Land so Strange

The book “A Land So Strange” by Andrés Reséndez basically illustrates 8 years of long odyssey from what is now Tampa, Florida to Mexico City on Cabeza de Vaca’s perspective. Cabaza de Vaca along with his companions named Andres Dorante, Alonso del Castillo, and Estebanico, are survivors of failed expedition to New World from Spain during 16th century. Unlike other members from the expedition, these four members found a way to live with native Indian tribes to survive. They were slaves of Indians and treated cruelly all the time. However, after long period of time of being slaves, they decided to make escape to Spanish territory. During their fugitive period, they had chance to help injured Indians. Their knowledge of certain medicine, illness, and strong belief in Christianity helped promoted themselves to holy shamans whom many of native Indian obey and follow. They were able to get enough food and place to sleep during their journey to find Spain territory in America, and also followed by prodigious amount of Indians. As a result, these survivors changed his view on Indians and New World. Andres Resendez said “rare turning point” in the text. This basically symbolizes potential value of America and Cebeza’s expedition to New World which totally changed his life. I truly agree with Resendez’s claim of “rare turning poin”t because this everything started from one expedition. This expedition was led by Panfilo de Narvaez. This man was described as “fierce-looking, tall and muscular….as if it came from a vault.” (page 276) He was reliable man with strong determination, but he was in hurry and rush. He was humiliated by Cortez before, and wanted to discover new land in New World to recover his reputation. However, there weren’t enough tools for sail and reliable sailors who knew how to get to New World during 16th century. Unfortunately expedition had begun with very poor environment. After facing with many difficulties, such as settlers on the expedition suddenly