I think you should refer to a non-specific 'the country' instead of specifying a country, get people into the fantasy instead of nitpicking real-world impracticalities.
I personally didn't like the impatient, unimpressed, unhappy, unenthusiastic vibe of the first encounter, not a vibe I'd enjoy seeing more of. It can work as a narrative low point to start from, to build to a higher finishing place.
The artwork is really excellent, I look forward to seeing more of it!