Letters from James Joseph Makin to his family, 1915-1916, Part 3 of 12

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 
WITH 
H. M. FORCE IN EGYPT 

Zeitoun 
Cairo, Egypt.  
11/ 3/ 1916 
  
Dearest Mother & Father, 
This is my third day in Egypt 
and second in Cairo. I chanced  
to be in the city this afternoon and on entering 
the Y.M.C.A. Gardens I was struck 
by the notice "Mail closes for Australia 
at 4 30 p.m.," so I thought I would 
write you a few words. I have only  
half an hour in which to do it. 
I spent yesterday afternoon walking 
round the city sight seeing. It is a 
strange place at first to an Australian, 
narrow streets, and tall white buildings 
and thousands of native urchins 
and vendors worrying you at every 
turn to clean your boots, sell you  
a cane, post cards or souvenirs of

2/                                                                                                             
Egypt.  I find it is good policy to 
have your boots clean and to carry  
a cane; it saves you endless bother 
saying ishmi "imshi" ("clear out") 
I went along all the main streets 
and saw the chief buildings in the  
heart of the city, including the  
famous Shepheard's and Continental 
Hotels. They are magnificent buildings 
and it is only permitted of officers  
and nurses to enter. I continued 
along the street in which they are 
till I came to a bridge over the  
Nile ( You have a P.C. of it, which Les  
sent - a tall native policeman standing 
in the street in the foreground) The 
Nile is a splendid broad stream at 
this place. On the other side there are 
fine gardens along the bank. Here one  
sees many of the well educated Egyptians 
reading and walking (some arm in arm)

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION  
WITH 
H. M. FORCE IN EGYPT 
.................................................. 1916 
  
3.                                                                                            
This writing place is in the open 
air alongside a skating rink on 
which there are always dozens of 
brawny sun-tanned Australians flying 
round playing hockey. There are 
also a good tea rooms in the vicinity 
where one can enjoy good tea and 
coffee and good cake. 
They are singing out that the  
mail is about to close so I shall  
have to stop now. 
With love to all, 
Your loving son,  
Jim. 
P.S. I am trying to locate Les 
through the Base Records' Office. 
I shall shortly know his whereabouts.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION                                                   
WITH 
H. M. FORCES IN EGYPT

Zeitoun, Cairo, 
Egypt, 
18/3/1916 
  
Dearest Mother and Father, 
On coming in to the Y.M.C.A. tonight I 
heard that there is another mail for Australia 
closing tomorrow afternoon, so I am taking 
the chance of sending you another few lines. 
I sent you several cards and my diary last 
mail as well as fo two handkerchiefs for Ruby  
and Gertie, which I hope will reach you 
alright. I also sent two to Essie and a card  
to Harry. I have not had any letters so far, 
and I can assure you I am looking forward 
to some news. I bought some silk things last 
night in Heliopolis and posted them today in 
Cairo. I registered them, so they ought to reach 
you safely. The blue shawl, table centre, and  
cushion cover are for mother, and the white scarf  
for Ruby. The little handkerchief was put in 
when I was trying to get him to take off some 
discount. The things are brand new and you need 
not be afraid of any germs on them.  The shawl is 
a good one and cost £1, the scarf 11/-, table 
centre 8/-, and the cushion cover 6/-. I am sure 
I have got good value, - as good as one can get in 
the shops at any rate. The stuff you buy in the 
streets may be cheaper but one knows nothing of its 
history. There is also more risk of being taken in.

2/                                                                                      
I have not had much opportunity of seeing the 
sights of Egypt since I last wrote. We always  
seem to be on some duty or other. This afternoon  
(Saturday) was the first chance I have had to go any 
where this week, and as we do not know how soon  
we may be leaving here, I went out to the Pyramids 
to see what everyone who has been in Egypt is 
expected to see. I was unfortunate in striking 
a very disagreeable afternoon. It was very windy 
and the dust was lifting off the desert in clouds. 
It rained slightly too whilst we were about to get  
our photos taken alongside the Sphinx. I am  
taken with three others, - two brothers named  
Matthews from Murchison and a friend of theirs. 
I hope they turn out alright. If they do, I shall 
send them along next mail. As I flew along  
in the electric tram towards the Pyramids I 
could not help thinking of Les and how often he 
must have made this trip during his four months 
at Mena. The irrigation along the Nile is 
wonderful. There are green crops as far as the eye 
can see on each side of the Mena Road. 
At the Terminus the Pyramid of Cheops looks a  
wonderful size. It is not merely built on level 
desert but on a high eminence compared with 
the very flat irrigation country between Mena and  
Cairo. From the high country around the Pyramids 
you can get a fine view of Mena Camp, where  
Les put in some strenuous weeks in training for 
Gallipoli and its rigors.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 
WITH 
H. M. FORCES IN EGYPT                                                                    
..................191 
3/ 
I did not attempt to climb the Pyramid 
today. The sand was blinding and the wind  
strong. I contented myself with examining 
the Sphinx and the neighbouring underground 
temples. It would take too long to describe  
them or tell their history just now. I mean 
to make another visit, if possible, and climb the 
Pyramid. From the summit you can get a  
fine view of the irrigated lands on a fine 
day. I had my first ride on a camel 
this afternoon,-from the Sphinx to the tram at 
Mena. 
I am enjoying camp life at Zeitoun. 
Although we get very little spare time and plenty  
of guard duty, we are nevertheless contented. 
We do not know how soon we may leave Zeitoun 
for another camp or to the Canal. We have 
had a few very warm days and many cold  
nights. I have got a card acknowledging my 
enquiry for Les but no particulars yet of his 
location. I met a lad who was with him at 
Gallipoli. He tells me that it is 100 to 1 he will  
not come back to Egypt on account of its hot summer. 
I am glad for him but sorry not to see him.  
I must stop now as it is getting near 
closing time. 
With best love to all 
Your loving son 
Jim