The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-13
LIFE in AN OASIS.


Gazette
the oasis of Biskra, In the Algerian des-
not at al arduous, and can be accomp-
nshed direct from London in four days,
IL From Narseilles the comfortable
steamers of the TTansatlantique company
ana once weekly via Bona, the direct
crossing taking thirty hours From Phil
their journey at Constantine. that inland
tnroneQ on It's isolated plateau OF rock.
IS unique in the world. Interesting as it
motel accDmnodat1on.an accusation which
cannot be urged against Biskra which
possesses ar least one trst class hotel in
toria, the Oasis the Des Zibans etc
clean, comfortable and moderate enough
70 SUIT everyone means. The Royal Is
the most modern, and has large inner
court laid out as a garden an extensive
nat roof, ana n1naret, whence the gor-
geous desert sunsets can be viewed to per
lection, and a splendid view. from the
river, the Oued-Biskra- to the Sahara and
the picturesque range Of hills the DJel'el-
hotel. attached to the Casino has an es-
cellent restaurant and cafe. the prices at
francs a day. At Biskra is rarely rains.
though heavy tropical showers are not
unknown; bright sun and blue sky are
the rule; there is no damp. and the pure
dry air of the Sahara is of incalculabIe
by no means the appearance Of a resort
OF 1nEalids only; the little town wears a
gay French air, has excellent shops and
bazars. public gardens, in which roses,
heliotrope, hibiscus and bougainviilea vie
~ PERCUSSION and col0ring. a highly ORR
entail looking marie, a French fort gar
xison and military club all picturesque
ly contrasting with the Arab life which
to unaccustomed northern ewes is the
Very quaint and interesting are the ma
tive streets, the market seIlare with rs
huddsed groups of white rObed Arabs, the
lang1Iid PROFESSIONS of ladcn and weary
camels, the tunnel shaped avenues of mi
mosa. and the villages altered about
the oasis, screened and overhunx bv
countless waving date palms not less
cause his guide with frigid accuracy. in
toms him that the oasis contains not less
than 100000 of these self-sarnc palm trees
IN this indolent land there is vet plenty
for the energetic to do; the mornings can
8ainTn -es-Saiafin. SIX kiiomefers onf
bathing establishment built over the
springs which have a natural heat of liz
degrees Fahrenheit As this heat is how
ever, extremely enervatng 20 the bather,
t IS advisable to order the bath before
reasonable temperature. The tramway
which runs to the baths masses first I'M
quisite oasis Of Beni-Aora. out into the
desert, taking about three-cuarters Of an
hour.
In the afternoon there are excursions,
driving, riding on horses or canels. to the
and. after dinner, concerts, operettas.
petits cheavaux, and baccarat at the Ca
cafes in the town where may be seen
the native girls dancing their strangely
monotonous accompaniment of Arab
music, strident tom-toms and ear piercing
accompaniment to the distracted thoughts
of the listener, while he sips the sWeeten-
ed coffee and smokes innI,merable cigar
cites, The rather squalid haunts of the
haShlsh smokers may also be visited; ex-
tells, all of whom speak French and some
q httle English; 1ravelers VINO visit Bis
or Two only; put IL IS really worth a
longer visit. A fortnight certainly can be
which the expedition by diligence to the
important oasis and city of Pugart can
shooting within easy reach; channels and |
the mouhon, which are really Barbary /
E<antara, and for these expeditions the |
services of one of the numerous trust /
feature Of Blskra is the curious villa of 4
Count IandOn, which he kindly allows to i
pc shemn 70 Visitors during the atter-
noon me various rooms are not under /
one roof. but are isolated and distributed 4
in different parts of the splendid tropical /
gardens, IN which are successfully accli- |
matized many rare fruit trees. shrubs /
and other plants Very charmingly do /
gardens. remote from the noises Of the /
town, remote from the world Screened |
cal vegetation, one can repose in the heat |
pc the day in the Arab salon where day
ing masses of vivid bolgainvilleas, stroll
alter through groves of feathery bamboo,
and orange gardens golden with fruit and
heavy with the voluptuous scent Of bios
som. and finally, watch from the river
terrace the scarlet glory Of the sinking
sun. must splendid of natures many
splendid pageants. most glorious of Gods
many glorious gifts. TRANSPORTING in a
jlaze of rose colOred fire the gray silhou-
cited outline of the distant Djebel- MetIfn
Ind touching with magical rays the golden
waves of the Sahara and the island
1ases of L.alia and Filiash.
This same sunset hour is one of the
iaily charms of life in the cesert. and the
northern traveller must stand spellbound
before such d riot of southern coloring. 1
should like to say that during a two
months tour in Algeria and Tunis in the
leight of the recent AnglophObia ! expert
need nothing but the utmost civlity and
-indness from all classes both of French
nen and Arabs. Where the reverse has
1een experienced may it not have been
nnan Hnhnn