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Jul 14, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

After much thinking, I really can't think of a city that I really like that I have actually visited. There are some ancient villages near the Spain & France border and Dahab, Egypt, at the time a throwback to the 60's hippy era. Even Cairo, with the filth, grime, polluted air that smelled like the bahoul incense they sold there, the gorgeous men holding hands, someone singing the prayer four times a day through a megaphone had some strange romantic appeal.

I'd like to visit Paris, Rome, Athens, Sicily, Florence, Prague, Fez, Malta. WAIT! TOKYO! I really dug Tokyo. The buildings on top of buildings, the temple and very nice people. Tokyo it is!

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Tokyo! A city we've been longing to visit for years. Amazing choice.

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Jul 14, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

I was shooting a spot for Pepsi there, in the coldest winter in 45 years. It took us six hours to get from the airport to the hotel. We were in Ginza. We had planned our "Lost in Translation" film sojourn for movie nostalgia at a hotel outside of Ginza. I changed my mind and found this hidden away elegant speakeasy bar that was off the street down these long stairways leading to a luxurious bar- THIS, was where I was first introduced to the Carpano vermouth. I had four Manhattans! Also the first time I had been in a terrible blizzard and encountered all these Japanese wearing germ masks.

I was there for a week. They gave us all a chunky per diem! Great production company.

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Jul 14, 2023Liked by Ryan Wildstar

I hope you have the chance to get there before, well . . .

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Tokyo is definitely on our short list! One of the culinary capitals of the world!

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Jul 16, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston

The food there was CRAZY good. And I got hooked on a bottled green tea that I can't find anywhere but there!

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And one of my favorite cities that we always come back to is Montreal.

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Indeed. After thinking about it for a couple days, I think Montreal just might be my favorite city too.

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Jul 15, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

Zagreb, Croatia. Not on a lot of tourist itineraries, but it is an interesting historic city, lovely people and very affordable. It's a great jumping off spot to visit other tourist destinations like Split, but a nice place to return to and relax.

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Definitely one of our favorite cities in Europe! We've long thought of moving to Zagreb and staying there. Great recommendation!

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Yes. Love Zagreb! A perfect European city on so many levels. Can't wait to get back there.

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Jul 15, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

I loved hearing about your trip to Paris! I’m glad it was so memorable and moving!

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Thank you! It was definitely an intense visit but we're so glad we made it back. What is one of your favorite cities in the world?

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Jul 15, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

I really don’t think there is any place better than London during the Holidays. I was sent there for work one whole December and I had no expectations, except that I was coming from Southern California and I knew it would be cold (it wasn’t that bad). So me and my new sweaters, boots, and floor length insulated purple trench coat landed in the middle of some Hollywood movie back lot that turned out to be London during the Holidays. I was put up in Covent Garden (!) in a beautiful two story loft with a view of Neal’s Yard from the rooftop balcony, and the office was in Covent Garden as well, so I’d just stroll to work every morning through the Christmas Market. Everywhere is decorated with ribbons and bows and twinkling lights. There are Christmas trees and toy soldiers and roasted chestnuts and costumed carolers. Now you probably won’t believe me when I say that Christmas is not my thing. I might be the real life incarnation of the Grinch who typically mutters things like “Christmas hooey.” But I was charmed and dazzled by the whole accidental experience, and even when I think about it today it feels unreal. My favorite American city is San Francisco (the land of my 20s). I ❤️❤️ Paris. I’ve never been to Asia so I haven’t had those city experiences. Maybe we need to go together with Del Mar as our guide.

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Ooohh, London at Christmas time! sounds magical. I've never been there during the holidays but the last time we were in London we had a 24hr layover and went to see Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville in Long Day's Journey into Night at the Wyndham's Theater in the West End. It was unforgettable! And yes, I left my heart in San Francisco as well. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in all of America.

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Great choices. I have fond memories of San Francisco as well. And I definitely want to spend more time in London! (Both of my visits were far, far too short.)

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Jul 15, 2023Liked by Ryan Elston, Ryan Wildstar

I think Lisbon is still my favorite. But Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Paris are all in the top five.

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We LOVE Lisbon! We've often talked about moving there permanently.

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Lisbon's definitely in my top five as well. Such a beautiful and dynamic city.

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