Babylonie

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; 

and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 

And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language;

 and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, 

which they have imagined to do.  Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, 

that they may not understand one another's speech.

So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: 

and they left off to build the city.

Genesis 11:4-8

Arrival - Photo by Fitheach Eun

Ignis Fatuus grid, our second destination this week. Ustengrav is a new region from Max, Chip and Harthelie, whose prowess in intricate construction and textures is always mindboggling. The theme is Mesopotamian, proto-Mediterranean, with  a little pre-Columbian mystery in there for good measure. An idyll of idols, if you will. Colors and textures, layout and lighting, this is not a build that is meant to be immediately understood.
We were, how can I put this, informationally challenged, in that yes, there was an intro to the build, in

Voice, in fiftymileanhour French, and anyone who doesn't get the logic behind the fact that we don't do all our tours using Voice, 'because it's easier', please ask anyone who was on this particular Safari to explain why - they will be eloquent.

You can actually watch part of the event, on Twitch, courtesy of Prodyck Theas. I make no claims about possible French swears in there. 

Lux Tergeste: I thought it was only Italians who speak all together in voice. We have good company, lol!
Thirza Ember: yes, it's all fun, I really think the build speaks for itself, so the French is just like a music. 
Lux Tergeste: it does, great work

Luna Lunaria, the lady with the tresses, who is an acknowledged goddess of the texture (think of her splendidly golden Luxor build, from a couple of weeks back) had this to say:

Luna Lunaria:   I love the blues and purples - would kill to add materials to these

Thirza Ember: they are pretty but not gold.... so, ya know 

Luna Lunaria: lol, you haven't been to Lunaria - no gold there but lots of purples

Thirza Ember: we'll have to put it on the list!

Lux Tergeste: this place is really impressive!

The main group, twenty of us approximately, continued to follow Max through the many chambers, staircases, and corridors, past vast idols lit in exotic  shades.

Lux braving it in the dreaded Passage of Dampness

They found themselves in an Indiana Jones style passageway and it was fun to cam on them jumping across treacherous flagstones.

The garden - Photo by Fitheach Eun

 Nara, Luna and I took a detour down to the 'garden of the pointy nipples' as I like to call it, which is a watery wonderland of flowers and trees as well as some mystical sculptures.

It's the culmination of the journey down to the liquid heart of worship, among the mushrooms and glowing thingys. It's fun to just be on a build, sometimes, rather than the usual Safari mode, fielding ims and tping folk who get lost.  We were all lost, and there was no point in not just accepting it and enjoying the moment. 

Those boobs can blind a man. Stand back.

My attempts to get answers to questions about the build, who did what, who had what idea, which were original textures and who deserves the lion's share of the praise - all this was swept away in a tempest of havering and haranguing from le vieux Hexagone, so my facts may be hazy. That's the price you pay for not answering me in writing, I'm afraid.

Thirza Ember: this is what a french safari visit is like, lots of running and frenchifying. Rather like a weekend in Paris, with less baguette, vin rouge, and rain, but more arguing.

Unadecal and Frank

hicks adder: there are some secret rooms 

Unadecal Masala: This is a fascinating kaleidoscope of colour above water and below!

Lucy Afarensis: Amazing work

Frank Gresham: The transition from above "water" to the "basement" is pretty transparent. Does the narrow stairs and the tinting of the walls help make that  not look too obvious?

Luna Lunaria: You can adjust water properties so that it's nearly clear

Frank Gresham: Thanks Luna. Does that affect the entire region? Not just a single parcel?

Luna Lunaria: yes

Meanwhile, a spirited conversation was continuing on the subject of internationalism, the power of explicit interpretation within the framework of artistic presentations, the linguistic efficiency and imperialism of the English language over other idioms (and by other idioms, French) and the relative advantages of personal aural comfort over coherence when it comes to explaining oneself in terms your audience can grasp, and indeed hear. 

It was an extremely long conversation. Then we posed on the stairs. 

Thirza Ember: Hicks semble directeur d'orchestre of devilish music

Ludo Davis: :D Smile

hicks adder: conductor

Wizardoz Chrome: Sorry but I have to go .. Awesome all as always in Ignis :) waves to all :) !! and good night !

Nara Nook: I need to leave too. It was a wonderful safari

Luna Lunaria: okies great to see everyone. back to the mines for me

lite house: Some good tours today... I'm off nice tours cyas next time ! ( if i can lol )

Mal Burns: wonderful build - so much i couldnt stop the film lol 

Lux Tergeste: Goodnight then, thanks for the adventure and congrats Harthelie and Chip!

Harthelie Ignis: bonne fin de soiree

Fitheach Eun: Thanks for the tour; it was lovely

Ustengrav HG Address       ignis-fatuus.no-ip.biz:8002:Ustengrav