indulge like a local this Halloween in Barça (or at least survive…meaning pace yourself because it’s going to be a wild one.)
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Halloween Costume Ideas
So if you’re planning on partying in Barcelona this Halloween, you’ve booked the Ghost Hunt, but you may or may not have had the forethought of packing a costume. If you didn’t, never fear…we’ve got your guide to fancy dress shopping in BCN. Here’s a little list of places around town where you can find your Halloween outfit.
Party Fiesta
Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 6, Avinguda Diagonal, 555, Carrer del Consell de Cent, 343, Carrer de Potosí, 2, Carrer de Josep Pla, 31
This chain of stores reads a lot like a Party City for those of you familiar with the US retailer. It features reasonably priced goods ranging from standard costumes to party supplies. Check here for a one stop shop. You can pick up one of those all inclusive costume packages or just grab a few essentials like makeup or a wig if you’re feeling like a lazy, homemade Halloween outfit is in order (cat ears or vampire fangs…boom, instant costume.) Also a great place to stock up on party decorations and necessities should you ever be in need (a giant beer mug balloon is always a good idea.)
Menkes
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 642
This one of a kind store is not for the faint of heart (or wallet). It features a variety of high quality costume options for theater, flamenco dance, and other specialty events, as well as tailoring services. If you have the resources to purchase here, you are guaranteed a well made and unique costume that will be sure to impress wherever you end up on Halloween (just try not to spill anything on your expensive garb…)
El Ingenio
Carrer d’en Rauric, 6
This store is worth a visit, even if you don’t plan on buying anything (inspo anyone?) It features a wide variety of artisan items ranging from costumes to puppets, magic supplies, toys, and Carnival masks. The prices range widely depending on what you’re interested in but it is definitely possible to find something unique and affordable to compliment your costume. Also, this store was founded in 1838 by a local family of sculptors so it boasts historic status.
El Relámpago
Carrer del Torrent de l’Olla, 130
If you’re in the Gracia area, this store offers a limited selection of costumes but tons of reasonably priced Halloween accessories as well as suggestions in the form of tutorials on their site (check here for a simplified version of how to do that painfully detailed sugar skull makeup you were thinking of trying this year.)
In need of an outfit idea? Costumes trending this year include: Pennywise from IT, Wonderwoman, and Rick Sanchez (kudos if you can convince your significant other or just a short friend to be Morty! Or better yet…check out our costume ideas for couples). Of course, you could always stick with the basic pirate-witch-vampire-animal variety of outfits but perhaps try giving them a Spanish flair with some sugar skull face paint (dat tutorial doe…we’re telling you!) If you really want to go balls deep into the Spanish spirit, try a matador or flamenco dancer outfit (for a super simple slutty matador…just wear the red cape…)
And for those keen to skip a costume altogether, buy a pack of Estrella and just walk around saying (in the best accent you can muster) fresh beer, water, cerveza, agua…just make sure to run whenever the policia come.
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Vídeo resúmen del Quasimoto 2017. Filmaker Visual Life
Que guapo el video resúmen del QUASIMOTO a cargo de los chicos de Visual Life , refleja perfectamente lo que ocurrió en BURRIFORNIA. DAN COSTA “Shapeando” tablas de surf y la vida.
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Cute Couple Costume Ideas: Barcelona Edition
Sometimes it ain’t easy being in a couple — pretty much all of your 20s, when you don’t want to watch the Beauty and the Beast remake, and Halloween. Halloween! When all your single friends get to just dress up as hunky/slutty as they want and advertise the goods to potential suitors. Well, thankfully, the world wide meme factory has produced a bunch of cutting-edge, sassy 2017 couples costume ideas, for those of us who are happily taken and keen on double teaming some current affairs into our Halloween parties.
Seeing as though we’re in Barcelona, home of the infamous Halloween Ghost Hunt, we figured that we should come up with some cute couple costume ideas specific to our city. So, if you’re currently taken, totally cute enough to fancy dress together, and living in Barcelona, feast your eyes on some of our suggestions.
Why don’t you and your partner dress as…
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The song Despacito and literal garbage, because enough already!
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Making it rain and having zero euros in your bank account. Don’t let a trifling matter like poverty stop you from being a boss.
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Being an exchange student and pronouncing it Bathelona to your friends back home. These few months being abroad hanging out with people from home has just made me so worldly.
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La Rambla at night and not having a phone anymore. Who knew that that bunch of lovely young ladies didn’t just want to dance with me?
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The beautiful Barceloneta beach and MOJITO MOJITO MOJITOOOOO. What, you don’t want to enjoy this dusty paradise while your stomach ripped apart by actual gasoline?
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The finest sangria no money can buy and hurling. You know why.
