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Period: Apr 5, 1499 to Apr 5, 1509
The trip to Nagapatam
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Sep 21, 1501
The First Day
We started off at the port of Cannanor. I am 23 and desperate for work. The captain of our boat is Captain Pedro Cabral. I herd that he was the man responsible for finding the Island of the true cross. The ship was very grand. I have never seen one so big. The word is that Cabral didn't rest very much and he went right back to the Island of the True Cross and he lost all his crew going to the island and he needs more sailors from our town. -
Oct 31, 1502
The Voyage continues at sea
We have had a pretty succesuful year. I would have journaled more but some of the other sailors stole my paper to use it as pillows and butt wipes. Which brings me to the point of toiletries. No space to use the bathroom and it smells terrible all of the time. But I will indure and we stop off at ports occasionally so I can get some fresh air. -
Jun 2, 1503
The Port of Calicut.
We have reached Port Calicut and I am very glad. I am on my last peice of paper and I desperatley need the fresh air. I have decided to journal only once a year. Also only after a big event. The big event of this year was that there was an outbreak of scurvy on the fourth boat and we lost every sailor on the boat. All we could do was mourn and plunder. -
Aug 6, 1504
At sea with a storm
I decided to write this journal entry because I want to take my mind off of the crowded stinking cold cabins. The captain was gracious enough tolet us come inside to try to warm up. I fear that we may loose a ship or crash ourselves. I fear for my life. If this is my last entry I lived a good life. God help us. -
Feb 17, 1505
Swept to the port of Chonchin and on...
Last year we did make it to shore. Our Captain decided to drop anchor at Chonchin. It was a very lovely day in the port. The captain let us have an hour to ourselves. But the bigger event of this year was the Pirates. We came accross a band of pirates from Asia. We had a short shooting battle but we came out victorious because of our size and numbers. I feared for my life and I am glad that we made it. -
Dec 15, 1505
Another day at Sea
I finally realized why the captain gave us an hour to ourselves. We were going to take a 3 month trip nonstop! He realized that that might tax his sailors to much. We got struck by a storm again! When we got hit the Captain said to make for Galle and drop anchor. -
Feb 23, 1506
Port of Galle
We made it to the port of Galle and we regrouped. There was a massive Mutany. Half of our boats/ sailors got in on it. I saved a man from getting horribly wounded and we became immediate friends. His name is John and he was from the same town as me and we never met! I must cut back on journaling so I can conserve paper. I probably won't write soon. -
Dec 28, 1507
The Trip Between Inda and Sri Lanka
There is a substantial epidemic going around. I am trying to stay away from the infected. I have these terrible itches all over my back. It is probably nothing. I shure hop I can make it home. The captain says we are close to our destination. I am an anxious to get to Nagapatam. -
Jul 25, 1508
Pushed off course
Our ship caught a cross wind and we were carried far into the Bay of Bengal. I have one piece of paper left and I am going to use it to write when we get to Nagapatam. My "sickness" has gotten worse. The lumps on my back have opened and the lack of food is terrible. We would have had enough food to get to Nagapatam but we were swept away. Me and John are still looking out for each other and hopefully I can stick with it until we reach our destination. -
Dec 24, 1508
The destination is reached
We have finally reached Nagapatam and I am on the brink of death. The captain paid us and we got a surprisingly handsome share. I bought a house and am living my days in much pain.I hope the rest of my life goes well and this is my last journal entry. Give my reguards to John and to my captain who stuck with us the whole journey. I must say that the Port was sight for sore eyes and back. Farewell.
