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Post by Bethany on Oct 12, 2005 7:47:20 GMT
The Challenge
1. Read the Introduction 2. Read any work already posted underneath. 3. Write your own diary entry for the next day. If you have to, you can post two days worth. 4. Once we have finished, the admin will edit the entire thing and post it on the Bookshelves as 'Notes from a Small Galaxy'.
Rules and Guidelines
1. Make your entry as original and imaginative as possible. 2. Be consistent. 3. Keep to the budget - the admin will keep a note of remaining funds in the post underneath the Introduction. 4. Do not copy other members' ideas. Do not try to publish the work posted on this website. If you want to quote this work on another site, email one of the admin first. 5. The admin reserve the right to edit any work posted. 6. Have fun.
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Post by Bethany on Oct 12, 2005 8:01:58 GMT
As I was sitting by the Coffee Bar window one evening, stirring my cappuccino and thinking bitterly about the lack of material on the Bookshelves, an insane challenge crept into my mind, probably encouraged by the caffeine - as soon as I had calmed down (and persuaded the bank to lend me some money), I would travel around the galaxy using transport that was as cheap, slow, uncomfortable and generally unpleasant as possible. To make matters more interesting, I bet the proprietor that I could do it withing eighty Earth days, visiting the capital cities of every planet, carrying no more than one small suitcase and a backpack, and spending no more than £700. I would also bring back three things as proof of travel.
Easy, I told myself. I would manage it in eighty days and still have time for sightseeing.
How young and foolish (and hyper) I was. But resisting the temptation to flee the solar system and change my identity, I set off from the Coffee Bar for my starting point, Toolong, the capital city of Wangkali.
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Post by Bethany on Oct 12, 2005 12:09:41 GMT
Starting balance: £700
Day 1: £5 spent, £695 remaining Day 2: £0.40 spent, £694.60 remaining
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Pippa
Junior Customer
Posts: 6
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Post by Pippa on Oct 12, 2005 12:10:53 GMT
The exit of Toolong Spaceport is through a wooden archway, two storeys high and painted in red and black. Two dragons, painted gold, are twined around the archway and meet at the top, glaring and spitting at each other. According to my Baedeker 3003 Travel Companion, the arch and its inhabitants are carved from a single Bako tree (Bagus datangii). The arch is based on an ancient myth but, as I haven't subscribed to Baedeker Online, the Companion won't tell me any more. Oh, well.
My first destination is Hotel Longri-Shaa. For 25 Wangkali Shekals (about £5) per night, my single room is on the 23rd floor and has a small (but beautifully decorated) balcony. The tiny bathroom is en-suite and consists of a toilet (the squatting sort, which is more hygienic), a basin and a shower, and is tiled in blue and white.
I deliberately chose this hotel because it is run by the Earth Heritage Group (formerly the National Trust). This means the decoration, facilities, uniforms and menu are based on Earth in the 20th and 21st Centuries. There are many more expensive hotels which offer more modern facilities, but I thought I would try this one, for tonight at least.
Dinner (three courses, included in the price of the room), consists of creamy mushroom soup, Hoki and chips, and strawberry cheesecake. I also treat myself to an Australian Merlot (only one glass, mind). I then retire to bed.
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Post by sparrow on Nov 7, 2005 7:36:21 GMT
I woke early as I had much to see that day. After a quick breakfast of strawberry-covered dobbens, I took my leave of Hotel Longri-Shaa and headed straight for the Dome of To'quai. The rising sun tinged the clouds with ruby, and a faint mist swirled around the gleaming white dome.
Entering through the rows of tall pillars that banked the front pathway, I paused before the entrance door, admiring the ornate carvings that graced the door's pale surface. A tour of the dome cost only 2 Wangkali Shekals, and my, it was worth it!
The Dome had been the royal home of the Kiyiiu Dynasty back before Wangkali had been conquered by Shang. I could hardly imagine the lifestyles of its inhabitants as I wandered through the massive rooms, admiring the oil paintings set all along the walls, right above the carved wainscoting. The furniture looked stiff and hard compared to the weightless seats we now enjoy, but the creative fabric colors brightened the rooms considerably.
Oh, and the old-fashioned chandeliers! They hung from the ceilings in dazzling glass spheres and for a moment I was sad that we now have inset lighting in our homes. But then I thought of the dusting required for such a fixture and I hurried on to the next room.
The party room was amazing. It was situated in the very middle of the dome and the ceiling was four stories above. But even from that distance the dome ceiling dominated the eye's gaze. It was decorated with such a combination of carvings and paintings that it was nearly 3-D. But the most remarkable thing was that at a simple push of a button the ceiling seemed to vaporize, turning to clear glass that revealed the brilliant blueness of the sky in her full glory.
I left the Dome in awe, pleased that I had chosen to put a tour of it on my itinerary.
[author's note: I left this open ended so the next person could choose to either stay in this town for a bit more, or go on to the next.--Amy]
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