Journal Entry #1

Dawn, April 5, 200 - Chang’an.

- I have just finished taking inventory and I have one book of Confucian lessons,
610 bolts of silk, 10 ceramic vases, 500 seeds for orange trees, 50 sheets of
paper, and 50 bars of iron. As I’m thinking about how silk is the very heart of the
silk road, now I see why the silk road is named after silk. I’ve also been thinking
about how silkworm cocoons are placed in hot water to soften their silk so the
workers can unravel it and turn it into filament. I am taking the main route, not the
Eurasian steppe route that connects China with Northern Europe. I am hoping
that I will be able to trade most or even all of my goods. I am going to have to
face many challenges such as deserts, bandits, and harsh weather. As I’m
preparing to leave on my journey on the silk road I will have to gather food for the
long trip. I will have to say good-bye to all my friends and family in case I don’t
return.

Journal Entry #2
Evening, June 1, 200 - Dunhuang.
- I have been traveling on the silk road for almost 2 months, and traveled over
1,000 miles. I finally get to take a break and rest for a while. I sat around a
campfire with different travelers from all over with such different religious beliefs.
This was very eye opening to see what different people worship and believe in. I
think so many people have been interacting with one another so religion is
getting spread around quickly. The Silk Road seems to be helping religion and
ideas spread because so many people are interacting from so many different
places. It seems that we have all started this journey at different places and all
have different destinations in mind. In the morning I will help some monks with
the caves of a thousand Buddhas. These caves are covered from floor to ceiling
with scrolls. The caves are so beautiful with all the statues, paintings, scrolls and
manuscripts. The artwork in these caves have a strong multicultural vibe. While
in Dunhuang I have traded 1 book of Confucian lessons for 1 book of Buddhist
prayers. Soon I will be back on my trade route to hopefully trade more goods in
the Gobi desert so I can become a successful merch
Journal Entry #3
Midday, June 12, 200 - Gobi Desert.
- I am writing from the Gobi desert after losing a camel and a driver carrying
about 30 bolts of Chang’an silk. I am hot, sweaty and sandy. The sun is making
me very sleepy. I have just remembered hearing stories of travelers fainting in
the desert and never being seen again. So I decided that my caravan and I will
sleep during the day, so we don’t get lost forever. I shall feed our camels a
reward snack for making it all this way without collapsing. I feel the desert is a
harsh and unforgiving place that most things will have trouble living or even
surviving for long periods of time. I have seen quite a few man-made animal
bone trail markers while traveling. We use the stars to guide us at night. My
impression of this land is sandy, boring, dry, and humid. At least in the winter we
will be able to have ice blocks with us to help with the water shortage.

Journal Entry #4
Afternoon, September 3, 200 - Marakanda
- I am writing right after realizing that I am halfway done with my journey. Now
that I am past the desert I expect a fairly smooth trip. I have just arrived in
Marakanda. I have traded 100 bolts of Chang’an silk for 200 Ferghana horses
that I will have to pick up on my way back. Now that I am in Marakanda I have
traded 10 ceramic vases for 20 one pound bags of Indian peppers and 10 bolts
of Chang’an silk for 20 skeins of wool that came all the way from eastern Europe.
I love how the city is protected by a giant clay wall with a moat. Marakanda has
very fancy restaurants with very delicious food. My overall impression of
Marakanda is that the city is a beautiful place with many gorgeous flowers and
very many nice people. While in Marakanda I have visited every single restaurant
and looked at all the nice horses. Many of the markets here sold rugs, which
were made by craftspeople in the surrounding area.I have enjoyed looking at all
the vividly colored rugs with all the asian designs. Sadly, I will soon have to leave
the wonderful city of Marakanda and go to Antioch. There I will hopefully make
very many trades.
Journal Entry #5
Evening, April 22, 201 - Antioch.
I am finally at my last trade destination, Antioch. Antioch is one of the major cities
in the Roman Empire. Antioch has a very wide paved road that led to enormous
gates that led into the prosperous city of Antioch. Back in China we view Antioch
as Rome itself. It’s beautiful! I have traded 500 seeds of orange trees for 500
seeds of grape vines in Rhague. In Palmyra I traded 50 sheets of paper for 5
rhinoceros horns. And in Antioch I traded 500 bolts of silk for unspecified
amounts of gold, and 50 bars of iron for 30 roman colored glass vases. I wasn't
quite sure how I would think the trip would turn out, but the trip was fairly easy
except for when I lost a camel and a driver with 30 bolts of Chang’an silk. The
journey on the way home will be longer because I have to pick up 200 Ferghana
horses. This will make my journey about 2 months longer and much harder
because I will have to keep track of all 200 horses. Luckily I have my caravan to
assist me in keeping track of them. This lifetime achievement has taught me
many life lessons. And I have realized that I will NEVER cross the whole thing
again. The long journey was worth the difficulties that I had to endure. But I don’t
want to cross the desert again. It took me 17 months to get to Antioch from
Chang’an. The journey back should take 19 months to get back home to
Chang’an. I will be so excited to see my friends and family again!