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.
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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.
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