Cairo And Port Said

So much was happening at once, it seemed. 

I was having a difficult time trying to take all of it in.
I do remember sipping some cold drink in a crystal goblet at an open air restaurant in Cairo, watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in the desert. The enchanting Nile was near by. The Nile, the longest river in the world! 
Cleopatra going up the River Cydnus in a magnificent barge - to meet Marc (Mark) Antony. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, the richest woman in Egypt, and Marc Antony, the handsome Roman triumvir  - the most famous Doomed-lovers in history. Or, may be you only remember Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. (Hollywood's new version of Cleopatra and Marc Antony on screen and off.)  No matter - famous lovers no less. 

Queen Nefertiti of 14th century B.C.! I still have a small carved-bone image of her, I bought it in Cairo or Port Said?  It was a wonder that I have kept her all these years through the many moves I have made around the world. And, I also have a miniature camel caravan of carved wood, each camel is about two inches or so in size - three camels with green packs on their backs, led by a man on a donkey. The thread is still intact! Yes, I do treasure them. May be my grandchildren will, too, after they have read My Story.

                                                 the caravan
We must have spent a night in Cairo, because we had time to visit the Museum in Cairo. There I saw a lot of the treasures of the Pharaohs, King Tut's (ooops . . . sorry, teachie) included; the solid gold death mask, the  jewel encrusted sarcophagus, the mummy cases, the mummies . . .
A bit eerie, but Most impressive! 
Years later, in London, I went to the British Museum and saw the many items the British took from Egypt - the enormous bas-relief parts and fragments of architecture from temples and other ancient buildings, and the many, many artifacts, I wondered . . .
There was much suffering for people in this world, years ago and now. May be forever.

There were also many very interesting buildings in the City of Cairo. An architect's delight, I imagine.

Alas, I had to leave this intriguing ancient city, so full of history and culture!
After a short stop in Port Said, I returned to S. S. Asia. We set sail, heading towards the Mediterranean. To Italy!