Letter from Dora Giffen to her family, October 1, 1925

American Mission, Fayoum, Egypt.
Thursday, October 1, 1925

Dear Ones:
Here I am, way late again in writing. You will just have to forgive me. This is the first day of the month, and there are still left a lot of things to do today, - taking over the house keeping is one of them, - so I have gotten up rather early for me in order to get an hour’s writing in before breakfast at seven. What I don’t finish by then, I will hold over until then next time.

First of all, let me tell you about my visit to Port Said. It was certainly worth while and I enjoyed it immensely, even if it and my strenuous two days shopping in Cairo did leave me a bit tired. I have not quite recovered yet, for there have been a thousand and one things to do this week.

I left for Cairo last Wednesday noon, Sept., 23rd, expecting to go on to Port Said that evening, since the latest word I had had was that the City of Harvard was expected on Thursday. Hardly fifteen minutes after I had gone, a telegram came saying that the City was coming in on Fri. morning. When I reached Cairo I went up to the Mission House in order to get a few little errands done in between trains – such as leaving films to be developed, taking Laura’s watch to the jewelers (mine has been keeping perfect time), seeing about having her coat dyed, etc. The first person I saw was Bill Mintier who told me that she had thought perhaps I would not get Mr. Henderson’s telegram in time, so she had made arrangements for me to spend the night with her. She is living at Mrs. Harvey’s now, - perhaps I should say at Mrs. Birbari’s. I did a few little errands that afternoon and evening, and the next morning started out immediately after breakfast to get a good headway made on my list of things to do – buying sewing materials for the school, music books, heavy paper for kindergarten books, and this, that, and the other.

Six o’clock, Thurs. evening saw Bill Mintier, Venna Patterson, Mr. Skellie, and me aboard the train for Port Said. We were joined at Benha by Susannah H., Bernice Warne, Elizabeth Kelsey, Mr. Henderson, and Mr. Reilley, the two latter going over to meet the entire Egypt party and get them out of customs. At Zagazig Frances Patton got on. We were some party! Quite a number from Zagazig station were down to see us pass through, then again when we came back, the whole Zagazig “station” was down to 2) welcome the new-comers and us all with lemonade. Getting in to Port Said at 10:15 P.M. we spent the night in the Marino Palace Hotel quite comfortably. We had taken our suppers with us from Cairo and eaten them on the train. After breakfast the next morning, we went out to the City of Harvard, which had been in over half an hour. We got there at 8:00 o’clock to find them all looking for us. Mr. Reilley, I believe, had sent on ahead of us the names of those who had come to see the boat. I was nearest the getting-out end and so was the first one out of the little motor boat and up the steps. Frances was right there at the top and said she could not believe it was really I. It was awfully good to see her, Agnes, Miriam, Cousin Jane, Lois Boyd, and all. I got your kisses. It think everyone looked natural, although I wish Frances were looking a little better. After seeing me she said she guessed it agreed with a person to be a missionary. I hope it does with her. Janet Nesbitt told me the first thing off the bat how much like my mother I look. I had never seen her before. Fifteen of us got together, went off the boat, and scouted around Port Said the four hours we had. Of the fifteen twelve were from Muskingum; those who weren’t were Flora Hormel, Evelyn Cathcart on their way to India, and Venna Patterson (from Egypt). I wonder if you can figure out who the twelve were. There were seven of us from Egypt who went down to the boat; Frances, Cousin Jane, Agnes, Lois Boyd, and Janet Nesbitt. We were quite a jolly party, ivisting the stores, going down through the market, taking a two-horse-trolley ride, etc. We got a lot of talking in, too, although most of what we said was not worth much. The City of Harvard was due to leave at 12:00, and our train at 12:30. At elevent we gathered at the hotel, had gazooza, and then, when a few minutes before twelve the India bunch went out to their boat, we got in carriages and went to the station. I hope Frances does not find the rest of the trip too lonesome without Miriam and Leander. They had had a good time on the way out. I guess Frances and Leander did their part to keep the boat pepped up.

The McLaughlins, both sets of Finleys, Quays, and Pollocks, also the Shaubs, were with us on the train going back. The McLaughlins and Leander Finleys left us at Zagazig, so did Susannah. We had a good dinner in the diner of the train before they left; and had a good visit with folks all the way up. Of course there were a lot of Cairo folks down at the station to meet the ones just out from the U.S. Mrs. Dr. Henry said she was so glad to see me looking so well. The Henrys are in Cairo. I went to Aunt Callie’s to spend that night, - but must stop here as it is breakfast time.

To be continued in my next. Lots and lots of love from your own Dora

Had such a good letter from home on Monday. Martin’s letter was enclosed. Also received papers telling of the Shenandoah wrecking.