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Traveler's Weekly; A Guide to Local Destinations and Beyond
Topic Started: Mar 7 2009, 08:46 PM (303 Views)
lebowski2123
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Traveler's Weekly

A Louisiana Publication


Traveling across the Federation and beyond, Traveler's Weekly is dedicated to capturing the local ambiance and exotic flavor of various locales, both in the American States and abroad. In the pursuit of a suitable travel destination, Traveler's Weekly has no equal.

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Exotic Locales

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Colorful Culture

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Historic Sites

These and much more, with Traveler's Weekly
Edited by lebowski2123, Mar 7 2009, 08:46 PM.
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lebowski2123
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New Orleans, City of King-Makers

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana.
Season: Spring


As a traveler exits Deslondes Rail-Center, the largest passenger train depot in the Federation, one smell immediately strikes to the heart of a hungry stomach. It is the scent of cayenne dipped shrimp "Snappers", a local delicacy sold by a countless number of street vendors across the city. This shrimp not only fills the stomach, but clears the nostrils, and brings a tear to the eye of customers, a tear associated with neither happiness or sadness, but instead a peculiar, sensationally horrible pain. Wrapped in newspaper, this shrimp is extremely cheap, and can comprise the entire diet of a traveler.

The air itself seems alive in New Orleans, invigorated with a mixture of sound and scent from restaurants with open porches, and the shouts of taxi drivers.

On the subject, it becomes immediately apparent that horse-drawn taxis are in high demand. According to locals the wait can range from one to ten minutes, as carriages bustle back and forth laden with tourists and residents alike. A popular saying in the Federation is that "all roads lead to New Orleans", but in New Orleans itself all roads lead to the Deslondes Capital Building, a massive and beautiful structure at the heart of the business district of the nation's capital. Suited men scramble about, and many of the local pubs are known as forums for the various political party members serving in the assembly. This area is very accessible, and adjacent to the largest hotel in New Orleans, the Johnson-Wells.

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The Capital Building

However, for travelers who wish to see a second, very different side of New Orleans, a trip to the wharfs after dark is an absolute requirement. Filled with sailors, dockworkers and the blue-collar foundation of any city, this region grows active beginning with the setting of the sun, a magnificent display in itself. Music pours into the streets all hours of the night, and local breweries ensure that all alcohol to be had is of local origin, for those travelers of such persuasion. On this crisp spring eve, revelers pour forth from an army of carriages, quickly dispersing into the many restaurants lining the streets. Multicolored awnings gaily beckon to visitors, and electric light pours onto the streets from open windows, along with the many sounds of merriment.

During the day, a number of attractions exist, especially the many city tour groups. For a reasonable price, visitors to the city can be chauffeured to the Capital Building, Executive Residence, docks, and the ever popular Cuban district (which is entitled to a Traveler's Weekly entry all its own). Additionally, certain tours offer an included lunch, as well as a day trip to the beginnings of Deslondes' march to freedom, and other important local sites in the founding of the Federation. In particular, the tour group "New Orleans Legacy" presents a well-rounded picture of the city, and offers lunch free of charge.

We Recommend
Food: Shrimp "Snappers", but not for the faint of heart.
Locale: Deslondes' Capital Building and business district, the docks for those who desire an active nightlife
Attraction: "New Orleans Legacy" tours
Edited by lebowski2123, Mar 7 2009, 09:18 PM.
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Miami, Gateway to the East

Location: Miami, Florida
Season: Summer



Upon disembarking from the dark, cool train, a traveler experiences before all else a sense of profound-humidity. The summer air of Miami is thick, to put it lightly, and any breeze available is dry and warm, having flown in from the west rather than the east. However, the stuffy air of this major port town is soon forgotten, as it would seem that the locals do their best to compensate using first-class hospitality. Miami is city of opportunity, and as such is also a city of extreme congestion. The cramped walkways allows for only limited lateral movement, and travelers may find it difficult to make their way to any of the nearby hotels.

However, the trip is certainly worth any inconveniences encountered. The hotel entrances are often adorned with palms and other tropical fare, with guests treated to complementary or heavily discounted fruits. Miami's center of business has been in operation for over a century, its fish markets filled with activity and lively words, and is fun for the whole family.

Speaking of fish, the many fish dishes of Miami are very affordable, and will satisfy the pickiest of pallets. A local specialty is the Saltwater Special, found at Deleany's Saltwater Imports, just past the fish market. During the day a runner is sent to purchase your ordered meal from this very market, meaning that the fish is as fresh as possible. The Saltwater Special is cooked to order, and includes a variety of fruits, as well as a refreshing rum tonic which is sure to refresh even the hardiest of drinkers.
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lebowski2123
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Esternarx City, Land of Opportunity?

Location: Esternarx City, Free Thule
Season: Winter


When first disembarking their cruise ship, most travelers find themselves stunned by the sprawling mass of liberty which is Esternarx City. Located in a majestic natural port (coincidentally the most photographed port in the Northern Hemisphere), the city's harbor offers a microcosm of what is to be expected for the duration of a stay.

Travelers are offered firearms as they exit the gangplank, but of course are allowed to refuse this offer, if they so wish. However, it is the recommendation of the Traveler's Weekly staff that tourists accept this offer, so that they might prepare themselves for the unique if trying experience which lies ahead of them.

