Captain´s Story
The Captain gazed out at the vast rice paddy, his trusty Land Rafter docked beside him.
For years, he had traversed the land, seeking new adventures and exploring uncharted territories. But now, a different desire burned within him – the longing to create something permanent, a haven for Land Rafters. Inspired by the camaraderie and resilience of his fellow explorers, he envisioned a Terminal, a place where weary travelers could find rest, share stories, and resupply their Land Rafters. With unwavering determination, The Captain set out to turn his vision into reality, ready to build a sanctuary for the nomadic souls who had made the Land Rafters their home.
After anchoring up the Land Rafter, the captain confidently stepped down onto the ground, greeted by the warm smiles and curious eyes of the locals in the nearby village. The air was filled with an aura of excitement and anticipation, as the villagers welcomed the captain with open arms. The captain, humbled by the hospitality, couldn't help but feel a sense of adventure and wonder as he embarked on this new journey, eager to learn from the locals and share stories of his own seafaring tales. Little did he know, this encounter would be the beginning of a profound bond between the captain and the villagers that would forever shape their destinies.
After the lively welcome party, The Captain took a moment to gather his thoughts and made a to-do list. Recognizing the significance of staying active and immersing himself in the local community, he decided to embark on a journey of learning about life in the rural part of this world. With a renewed sense of curiosity, he planned to engage with the village people, understanding their customs, traditions, and ways of life.
By embracing this opportunity, The Captain aimed to broaden his horizons and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity this world has to offer.
The first step towards acclimating to a new culture is establishing effective communication. It is crucial to stay connected with the outside world while simultaneously making an effort to learn the local language. By immersing oneself in the language, one can begin to comprehend and appreciate some of the unique traditions and customs of the local community. Embracing these unfamiliar practices will not only foster a deeper understanding of the culture, but also facilitate integration into the new environment. So, take the initiative to communicate and learn, and let the exploration of new traditions begin!
Now that the captain had securely docked the Land Rafter for a permanent stay, it was time to procure water.
At first glance, this task seemed easy, considering the abundance of rice fields that relied on ample water supply.
However, he soon realized that obtaining water was far more challenging than he had initially anticipated.
Equipped with all the necessary tools, the captain embarked on his mission to dig a well for water. Day after day, he tirelessly worked under the scorching sun, hoping to strike a hidden reservoir beneath the barren earth. But as the days progressed, the dirt he excavated appeared bone dry, devoid of any signs of water.
Doubt began to seep into his mind, whispering that his first mission had ended in failure.
The captain's spirit wavered as he questioned his abilities and the feasibility of finding water in this arid land. It was a grueling task, and it seemed that his efforts had been in vain, his first taste of defeat becoming an undeniable reality.
Yet, little did the captain know that sometimes, success and triumph are hidden just beyond the point of despair.
The only way hi can get out of this is to consult the villagers for guidance. Once their advice has been collected, the subsequent actions can be decided upon. This was the sole idea occupying the captain's mind. Therefore, his priority upon waking up in the morning is to first practice the language and create a translated list of his intended communication.
The walk to the village was a lengthy one, but a necessary task in order to find a solution to the water scarcity. As hi entered the village, the locals greeted him with smiles and warm hellos. According to the captain's research, water was called "nam" in the local dialect. However, just uttering one word would not be enough to elicit assistance. Perhaps the phrase "khud ha nam" - meaning to dig for water - would yield some valuable advice.
During the stroll through the narrow streets in the village, the captain added to his repertoire of words as the locals greeted him with "sawadee" outside their homes. Assuming it to mean hello, he spoke the phrase "khud ha nam" but was met only with head shakes. Unsure of his pronunciation,
the captain was about to return to the rice paddy when he noticed some children playing in the sand. He brought over an elderly man and together they began digging and pouring water into the hole.
To his delight, the elderly man beamed with understanding.
The aging gentleman, uttered "Knug snok nam" while simultaneously tracing a downward spiral with his hand. The captain interpreted this as a drill and considered using a machine to complete the task flawlessly. The elderly gestured for the captain to follow him, and not far away, the captain caught sight of a makeshift trenchless water drilling apparatus. At last, a solution.
The drill rig successfully completed its task, and the captain let out a sigh of relief as he watched the water gush up from the ground. However, there was more to this story than meets the eye.
The captain had either forgotten or not known about the need for an offering and a prayer to the spirits for guidance and assistance. "Next time," he reminded himself, "I must not forget to make an offering to the spirits."
It was the elderly gentleman who made the offering, consisting of two chickens and a bottle of local rice whiskey. You may be wondering how the captain had the resources to purchase such goods and services. Well, the truth is that he had amassed a great deal of gold and silver in his years as a pirate, having resorted to theft and pillaging in order to make his way in the world.
Fortunately, the captain knew that the locals had an affinity for gold and silver, making it a valuable currency in a tumultuous world where getting a fair value for one's hard-earned cash had become increasingly difficult. The days of piracy for the captain were long gone, and to maintain the support of the villagers, he made a habit of generously giving a little extra pocket gold to those who aided him. It was also crucial to start rumors in his favor; after all, if you were kind to the captain, he would be generous in return. He had to ensure that no one perceived him as a foolish and easy target for exploitation.
The task at hand was to procure necessary supplies for filtering and storing water in tanks, including pipes, pumps, filters, and tanks themselves. However, these items were not readily available in the local village. As a result, the captain had to find a way to transport himself to the nearest city where a plethora of items were available for his projects.
The locals referred to the mode of transportation as a "roth", a machine on wheels equipped with storage space in the back for hauling goods. The captain, having practiced some local dialect before embarking on his journey, found it to be more of a futile exercise as everything on display was ready for purchase and transport back to his intended destination, the Land Rafter.
The captain took it upon himself to connect the pipe, purely to showcase his adeptness to the local inhabitants. It was crucial to always make a good impression and let them know that he possessed knowledge and was not reliant on others. In the captain's eyes, if you could handle it on your own, that was the optimal approach. It kept you active and helped you develop into a formidable individual, not to be underestimated.
However, the captain also understood the value of seeking assistance when one's skills in a certain area were not fully developed. This not only allowed for personal growth, but also provided the opportunity to showcase the skills of others and how they too were powerful individuals. Jack and his assistant were the go-to experts for all things electricity, equipped with a fully loaded Land Rafter Van and all the necessary tools to get the job done efficiently.
