Week 6 Storytelling: From the Journals of Sinbad: Hamunaptra

The setting of our story, Africa in the year 1890

source: WikiMedia Commons 

18/03/1890: Suez, Egypt

Today is the beginning of our expedition westward into the desert. Supplies have been gathered and the camels have been prepared for the departure. We can only hope that the first leg of our expedition goes smoothly and we are able to reach Alexandria within the planned three days.

22/03/1890: Egypt

Four days into the expedition and we have already fallen behind schedule. A pack camel has broken its leg during an ascent of a sand dune, forcing us to lose a day determining a future course of action. Ultimately we were forced to shoot the camel and distribute the supplies amongst the other supply camels.

23/03/1890: Alexandria, Egypt

Two days late, but we have finally reached the city of Alexandria, where we will be gathering our remaining travelers. It is here that Dr. Nathan Walters, the proprietor of our expedition, joined us. Dr. Walters has faith in my research that leads us to believe there is a lost treasure in the desert. Hopefully I am able to deliver, for I fear if I fail the end result will be my own demise. 

01/04/1890: Sahara Desert, Tripoli

We have made our way further into the desert, following the directions from the various manuscripts I have spent the previous five years decoding. All of this work and preparation to now only be slowed by the travel time itself. We are moving slower than expected, several of Dr. Walters’ aides insisted on traveling with horses rather than camels. This foolish decision caused us to slow our pace when the horses become dehydrated.  

11/04/1890: Sahara Desert, French West Afrika  

Progress has been slow, but we are now only 800km outside of the lost city. It is becoming more real now than ever before just how close we coming to the possibility of finding Hamunaptra.

14/04/1890: Hamunaptra, Sahara Desert, French West Afrika

WE HAVE DONE IT! We found the city today. Dr. Walters is thrilled and his excitement even exceeds my very own. I still do not trust his aides though. There appears to be something off about them. As if they may be hiding something from the rest of the group. 

15/04/1890: Hamunaptra, Sahara Desert, French West Afrika    

Excavations began on the site today as we move into the second part of the expedition, finding the treasure room hidden here on the site. We have a set of clues to go off of here, but Dr. Walters’ expertise on these kinds of sites will be the ultimate guiding force behind our work efforts moving forward.

20/04/1890: Hamunaptra, Sahara Desert, French West Afrika

My distrust of Dr. Walters’ aides has proven to be true. Members of the group have begun to disappear after asking too many questions that these men did not seem fond of. Everyone is uneasy now, including Dr. Walters who seems to be the most fearful of us all here.

01/05/1890: Somewhere in the Sahara Desert.

It has been three days now since Dr. Walters was marched in front of the expeditionary force and shot by his “aides” for failing to find the treasure room in time. After witnessing this I began my plan to escape and take whatever I can with me. I have managed to get away with a map of the city and excavation grounds, along with enough rations for a week. God help me in finding help before my supplies run out. Or worse yet, the “aides” track me down.

Bibliography: The Voyages of Sinbad  

Image 1: View of the Suez Canal, Egypt, source: Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: View of Alexandria in Egypt, source: Col. Turner of the 3rd Regiment of Guards 
Image 3: The front of the temple Al Khazneh, source: Wikimedia Commons

Author’s Note: This is a new story told in the first person that centers on an adventurous character by the name of Sinbad. The inspiration for this work of fiction comes from the Voyages of Sinbad, a series of short stories depicting the voyages of Sinbad the Sailor and is told in the first person perspective. Sinbad is depicted as a strong and capable character in these stories, with the ability to overcome overwhelming odds when faced with a challenge. I chose to depict it as if you were reading his actual journal entries, providing a greater connection to Sinbad himself and a more personal look into his thoughts. The date is patterned in the European style due to the setting of North Africa, which also accounts for Sinbad using the European spelling of “Afrika” when writing in his personal journal. Further inspiration comes from the Indiana Jones film franchise and other adventure-based films from Hollywood. The city of Hamunaptra is actually taken from The Mummy series of films starring Brendan Fraser. The setting of Africa at the turn of the century remains true to the region of Sinbad’s traditional stories, while also capitalizing on the exploration fever that occurred during this period. Wandering through the desert in search of lost treasures may be a stereotype, but it is one that is always capable of producing an interesting story.