CARAVANSARY

[Sunbeam56]

So it turns out the chieftain has this ambition to be the next Khan (leader) of the caravans gathering. The older Khan is stepping down. The Nazi criminal doctor, the blond femme fatale, and the American (with his money) are all pawns in his power play.

[Ugly Dougly]

[oscillator]

[media]

[H.G.Crosby]

.

[Sunbeam56]

Along the way, during the caravan to the caravan gathering - the American is taught (it was a bit vague to me) the difference between theft - for which you will lose a hand if you are not killed; and pilfering - which is treated with humor and admiration, and is a constant.
He also is taught the difference between suffering (which could make one foolishly wish to die), and dying (which is avoided whenever possible).
The American never understands the difference between love and lust. But he is saved from love by the wisdom of the young daughter of the chieftain, and an Afghani Noble, who appears at the beginning and the end of the book - both times as a rescuer.

[unjonharley]

Just watched Cherry 2000.. Vegas was up to its roofs in sand dunes
Funny as can be..

Sunbeam, Your book report has nothing to do with Caravansary..

[Sunbeam56]

It might. Think deeper.

[GreyCoyote]

It might. Think deeper.

Assuming he can read may be your first mistake. I mean seriously, "Cherry 2000", UJH? Ye gads man, at least queue-up Caddyshack and you can fake some high-brow action!

[Elliot]

I agree Michener's Caravans does not cover any of the Europe-to-China "Silk Road" trade. And some of it is just a detective yarn. But there is also a great deal about the culture in one area of the Silk Road. People still living in the Bronze Age in 1946 (and still today).

I'm starting on The Travels Of Marco Polo now. 13th Century stuff, all the way from Italy to China, by the guy who traveled it.

[unjonharley]

It might. Think deeper.

I will say it one more time..Caravansary is a hotel/motel/ rest stop in the desert..
There were no English in that country.. They had there asses kicked out many years before.. Michener took to many literary liberties with the geography location and names.. Michener's story is around the caravan getting to sanctuary/caravanserai..

The 2014 theme for burning man is about a welcome place to rest and share in the desert..

Yes GC, I can barely read or write.. I read the book and saw the movie about 50 years ago.. Thank you for be so astute in reviewing my inabilities.. now go play in the street.

[Simon of the Playa]

[media]

[GreyCoyote]

Yes GC, I can barely read or write.. I read the book and saw the movie about 50 years ago.. Thank you for be so astute in reviewing my inabilities.. now go play in the street.

Unjohn: That was meant in humor only. But your invite to play in the street sounds like fun. 5:30 and G-ish? First beer is on me.

[^Rhino!]

Yo, Simon.

Good pic of 447 and idea of calling it 'the road to nowhere'.

Just one little problem.

Nowhere is the regional in Spain.

Comprende, amigo?

[Roberto Dobbisano]

that's nice...

comprende?

[H.G.Crosby]

i'm pretty sure he just told you to fuck off...








yup, he did.

[Simon of the Playa]

.

[H.G.Crosby]

now, what was it you were saying?



something about me being WRONG?

[Ugly Dougly]

Gosh, this is fun.

[Ugly Dougly]

[media]

[theCryptofishist]

unjon is a shining example who shows that you don't need a grand education (or youth) to be sharp as a tack.

I don't know about that game of mutual put-downs, I'm a little too brittle for that.

[Sunbeam56]

Dougly - that's a really pretty piece

Do you know what is the name of that instrument that looks like an accordion crossed with a guitar, with the crank on the end? I couldn't hear it distinctly - but it sure is different. I've not seen one before.

Interesting lyric too - a home that I cannot live in...

[chuckularone]

I agree Michener's Caravans does not cover any of the Europe-to-China "Silk Road" trade. And some of it is just a detective yarn. But there is also a great deal about the culture in one area of the Silk Road. People still living in the Bronze Age in 1946 (and still today).

I'm starting on The Travels Of Marco Polo now. 13th Century stuff, all the way from Italy to China, by the guy who traveled it.

I just finished "Caravans" after reading what you wrote about it one of these threads. I can't believe how much I enjoyed a book written 3 years before I was born. Thanks for that.

[Elliot]

A hurdy-gurdy?
May the gods replace all overmodulated techno with such sweet music in our own caravanserai this year. Sim-sala-bim.

[Elliot]

...
I just finished "Caravans" after reading what you wrote about it one of these threads. I can't believe how much I enjoyed a book written 3 years before I was born. Thanks for that.

Another Michener convert. Try Hawaii. The first chapter will introduce you to a whole new concept of what can be done with "mere" words.

Back on the Silk Road.... I'm seriously considering buying plywood and building/painting a bazaar facade for camp.

[unjonharley]

I'm starting on The Travels Of Marco Polo now. 13th Century stuff, all the way from Italy to China, by the guy who traveled it.

Last month I read Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu.. The author wrote of the travels and the history around them..

[chuckularone]

Another Michener convert. Try Hawaii. The first chapter will introduce you to a whole new concept of what can be done with "mere" words.

I'm 10 pages in and that was simply the most eloquent description of the creation of volcanic islands I have ever read. (Gotta love e-books!)

[Ugly Dougly]

Drill down:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/mecca.htm

A crowd stood gathered round the Ka'abah, and I having no wish to stand bareheaded and barefooted in the midday September sun. At the cry of 'Open a path for the Haji (pilgrim) who would enter the House!' the gazers made way. Two stout Meccans, who stood below the door raised me in their arms, whilst a third drew me from above into the building. At the entrance I was accosted by several officials, dark-looking Meccans, of whom the blackest and plainest was a youth of the,Ben!l Shaybah family, the true blood of the EI Hejaz.. He held in his hand the huge silver-gilt padlock o fthe Ka'abah, and presently, taking his seat upon a kind of wooden press in the left corner of the hall, he officially inquired my name, nation, and other particulars. The replies were satisfactory, and the boy Mohammed was authoritatively ordered to conduct me round the building, and to recite the prayers. I will not deny that, looking at the windowless walls, the officials at the door, and a crowd of excited fanatics below...my feelings were of the trapped-rat description,...A blunder, a hasty action, a misjudged word, a prayer or bow, not strictly the right shibboleth, and my bones would have whitened the desert sand. This did not, however, prevent my carefully observing the scene during our long prayer, and making a rough plan with a pencil upon my white ihram.

[H.G.Crosby]

.

[Elliot]

Hey Dougly. The religious fanaticism is alarming indeed -- the slightest error in ritual leading to summary death. This is perhaps the key item we ought to work on in our Black Rock Caravansary. Our foremost opportunity.

[Ugly Dougly]

Read thy ticket, effendi.