Twenty years around the world

"Twenty Years Around the World" by John Guy Vassar is an account of the author's extensive travels during the mid-1800s. The story follows Vassar's personal explorations across different continents and into the cultural landscapes that he discovered. His journey begins in February 1839 with a voyage to Havana, with the author providing detailed descriptions of the harbor's defenses, the lively docks filled with working songs, and the distinctive Volante carriages. The opening introduces readers to Cuban life through Vassar's observations of architecture, routines, and experiences in local plantations, foreshadowing his broadening encounters with people and places around the world.