Before I begin, I must first issue an apology, for a traveler's journal such as this should begin with the outset of the journey, rather than be penned near the end as all the memories of it are near gone. I shall endeavor to provide an interesting report of my travels nonetheless, and I do hope this breach of writing etiquette shall not affect your opinions of the content found herein.
My name is Broderick. I have never received a last name and never found it fit to choose one for myself as it has never truly been an issue and it allows me to forego the formality of introducing myself with a Mister before a surname rather than the name my more intimate friends know me by. Thankfully, the lack of a surname has rarely been an issue, and thanks to the ever-expanding leniency of the world's governments in their recognition of sapient non-human individuals, there are proper channels for travelers such as me and an understanding of deficiency in some otherwise vital information. I found myself barred from travel to only two places I had tried to enter: Pakistan and Turkey. Thankfully, the business I needed to conduct there was achievable through other means, and the companionship of the good officer Jake Marshall afforded me more trust from airport security. However, I do find it a shame I could not see these two wondrous countries, as this journey was meant to blend the works of business and pleasure when able, and Istanbul has a particularly enticing Siren's call. I do hope the Hagia Sophia will not eternally evade me.
A man named Ger'Shom, referred to many by the title of Courier or Courier Six, had a surprisingly vast network of businesses despite not being native to this... dimension, I suppose, is the appropriate word. If mention of this sounds incredulous, I suppose it is best to inform you that you are, in fact, reading the travel log of a particularly large bumblebee. One who is able to harness the power of hats through an art known only to millinists. I write this now while wearing the hat of the late thespian and silent film star Frederick Thomas. Perhaps one day I may style my surname after him as I did my first name, but this hat shares with me the personality of the man who gifted it to me, and in much a similar manner, Ger'Shom's headwear allowed me to see the world through his eyes, so to speak. It is for this reason he felt comfortable in gifting me his business conglomerate, which spurred this adventure outside of my usual Nevada stomping grounds.
Seeing to his many ventures was a trying task, and even while wearing the hat that put me closer in line with the Courier's mindset, I found myself liquidating, revising, or making redundant many ventures. Many of his businesses in the under developed countries of South America and Asia put the results of work over the value of the human capital's well-being. I tried my best to keep his many factories and genetic testing facilities functional, but the injection of my softer heart did require I remove any that were unable to be continued without human rights violations. It has strained the grander funds of the conglomerate, but through my many renovations and shifts in work ethic, I have made us able to conduct our operations in the open, a luxury Ger'Shom did not have unfortunately.
I speak, of course, with vague terms on my dealings here, as they are insider information and what's more, I am certain that discussion of financials and company structure is not what a travel log is meant for! What follows will be brief recollections of the places I visited and what my companion and I participated in during our visit.
New York City was our first stop, and from what I am told it is the "cradle of civilization" of sorts for the group known as the Kobbers. Jake and I met in their latest installation, a casino in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. I found my size an encumbrance when navigating the crowded streets, but the skyscrapers were quite roomy. Most of my time here was spent tangling with an unfortunate and inordinate amount of bureaucracy to begin the plans necessary to legitimize and revitalize the Courier's legacy. I am unsure what Mr. Marshall attended to while we visited, but we were able to enjoy a few restaurants together and I was able to get us tickets to see Paramour by Cirque du Soleil! It did not seem to be to his tastes, but I had a delightful time. We made sure to visit the city's "Naked Cowboy" during our visit, but he was just as adamant on keeping his hat as the self-styled cowboy Jake Marshall is. I should wonder what I would look like in that peculiar street performer's garb, despite his claim to be wearing none.
Following a plane ride, we next took a trek across Eastern Europe, our starting point being Germany despite its more central location on the continent. During our travels we rarely saw the major cities, so I made sure we stopped to tour a few of the old towns and pay a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle before I found the more obscure locations on the map that Ger'Shom had left for us to visit. We then entered Romania by train, but the travel there was difficult for me due to my size and natural hovering nature. Most of the sights we saw were natural there and I do believe I have made Marshall into somewhat of an outdoorsman in the process. A small trip to Norway was taken before we continued on eastward, wherein I managed to swing the good officer a ride atop a fjord horse. It was not quite the stallions of the Wild West one might expect to find him on, but I have hopefully made him more of a cowboy nonetheless!
Russia was a dreadful clime, I fear the bumblebee is not meant for the snow of the Motherland. I did my best to power through, but my companion and I were quick to depart the moment business was concluded. I should hope some time to return when it is warmer so I may enjoy the truth of the country rather than its infamous winter.
From there the greatness of Asia was opened to us: India, China, and Japan were like a trio of pearls in a massive oriental oyster! The language barrier grew stronger in these lands, but the Courier's hat allowed me to surmount it when my own knowledge failed. Leisure activities also became harder to come by because of it, and when wearing Ger'Shom's hat I find it affects my tastes and keeps me away from what I might otherwise visit with its translation assistance. The headphones at the Kabuki theater that provided an English translation was a most welcome aid, although I had to hold them to one side of my head due to their size. I find the most difficult part of watching any show is actually sitting for it, however, as my biology actively fights against the position these chairs require of me!
A return to the Americas was made next, to drop off Mr. Marshall so he may begin to prepare for the coming summer. His work as a bartender is more demanding for him than most others of the profession, and even though I have not yet earned his trust enough for him to gift me his hat, I already appreciate the work required of him. I do find myself somewhat weary from this globetrotting expedition, the work demanded of me more trying on my mind than expected. The business I attended to in South America and the islands of Pacifica bear little mention here, as after my companion departed, I delved into the role with full attention and little deviation. The Courier's hat was on my head more often than ever as I faced the once hidden aspects of his economic empire.
I suppose this spot is as good as any to end this travel log, if only because I can hear the sounds of the plane's descent. I am returning to Las Vegas as the end of my trip, for I believe the aforementioned Kobbers will return shortly. I do have much business to conduct over the internet and telephone to accommodate for the lands I could not visit, and I am sure I will have no end of work throughout this year as well. I only hope I may still attend to my friends at the King of Beasts often enough. I do so dearly miss many of them.
Before I conclude, I must apologize for the hurried pace and lack of details in the later half of this travel log, but such is the writer's curse. Once you begin to approach the conclusion of a work, the inspiration that sparked the writing venture has been spent on the early parts. I imagine this is why so many stories end with a dramatic reveal, narrative twist, or a cliffhanger in order to accommodate this wane in the author's interest. Perhaps I am merely misplacing this failing though, given my propensity for preferring the middle of a story. I might also blame it on the need to obfuscate many details, but no matter what the reason, the blame falls squarely on my shoulders and I beg your forgiveness.
If any reader wishes me to go further in depth about my travels, however, all they must do is ask, and I shall provide a more detailed account with pleasure.
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