The year that was: 2024

What happened:
Made it to a whopping seven countries, which included five new ones, so 2024 was a pretty excellent travel year. The highlight, of course, was our three week adventure in Japan. Was great to show Olly Budapest (I'd been before), and for us to experience Bratislava, Vienna, Baku and Tbilisi together. My final country was the US (Philly work trip). 

We didn't see Taylor Swift in Vienna (still so gutted I missed out on Eras because of the terrorism threat but obviously relieved they thwarted those evil plans), but we saw The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer at Cardiff Castle, and Peter Hook & the Light in Margate. At the theatre I saw Edward Scissorhands, Cruel Intentions, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, My Neighbour Totoro, Hadestown, Hairspray and The Devil Wears Prada. Faves were Edward Scissorhands, Hadestown and My Neighbour Totoro. 

As always it's been a good and bad year for various reasons. I seem to have picked up more germs this year than I have in a long, long time (pre-pandemic, for sure). Mum was also back in hospital for a bit. (Thankfully not as long as last time.) And work had its various stresses. But, overall, especially with all that lovely travel, 2024 was a good year! 

What I ate:
Shout-outs to Ploussard, Fallow, Donia, Azteca, Senor Ceviche, Singapulah, The Barbary Next Door and Blacklock in London. And in Japan to Coco Ichibanya (all over), TEPPAN KU-YA (Okayama), DekaSan (Osaka), Royal Mouriya (Kobe), The Most Deserted Ramen Bar in the World (Osaka), Tonkatsu Wako Keitei (Osaka), Nishiki Market (Kyoto), Lab Garage (Tokyo), Tapas Molecular Bar at Mandarin Oriental (Tokyo) and Grill Bon (Tokyo). 

In Budapest, shout-outs to Mazel Tov, Negro Mangalica, Retek Bisztro, Remma's Bistro and TwentySix. Chinacy, Door No 8 and Verde in Vienna. In Baku, The Cheese Gastro Club and Dolma. In Tbilisi, Ratto, Klike's Khinkali and OtsY. And in Philadelphia, El Vez and Grandma Philly's. 

What I watched:
TV-wise, I really enjoyed Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Lessons in Chemistry, Kaos, Slow Horses and The Day of the Jackal. I think we made it to the cinema once - how times have changed!

What I read:
In 2024 I read 138 books. I gave Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe a five star rating, same for American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins and Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad.

How was your 2024? And any lovely plans for 2025? x