The Path of Marco Polo

Imagine a journey through enchanting destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Beijing, Iran, and Afghanistan. The narrator extends an invitation to Denis to accompany him on this daring escapade. Their goal is to relive the experiences of Marco Polo and immerse themselves in his world throughout the expedition. However, they find themselves in a perilous situation during a skirmish in Balkh, prompting the narrator to contemplate the possibility of not surviving the journey. Despite the obstacles, they remain resolute in their decision to press on. The narrator decides to sell his belongings to finance the trip, reflecting on the profound impact of Marco Polo's journey on human history. A 13th-century book that altered the course of history. Scholars engage in discussions regarding the authenticity of Marco Polo's accounts of his travels to China and back. Two ordinary individuals embark on a quest to retrace Marco Polo's footsteps through the Holy Land and along the Silk Road. Marco Polo's fascination with Jerusalem and his acquisition of holy oil from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Denis and Francis gather holy oil in preparation for their journey, drawing inspiration from the vivid landscapes of the Holy Land. They strive to fully immerse themselves in the world of Marco Polo, exploring various stops along the Silk Road, including caravanserais within protective walls.

Establishing a tradition of being featured in local newspapers at each destination, feeling a sense of official recognition rather than mere tourists. However, crossing the Friendship Bridge into Afghanistan proves to be a challenge due to visa complications. Despite having different visas for each city in Uzbekistan, they encounter difficulties at the Uzbek-Afghan border, where guards refuse entry due to the lack of a specific visa for the bridge. Enduring daily interrogations by a former KGB agent, their journey takes an unexpected turn. We contemplated swimming across the river, but the risk was too great. Our visa for Termez expired on October 11th. The speaker encountered obstacles entering Afghanistan amidst the civil war chaos but managed to cross the border after paying an unexpected fine. The speaker initially struggled to enter Afghanistan due to the turmoil and civil war in the nation. After enduring a series of tedious interrogations, the speaker's forged visa was close to expiration. Despite the expired visas and the potential for an international incident, the speaker and their companion made the bold decision to cross the border. Surprisingly, the KGB official mentioned a fine that needed to be settled, which the speaker promptly paid to gain entry. Stepping into Afghanistan felt like a journey back to the 13th century, with the lack of modern infrastructure and the abundance of kebab houses. A warlord offered a helicopter to transport us across dangerous regions in Afghanistan. After reading a letter from Marco Polo's brother and offering assistance, we showed him our planned route on the map, and he agreed to fly us over the hazardous area. Politely declining the offer to fly, the warlord was taken aback.

Denis and Francis were accompanied by two bodyguards who ensured their safety while in Afghanistan. They learned to distinguish between various sounds of machine gun fire. Surviving captivity in Afghanistan brought a stark realization of the danger they were in. The captors, who were not affiliated with the attacking faction, no longer posed a threat. The Hazaras, believed to be descendants of medieval Mongol warriors, were the ones detaining the travelers. Similar men had ambushed Marco Polo's group 700 years earlier. Denis and Francis safely arrived in the city of Balkh. The tragic deaths of 38 individuals during the firefight underscored the perilous nature of their circumstances. Shaken by his capture, Denis Belliveau briefly considered turning back. The tragic death of a young actor occurred during a robbery when he was fatally shot in the head by a 14-year-old. This incident prompted the narrator to reassess their attitude towards taking risks. Trekking through the challenging conditions of the Wakhjir Pass in Tajikistan, the journey began at an altitude of 9,000 feet above sea level and ascended to 25,000 feet, known as the Roof of the World. The passage through the pass became increasingly hostile, forcing them to endure freezing temperatures and sleep on dirt floors. Along the way, they encountered road markers resembling Marco Polo's description of the horns of a massive beast, known as the Marco Polo Sheep.

These markers eventually guided them out of the Wakhjir Pass towards Tajikistan, a Soviet Republic embroiled in civil conflict. Crossing the border into China, Denis and Francis visited Kashgar in Central Asia, surprising officials with their unexpected arrival. Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road oasis, is a diverse city with a Uyghur population. An unusual occurrence took place where a large red object emerged from their mouths and was then retracted, emitting a strong odor when ridden upon. Marco Polo recounted tales of spirits communicating and leading individuals astray in the Taklamakan desert. In a Uyghur village, each household displays the names of its residents on the door, with names crossed out upon death and added for new births. The Uyghur and Tibetan communities are grappling with challenges under Chinese governance, as authorities exert control and oppression over these groups. Chinese security officers attempted to extort money from foreigners on a bus, prompting Denis and Francis to go undercover during their travels in China. They had to traverse a desert and risk being caught under American pressure. They drove through the desert at night, hiding when the sun rose to avoid detection. Eventually, they arrived in Dunhuang, a significant milestone in their journey through China. Denis and Fran flipped a coin to determine who would take the first shower. Fran won the toss and took the initial shower. When Denis finally persuaded me to leave the shower, he found that the water had filled up. After the water finally drained, there was a layer of sand in the tub from my body. Marco Polo's account of China had a profound impact on world history. Denis and Fran were searching for evidence to substantiate Marco Polo's claims. Gansu Province provided the most significant Marco Polo moment in China. Marco Polo mentioned the reclining Buddha in Zhangye, which still exists today.

