Item 01: Irene Victoria Read letters from her husband, 27 November 1914-1 November 1915 - Page 100

[Page 100]

The streets were wide, there were some fine shops & public buildings & numerous open air cafes. The whole atmosphere of the place was distinctly that of a large French Town. After some refreshment at the Windsor we went to a café chantant listened to the music & singing, drank several cups of the very excellent Egyptian coffee & smoked innumerable Egyptian cigarettes. We then drove to the landing stage in a carriage drawn by two beautiful grey Arab ponies, dismissed our dragoman & got back to the boat at midnight.
Friday 15th January
On duty all day – nearly all the officers ashore – in the morning a telegram came from Col. Martin from Cairo informing us that we would probably all disembark at Alexandria. In the afternoon the large American cruiser "Tennessee" entered the harbour & came to an anchorage close to us. She had on board a large number of refugees from the Adriatic.
Saturday 16 January
Went ashore in the morning with Majors Carter & Campbell. We called on the Secretary of the Khedival Club & were made Hon. Members of the Club. We saw the members of the Bourse buying cotton – owing to the war very little business was being done. We next visited the Museum & spent half an hour in the musty atmosphere of mummies, ancient coins & Green & Roman antiquities. One of the best things