1916 Letter 3
Sorry I missed your birthday. Good wishes just the same.
Semiramis-Hotel
Cairo
Feb. 13, [1916]
Dear Mother –
Still no mail and a prospect of an early move which means another month or six weeks. Ain’t it awful?
Yesterday we got Rachill – the dragoman – and went through the bazaars. Of course it was an experience – for the streets are very narrow and extremely old. The shops are open to the street and little more than doorways. But I was very much disappointed on the whole. Bargains there were none – and as for Egyptian curios they were all hopelessly modern. The brass work was expensive and you could do as well at Eatons, almost.
I thought of getting you a large tray but in these times transport is so uncertain and duty for us even more so. Some people say our things go duty free but others think not and in most cases the duty would probably exceed the value to you.
Silk even in the bazaars is about the same as at home. I bought a very gaudy silk Kimona but that was all. My teeth are costing me £6 – after the iron in the water on Lemnos – I suppose – so I’m not buying very freely.
I got half a dozen prs. of Silk Knickers made - 4 of pongee Aunt Hattie sent me and one pink and one blue pair. We found the silk best as it took up little space and was easily laundered. I also got a cheap pair of Chinese silk pyjamas – I like them better than night-gowns.
It cost a small fortune to have my uniforms dipped they were all so faded. Some of the girls are appearing in gorgeous new ones of heavy silk or linen.
We have also spent a lot on sight-seeing. It is not safe to go anywhere without a good guide and that adds on a little too.
I suppose if one was an expert – there would be bargains in uncut stones and native jewellery but the books advise you that a great deal of it comes from Europe. We have to economize so in trunk room – we can’t take as much with us as if we were going straight back to England.
We are awfully comfortable here. Our room overlooks the hill and as I write the sunset with the pyramid in the distance is glorious. Oh Mother you’d love all this. Let’s hope that someday we’ll see it all together.
What is Don doing? Is he thinking of coming over? I often wonder if it wouldn’t be the best thing for him. But see that he gets into a good regiment and has a commission. I should think the A.S.C. would be a good place for him. His banking knowledge would be useful. I have to pinch myself to realize I’m here really.
Love to Papa –
yours always, Helen