alsih2o
First Post
letters and journal entries from explorers and culture clashes today. i have tried to include a turn of phrase or two for mood, lots of great treading here-
chinese folks talking about rome, byzantium and the middle east-"The country is densely populated; every ten li [of a road] are marked by a t'ing; thirty li by a chih [resting-place]. One is not alarmed by robbers, but the road becomes unsafe by fierce tigers and lions who will attack passengers, and unless these be travelling in caravans of a hundred men or more, or be protected by military equipment, they may be devoured by those beasts. They also say there is a flying bridge [the bridge over the Euphrates at Zeugma] of several hundred li, by which one may cross to the countries north of the sea. The articles made of rare precious stones produced in this country are sham curiosities and mostly not genuine, whence they are not here mentioned"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/romchin1.html
john the european guy writes home about china- "Also I have gradually bought one hundred and fifty boys, the children of pagan parents, and of ages varying from seven to eleven, who had never learned any religion"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/corvino1.html
marco polo chats about the tartars- "Some time after the migration of the Tartars to this place, and about the year of our Lord 1162, they proceeded to elect for their king a man named Chingis-khan, one of approved integrity, great wisdom, commanding eloquence, and eminent for his valor"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/mpolo44-46.html
leif erricason fnds north america- " They found an anchorage for their ship, and put out the gangway to the land; and Thorvald and all of his companions went ashore. "It is a fair region here, said he; "and here I should like to make my home." They then returned to the ship, and discovered on the sands, in beyond the headland, three mounds: they went up to these, and saw that they were three skin canoes with three men under each."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1000Vinland.html
marco polo speaks on the city of hangchow- "The people are Idolaters; and since they were conquered by the Great Kaan they use paper-money. Both men and women are fair and comely, and for the most part clothe themselves in silk, so vast is the supply of that material, both from the whole district of Kinsay, and from the imports by traders from other provinces. And you must know they eat every kind of flesh, even that of dogs and other unclean beasts, which nothing would induce a Christian to eat."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/polo-kinsay.html
vasco de gama went everywhere- "The inhabitants of this country are tawny-colored. Their food is confined to the flesh of seals, whales and gazelles, and the roots of herbs. They are dressed in skins, and wear sheaths over their virile members. They are armed with poles of olive wood to which a horn, browned in the fire, is attached. Their numerous dogs resemble those of Portugal, and bark like them."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497degama.html
amerigo vespucci talks about chillin in the new world- " Their arms are bows and arrows very well made, save that (the arrows) are not (tipped) with iron nor any other kind of hard metal: and instead of iron they put animals' or fishes' teeth, or a spike of tough wood, with the point hardened by fire: they are sure marksmen, for they hit whatever they aim at: and in some places the women use these bows: they have other weapons, such as fire-hardened spears, and also clubs with knobs, beautifully carved. Warfare is used amongst them, which they carry on against people not of their own language, very cruelly, without granting life to any one, except (to reserve him) for greater suffering."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.html
sidi ali reis goes on walk-about- "When Sultan Suleiman had taken up his winter residence in Aleppo, I, the author of these pages, was appointed to the Admiralship of the Egyptian fleet, and received instructions to fetch back to Egypt the ships (15 galleys), which some time ago had been sent to Basrah on the Persian Gulf. But, "Man proposes, God disposes." I was unable to carry out my mission, and as I realized the impossibility of returning by water, I resolved to go back to Turkey by the overland route, accompanied by a few tried and faithful Egyptian soldiers. I traveled through Gujarat, Hind, Sind, Balkh, Zabulistan, Bedakhshan, Khotlan, Turan, and Iran, i.e., through Trans-oxania, Khorassan, Kharezm, and Deshti-Kiptchak; and as I could not proceed any farther in that direction, I went by Meshed and the two Iraqs, Kazwin and Hamadan, on to Baghdad."-
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/16CSidi1.html
different folks talking about "arabia"- The Nabataeans are prudent, and fond of accumulating property. The community fine a person who has diminished his substance, and confer honors on him who has increased it. They have few slaves, and are served for the most part by their relations, or by one another, or each person is his own servant; and this custom extends even to their kings. They eat their meals in companies consisting of thirteen persons. Each party is attended by two musicians. But the king gives many entertainments in great buildings. No one drinks more than eleven cupfuls, from separate cups, each of gold. The king courts popular favor so much, that he is not only his own servant, but sometimes he himself ministers to others. He frequently renders an account before the people, and sometimes an inquiry is made into his mode of life."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arabia1.html
