Juliana rolled over in the four poster bed of her chamber. Used to cuddling up against her hubby Jonathan, he wasn't home yet. Juliana had just returned from a voyage, adventure, what some referred to as a Safari. Her usually pale flsh was now tanned and shone a golden bronze. In the realm they visited, women were nude from the waist up, children completely nude, and men just barely covered. To call it a culture shock was to say the least!
Jonathan wanted to go on one last "Safari"...or hunting trip. He wished to bring home the hide of a lion. Juliana had seen enough killing for one lifetime. She learned alot about other people's way of life, and she learned alot about herself. There in that realm it literally was about life and death everyday. They have no doctors, no educated people to help them....save the Christian Missionaries who are also trying to change them from their pagan ways. In exchange, they may give a family some fresh deer meat, or spears and weapons to hunt. But everything there is the barter system.
Lying in her bed, she reminisced about first getting off the ship in the harbor. How the ships were being filled with cargo to set off for other parts of its realm. Exotic fruits, animals, birds...and something she saw that completely unnerved her....slaves. Shackeled about the neck with heavy iron collars connected to the one in front of them. Their hands and feet shackled together. The look in the eyes of these people was one of total hopelessness. She turned away...asking Jonathan where were all these slaves going to at once" Probably the "New Country" he replied turning to look at the slaves walking the plank up into the ship. "And also the "Olde Country".
Slave hunters get a good price for them, so long as they can keep them alive till they reach their ports. Swallowing hard, Juliana walked along the dock beside her husband, as he spoke to the guides as well as the others on the Safari. Juliana was the only woman present. She felt like the odd MAN out for certain. Jonathan reassured her that she would be safe. One of the local tribesmen, came up to their guide and seemed to be quite upset. The guide looked from Jonathan to Juliana...."What is it?" Jonathan asked. "Your woman. Woman no good to go on Safari. Bring hunter bad luck." Juliana was offended and her face showed it.
Jonathan being the wonderful business man he was, negotiated for him to being his wife along. The clan medicine man would cast a spell upon her keeping her safe, as well as those in their party safe. After much ado and horses, two elephants, and provisions were purchased or bartered for, they were on their way.
Blue eyes smiled up at the ceiling of her room. How odd. For six months she'd either been seeing evening stars as she lay in "bed", or what they considered a bed. Or enveloped on all sides by heavy canvas. Here in her room, her bed was covered with a canopy of lace and velvet. Sitting up she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen. When Steven saw her, he told her to "get back in bed this instant". Taken aback, Juliana stared at him. "I just wanted a cup of coffee." "Fine I shall bring it to you with the rest of your breakfast." He scolded her like a child.
"FINE!" She retorted and turning on her barefooted heel, headed back to her room. Huffing her way up the stairs she nearly fell over with laughter when she reached the top. That's right....she was the Mistress of the Manor again....and they couldnt allow her to fetch her own coffee now, could they?"" She was as shocked as Steven, when he saw her standing there. Afterall, it was her home. But...she giggled and shook her head, entering her room. Unlatching one of the many trunks strewn about....she reached in and pulled out a large African Warrior's Shield. Looking about the room she decided to lay it aside. Once she had all the artwork out, then she would decide where to put it. His den is where the majority of it would end up, so he could show his friends and acquaintances what a skilled hunter he was. (not)
Jonathan wanted to go on one last "Safari"...or hunting trip. He wished to bring home the hide of a lion. Juliana had seen enough killing for one lifetime. She learned alot about other people's way of life, and she learned alot about herself. There in that realm it literally was about life and death everyday. They have no doctors, no educated people to help them....save the Christian Missionaries who are also trying to change them from their pagan ways. In exchange, they may give a family some fresh deer meat, or spears and weapons to hunt. But everything there is the barter system.
Lying in her bed, she reminisced about first getting off the ship in the harbor. How the ships were being filled with cargo to set off for other parts of its realm. Exotic fruits, animals, birds...and something she saw that completely unnerved her....slaves. Shackeled about the neck with heavy iron collars connected to the one in front of them. Their hands and feet shackled together. The look in the eyes of these people was one of total hopelessness. She turned away...asking Jonathan where were all these slaves going to at once" Probably the "New Country" he replied turning to look at the slaves walking the plank up into the ship. "And also the "Olde Country".
Slave hunters get a good price for them, so long as they can keep them alive till they reach their ports. Swallowing hard, Juliana walked along the dock beside her husband, as he spoke to the guides as well as the others on the Safari. Juliana was the only woman present. She felt like the odd MAN out for certain. Jonathan reassured her that she would be safe. One of the local tribesmen, came up to their guide and seemed to be quite upset. The guide looked from Jonathan to Juliana...."What is it?" Jonathan asked. "Your woman. Woman no good to go on Safari. Bring hunter bad luck." Juliana was offended and her face showed it.
Jonathan being the wonderful business man he was, negotiated for him to being his wife along. The clan medicine man would cast a spell upon her keeping her safe, as well as those in their party safe. After much ado and horses, two elephants, and provisions were purchased or bartered for, they were on their way.
Blue eyes smiled up at the ceiling of her room. How odd. For six months she'd either been seeing evening stars as she lay in "bed", or what they considered a bed. Or enveloped on all sides by heavy canvas. Here in her room, her bed was covered with a canopy of lace and velvet. Sitting up she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen. When Steven saw her, he told her to "get back in bed this instant". Taken aback, Juliana stared at him. "I just wanted a cup of coffee." "Fine I shall bring it to you with the rest of your breakfast." He scolded her like a child.
"FINE!" She retorted and turning on her barefooted heel, headed back to her room. Huffing her way up the stairs she nearly fell over with laughter when she reached the top. That's right....she was the Mistress of the Manor again....and they couldnt allow her to fetch her own coffee now, could they?"" She was as shocked as Steven, when he saw her standing there. Afterall, it was her home. But...she giggled and shook her head, entering her room. Unlatching one of the many trunks strewn about....she reached in and pulled out a large African Warrior's Shield. Looking about the room she decided to lay it aside. Once she had all the artwork out, then she would decide where to put it. His den is where the majority of it would end up, so he could show his friends and acquaintances what a skilled hunter he was. (not)