manchester's got a weird energy and i can't stop thinking about it
woke up in manchester feeling like i'd been hit by a tram-metaphorically, of course. the numbers 2643123 and 1826246335 kept flashing in my head like some glitchy lottery ticket i never bought. maybe it's the humidity, maybe it's the sleep deprivation, but manchester's got this weird, electric hum that's impossible to ignore. i just checked and it's 6.79°c with 87% humidity right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it's the kind of weather that makes your hair frizz and your soul question its life choices.
walking through the northern quarter felt like stepping into a film set where everyone forgot their lines. graffiti-covered walls, vintage shops that smell like mothballs and rebellion, and coffee shops where the baristas look like they've just stepped out of a Wes Anderson movie. i heard that Common Coffee on Edge Street has the best flat white in town, but someone also told me their oat milk tastes like soggy cereal. take that as you will.
if you get bored, *Liverpool and Leeds are just a short drive away, but honestly, manchester's got enough going on to keep you busy for days. the people here are fiercely proud of their city, and it shows. overheard a local saying, "Manchester's not just a place, it's a state of mind," and i couldn't help but roll my eyes and nod at the same time.
stayed at a hostel near Piccadilly Gardens* that I found on TripAdvisor, and let's just say the reviews were...generous. the beds creaked like haunted floorboards, and the shower had the water pressure of a leaky faucet. but hey, it's all part of the adventure, right?
ended the night at a pub called The Castle Hotel, where the beer was cheap and the jukebox was stuck on Oasis. someone drunkenly told me that Liam Gallagher once threw a pint glass at the wall here. i didn't fact-check it, but it felt true.
manchester's not for everyone. it's gritty, it's loud, and it doesn't care if you like it or not. but that's exactly why i loved it. it's the kind of place that gets under your skin and stays there, like a catchy song you can't shake. and honestly, i wouldn't have it any other way.
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