“From Mint to Marble: Bureaucracy in Two Acts”
Block Time: 1.4 hours, 2 border misunderstandings, 1 architectural standoff
Cargo Manifest:
- 250 scrolls of neoclassical and colonial hybrid building plans
- A prototype “architectural neutrality detector” (it beeped the whole way)
- A metric ton of structural puns disguised as engineering blueprints
- Wattles McFreedom wearing a tiny hardhat and insisting his feathers are “load-bearing”
Diplomatic Purpose:
To assist in the cultural exchange of architectural concepts between North African capitals—while quietly lobbying for the addition of helipad fountains shaped like 777s. Adelyn swears this is a “serious mission.” Eleanor swears it’s performance art.
Crew Notes
- Adelyn:
Gave herself a 10-minute lecture on Ottoman-era design before final descent. Flew the approach in pure silence, as though interpreting the urban density below. Declared the taxi-in “visually overwhelming and moderately inspiring.” Filed an architectural suggestion with the ground controller. It was ignored. - Eleanor:
Performed an interpretive dance titled “Colonial Facades and Interior Realities” in the immigration queue. Said she was “channeling the medina.” Was told by a security guard to “channel something quieter.” - Noah:
Used open-source city planning tools to redesign part of downtown Algiers during cruise. Accidentally got invited to a municipal zoning conference. Presented under the name “Noaḥ ibn Digital.”
Passenger Vibe Check
- Dr. Moretti:
Claimed the city’s skyline cured her seasonal affective disorder. Purchased a rooftop hammock and declared she would “do medicine from there now.” - Raj:
Launched “BuildCoin,” a smart-contract platform for municipal permit disputes. Crashed twice, still raised $4 million. - Colonel Hawke:
Tried to inspect the Casbah for “tactical blind spots.” Locals gave him mint tea and guided him into a mosaic workshop instead. He’s now the proud owner of a tile with a duck on it. - Yuki:
Created a spontaneous installation titled “Stucco & Struggle” using cargo straps, hand sanitizer, and leftover couscous. Described it as “post-geometric resistance.” - Camila:
Filmed a moody segment titled “Minarets and Memory: A Descent into Ornamental Tension.” Soundtrack: wind, boot heels, bureaucratic sighs.
Flight Highlights
- ATC asked for a visual approach. Adelyn insisted on instrument just to “prove a point.”
- Eleanor began quoting French poetry over the PA. ATC requested silence and possibly therapy.
- Wattles McFreedom wandered off into a construction site and returned with a building permit in his beak. It was signed.
Mission Summary
- Success Metrics:
- Smooth touchdown, medium eye contact
- Blueprints delivered (some annotated in emoji)
- Cultural diplomacy rated “mildly unsettling, but stylish”
- Diplomatic Outcome:
- Algerian officials requested an immediate copy of Wattles’ architectural plans
- Eleanor’s dance performance is now being adapted into a municipal PowerPoint
- Adelyn was offered a seat on the “Committee for Aesthetic Pragmatism” and responded with one raised eyebrow
- Crew Rating:
- Adelyn: 9/10 – inspired, but judging every building
- Eleanor: 14/10 – now believes arches have chakras
- Noah: 10/10 – referred to as “young professor” by three different ministers
Debrief
Raj’s smart contracts are now legally binding in four city blocks. Dr. Moretti’s rooftop clinic already has a waitlist. Yuki’s couscous sculpture was declared “deeply alarming” and “emotionally crunchy.” Wattles has applied for dual citizenship. Camila’s footage was censored due to “overly architectural subtext.”
Next Stop: DTTA – Tunis, Tunisia
Objective: Navigate North Africa’s final capital, avoid becoming part of a UNESCO installation, and convince Eleanor not to perform a sand-based soliloquy.
Shall we coast east into another mosaic of mystery and potential visa violations?
Around the World in MSFS 
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