The Buddha symbolizes Buddhism and the importance of living in the present moment. Marco Polo's observations accurately depicted Mongol life. Marco Polo noted that the Mongols lived in circular houses covered with felt and transported them on wagons. Polo also witnessed the slaughtering of sheep and noted that every edible part of the animal was used, just as he described in his book. Additionally, Polo commented on the exceptional archery skills of the Mongol warriors. Dorothy transitions from black and white to color in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Marco Polo described the language and self-identification of Tibet. Coral is highly valued and worn around the necks of women and idols. Tibetans have magnificent feasts and illuminations for their idols. Tibet has large monasteries and abbeys inhabited by well-dressed monks. A culture shock occurred upon reaching Hong Kong in 1994. The travelers embarked on a journey to Sumatra in the 13th century, with royal passage provided by Kublai Khan. A group of individuals sought to emulate Marco Polo's journey on a merchant ship but encountered opposition. They sought sponsorship from a shipping company and were offered free passage to India on a cargo ship. They considered themselves fortunate and set off on a voyage south to Sumatra, following in Marco Polo's footsteps. A man obtained a tattoo using unconventional methods, mixing black soot, ash, charcoal, and plant oil with water to create ink. He used a stingray spine as a needle and applied it to his skin. The process was unhygienic and posed potential health risks, causing concern for the narrator. Despite the dangers, the man considered it his favorite tattoo.

The travelers headed west towards home, aware that the road would not last indefinitely. Their journey led them through Iran, lasting a year and a half with uncertain prospects of success or failure. Their project demanded effort, time, and energy, with uncertain hopes and dreams. Securing visas for Iran was crucial, and they worried about disembarking in India. They spent days anchored, passing the time with the crew. People with multiple heads and hands, and their astrological and magical practices. Some individuals have three heads, with one in the right place and one on each shoulder. Others have four hands, some have ten, and some even have 1,000. These people are guided by astrologers, diviners, and enchanters who practice magic and geomancy. Denis Belliveau consulted a diviner who predicted his future, including his lifespan, his wife's personality, and their two strong and well-educated children. Francis O'Donnell received news of his father's passing while in India, feeling remorseful for not being there to comfort his mother and sisters. He dedicated the journey to his father's memory and love for history, despite the challenges, and swore to enter Iran to honor his father's memory.

The Assassins, also known as the Hashshashins or Hashshashiyyins, were a group of young men from Northern Iran who were brought to a place where they would consume hashish and opium to get high. They were then given orders to kill whoever their lord commanded them to, believing that dying on their mission would lead them to paradise. Surprisingly, such a terrorist group originated in Persia (Iran). The journalists had to meet a car and driver at the border and stick with them throughout the journey, being warned not to engage in conversations or disclose their nationality. They were strictly instructed to avoid interacting with locals and conceal their American identity due to safety concerns. On February 11, the journalists heard a procession passing by their hotel on the way to the square to commemorate the Islamic Revolution anniversary. Despite their initial hesitation, the journalists decided to join the crowd and enter the square. Inside, thousands of people were chanting 'Death to America', burning the American flag and an effigy of the President. Some individuals inquired about the journalists' nationality, expressing surprise when they revealed they were from the most renowned English-speaking nation in the world. A magical carpet transported us to Venice, where we could relax without worries. We enjoyed our stay at a luxurious hotel and indulged in delicious cuisine. Sailing into Venice was a moment of profound realization. Stepping off the boat into the square felt like a great honor. Tourists unknowingly snapped photos of us.

Our relatives gathered around us, creating a bittersweet moment as our time together neared its end. We gathered souvenirs akin to Marco Polo's collection during his travels and offered them to the Mayor of Venice. The Mayor expressed interest in my Afghan hat, but I politely declined. A grand reception was held with the Mayor, tourism authorities, as well as our loved ones. Contemplating future escapades, we have numerous exciting ideas in mind. One of them involves retracing Hannibal's journey across the Alps, complete with elephants.