Friday, January 9, 2009

On this day in history....




January 9, 1493



On this day in 1493, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, sees three "mermaids"--in reality manatees--and describes them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted." Six months earlier, Columbus (1451-1506) set off from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean with the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, hoping to find a western trade route to Asia. Instead, his voyage, the first of four he would make, led him to the Americas, or "New World."



You tell me, do these two look anything alike?







Does anyone know if Christopher Columbus ever took part in any AA meetings?

More on the wonderful world of Manatees to follow next week!

4 comments:

Jaime Van Hoose Steele said...

I think in Christopher Columbus's day they liked their women a little more voluptuous than the crack skinny girls appreciated these days. Therefore, manatees may have looked like some women Chris hooked up with back then.

boneck family said...

being on a boat for months at a time would make you see things too. i bet there were nothing but dudes on those boats and so he saw what he wanted to see.

Zak Steele said...

Personally I have always found manatees to be attractive. Yes, not in any kind of classical way, but hot none the less.

Duston Todd said...

the essence of wetness...merMAN!!!!
merMAN!!!