Hello my friend I am writing to you because I know you have a large task ahead of you. The Sultan has given you the title of ambassador, it is a great honor and god willing you deserve it. From my aides I hear that you are to stop in Venice and then be on your way through Western Europe to the city of Amsterdam. Now listen carefully as I guide you through this trip, this is very important brother. From Constantinople the boats will be waiting in the morning, I hope they have arranged for you to travel on a small merchant ship. The reason for this is because of the many Venetian and Turkish pirates, although I can’t say that our people are committing such crimes. Anyhow it has been demanded that when encountering a military vessel one must lower their sails or face capture. Once you reach Venice, I can only say that the countries beauty is only matched by their peoples hospitality. St. Marks square is the center of life, although second to only our great city and capital. They will treat you with excellence, invites to the grandest of events from the most extravagant of individuals. You must be sure to visit Basilica of St.Marco as it truly might be where one can have all the articles of gold and silver. But remember business comes first. The Mediterranean is important to our empire and although we would love to dominate and have it all to ourselves it is wiser to avoid conflict and find ays to benefit ourselves through trade. The North African lands have given us new opportunities to exploit advantages and open our trade routes. Also be aware of theses European infidels and I mean other foreigners. Last time I visited an incident occurred with a spaniard who stole some carpets and sheets from a personal representative of the pope. There was also a frenchman who was so ill-tempered and full of himself, it was ridiculous. As you leave Venice you will head north between Eastern and Western Europe. You must be careful for the Tartar raids that occur into Western Europe, they are chaotic and deadly. The pillaging of villages is very common so try and avoid these villages and heavily populated areas. The country of Tot has a large population of protestants who are cross worshippers. After that you have reached your destination, Holland. The country side has very fertile and productive lands and its cities can get very crowded. Just south of the Rhine is Amsterdam the capital. A huge walled city, even the outskirts of the city features some terrific gardens that allow all types of leaves and agriculture to grow. Even though you are on a business trip you should not take such wonders for granted. So few men in this world get to see the many tings you are about to see, concentrate all you have to on your important work and make our empire proud but I f I had to tell you one thing it would be to live so that you could never have any regrets.