I’ve developed a rather new habit of reading a world history book and browsing through a world atlas before I sleep at night. I found that my mind was oftentimes restless at night. The history book and the world map serve as my bed-time story, I can always sleep peacefully shortly thereafter.
Anyways, the other night I read an interesting story (in the Silk Road chapter) I bet you never heard of before. Here goes:
In 1245, Giovanni da Pian del Carpini, a Franciscan monk, carried a letter over 3000 miles, across Bohemia, Poland, the Ukraine, and the steppes of Russia, From the Pope to the Mongol Khan Güyük. It took Giovanni da Pian del Carpini 1 (one) year to reach Mongol. Güyük, however, declined the Pope’s invitation to become a Christian. It was not until 1247 that the monk made it back to Rome with Güyük’s reply.
In 1253-1255, William of Rubrouck made the difficult journey from Constantinople to the Crimea and on to the Great Khan’s court, eating raw meat and drinking fermented mare’s milk to survive. The new Khan, Mangu, was no more interested in converting that his predecessor. Just as God had created different fingers on one hand, he told Rubrouck, so he created different beliefs for different peoples.
Wow. Do you realise that it took 2 years to send a message and get a reply, and another 2 years still for the 2nd attempt? Imagine the possibilities of that story in today’s setting: The Pope could have sent Güyük an email, or better yet a direct message to Güyük’s blackberry. It takes as short as 2 seconds, and alas, not 2 years. Sending a messenger (diplomat) is of course still deemed to be more appropriate. But then the messenger would be flying with the state’s private jet with first class meals. Forget starvation & 2-year struggle for survival.
Then it suddenly dawned on me: We’re really witnessing an important milestone in the history! Internet changes the world & widen our scope of experience. It is amazing how the things around us operate literally at the speed of light. The things we have for granted today is nothing someone in 1245 could have ever imagined. Hundred of years from now, our story will be printed in the Almanac of World History. We’re REALLY a part of an exciting history!!