Wow... Goods, Cultures, Diseases... Oh My

Wasn't it interesting that as alternative routes opened up -- more things pushed through from one country to another country? As merchants and traders came through, the luxury goods were brought along to trade. Goods must be offset with bad - that's to keep the equilibrium.  Merchants/traders also brought along their own cultures and religions. It is also interesting that one of the reasons why religions were strengthened because of the spread of the diseases. Religions such as Buddhism and Christianity offered compassion to those that were sick.

With the availability of many routes into the New World, folks of many professions came through as well. From the waiting-women who lured men with their attractions to physicians and astrologers as well as builders, jewelers, etc. However, even with huge influx of people from different cultures and professions, the world was free of jealousy, feuds and quarrels -- it was indeed a world of peace where people were honest and truthful. It was indeed the type of world I want to be in -- free from dishonest people.

I loved reading the story of when Mongols conquered China -- they ruled China in mostly "Chinese" fashion. Yet they kept many parts of their own cultures such that they continued to wear their traditional clothing, gave birth Mongol style and even kept their own Mongol shamans in the royal court. It is probably the very first example of acculturation.