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This weeks readings were based on Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americans, an Epic “The Araucaniad”, and a chronicle written and illustrated by the indigenous (Quechua-speaking) self-taught writer Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala. Of all these three, I found Christopher Columbus’ journal interesting in many ways and thus this response will be focused on him. … More Week 2: The Meeting of Two Worlds read full post >>

While reading Christopher Columbus’ own personal diary from his voyage to America, a lot of childhood memories came to mind. I remember while I was living in Costa Rica that Columbus was seen as something of a hero. Some of my classmates would even fight to play Columbus at the annual school play. So like […] read full post >>

While reading the journals of Christopher Columbus I got the sense that every word written had been methodically chosen and censored to appeal to a specifically European viewpoint. The entries spin the tragic happenings that occurred into an act devoted to “Your Majesties”, which for whatever reason is apparently enough to make it justifiable. What […] read full post >>

Christopher Columbus is such an iconic figure in history.  Every child in Canada learns about him in school from an... read full post >>

After reading this amazing lecture i just realized that Cristopher Columbus was a great leader and of course, his most important characteristic was loyalty at least for me, this is because he always was doing lots of things thinking of his majesties, and not by himself at all. Among other things, he also used to […] read full post >>

 I found Columbus' account of his exploration of the Americas interesting. Having been aware of his alleged awfulness towards the Indians that inhabited the lands which he was exploring, his journal was rather surprising because it didn't feature any real repulsive acts of violence, in fact I was suprised by his apparent acts of kindness, in exchanging trivial gifts, hoping that future Spaniards would allow a warm welcome, etc. To myself he came across as more of a diplomat than a conqueror that he is so often projected as (at least in this first voyage).

I feel that Columbus is actually given a lot more hate than he deserves, people mock him for thinking that the Americas was India when almost anyone put in a similar position, with the limited knowledge of the 1400s would have also assumed. There is also a certain form of disgust with the notion of Columbus and Spain being conquerors and his associated attitude, however I find that the idea that conquering is a bad thing something of a recent development. Only beginning in the last 70 years have we looked upon invasion and conquest as a negative characteristic of nations, whereas before it was almost certainly associated with prestige and honour.

The text reminded me of the first half of H.G. Well's The Time Machine where the Time Traveler describes this completely foreign, new world, with new peoples (which he similarly cannot communicate with efficiently). As with The Time Machine the text is likely partially fiction and partially cemented in reality, it made for a good story but it was probably not the most accurate of accounts. I actually found the text to be quite captivating, and whilst Columbus certainly isn't the most eloquent author I have read, I still found his journal an enjoyable read, especially when the historical significance is taken into account. read full post >>

 I found Columbus' account of his exploration of the Americas interesting. Having been aware of his alleged awfulness towards the Indians that inhabited the lands which he was exploring, his journal was rather surprising because it didn't feature any real repulsive acts of violence, in fact I was suprised by his apparent acts of kindness, in exchanging trivial gifts, hoping that future Spaniards would allow a warm welcome, etc. To myself he came across as more of a diplomat than a conqueror that he is so often projected as (at least in this first voyage).

I feel that Columbus is actually given a lot more hate than he deserves, people mock him for thinking that the Americas was India when almost anyone put in a similar position, with the limited knowledge of the 1400s would have also assumed. There is also a certain form of disgust with the notion of Columbus and Spain being conquerors and his associated attitude, however I find that the idea that conquering is a bad thing something of a recent development. Only beginning in the last 70 years have we looked upon invasion and conquest as a negative characteristic of nations, whereas before it was almost certainly associated with prestige and honour.

The text reminded me of the first half of H.G. Well's The Time Machine where the Time Traveler describes this completely foreign, new world, with new peoples (which he similarly cannot communicate with efficiently). As with The Time Machine the text is likely partially fiction and partially cemented in reality, it made for a good story but it was probably not the most accurate of accounts. I actually found the text to be quite captivating, and whilst Columbus certainly isn't the most eloquent author I have read, I still found his journal an enjoyable read, especially when the historical significance is taken into account. read full post >>

Reading Cristopher Columbus’  journal was both captivating and nauseating all at once. Having never read any direct accounts or descriptions of pre-colonial indigenous communities, I was fascinated by the way Columbus described his first encounter with the “islanders” and must admit that his writing allowed me to imagine the scenario he describes with relative ease. … read full post >>

Hi there! My name is Angela Pope, my friends usually call me Pope, so feel free to do so too. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and I moved to Florida when I was kid. My dad is Canadian, from Summerside in Prince Edward Island, and my mom's from Vietnam. They both somehow wound up in the States at the exact same time and met each other, and now I'm in Vancouver. Crazy right?

Some facts about me: I'm a second year student at UBC, focusing mainly on history and gender and sexuality studies. I'm also really into photography and cinematography so I spend a lot of my free time taking photos of things I think are nice. When I'm not doing that, or drowning in articles for class, I'm pretty big into literature, so if you ever want to discuss classic novels or poets, I'm your girl. I'm also terrible with directions and maps — I've been in Vancouver for a little over a year and a half now and I'm just finally getting an understanding of the public transport system.

I'm taking this course because I've always been fascinated with any aspect of the world that didn't have anything to do with Canadian or American history. So much of what I've read on Latin America in the news, books, tv shows, etc. have mainly focused on the sensationalistic topics, and I really wanted to expand my knowledge. And I also think it's a good idea to be well-rounded, and know a few things here and there about other cultures, histories, and people. So that's what I'm doing in Latin Studies. read full post >>

Hi there! My name is Angela Pope, my friends usually call me Pope, so feel free to do so too. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and I moved to Florida when I was kid. My dad is Canadian, from Summerside in Prince Edward Island, and my mom's from Vietnam. They both somehow wound up in the States at the exact same time and met each other, and now I'm in Vancouver. Crazy right?

Some facts about me: I'm a second year student at UBC, focusing mainly on history and gender and sexuality studies. I'm also really into photography and cinematography so I spend a lot of my free time taking photos of things I think are nice. When I'm not doing that, or drowning in articles for class, I'm pretty big into literature, so if you ever want to discuss classic novels or poets, I'm your girl. I'm also terrible with directions and maps — I've been in Vancouver for a little over a year and a half now and I'm just finally getting an understanding of the public transport system.

I'm taking this course because I've always been fascinated with any aspect of the world that didn't have anything to do with Canadian or American history. So much of what I've read on Latin America in the news, books, tv shows, etc. have mainly focused on the sensationalistic topics, and I really wanted to expand my knowledge. And I also think it's a good idea to be well-rounded, and know a few things here and there about other cultures, histories, and people. So that's what I'm doing in Latin Studies. read full post >>