Log 1

Today I have decided to direct my penchant for adventure towards the vastly unexplored Africa. I never thought that I would owe a thanks for competence to one as silly as my Aunt, so perhaps I'll make a point to visit and thank her in person afterwards. I took a crucial step in the beginning of my journey this afternoon; I paid a visit to the Belgian company office that was beyond eager to have myself and my talents replace their previously lost seaman. I find his death by the hands of the native savages to be believable if not expected; this day I've also recovered the bones of a man that the natives have also killed in one of their abandoned villages.

 He is remembered as a calm and agreeable fellow, so it seems that the natives have quite the reputation of being uncivilized and short-tempered. As I make my way to the company offices, I have no qualms about the dangers ahead, but am itching for adventure. Although I saw the most peculiar sight when I arrived. I have never thought of women much as protectors, but these two women who I encountered and escorted me to the secretary seemed to be guardians of sorts. Both polar opposites in stature, crafting the same garment from of wool the color of pitch. The waiting room which they led me to had a curious map with the successes of places on the continent that have been introduced civilization. I noticed that the Belgian colony was right in the center, and is likely where I am headed!

From there I was led to sign the company contract with eagerness, and escorted to the doctor's examination area. He was a peculiar man, and didn't have the demeanor that most doctors would. For some reason, he made a point to measure my skull as if examining it to compare at a later date of my return, but noted that "the changes happen on the inside" and that he does not see men when they arrive back to civilization anyhow. I feel audacious to question his credibility in his profession, although I am sure that my encounter with him might be the source of the incredible sense of adventure and purpose that I suddenly felt right before I crossed the threshold of the office and out into the world to begin my travels. But for the moment, I am on my way.