Do you have any suggestions for us? Maybe “dumb travel company and trying to be relevant by appropriating a meme for our own malicious financial gain”? If you do, why not light them up in our Facebook comments? And if you haven’t already, book your spot on the Barcelona Halloween Ghost Hunt, because it’s so much fun, drunken city-exploring fun.
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The World’s Best New Year’s Eve Party Destinations by Continent
ANGEL RAMSEY
Easily the biggest night of the year and often the most glorified, New Year’s Eve is one holiday cherished all around the globe. But we find ourselves in the same dilemma year after year as we fret over what to wear, what to do, where to go. Well we can’t help with the outfit, but let us help you ease the stress of finding the perfect year end party as we narrow it down to the best of the best. We’ve covered all the main staples like fireworks, champagne, and live entertainment, but these top party destinations offer so much more.
Asia – Phuket, Thailand
Widely known as a party hot spot year round, Phuket’s NYE parties are not to be missed. With parties on the beach all over the island, drinks and foods galore, music festivals, fireworks and paper lanterns lighting up the skies, there’s no way you’re not going to have the best night of your life in one of the world’s most beautiful party islands.
Australia – Sydney
Ringing in the new year at Sydney Harbor is definitely one for the bucket list. The killer fireworks show above the Sydney Opera House is just the beginning. Throw in some parades, yacht cruises, and massive parties all over the city to round out the perfect night.
North America – New York City, USA
When many think of New Year’s Eve, they think of New York City’s ball drop in Times Square. And yes, the Times Square ball drop is an experience, but the entire city is teeming with festivities of epic proportions come New Year’s Eve. Whether you prefer boats, rooftops, world renowned nightclubs, or taking over entire street blocks, NYC will give you the party of your life.
South America – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Known as the carnival capital of the world, and for good reason, it would be remiss of me to comprise a party list without the likes of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And for NYE, Copacabana Beach is where it’s at. Millions flock to this famous beach for much more than the massive seaside fireworks display. Locals and travelers alike don all white for good luck and revel in the flowing champagne and live performances from the various stages set up along the beach. The fireworks show starts at midnight, but the partying continues long after the sun rises over the shore.
Europe – Edinburgh, Scotland
The Scots are so serious about celebrating New Years, they’ve even got their own name for it. Hogmanay means “last day of the year” in Scottish, though not even the Scots know where it originates from. But it’s not the history we’re here for, it’s the party. Not only is Hogmanay in Edinburgh the best party in Europe, this shebang is a three day long affair. Highlights include massive street parties with live performances, Scottish singalongs (Auld Lang Syne, anyone?), nipply winter dips in the sea, and a whole lot of fire. Come party with hundreds of thousands of partygoers from all over the world, and let Stoke get you there in style in our very own private express train from London to Edinburgh. Hogmanay is the tits, but Hogmanay with Stoke is on a whole other level.
Antarctica
Now I bet when you started reading you were wondering if you’d see Antarctica on this list. I know what you’re thinking, yes Antarctica is a continent but surely there are no NYE celebrations there. Well my friend, you are mistaken, for a NYE in Antarctica is certainly one like no other. What better way to bring in the new year than sailing the Drake Passage, surrounded by penguins, whales, icebergs, and midnight sun?! It’s an entirely different type of party surely, but we’re into it in a big way.
But if you’re not quite ready for icebergs and sailing the southernmost depths of the earth this winter, go with the next best thing and join us at Hogmanay for Edinburgh’s famous, and probably the world’s best, NYE party.
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Ondalonga 2017 Masoquismo y placer. Fotos ambiente y acuáticas.
El pasado fin de semana se celebró en la ría de Betanzos otro ONDALONGA, si somos “Masocas” casi media hora de remontada al pico, frío y lluvia (aunque en esta edición el tiempo se portó), corriente, 200 personas intentando coger una ola y luego cuando la cogiste cuidadín de no atropellar a nadie y vuelta […]
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Stoke Travel’s Guide To Taking Drugs On New Year’s Eve
Ooh look at Stoke Travel being all edgy talking about drugs… what a cool travel company. But look, we’d have our heads up our butts if we thought that some of our Stokies don’t like to alter reality, and what better time to get royally messed up than New Year’s Eve? So if you were thinking about getting high this silly season, we’ve created this little guide of legal and morally sound alternatives to illicit substances.
And if you do drugs or not, join us at Hogmanay for Edinburgh’s famous, and probably the world’s best, NYE party.
Alcohol
Piss, booze, sauce, drinks, hoochie, hoochie mamma
Pros: more confidence, better at dancing, increased social skills, inflated sense of attractiveness, heightened feelings of friendliness towards your chums
Cons: aforementioned pros might, or might not, be only in your head. Tactical spews/naps. Slight chance of becoming a massive downer/bummer/piss-wreck/cry baby. Relentless desire to pee, matched with lack of inhibitions about where you do it. Hangovers. Seriously, fuck hangovers.
