Spinning Wheel
Transcript: Zach Whalen Daniel Schultz The Journey of the Spinning Wheel Beginnings in Baghdad Beginnings in Baghdad I am a spinning wheel. My kind was invented in China, but I was built here in Baghdad. I was carved from wood and have been turning fibers into thread for as long as I can remember. Little did I know that I was just about to begin one of the longest and most perilous journeys of my life. My merchant was a Christian man. We were first acquainted when he picked me up in a trading center in downtown Baghdad. I believe I am worth quite a lot because I allow plant fibers to be turned into thread. Also, everyone has handled me with care since I have been created. Even though Baghdad was an Islamic city, my merchant was from Rome and had traveled here due to other trade expeditions. He remained Christian despite the overwhelming Islamic culture here. He had a lot to learn about Islamic beliefs, architecture and rituals. My Merchant My Merchant Pictures Pictures My merchant He was a Christian. I saw my merchant speaking with some other merchants. They were Islamic and talked about their prayer at the mosque and about the Koran, the Islamic holy text. Also, since it was Friday, these merchants were all dressed in clean, white clothes. My merchant was also amazed by some scholars studying astronomy using an astrolabe. It turned out, Baghdad was very advanced in astronomy and mathematics. As we were walking, we layed our eyes on the Golden Gate Palace, where the royalty lived. It was magnificent! We also walked past many libraries, which Baghdad was apparently famous for. We have learned so much about the culture and technology of Baghdad and can't wait to learn more on our journey! Cultural Encounters Cultural Encounters Astrolabe Images Images White Muslim Clothing Koran We first had to buy a camel due to the fact that we would have to cross a dry and arid climate. Camels could hold water for up to 10 days. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers were to the west and our journey was to the east of these rivers. There wouldn't be many water sources on the journey to come, so we had to stock up before we left. As we left Baghdad, we saw some large mountains looming over us. These were the Zagros Mountains. There was no way around them, so we had to find a valley to cross through. Luckily, there was a small stream at the bottom of this valley so we could restock our water before we hit the harsh, arid climate east of here. The Journey Begins The Journey Begins Images Images Euphrates River Camel Zagros Mountains 1. Leave Baghdad, cross through Zagros Mountains eastward. 2. Go to Merv, go south to avoid Taklamakan Desert. 3. Go to Delhi, cross through Himalayas on the way back north. 4. Arrive in Dunhuang, turn southeast to avoid Gobi Desert. 5. Final destination: Chang'an or Xi'an Directions Directions Map Map Arriving in Merv Arriving in Merv Once we arrived in Merv, we were astonished with how big the city was. As we walked past the large, elaborate city, we found out that it was the capital of Khorasan under the power of the Arabs. It was located on the eastern side of Persia. We were ready to learn about all of the fascinating cultures and beliefs here! While heading to Merv, my merchant group stopped to drink and collect some water from the Murghab River. We filled up in preparation for the Karakum Desert that we saw ahead . We needed all the water we could get! We also heard about the brutal Taklamakan Desert to the east. We decided to head south after visiting Merv, hoping to end up in the city of Delhi. Geography Encounters Geography Encounters Murghab River Pictures Pictures Karakum Desert Water Canteen When arriving in Merv, my merchant and I could obviously see that the main religion was Islam. There were many mosques and many merchants who stopped to talk to us and taught us more about their faith and the Koran. They even taught us the 5 Pillars, one of their most sacred beliefs. We saw a lot of Persian texts, and also different cuneiform inscriptions. While touring the city, we saw how it was a center of science and literature. Also, we noticed very important structures in the society like the Palace of Shahriyar Ark. Cultural Encounters Cultural Encounters Palace of Shahriyar Ark Pictures Pictures Other Architecture from Merv Cuneiform Inscriptions Delhi Adventures Delhi Adventures My merchant and I turned south from Merv to escape the arid Taklaman Desert. On our way south, we saw the Himilayan Mountains to our east and continued around them. Several days later, we arrived in Delhi. My merchant relied on the Bible to give him strength through this long journey. He had remained a faithful Christian, even through the tough times. The merchant and I avoided the Taklamakan Desert. I was confused as to why we continued southward past the Himalayas. We would have to cross through them on the way eastward. Either my merchant didn't notice, or he was not a very intelligent man! He finally realized it when we got into
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