Cicognani diary, 1 November 1914-September 1915 / Henry Claude Cicognani - Page 41

[Page 41]

of English. Melbourne is a fine model city & from the point of situation, etc., is, no doubt, a long way ahead of Cairo, but for novelty, grandeur, & variety Cairo is incomparable with anything in Australia & our French friend who was travelling for his health, told us the same applies to Europe & Great Britain.

The Museum is a very large building. I intend going there, as there are some most interesting exhibits to be seen. The zoo is also a very fine one. There are botanical gardens which I hope to visit. I saw a church in my rambles with a large notice, stating that it was the Free Church of Scotland. "I wonder if I shall visit it". Last Tuesday I was working at the railway yards at Cairo with a fatigue party fixing up our horses & moving them on to Mena. The tram system is very up to date. We come in from Mena to Cairo, a distance of ten miles for 1 piastre (2½) which is half price. The journey takes 45 minutes.

Altho there is nothing but sand where we are camped & for miles on one side as far as the eye can reach, it does not fly like Bondi sand & is quite comfy to