National geographic - Marco Polo - The China Mystery Revealed

Marco Polo (English pronunciation: /ˈmɑrkoʊ ˈpoʊloʊ/ ( listen); Italian pronunciation: [ˈmarko ˈpɔːlo]; c. 1254 -- January 9, 1324) was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently met Kublai Khan. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, returning after 24 years to find Venice at war with Genoa; Marco was imprisoned, and dictated his stories to a cellmate. He was released in 1299, became a wealthy merchant, married and had 3 children. He died in 1324, and was buried in San Lorenzo.

Their pioneering journey inspired Christopher Columbus and others. Marco Polo's other legacies include Venice Marco Polo Airport, the Marco Polo sheep, and several books and films. He also had an influence on European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Fra Mauro map.

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[MrLantean]

The custom where the visitor is allow to have a one night stand with the wife or daughter of the host is actually very practical. Live in the Central Asian Steppe is harsh and families are often living a few days apart from each other. In doing so, the host hopes that there will be new blood introduced to family. If the vistor chose to live with them, he will be allowed to take the host's daughter as a wife.

[omga14]

Very interesting to watch. You have to watch out with guides giving you information though as they will come up with things on the fly. Been to Afghanistan and saw a couple of places that Alexander the Great camped and a couple of ruined fortresses. Some old bazaars I believed had been there since the days of Alexander and others I could tell reassuringly had not been there that long.