People believe that the Italian born explorer first went to sea when he was only ten years old. His first voyage, in search of new trading routes between Europe and India, was in 1492 . Christopher Columbus left Spain and sailed west with three ships, Santa Maria, Pinta and nina. After five weeks he arrived at the Bahamas. He thought it was India, but he actually discovered the new continent America. On the next trip he made, he took seventeen ships, bringing back lots more exotic foods. Pumpkins, for instance, coming from Mexico, and pineapples from the Caribbean.