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                                           November 8, 1271

 When I left my home for the docks, I could 

already see the mob of people starting to 

develop. Everyone in town was going to wish 

the sailors good luck. We wished everyone 

goodbye and told the villagers that we didn't 

know when or if we were going to come back. 

We were packing the last of our personal items 

and packed the food and water for the journey 

to a new land.

-Marco Polo

November 9, 1271

Yesterday, we left for China. My father explains that 

we are going to see the leader of China, a man 

named Kublai Khan, that my father and uncle had 

both met. Four days ago, my father received letters 

and precious gifts for Khan from the new Pope 

Gregory X himself. Father shows me them today, 

and I can't believe how beautiful they are.

Anyway, we are now setting out on our expedition!  

It is just me, my father Niccolò, my uncle Maffeo, 

and two friars that are accompanying us, as 

requested by Khan, so he may learn about 

Christianity.

-Marco Polo

December 22,1271

We sailed for almost six weeks. It was a 

rough journey; we encountered a few storms, 

and the ride was not very comfortable. After 

one week of sailing, the friars bitterly 

complained about the sailing conditions and 

turned back. We are now in the Holy Lands, 

and I am waiting for Father and Uncle to 

finish planning our route. 

Explorer's Tip: A trip is only enjoyable if the 

explorer wants it to be.

-Marco Polo

February 14,1273

We are finally in Balkh! I am thrilled, since we are far in our 

journey; we have traveled for 15 months already, passing 

Baghdad, the Caspian Sea, and the Arabian Peninsula. We 

are not close to Dadu (Beijing), our destination, however. 

We are in a major trading city; it is bustling with merchants 

and traders that want to become wealthy. Father is a 

wealthy man already, but he and Uncle are taking this 

opportunity to trade even more. It is one of the reasons we 

came, after all.

Explorer's tip: An explorer should take the most he or she 

can out of a journey, otherwise the journey is not complete.

-Marco Polo

I am twenty-one now.We have been in 

Lanzhou for a long time and we are close to 

where Khan is.

July 11, 1274

 I now have a different outlook on everything, 

since the last few years have been a struggle. I 

miss Italy, the beautiful sea, and the ripe olives 

that are picked off of trees. My father, uncle and 

I all are constantly hungry and thirsty. We have 

each gotten sick with the foreign air, and Uncle is 

just recovering from his fever now. Three times 

have there been bandits trying to raid us of our new 

wealth, and twice have we warded them off. Once, 

however, the bandits stole some precious elixirs that 

are sworn to give eternal life that we got from Baghdad. 

This is a brutal experience, but the best experience of my 

life. I have learned so much, and so has my father and 

uncle. They say that knowledge is power, and one of the 

many benefits of exploring. I might miss Italy, but i certainly 

do not miss being locked in the house all day!

-Marco Polo

October 9, 1275

At last, we made it to Beijing It is beautiful, 

with high rolling hills, elegant temples, and an 

enormous wall that goes on and on farther 

than the eye can see. I met Kublai Khan today, 

and Father, Uncle Maffeo and I presented to 

him with beautiful gifts. He welcomed us in this 

morning, and we feasted during the evening. 

Khan seems to like me, and I respect him. He 

seems like a gracious, noble, intelligent and a 

kind man.

-Marco Polo

        October 10, 1276

      This is the mark of my first year in China. I 

have enjoyed it, since Khan appointed me to be 

part of his court. It is such an amazing honor, 

though I am not the best at it since I just started. It 

seems so long ago when we first arrived here and all 

of the people of China came to greet us. I can 

remember the burst of new sights and smells. All the 

buildings were covered in golds and reds. There were 

new smells of new spices and new foods that seemed so 

exotic at the time. Now I know and enjoy most of them. 

They have an entirely different culture here, and the 

clothing looks so different than our native Italian apparel.

                                      -Marco Polo

                                                    Page 3

April 5, 1286

So far in my long time time in Kublai Khan's court, I 

have been appointed into many high authority 

positions. I have been sent out to bring back 

information about the geography, customs, culture and 

people from all around. So far I have taken a journey all 

through China and India and I am now in kingdoms 

around Southeast Asia. I think my next journey will be to 

go to Vietnam. Throughout my time so far in Kublai Khan's 

court, I have brought him back detailed information I have 

learned a lot and enjoyed myself.

                               - Marco Polo

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