April 24th  1910

Dear Diary,                                                                                                                                                                                       

Today was my first day in the market-place. It's beautiful! I can't believe father kept us from this place!

It has street merchants selling various treasures including one who sells oranges! I have never tasted one of those.

My sister Cali ran around with an old street cat and father almost reprimanded her in front of everybody, but his heart turned kind and even let her have the cat! Father would never do that for me, but I think he takes pity on her for her simpleton ways, although she is older than me. She is so full of curiosity and loveliness and her beauty is beyond any women in this land.

Father is marrying her off to only the pure of heart and so far no luck. He has gotten proposals from so many dukes and lords, but all are much too corrupt for my dear sister's soul.

I wish I was to be married, but I'm still not of age, so I must continue to help my parents with their weaving and sewing.

That is why father brought us to the market, to find supplies. There were strings of blues, purples, and reds! And the buttons were magnificent, hand-crafted from a far away country.

I wonder what country?

Well lovely diary I must say goodnight.