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[Page 8]
January 1916
of the Egyptians who are nearly all black & their customs are very funny. We disembarked from the good ship Suevic about 11.30 & went straight into the train which was waiting for us. The train ride which lasted 8 hours was very monotonous for the travelling was slow & half the journey was through the desert. We passed through some very good agricultural country which is spotted with palm trees & gives a very beautiful scene, We disentrained at Zeitiun [Zeitoun] at 7-30 am & had to march about 1 ½ miles to camp at Heliopolis. When we arrived at camp we were put into a hut & were issued with two blankets & a good hot cup of coffee & were told that we were not recognised for twenty four hours & that we could have leave the following day. Next morning we had to fall in for inspection & roll call at 10 o'clock & then were dismissed for the day. After being dismissed two others & myself set out for Ciaro [Cairo]. We travelled by electric tram & when we reached Ciaro after twenty minutes ride. When we got out at Ciaro we went into the European Quarters first & it had some fine building in it & then had a look at poorer parts & it is absolutely the most filthy & degraded place Ive ever seen & likely to see. The Y.M.C.A. have a fine place situated about the centre of the city & inside the Ezbekieh Gardens. We left early for Heliopolis & had tea & then went for a walk round the town & it is a fine