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

It is not snobbish desire to rub up
against the patchouli 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
persistent traveller is to find new var
ieties of his fellowman. Cairo is the
most cosmopolitan city in the world.
The guidebooks talk about rock tombs
and mosques, but the travellers fnd
their real enjoyment In the bazaars and
along the crowded streets and on the
sheer banks Of the Nile, which stand
out as an animated panorama for
hundreds Of miles. The first hour in
Cairo is compensation for many an hour
Of tedious travel. Once more in the
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
so much to see that one needs four
pairs of eyes to catch all parts of the
picture and at least half dozen fount-S
ain pens to keep score Of the attrac-
tions
| j. !. +
The first hour in a new land! t is
that which repays the patient traveller.
It 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,
| the American has adapted himself
heon h15 new re- he environment h1sns and
j the second day when the guide at.
j tempts to- dazzle him by showing
another variety of bazaar he murn,rrs
f. Chestnut - and suggests going back to
the hotel.
/ It 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 I
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.
The better half Of one Of the honey
moon combinations that came with us
from Naples told 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 a storm in the
Mediterranean. Notwithstanding all
this she was trying to be cheerful, for
shee, believed that she would like Egypt.
The blessedness of travel is that
when the sun comes from behind the
cloud and the new city begins to arise
from the sea We forget all 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
The story book pictures that YOU have
seen all your life come true at last.
Or the first hour, in London7 That
tall thing looming right in front Of you
is really the Nelson monument and not
papier mache deception put up for the
Entertainment of tourists.
1. In the first hour of rickshaw riding
In Japan saw so much that was funny
and fantastic and nerve kinking that
dt Che euu u Ine. rue wanted TO pay
the coolie for year instead of an hour.
And how about the first hour up the
Grand canal in Venicea Or the first
! hour in the tangled bedlam Of Cantonf
( Or the first hour in front of Shepheard =
: hotel, here in Cairo, when it really
: seems that a weNderful pageant has
} been ordered - your special ioy.
, With bulgip yes and whirlinp senses
you view changing Kaleidoscope
and ask, 1I the language Of Mr.. Peas
Eley, Is this on the level7o
Yes, travel is hard work, and your
true traveller is a mighty grumbler,
but he goes in buoyed always by the