The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-15

It is not a snobbish desire to rub up
against the patchoui and rice powder
of European dollhouse aristocracy, be-
cause nearly all Americans flock by
themselves and make disparaging re-
marks about other nationalities, and
vice versa.
No doubt the one great reward Of the
ieties Of his fellowman. Cairo is the
pousse cafe of humaDity-probably the
most cosmopolitan city in the world.
The guidebooks talk about rock tombs
and mosques, but the travellers find
their real enjoyment in the bazaars and
along the crowded streets and en- the
sheer banks Of the Nile, which stand
out as an animated panorama for
hundreds of miles. The first hour in
of tedious travel. Once more in the
sunshine, the soft but gamey odor of
Orientalism soothing the nostrils, a
lively chatter of unfamiliar languages;
an intervening throng Of turbans,
gowns. fezes, swarthy faces; the patter-
ing hoofbeats Of spangled donkeys and
the stealthy sweep of dignifed camels
80 much to see that one needs four
pairs of eyes to catch all parts Of the
picture and at least half dozen fount-
ain pens to keep score Of the attrac-
tions.
j. !. +
The first hour in new land! It Is
that which repays the patient traveller.
1t gives him the gasping surprises and
the twinges of delight which are not to
be found in southern California or at
Palm Beach. And it is the very first
hour which is memorable and crowded
with twenty-four karat emotions. Be
cause. after about two hours,
l a NrNsaC 4 =
to his new environment and is
beginning to be blase Along about
/ the secona day when the guide at
/ tempts to- dazzle him by showing
another variety of bazaar he murnis.fs
Chestnut - and suggests going back to
the hotel. :
! IL may afford consolation to the large
number Of people who remain at home
to know that only about 5 per cent of
foreign travel is really worth while.
Mr.. Emerson g beautiful law of COM
pensation holds true in regard to travel.
just as it applies to all other things
that are coveted by mortals. You must
pay for what you get. not in money
alone, but in hardships, annoyances and
long periods Of dumb, patient waiting.
i. j. !.
The better half Of one Of the honey
moon combinations that came with us
from Naples told a plaintive story.
in weather that was wretched beyond
description. All the way across the
Atlantic she had been desperately i'll in
her cabin. In London they found fogs.
In Paris it rained. And now they were
fighting their way thru storm in the
Mediterranean. Notwithstanding all
this she was trying to be cheerful, for
she believed that she would like Egypt.
The blesseaness Of travel is that
when the sun comes from behind the
| cloud and the new city begins to arise
from the sea we. forget ali the gloomy
days on board ship, all the crampy rides
in the stuffy railway compartments, all
the overcharges and vexations and
harassments and get ready to tear
ashore and explore new wonderland.
Who can forget the first hour Of the
first railway ride thru rural Englands
The story-book pictures that you have
seen all your life come true at last.
Or the first hour in London9 That
tall thing looming right in front of You
is really the Nelson monument and not
a papier mache deception put up for the
Entertainment of tourists
II. In the first hour of rickshaw riding
l In Japan L saw so much that was funny
and fantastic and nerve kinking that
at the end of the ride wanted to paw
the coolie for year instead of an hour.
: And how about the first hour nm tha
Grand canal in venice9 Or the first
hour in the tangled bedlam of Canton I
Z Or the first hour in front of Shepheard q
. hotel, here in Cairo, when it really
seems that a wonderful pageant has
been ordered for your special ioy.
With bullying eyes and whirling senses
you view the changing Kaleidoscope
and ask, in the language Of Mr.. Peas
e ley, els this on the level7'
Yes, travel is hard work. and vonr
true traveller is mighty grumbler.
but he goes in buoyed always by Tho,
hope of another ftfirst hourly