Misunderstandings

I found Reader's biography to be really informative and it opened up a lot of questions in my mind. One recurring theme that I noticed while reading was misunderstanding. Particularly in the chapter about Prester John, chapter 33. On page 350 it says, " In considering the relationship between Africa and Europe, received wisdom suggests that Africa was a dark and passive continent, supine with tropical lethargy, awaiting the enlightenment that European discovery and exploration ultimately would bring. The truth is otherwise. Far from being passive, Africa responded vigorously to European attempts to establish a presence on the continent; furthermore, Ethiopians were exploring the city streets of Europe long before europeans visited Ethiopia or any other part of sub-Saharan Africa. The first European to visit Ethiopia was an Italian, Pietro Rombulo, who made the journey in 1407; Ethiopians had visited Italy in 1306--101 years earlier."

I find it really interesting that the Ethiopians went to Europe and other places abroad before the Europeans did, yet somehow the Europeans still had the upper hand in influence and power. However, on page 358 it talks about how the Portuguese were "impoverished by comparison" when talking about the Swahili coast. During this situation, the Portuguese were scared and they responded aggressively in a few different situations..leaving a trail of misunderstandings and conflicts.