Lob Crossing The Gobi Desert

Finally we have reached the great Kublai Khan at his summer palace in Shangdu, or journey is complete. After leaving the affluent town of Kashgar and testing our strength by first crossing through the Taklamakan Desert we spent a few months in Lob resting before crossing the Gobi. While in Lob, I met many many skeptical merchants with lots to say in regards to how hard it is to cross the desert. I heard many stories of terrible hardships that would occur to others when crossing the Gobi accompanied by talk of spirits that lure travelers to their death. (Polo, 148) Warnings that the desert was haunted and mirages meant drink more water filled my head as well. I didn't know whether or not to believe the others so I and asked Niccolo …show more content…
(McCarthy 41) The intense feeling of joy and accomplishment that rushed over me acted as a drug that healed all my prior issues due to the Gobi Desert. These men lead us to the Kublai Khan's summer residence in Shangdu where we are now, he welcomed us dearly and forgave us for not having brought the priest with us. Niccolo gave him the sacred oil he requested from Jerusalem and the letter from pope Gregory X. I am very happy to have been on this journey with my family, I have gone from not knowing very much about my father and uncle to spending three and a half years with them. Our plans are to stay in China with great Khan and to travel with him to his winter palace in Khanbaliq, as my father and uncle trade throughout china there is talk of employment as a traveling spy for myself. I am a 21 year old who has traveled over 9000 kilometers, I feel as if my life should should soon end and yet more adventure and excitement