18 November, 2008

Kaywood, Anguadoria

*Refer back to one of my earliest posts about Anguadoria's Famous Cities for a map*

It's a short train ride plus mild car ride from the north or a simple and small highway exit from the south but whichever method you choose will take you to one of the most famous cities in Kiillaana. Every die hard musician has heard of the name and many have actually been there themselves. I'm talking about the small but famous city of Kaywood, located just five miles south of Ellsmatl.

This city is home to one quiet supermarket, five restaurants, a hotel, two high schools, two middle schools, one elementary school, a movie theatre, and most importantly and famously of all, the Kaywood Clarinet Factory. Kaywood lies at the southeastern border of the Catin Quarters of Anguadoria and lies completely in the Kiillaanian Jungle. Its many houses are in the Catin Coastal Style, which features the traditional three-floor, wooden-roofed, compact-space design with large yards for growing large gardens.

This city is home to 99% Catin and 1% Kiillaanian folk. Almost everyone who lives here is bilingual and the most common language one will encounter is Catin. About half of the Catin population is native to Catarika who moved for job opportunities, a change of lifestyle, or various other reasons. The other half is Kiillaana-born but Catin by race, family, and culture. The lone 1% of the population that is the minority lives here for job opportunities, lifestyle, or just for something different.

Kaywood's sister city is Ellsmatl, with a population of 500. Oddly enough, Ellsmatl has the train station even though it is the smaller city of the two. However, the only way to get to Ellsmatl by car is through Kaywood. They made a compromise a long time ago. The two cities, even though five miles apart, are very close. Since Ellsmatl is so small, it has no high school, so it contributes its 80 or so high school students to Kaywood's Shores East High School. Ellsmatl is also a member of the Catin Quarters of Anguadoria, along with Erilan, Nusita, and the "tri-cities:" Hasu, Kisa, and Tolara.

Sketched map of the Catin Quarters of Anguadoria. Kaywood is in the bottom left corner, the furthest east that touches the road. Also shown are Alles, Annermatl, and the capital Aiibaatland with some coastal cities.

Moving on, Kaywood is most obviously best known for its clarinet factory, which attracts a lot of attention. It lies on the northern border and is next to the road that takes people to Ellsmatl. Contained inside this beautifully-painted building are just five master craftsmen. Every clarinet they produce is made entirely by loving hands from start to finish, from the wood of the trees that grow in their backyard. That's right, the trees that comprise roughtly 75% of the Kiillaanian jungle contain the wood to make these fine and lovely instruments. Three of the five artisans work every day carving every piece by hand, prefectly every time. They take the time to attach every key and to put on the finish that gives the Kaywood clarinet its unique tortoiseshell color. Every clarinet that they make has the Kaywood crest and their name on the bell in gold leaf. Many people have met the maker of their instrument. One man does all the reeds, gently carving each piece to perfection from the cane that grows out back. The last man does nothing but make mouthpieces. He has the ability to sense how a person plays and can craft the mouthpiece to be a custom fit.

These five men all have a story to tell and love to visit with anyone who walks through the doors. All are unique and are very close. I'll do a spotlight on them another time :-)

Until next time, enjoy.

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