December 28, 2011, 01:47:38 pm
Hey Peter, you got it! Nice to know I pretty much hit the target as far as the story line is concerned. I also appreciate the acute observations too. Yes, the ducks are a bit questionable - but I had to use something animated in the Lumion animal inventory (BTW, also no camels!).
Note: It was done in haste and certainly could do with some fine tuning! You certainly did not miss a thing!
Much of the short story comes from my sub-conscious. In 2008, I worked as a senior urban planner about 1.5 hours drive from here, in Dubai, (I now live in Abu Dhabi). I took an innocent lunch break walk in the middle of summer, and found myself almost dying from sun stroke due to lack of shelter - vacant commercial buildings and unbearable, torturous heat! The Arabian Oasis (incl. the cities) is a metaphor of a beautiful and safe place, but deadly (the desert) for those who unwittingly, venture beyond it.
Many thanks for your detailed reply.
Regards,
blendman