introduces the author's motivations and preparations for his journey to Ethiopia, sparked by a commercial expedition planned by an industrialist. Early on, Vigoni reflects on the emotional dilemmas involved in leaving loved ones and expresses a mix of excitement and apprehension about the unknown. The narrative captures the anticipation leading up to his departure from Italy and his initial encounters as he travels through Egypt, including descriptions of the landscapes and the diverse characters aboard the ship. As he moves closer to Ethiopia, Vigoni’s insights begin to reveal an overarching theme of discovery and exploration, setting the stage for his detailed exploration of Ethiopian life and culture in the chapters to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)