there is evidence brewing showing that china went to south africa looong ago(write your own text here)- "The unveiling in South Africa's parliament on Monday of a replica of an ancient Chinese map of the then known world which includes a recognisable outline of Africa is raising intriguing questions of which foreigners first explored the continent."- http://cooltech.iafrica.com/science/184409.htm
G.P. Scriven spends some time in the phillipines- "Doctors there seem to be none, but a medicine woman or man here do their practices on the miseries of the sick. One little child dying of dysentery the doctor found with a green leaf tied to its leg, and its chest sprinkled with tea leaves. "- http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/
Cook's journal of his first pacific voyage- "Several of the Natives came down to ye Shore of the Bay but not one of them came off to the Ship during the whole day. In the evening I went a Shore with only a Boats crew and some of the Gentlemen, the natives gather'd about us to the number of about 30 or 40 and b[r]ought us Cocoa nuts &ca and seem'd as friendly as ever"- http://coombs.anu.edu.au/~cookproj/home.html
checking in on central australia- (i cannot copy text from this one) -http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/ozlit/pdf/p00018.pdf
the jesuits in "new france" - http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/jesuit-relations/
columbus chats about travelling- "Continued their course west and sailed day and night in calms, fourteen leagues; reckoned eleven.--Four tropic birds came to the ship, which is a very clear sign of land, for so many birds of one sort together show that they are not straying about, having lost themselves. Twice, saw two pelicans; many weeds. The constellation called Las Gallardias, which at evening appeared in a westerly direction, was seen in the northeast the next morning, making no more progress in a night of nine hours, this was the case every night, as says the Admiral. At night the needles varied a point towards the northwest, in the morning they were true, by which it appears that the polar star moves, like the others, and the needles are always right."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
and finally, for those of you playing in a later time period, Gertrude Bell- traveller- "They disappeared while I was making a hasty toilette and when I came back I found Count O'Gorman, Dr Lunn and his two charming boys and a nice English curate. Ulrich had given them some tea and they stayed and talked to me while I lunched. It was a long hot walk to Grindelwald - we beguiled the way with bilberries. Got in at 4 and was put into a delightful little Chalet called the Chalet Bernet. Had a bath and went to sleep till dinner. After dinner I slept for 13 hours!"- http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/home/index.htm
chinese folks talking about rome, byzantium and the middle east-"The country is densely populated; every ten li [of a road] are marked by a t'ing; thirty li by a chih [resting-place]. One is not alarmed by robbers, but the road becomes unsafe by fierce tigers and lions who will attack passengers, and unless these be travelling in caravans of a hundred men or more, or be protected by military equipment, they may be devoured by those beasts. They also say there is a flying bridge [the bridge over the Euphrates at Zeugma] of several hundred li, by which one may cross to the countries north of the sea. The articles made of rare precious stones produced in this country are sham curiosities and mostly not genuine, whence they are not here mentioned"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/romchin1.html
john the european guy writes home about china- "Also I have gradually bought one hundred and fifty boys, the children of pagan parents, and of ages varying from seven to eleven, who had never learned any religion"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/corvino1.html
marco polo chats about the tartars- "Some time after the migration of the Tartars to this place, and about the year of our Lord 1162, they proceeded to elect for their king a man named Chingis-khan, one of approved integrity, great wisdom, commanding eloquence, and eminent for his valor"- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/mpolo44-46.html
leif erricason fnds north america- " They found an anchorage for their ship, and put out the gangway to the land; and Thorvald and all of his companions went ashore. "It is a fair region here, said he; "and here I should like to make my home." They then returned to the ship, and discovered on the sands, in beyond the headland, three mounds: they went up to these, and saw that they were three skin canoes with three men under each."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1000Vinland.html
marco polo speaks on the city of hangchow- "The people are Idolaters; and since they were conquered by the Great Kaan they use paper-money. Both men and women are fair and comely, and for the most part clothe themselves in silk, so vast is the supply of that material, both from the whole district of Kinsay, and from the imports by traders from other provinces. And you must know they eat every kind of flesh, even that of dogs and other unclean beasts, which nothing would induce a Christian to eat."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/polo-kinsay.html
vasco de gama went everywhere- "The inhabitants of this country are tawny-colored. Their food is confined to the flesh of seals, whales and gazelles, and the roots of herbs. They are dressed in skins, and wear sheaths over their virile members. They are armed with poles of olive wood to which a horn, browned in the fire, is attached. Their numerous dogs resemble those of Portugal, and bark like them."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497degama.html
