Life at Sea

First Day at Sea

Sep 22, 1519

We left for Congo West Africa for slaves at sunrise and I barely got any sleep and we have to sleep on the bed of the deck. I was also on second watch so I only got to close my eyes for a minute and then I before I knew I was already up. I'm 16 years old so right now I can only work as a page. Luckily I am a privilage page because I come from a well connected family. I am assigned under a officer so life is much easier than it would be if I was a peasnt page.

Congo West AAfrica Port

Oct 22, 1519

We left for our first port, Congo West Africa, at sunrise. We're headed there to get slaves. We're looking for men from the ages of 10 to 45. I've never done anything like this so its a little scary.I think it would be awful to be a slave and I can't help but to feel bad for them.

Cape of Good Hope Port

Jan 24, 1520

We're in a South African post called the Cape of Good Hope. We're getting food, water and clothes. The cultuar here is so interesting. Ive never seen people dress so strange and talk so so odd. The food is also really good. I'll be kind of sad to leave this place because i like it so much, who knows, maybe someday i ll have a journey of my own back to here.

Six Months out at Sea

Mar 22, 1520

We've been out on the sea for 6 months now and I am so worn out. I am now 17 so Im a grumete. My job is to climb the look outpost. We're in a South African post called the Cape of Good Hope for food, water and clothes. The cultuar here is so interesting. Ive never seen people dress so strange and talk so funny. The food here is reallly good too. As for the ships crew, there have been about 20 deaths so far either from combat or sickness. I hope the name of this port will bring us good fortune.

Guangzhou Port

Aug 24, 1520

We are now at our third port. The port were at is called Guangzhou and its in China. We are here to get silk to bring back with us. Everything here is so interesting. I dont like their food as much as l liked South Africas food though.The people here are so small. The people here arent very nice either.

One Year at Sea

Sep 22, 1520

It has now been a whole year since we left for sea. Ive learned so many new ways of things. Before coming, I never would have thought it would turn out the way it has. There has now been about 90 deaths and about half of them were slaves. The other half was from a blood bath with another caravel. I am now pretty good with a knife and at climbing things.

Zanzibar Port

Feb 8, 1521

We are now at are fourth port. It is called Zanzibar and its in Eastern Africa. We are here to pick up more slaves. This time they told us to get more women and children. It is a very poor and run down place here. Its actaully really sad to see. The children are so skinny that we can see their bones. Well I guess we have to go get the slaves now, until next time, goodbye.

A Year and a Half at Sea

Mar 24, 1521

It has been a year and a half now and I really want to go home. I'm so so tired and i just want to take a week long nap. I am so sick of the taste of fish. When I get home I'll never eat fish again. Last week was my 18th birthday. I met a girl in . I think i would like to marry her someone but first i have to get off of this caravel.

Lorient Port

Sep 2, 1521

We are now at our final port. It is called Lorient Port and it is in Europe. We are here to pick up final supplies like food and water. We found some new spices here that I think people will really like back at home. We still have a little less than a month before we get home and im more than excited.

Two Years at Sea

Sep 23, 1521

I cant believe it, after almost two years, we're finally headed home! I dont even know the first thing I'll do, probably hug my mom and then have a nice hot meal. Throughout these two years we have lost about 250 men. There was a bad illness going around that someone picked up at our last port and it wiped out about 70 men. I had the huge priveledge of becoming a certified marinero. In all im so glad i went on this journey despite all of the hardships.