Alternatives: maybe travelling back in time and alter your childhood to become a more well-rounded individual who doesn’t need alcohol to navigate social situations? Perhaps withdrawing from society altogether could be an alternative to drinking booze, also. (Note: Stoke Travel has a vested interest in your boozing, considering that we offer an open bar at most of our destinations for the nominal fee of €10 per day).
Cigarettes
Durries, darts, ciggies, bungers, cancer sticks
Pros: look cool, satisfy your urge to suck on something.
Cons: don’t really look cool, stink real bad, die.
Alternatives: vaping! Just kidding, we’d rather die than vape. We would say that an alternative to smoking is simply not smoking, but that goes out the door with your second beer. Perhaps limit the harm by not buying cigarettes yourself. You’ll save money and reduce the urge, while cutting down other people’s intake.
Marijuana
Pot, weed, hooch, hoochie mamma, devil’s lettuce, extreme spinach, choof
Pros: chills you out, makes you laugh/eat a lot.
Cons: who wants to be chilled out at a party?
Alternatives: a bit of a tough one. Maybe just go hard all night so you finish up in a starving, exhausted state of delirium. Marijuana’s antisocial effects can be mimicked by simply drinking less/doing less of the “fun” drugs.
LSD/Shrooms
Acid, trips, sid, tabs, holy moley this shit is good, crazy paper
Pros: opens your mind to the infinite possibilities of the universe, gives you a greater understanding of absolutely everything, builds sweet abdominals from laughing so much.
Cons: a real and present chance of permanently and irreversibly going mad.
Alternatives: short of finding toads to lick, you could just watch conspiracy videos for two days straight to really awaken your pineal gland and open your third eye, then eat a bunch of cheese before going to sleep, so that you can have really disturbing, vivid dreams (in the safety of your own bed, as opposed to when surrounded by literally tens of thousands of strangers).
Ecstasy
Eccies, MDMA, MD, molly, pingers, bickies, pills, howzyas, flippers
Pros: become a nicer person, really connect with your family and friends and complete strangers, feel the music, love your life, just quite simply enjoy the world and your place in it on an unforeseen level.
Cons: the higher you get, and better you feel, the worse you look. Being too nice, too lovey, and making promises to people that you have no intention of keeping the following day.
Alternatives: try falling in actual love, rather than having to synthesise it.
Cocaine
Coke, charles, chucky boy, baggies, rack
Pros: super inflated sense of self, ability to drink like a Scottish fish, plenty of stamina and sex drive.
Cons: super inflated sense of self, need to drink like a Scottish fish, lack of physical ability to go with the sex drive (mostly men).
Alternatives: take a job in finance and listen to nothing but motivational podcasts. Wear earplugs so you can never hear what anybody else is saying. Talk a fucken lot.
Poppers
Amyl nitrate, brain exploder, butt facilitator
Pros: a brief, but intense, rush of blood to the head. An overwhelming high that will put you on your butt for a moment. A muscle relaxant that facilitates sex, especially butt sex.
Cons: doesn’t really fuck you up, so what’s the point really? Can give you an exploding heart if taken with viagra.
Alternatives: ask your friend to hit you in the face, paint a house without ventilation, or just use plenty of lube.
Ketamine
K, special K, Aunty Kay, K and the Gang, horse tranquil-kaiser
Pros: you’ll be able to hang with the cool kids with a bag of K. Enjoy music that is patently terrible. Watch yourself enjoying terrible music from across the room.
Cons: lose all sense of everything. Maybe fall into the K-hole and never return. Appear to the outside world like a literal zombie.
Alternatives: maybe just try something milder, like a horse chamomile tea, or a nice horse shoulder massage with horse essential oils.
Speed
Meth, crank, goey, ice, shard, the glass bbq
Pros: greatly increase productivity by never sleeping again.
Cons: transforming into the world’s biggest pest. Discover that everybody is talking about you. Literally peeling your face off.
Alternatives: play the 100 club with espressos. Snort a line of sugar. Let ants crawl all over you.
Heroin
Horse, H, white lady, sweet mamma hazz, smack, junk
Pros: the best feeling in your life.
Cons: will likely be the last thing you feel.
Alternatives: life.
While we obviously don’t encourage illegal drug taking, we’re not going to be overly judgemental if you, as an adult, decide that our alternatives don’t cut it and you want to go with the real thing. To be fair, Hogmanay is plenty of fun without illicit substances, but it also might be more fun with them. We don’t know, it’s up to you. Alls we know is that you should join us this New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh for the world’s best street party, drugs or no drugs, for one helluva party.
The post Stoke Travel’s Guide To Taking Drugs On New Year’s Eve appeared first on Stoke Travel.
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