Chaos is not a word which this periodical uses lightly, but it is this very term which most completely describes the city's environment. From taxis to accommodations, travelers must haggle alongside locals in order to secure lodging and transport, and even food at times. Locals contend that in a weeks time a traveler could not make their way across the urban sprawl in its entirety, and this assertion is supported by the sheer magnitude of the city.

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Esternarx City, a photo from the harbor

Traveler's are advised to contact one of the numerous private security firms to secure an insurance agreement, due to the lack of a public police force. However, such inconveniences are more than offset by the multitude of opportunities which are available to more adventurous tourists. Along the waterfront and within the city, any variety of gambling can be had, including wagers on the hunting of the "most dangerous game" (Luckily for nervous tourists, this program is entirely voluntary, with surviving citizens rewarded with large cash prizes from the various corporations of Esternarx City).

A prime example of the anarcho-capitalist lifestyle can be found along the waterfront, at EC's Delicacies, an eatery operated by one of the precious few fur traders of Svalbard. A word to the wise: this is not a restaurant for the faint of heart. The menu is entirely negotiable, but once prepared your meal will not necessarily be sold to you, but instead to the highest bidder.

EC's Delicacies' most popular dish is far and away the aptly named Svalbard Special. This meal consists of rare and expensive Svalbard bear meat, along with sides of fish slaw and a large mug of whatever the patron may desire. Only three such meals are prepared each week, so unfortunately tourists are hard pressed to obtain one, but the spectacle is still one to behold. In the event that a bear hunter perished in his quest, his remains will be served as a substitute.

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An artist's rendering of the majestic Svalbard bear

Surveys of travelers have revealed that Esternarx City offers a wide variety of engaging attractions, yet the most popular one (and one which arguably offers the best value) is the G & B Tour Group, which offers an all-inclusive tour of the city's expansive harbor, as well as a tour of one of the city's many lucrative firearm factories. However, we here at Traveler's Weekly must mention that passengers are routinely lured away by rival tour groups, who haggle with individual tourists from G & B during the tour. For this reason, it is wise to formulate a group strategy beforehand, so that family and friends are not offered separate deals and split up over the course of the day.

We Recommend
Food: The Svalbard Special (or anything from EC's Delicacies)
Locale: The waterfront/harbor
Attraction: The G & B Tour Group (but don't forget your harness)
Edited by lebowski2123, Mar 25 2009, 08:09 PM.
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East Anarx
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Since the publication of the most recent Issue of Traveler's Weekly, tourism is reported to be up almost 20% in Esternarx City.
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Volsunga, Eastern Frontier

Location: Volsunga, Free Thule
Season: Spring


Nestled in the mountains of Scandanavia, Volsunga remains shrouded in snow deep into the springtime. Approaching the city from either of the coastal highways to its south presents a phenomenal view of the seat of Archdiocese of Volsunga. Shrouded in the clouds of its high mountain perch, this complex of buildings attracts tourists the world over, as well as the more "moderate" aspects of Thulian society. Although not open to tourists, the building features a small portico designed to accomodate visitors, as well as provide answers to questions of the spirit.

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A walkway along the Archdiocese perimeter

Tourists often arrive via car, either rented outright or hired from Esternarx City. Although no guarantee can be given, it has been this reporter's finding that in matters of contact the Thulian people have repeatedly proven themselves extremely reliable. However, once descending into the city of Volsunga itself, tourists will find hallmarks of Thule, such as markets spontaneously forming for all manner of items (including an old man's molars and a young girl's doodles, among other things during our stay).

It is a peculiar mix of people nestled in the mountainous region of Volsunga, best summed by the clientele at the local eatery Spirits and Such. Located on the southern crest of Volsunga's city limits, it features a cleansing array of food and drink which focuses on the healing of mind and body. Frequented by many civil servants and religious officials, this restaurant is located directly next to a chain branch of EC's Foods (controlled by the owner and operator of EC's Delicacies). EC's attracts the younger, more boisterous citizens of Volsunga, many of whom engage in open and lively debate over the value of each other's meal. Their specialty is Volsungan's Bounty - a single, locally caught, raw fish. This meal is not known for taste, but is considered by the restaurant's many "regular" customers to be the single most economically efficient meal on the restaurant's menu.

For travelers, accommodations can be had throughout the city, but for those seeking a more economical option the Royal Palace presents a unique opportunity to spend the night in the home of a world leader (if only in name). Although a good portion of the palace is occupied by the king's private security force, he currently does not have the funds to defend it in its entirety. Therefore, the remainder of the palace acts as a modern day hostel, in which locals and travelers can stay and sleep so long as they are able to defend their plot of land (or carpet).

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The palace offers a variety of uncontrolled rooms for use by private citizens, including the one above

All in all, the city of Volsunga is a unique blend of extremes: conservatism and anarchism, the seat of royalty and the vacuum of power for which Thule is famous.

We Recommend
Food: Volsunga's Bounty
Locale: The Archdiocese of Volsunga
Attraction: The Royal Palace, sight of fun and accommodations (for the moment)
Edited by lebowski2123, Apr 27 2009, 05:46 AM.
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