Writing Prompt: The Bottom Of Africa or the World’s Largest City?
One I live in and another I have on my wish list.
Our second prompt for June part of our Armchair Traveller theme:
I’m busy studying the Hero’s Journey
And one of the key aspects of that narrative structure is that early in her journey, the hero should receive guidance from a wise old man.
So taking that learning I sought out our very own wise old man, Paul, on top of his frostbitten and whiskey speckled mountain, and asked him how to make these prompts better.
He said many things, but chiefly, “Obscure is bad. Give people a choice, too.”
And thusly we arrive at this fork in the road good adventurer, before you lies two places. Two settings, rich with culture and people.
Choose one as the starting point of your hero’s next journey.
Cape Town
Because I live here, and you should all visit — because completely objectively — it’s the best city in the world.
Cape Town is known for its natural beauty, with Table Mountain as its backdrop and Cape Point as its dramatic fall into the sea and the rocky tip of the storm harried peninsula.
Known both as the Cape of Storms and the Cape of Good Hope, it’s located at the southern tip of Africa. Home to both strong winds and high waves, as well as rocky shores it’s no wonder it’s home to many shipwrecks.
But it was also a midway stop on the trade route to India, and so a place of hope and replenishment for weary scurvy-ridden sailors.
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, founded in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company and the second most populous city in the country with an around 3.7 million people.
Our city is also a major tourist destination, with over 3 million visitors each year. You’re welcome!
The city is home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, such as the Castle of Good Hope and Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprison). Cape Town is the birthplace of the anti-apartheid movement.
It’s also a city of massive contrasts between Clifton’s ultra-wealthy and the poor, harsh life of the townships.
Toyko
Japan is a country of over 6,800 islands, located in East Asia. Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu are the main islands of Japan.
The population of Japan is over 127 million people, and the official language is Japanese (surprise!).
The capital of Japan is Tokyo, which is also the largest and most populous city in Japan and the world’s largest metropolitan area (the broader region, including the city) with almost 39 million residents.
What a place to get lost!
Tokyo is also where the money is made (yen) and is the financial capital of Japan. Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan.
The Japanese people are some of the longest-lived in the world, with a life expectancy of over 84 years and Japanese culture places a great emphasis on respect for elders and ancestors.
The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers. Japanese cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients and unique flavor combinations.
And, Japan is the only country in the world with a reigning emperor. Now that sounds like a fun story tidbit.
Your story must:
- Be min 100 and max 1000 words long, excluding the title, subtitle, and any post-story bio/links. (We use Medium’s own word count feature.)
- We recommend tagging your story Fiction, Flash Fiction and maybe your genre too. Or 100 Word Challenge if you’re doing that. But it’s your choice.
- Please link back to the prompt so others can find it easily.
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