Tomorrow is Inauguration Day and if ever there was a time for self-care, that time is now.

I have to be honest. I don't plan on watching this farce both because I don't want to contribute to his ratings and because I value my mental health. Disengaging here and there seems to be the way to go.*

In fact, now is the time for passive escapism via Our Lord and Savior:

...with a dash of Amazon Prime in the mix. And since this is a travel blog, I'd be remiss if these weren't programs that take us far, far away from good ole' 'Merica. So here's what I'm binging on these days.

THE CROWN (LONDON)

I'm not SUPER obsessed with the Royals, but I have been pretty fascinated by them ever since I was little, I had a big crush on Prince William when I was 12 and he had hair, and I am really enjoying this historical/fictional series about Queen Elizabeth's first days as monarch. When Carly and I discussed it, she said it annoyed her because there are lots of intense stares and suspenseful music, but nothing much really happens. And Jen hasn't given it a shot because it reminds her too much of the semi-creepy exhibit we saw at Buckingham Palace that was all "But royals are kids too!"

Regardless, I'm really enjoying the looks at London in the 50s, the clothes, the corgis, one episode's nod to resting bitch face, and Prince Philip.

Yeah, that Prince Philip.

OK, I admit, I'm weirded out by this. I never watched "Dr. Who," so I only knew who Matt Smith was because of all his adoring fans on Tumblr, and I thought he was kind of funny looking in that Benedict Cumberbatch kinda way. But as Prince Philip in "The Crown," I'm like "oh, hello." And to be honest, I thought Prince Philip was probz dead by now, but no, he's just old AF like the Queen herself, and my Google image search makes me feel very uncomfortable about my attraction to the fictional version of him.

Woof.

MEDICI: MASTERS OF FLORENCE (FLORENCE...DERR)

Well, as you know, I studied abroad in Florence, so it has a special place in my heart, and while I was there, I heard a good bit about the Medicis. The Netflix series has been coming across my suggestion list for some time with Rob Stark's face on it, and since I'm enjoying "The Crown" so much, I was like yeah sure, I'll give "Medici" a try.

Welllll. I'm only one episode in and it's definitely not as good as "The Crown." The timeline goes back and forth spanning 20 years, everyone kinda looks the same so I can't keep anyone straight, and most of all, the accents are really jarring me. Like you know how in most shows or movies that aren't based in the U.S., everyone is British? Even if they're in Italy, like "Medici?" Well I guess on this one they just figured no one could do an Italian accent, so they just said fuck it, don't bother with accents, and everyone has a different fucking accent. Rob Stark still sounds like Ned Stark, Dustin Hoffman sounds like a bonafide New Yorker, and the love interest chick sounds Eastern European. I can't understand ANY of them, and it's a goddamn mess. Still, I'll keep giving it a try because Florence.

OUTLANDER (SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, PARIS LATER?)

I'm trying to hold off watching these while I finish the books, but I did sample the first episode, and I think we all know why I want to watch. ::fanning myself::

Besides, Scotland is rad when you're not being held hostage to the point of pissing yourself, and the series later takes them to Paris and Versailles, other great places when you're not running innocent people over with your bike.

THE NIGHT MANAGER (CAIRO, MAJORCA, ISTANBUL, MANY EXOTIC PLACES BECAUSE SPIES!!!)

TOM HIDDLESTON, NEED I SAY MORE? I binged this short BBC/AMC series over the holidays, and it was pretty captivating. It's basically about this weirdo loner hotel manager who works the nightshift and ends up going undercover to take down an international arms dealer. I thought it was really gripping, there are beautiful scenes of places I'd like to visit, oh and Tom Hiddleston.

MIDNIGHT DINER: TOKYO STORIES (TOKYO, DERR)

Admittedly I don't know much about this, but when it came across my Netflix suggestions, I got a little nostalgic for Tokyo (and its food mostly). So yeah, I added it to my list. From Netflix:

In a back alley of a busy district sits a small eatery called Meshiya, referred to by its patrons as the Midnight diner. The little joint, which the Master runs by himself, is open only from midnight to 7:00 AM. The menu consists of only pork miso soup set, beer, sake, and shochu, but the Master's policy is to make whatever his customers request. Tonight, like every other night, a menagerie of customers flock to the Midnight Diner, where the bonds among the Master, his food, and the patrons set the stage for humorous and sometimes wistful episodes of human drama that feed both the belly and soul.

Sure, I'll give that a shot. GIMME DAT RAMEN.

PEAKY BLINDERS (BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND)

Since this is a BBC show, I expect nothing but awesomeness. I noticed it on my Netflix suggestions as well. It's about an Irish family gang in Birmingham after WWI. I haven't checked it out yet, but just look at that photo! I'm obviously going to love it. Plus, even after adding it to my list, I heard it recommended during Slate Political Gabfest's recent cocktail chatter. Sold.

How will you be ~~maintaining your sanity~~ enjoying yourself these coming weeks?

-Staci

*Of course, I can't disengage entirely, knowing that western civilization is on the brink of destruction. So obviously, like Jen, I'll be at the Women's March Saturday and will continue to look for ways that I can help make the United States an inhabitable environment for all people over the next four years and beyond.

Watch Before You Go (Crazy): A Spoonful of Escapism