amerigo vespucci talks about chillin in the new world- " Their arms are bows and arrows very well made, save that (the arrows) are not (tipped) with iron nor any other kind of hard metal: and instead of iron they put animals' or fishes' teeth, or a spike of tough wood, with the point hardened by fire: they are sure marksmen, for they hit whatever they aim at: and in some places the women use these bows: they have other weapons, such as fire-hardened spears, and also clubs with knobs, beautifully carved. Warfare is used amongst them, which they carry on against people not of their own language, very cruelly, without granting life to any one, except (to reserve him) for greater suffering."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.html
sidi ali reis goes on walk-about- "When Sultan Suleiman had taken up his winter residence in Aleppo, I, the author of these pages, was appointed to the Admiralship of the Egyptian fleet, and received instructions to fetch back to Egypt the ships (15 galleys), which some time ago had been sent to Basrah on the Persian Gulf. But, "Man proposes, God disposes." I was unable to carry out my mission, and as I realized the impossibility of returning by water, I resolved to go back to Turkey by the overland route, accompanied by a few tried and faithful Egyptian soldiers. I traveled through Gujarat, Hind, Sind, Balkh, Zabulistan, Bedakhshan, Khotlan, Turan, and Iran, i.e., through Trans-oxania, Khorassan, Kharezm, and Deshti-Kiptchak; and as I could not proceed any farther in that direction, I went by Meshed and the two Iraqs, Kazwin and Hamadan, on to Baghdad."-
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/16CSidi1.html
different folks talking about "arabia"- The Nabataeans are prudent, and fond of accumulating property. The community fine a person who has diminished his substance, and confer honors on him who has increased it. They have few slaves, and are served for the most part by their relations, or by one another, or each person is his own servant; and this custom extends even to their kings. They eat their meals in companies consisting of thirteen persons. Each party is attended by two musicians. But the king gives many entertainments in great buildings. No one drinks more than eleven cupfuls, from separate cups, each of gold. The king courts popular favor so much, that he is not only his own servant, but sometimes he himself ministers to others. He frequently renders an account before the people, and sometimes an inquiry is made into his mode of life."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arabia1.html
there is evidence brewing showing that china went to south africa looong ago(write your own text here)- "The unveiling in South Africa's parliament on Monday of a replica of an ancient Chinese map of the then known world which includes a recognisable outline of Africa is raising intriguing questions of which foreigners first explored the continent."- http://cooltech.iafrica.com/science/184409.htm
G.P. Scriven spends some time in the phillipines- "Doctors there seem to be none, but a medicine woman or man here do their practices on the miseries of the sick. One little child dying of dysentery the doctor found with a green leaf tied to its leg, and its chest sprinkled with tea leaves. "- http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/
Cook's journal of his first pacific voyage- "Several of the Natives came down to ye Shore of the Bay but not one of them came off to the Ship during the whole day. In the evening I went a Shore with only a Boats crew and some of the Gentlemen, the natives gather'd about us to the number of about 30 or 40 and b[r]ought us Cocoa nuts &ca and seem'd as friendly as ever"- http://coombs.anu.edu.au/~cookproj/home.html
checking in on central australia- (i cannot copy text from this one) -http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/ozlit/pdf/p00018.pdf
the jesuits in "new france" - http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/jesuit-relations/
columbus chats about travelling- "Continued their course west and sailed day and night in calms, fourteen leagues; reckoned eleven.--Four tropic birds came to the ship, which is a very clear sign of land, for so many birds of one sort together show that they are not straying about, having lost themselves. Twice, saw two pelicans; many weeds. The constellation called Las Gallardias, which at evening appeared in a westerly direction, was seen in the northeast the next morning, making no more progress in a night of nine hours, this was the case every night, as says the Admiral. At night the needles varied a point towards the northwest, in the morning they were true, by which it appears that the polar star moves, like the others, and the needles are always right."- http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html
and finally, for those of you playing in a later time period, Gertrude Bell- traveller- "They disappeared while I was making a hasty toilette and when I came back I found Count O'Gorman, Dr Lunn and his two charming boys and a nice English curate. Ulrich had given them some tea and they stayed and talked to me while I lunched. It was a long hot walk to Grindelwald - we beguiled the way with bilberries. Got in at 4 and was put into a delightful little Chalet called the Chalet Bernet. Had a bath and went to sleep till dinner. After dinner I slept for 13 hours!"- http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/home/index.htm
