By Janet
Mars – Day 1
Hi Mum.
Greetings from Mars!
Yes, we’ve finally arrived and thank God for that. I don’t think I could’ve spent another minute on that shuttle, if you paid me. Two months with six of us cooped up in a space the size of our back bedroom and you can imagine that tempers frayed, not to mention the smell. No wonder they made us strip off and walk through a disinfection chamber on landing. Honestly, I don’t blame them as we stank to high heaven. It was quite embarrassing though but I don’t think Martians are as self-conscious as Humans. It’s interesting how much you learn about people when you can’t escape them. For example, Ginny talks in her sleep and Ryan snores like a warthog, two things I would rather have not known. They of course swore they didn’t, but a little secret recording settled that dispute. Food wasn’t too bad until a couple of weeks before we landed and there was no fresh food left. Dehydrated spag bol sounds OK but, trust me, it isn’t. Think very soft slimy tinned spaghetti strands interspersed with grit, and you get the picture. The flight was so boring too. The trouble with space is that the view out of the window is quite samey, day after day, not like the journey from Swansea to Cardiff. Imagine month after month of mainly darkness. We managed to keep ourselves busy though. Joe ran a daily morning fitness class of squats, lunges, press ups, sit ups and the plank and Cary ended the day with a yoga class. As you know, I’m no fitness fanatic but I think it’s done me good. That, along with reading, puzzles, listening to music and the occasional makeshift karaoke, initiated by Rob, helped pass the time. I bet you didn’t know that Rob’s DJ’ed at Clwb Ifor Bach. Admit it, you don’t know where that is, but it’s a club in Cardiff so that’s really cool.
Anyway, enough for now. I’ve arrived safe and sound and I’ll message again when I’ve met my exchange family. Say hi to Dad and Jen for me and give Luna a big tummy tickle.
Cariad mawr,
Fi
xxxx
Mars – Day 7
Hi Mum or should I say Qzntsemgde vbfe which is the best translation I can give in Martian using our Terran alphabet. I’ve been here a week, and I’m really enjoying myself. It’s really exciting to be one of the first exchange students to Mars since the treaty was signed. My host family are super friendly and have gone out of their way to make me feel at home, even constructing a bed for me to sleep in, Martians just sleep standing up against the wall. My exchange partner who I’ll call Q for simplicity, as her name in Martian is really difficult to pronounce and spell, has really made me feel welcome. I say her as she was matched with me for the exchange and I am female, but Martian’s don’t make the distinction between male and female like we do, they are hermaphrodites (I think that’s the correct word). I say this as Q’s “dad” had a baby just before I arrived.
The school did a great job matching us with our exchange partners as Q seems to like the same things as me, reading, hiking, puzzles etc. She has dark rust coloured skin, platinum blonde hair and is a little taller than me and lighter than me (I know this as her mum measured and weighed me to compare which I thought was a bit odd but let it go as I didn’t want to make a fuss). I thought the four arms were a little strange at first but I’m beginning to wish I had the same when I see her eating her tea, reading a book and combing her hair, all at the same time. Martians don’t wear clothes which was a bit disconcerting as I didn’t know where to look initially but I’m fine with it now. They don’t mind that we wear clothes, but they are obviously curious about it, probably wonder what we have to hide. I noticed Q staring at me while I changed for bed the other night, it was a little creepy as it was almost like she was scanning my body, but she hasn’t done it since so I guess she was just being nosey.
Food has been the biggest challenge for me so it’s good I bought a few snacks from home with me. I’ve managed to eat most things but the live blue grubs we had last night were the limit. Luckily Q’s mum noticed my discomfort and found me something else to eat that tasted a bit like macaroni cheese, although I suspect it was still insect based as most of the food here seems to be. The fruits are good though, especially the purple bthgdgz fruit which once you’ve peeled away the spiky skin tastes like a cross between a melon, blueberry and coconut.
You’ll be pleased to know that my Martian is coming on in leaps and bounds as, apart from Q, none of the rest of the family speak any Terran. For the first few days I felt a bit lost as the Martian they taught us at school was a bit old-fashioned but I’m starting to get the hang of the more up to date stuff now.
Q’s calling me so I’ve got to go but will write again in a week.
Cariad at bawb,
Fi
xxxx
Mars – Day 14
Hi Mum.
It’s been a strange week here. Up until now Q hasn’t been to school which I thought was a bit strange until I managed to work out that it was the school holidays. This week though we went to school and it was weird, far from what I had imagined it would be, and nothing like at home. It was nice to see the others though and all seemed to be having as good a time as me. Martian school is carried out in silence and lessons are delivered via telepathy which was really boring for us Terrans as we couldn’t pick up on anything that was being taught. The headteacher noticed us fidgeting and took us off to the computer room where we played games all day. I don’t know what Martians do for lunch or breaks as we didn’t leave that room until the end of the day. I guess they don’t have them. Joe said we couldn’t get if we tried as the door was locked but I don’t believe him. Don’t worry, they bought in food and drink, so we didn’t starve.
I’ve never noticed how tiring computer games could be before though, I could hardly keep my eyes open over dinner. The next day at school was the same and the one after that. I’m getting really good at logic puzzles but am starting to lose track of time a little bit as the room doesn’t have any windows.
More news next week.
Cusanau i bawb (especially Luna),
Fi
xxxx
Mars – Day 21
Joe didn’t turn up to school a few days ago and Ginny, yesterday. They’ve caught some bug apparently. I asked Q if I could visit Joe or Rob or was it Ginny, I’m not really sure who was missing now, but she said it was better not. Her tone was a little bit more unfriendly than normal, and I think she sensed it as she was especially nice to me for the rest of the evening. I’m not sure if I am coming down with the bug too as I feel so tired all the time.
Love to you, Dad and ? (I know there’s someone else but I can’t remember the name),
Fi
xxx
Mars – Day 28 (Possibly?)
Only three, or was it two, of us were in the computer room today, that bug must be very nasty. I’m so tired that I’m not even sure if I’ve left this room over the last few days, my mind is going blank, memories fading.
Fi (I think that’s my name)
Communication Interrupted
Hi, it’s me, but who am I? Can you tell me?
I’m the only one in the computer room but think there were others. Where are they?
I know I’m not where I belong. Where do I belong?
Can anybody help me?
Communication Interrupted
HELP ME!
Communication Deleted
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