Luchland: The Old World

"We're here! Oh my gosh Ara! We're really here! I'm so excited!"

Laughing, Aurora could just look on to her companion. Sasha's enthusiasm is infectious. After a 14-hour flight, you'd think the first thing she would do was go to the hotel and get some rest. But Sasha being herself, wants to dive straight to adventure.

"Let's settle in the hotel first and get some rest before we start our day, okay?" Aurora suggested.

"But I want to go now! Aren't you even just a bit excited Ara? This is culture of the old world, and we get to experience it for ourselves. It's so amazing!" Sasha replied.

"I am excited Sash, but I'm also exhausted from our flight. Just let me recharge for a bit and we can go wherever you want to, okay?"

"Oh. I'm sorry Ara. I was just thinking of myself." Sasha frowned.

"It's okay Sash. I'm excited too, believe me. Let's go find our ride so we can start as soon as we can."

After finding their ride, both of them realized that they weren't the only pair to win a trip. There were a total of 12 pairs including them that waited in the reception area of an old-themed hotel. A big budget was really put into preserving this land. As they were travelling to their hotel, they could see that every building was from the old times and was added with only a few modern touches to make the stay of visitors a comfortable one.

Aurora was amazed with their accommodation. They're staying in a building called the "Rowing Boat". It's a five-story tavern preserved with its medieval essence. The walls were still the brick and wood from old times, even the bed and bathroom was from back then. Only an air-conditioning system and wifi was of the new age. She could see that there was no expense spared in the land that they called Luchland. The place was truly amazing and anyone will get the feeling of being transported back in time.

When they started their tour in a carriage, even Aurora felt she was living the old ways. They first visited the nearby castle. It was beautiful. The walls were adorned with portraits and various war tools used from a time long gone. She was happy that she agreed to go with Sasha. Aurora truly needed a break from work. Something she didn't think she would do.

"Ara! Look! It's beautiful!" Sasha wistfully told her.

"Look at these portraits. It's amazing how well they're preserved. You can even see the tiny details of the clothes they're wearing"

It was indeed beautiful. Looking down to her own dress. She felt like a visiting Lady from a nearby castle. It made her chuckle. For a pragmatic person that has lived her life in logic, to imagine herself as a Lady of the court from old times was amusing to her.

"Let's go see what the other hallways have." Sasha all but dragged her along.

"We should stay with the group Sash. They specifically told us not to wander around." Even saying this, Aurora followed her friend.

"Psh. We're on an adventure Ar. Loosen up and be spontaneous, okay? It's not every day we get to do this. Besides, when we go back home we'll return to our old routines. So let's enjoy this trip as much as we can, please?" Sasha was looking ahead the whole time she said this but looked back to her at the end with pleading eyes. She was right. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience this firsthand, so Aurora just squeezed her hand and nodded.

"Okay, Sash. You're right. So, where should we go first?"

Smiling, Sasha led her around every corner that they could find. It was amazing they didn't get lost. When they found their way back to their group it was just in time to go to another place.

Aurora was thankful that they weren't discovered missing. She was always like this: a person who likes sticking with the rules.

"Where's our next stop after this?" Aurora asked Sasha.

"We're supposed to go to this park where a nearby tavern is for lunch."

"Seems like there are a lot of taverns here."

"Yeah. This area of the land is supposed to be the place where all travellers first arrive. So, people back then built a lot of taverns to accommodate them."

"You know a lot about this land, huh?"

Laughing, Sasha replied, "I just read the brochures that we're provided for the trip. Besides, you're one to talk. I saw you reading a book about this land 2 days ago. A WHOLE BOOK Ara, really? And I thought you weren't looking forward to this at all." Sasha teased her friend.

"Well, I couldn't very well go to a place I didn't know anything about now, could I?" a blushing Aurora replied.

"Oh my gosh. Is the great genius Dr. Aurora Isla Mondragon blushing? I never thought I would see the day. Oh my, help me, I feel faint." A smirking Sasha said while fanning herself.

"Oh, shush" Aurora playfully pushed her companion. The two women were still chuckling when they entered the tavern. The place was smaller than their accommodation but still left first-time travelers in wonder. After ordering pigeon pies and mutton for both of them, they enjoyed a stroll in the nearby park with a lagoon in it's center. Aurora started to relax and enjoy herself more.