![[Image: uldah_zps93e3503e.png]](http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u521/ashrafn/uldah_zps93e3503e.png)
Hello from Ul'dah! That's right, Ul'dah. My plans to travel to Limsa-Lominsa went a little... awry.
It took me the better part of this week to save up enough gil to travel. I did most of my work for the chocobo keepers at Bentbranch, mostly errands for gyshal greens and culling pests along the roads the chocobos travel on. (They startle so easily.) I saved about 5000g--coin enough for my airship pass application, the fare, food, supplies, a room at an inn, and extra padding, in case of anything crazy. I even ran into Firae the Aspiring Black Mage again, and he offered to travel with me since I haven't been outside the Shroud since... well.
It turns out a friend of mine at the Conjurer's Guild had a friend working in the airship business, and they helped get my pass approved early. I was so excited and ready to go, and I couldn't find Firae again, so I just... went.
...Went and boarded the wrong airship. That's what I get for being impatient. If anyone back at the guild finds out, they'll never, ever let it go.
I was told the next airship to Limsa-Lominsa wouldn't arrive for awhile. From the way some attendants' ears were glued to their linkshells, it sounded like they ran into some trouble. It looks like I'm stuck in Ul'dah for a little while, at least a day or two.
Ul'dah is an enormous city, all sandy stone and bursting with people. I wandered for about half an hour before I found myself in what must have been a bad part of the city. A Seeker who calls himself B'rahz said he could tell that I wasn't from Ul'dah. He looked kind of rough, and said to be careful because a lot of people might try to take advantage of someone who wasn't familiar with the city.
![[Image: Brahz_zps91d4ef82.png]](http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u521/ashrafn/Brahz_zps91d4ef82.png)
He looked amused when I asked how I could know if he wasn't one of those people, and said he'd show me around Ul'dah for free. It was then that Firae showed up out of nowhere. ...He wasn't lost like I was, and I really want to know what he was doing in a bad part of the city. Black mages can be so suspicious sometimes.
Ul'dah is beautiful in a different way from Gridania. Where Gridania has towering trees and natural waterfalls and cool air, Ul'dah is all grand, towering sandstone, bright and hot. B'rahz took us to a fountain in the middle of the city, where it's tradition to toss in a gil and make a wish. One person, an Elezen wearing mail armor and a serious expression, thought it was silly.
![[Image: Jullian_zps62adf114.png]](http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u521/ashrafn/Jullian_zps62adf114.png)
His name is Jullian. He reminds me of a mentor, or a father, someone who isn't very light-hearted, but isn't very harsh, either. He said it wasn't a tradition that was going to make wishes come true, but the people behind them. He looked a little happier when I told him I was on my way to Limsa-Lominsa to see about joining an academy. I asked him if he wanted to join us in our walk of the city, but he was waiting for someone. Maybe I'll run into him again before I leave Ul'dah. He seems like a wise person.
![[Image: lessons_zpsd505b834.png]](http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u521/ashrafn/lessons_zpsd505b834.png)
...I still made a wish with a gil, before I left the fountain. It can't hurt, as long as I don't get lazy. B'rahz says he's had a wish from the fountain come true, but he wouldn't tell us what it was. I wonder if it's something embarrassing...
B'rahz took us to the markets next. It was so crowded, sometimes I had to dodge around and between people! Not at all like Gridania. There was so much to see. (They have a food stand with delicious things to eat!) I bought some ink since I was running out, but I have a feeling that's only the most boring thing to find in the markets. There were jewels and armor and shining weapons too, and bright dyes and fabrics. If I'm ever rich someday, I'll come back and buy some.
![[Image: market_zps2621cde2.png]](http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u521/ashrafn/market_zps2621cde2.png)
He showed us the inn last, a place called The Quicksand. I think I was lucky to get a room, since the city is so full. It's a little more expensive to stay here than in Gridania, but the room is cozy with soft lighting. Now that I think about it, being stuck in Ul'dah isn't so bad. It's an exciting place. I think I'll spend the next few days exploring before I board the airship for Limsa-Lominsa.
It can't hurt to see new things, right?
