Trouble's just the bits in
between! It's all waiting out there, Jackie. And it's brand new to me. All
those planets, creatures and horizons—I haven't seen them yet. Not with these
eyes. And it is gonna be... fantastic.
The Tenth Doctor
This week I’m doing something I
haven’t done in a while, visit a good old fashioned Second Life (SL) sim where
the sim itself is the main attraction and everyone keeps their clothes on (or
at least taking them off is not the primary activity).
So, after bouncing around the grid for
a bit I came across Ancient
Alexandria. A role playing sim which
recreates the ancient world of the Ptolemy’s and
Cleopatra’s in all its past glory.
Unfortunately, when I first came
across Alexandria, I wasn’t in proper period attire so I wouldn’t enter. (Contrary to popular belief, I try to respect
sim’s rules about attire and behavior. One
reason why I’ve been bouncing around butt naked so much lately.) I promised myself to return for further
investigation.
Something else different about this trip is
that I’m accompanied by my Traveling Companion, GraciAnn
Harte. (Hey, Doctor Who’s been doing it for
fifty years. Why not me?) Some of my readers may remember her. We’re neighbors in Nowaki. Graci also accompanied me on my recent BDSM club tour. When not suffering with my presence, she’s a
model who has recently graduated from modeling school. Graci has been wanting to go exploring
inworld and I offered to invite her on some of my adventures. (Actually, I
think she comes along to see what trouble I get into next!)
Graci and I agree on a day and time and begin
to prepare for our trip. One thing about
hanging around with a model is that she knows a lot about how to dress and
where to get cool outfits. We went
shopping together where Graci’s great taste and common sense came into
play. Especially when she saw what
period costume I wanted to wear. She mumbled
something about not wanting to be seen in public with anyone dressed as a
slave. Needless to say, I ultimately
went with her recommendation. I have to
admit I do look spiffy in her choice.
(Significant Other thought so too.
Now, she wants Graci to go to work on my hair and eyes.)
At the appointed time and date, Graci and I
teleport into Ancient Alexandria. Graci has selected a traditional long white
dress with period jewelry. Her hair is
done in a Cleopatra classic style. She is barefoot. (So much easier in SL isn’t it?)
We arrive at the port area. (Where else would people arrive in ancient
times?) The famed Lighthouse is visible in the
harbor. We move onto a temple and then
back to a market back near the port area. Along the way we pass through a
residence and wander the streets.
Since Graci and I had to make our trip early
on a Sunday morning because of our schedules, many residents aren’t about. In fact, we only meet two. One, a woman driving a horse and wagon and
another woman running through the city streets.
The sim’s attention to detail is
extraordinary and this is at two levels.
The first is the period accuracy and layout of the buildings, furniture,
and other everyday implements. Then
there is the quality of the detail work for these objects. Intricate patterns are woven into rugs and mosaics. Having had the opportunity to visit some
ancient ruins in Real Life (RL) myself, I’m impressed by the quality of the
workmanship and the accuracy.
Tapestries, fabrics, and other objets d’art are strategically located
throughout the sim. Again, attention to
detail and quality of craftsmanship are evident throughout.
There is an eerie sense as Graci and I walk
through the empty streets. I’m reminded
of a ghost town. Fortunately, it’s
daylight. Otherwise it could be more
scary than eerie. (I admit it, I’m
afraid of the dark.) The two people whom we do meet are busy and can’t spend
much time with us.
While we wander about, Graci is taking
pictures. Despite my nobleman’s costume,
I look the part of a tourist from the provinces wandering aimlessly about. The
people we do meet respond better to Graci than to me. Maybe it’s my red eyes?
This is an abbreviated trip for Graci and me
as we both have RL commitments which call us back sooner than we’d have preferred. But, our brief visit has given us a chance to
see another SL sim lovingly built and maintained by a community dedicated to
one theme. We’re grateful for their
efforts and for allowing travelers like us to visit.
Graci and I encourage you to visit and see
the work which brings back images of a world long gone.
I’d like to thank my Traveling Companion,
GraciAnne Harte, for making the time to join me and I hope that she will be
back for further adventures inworld.
As always, I’m grateful to all for their
kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through
their lives.
I welcome feedback from readers, please
either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com .
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Photo
No. 1 GraciAnne Harte in Period Dress
Photo
No. 2 web Prior to Departure
Photo
No. 3 Alexandria Arrival Hall
Photo
No. 4 Harbor Lighthouse (Ancient Wonder of the World)
Photo
No. 5 Harbor Breakwater
Photo
No. 6 Ship Dockside
Photo
No. 7 Public Baths
Photo
No. 8 Murals in Public Baths
Photo
No. 9 Street Scene at Night
Photo
No. 10 Private Garden
Photo
No. 11 Interior of Residence
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