SCALING THE PYRAMIDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2364, 21 January 1915, Page 6

SCALING THE PYRAMIDS

AUSTRALIANS IN EGYPT. TOURIST RESORT CHANGED. The Australian and' New Zealand troops were having a gay time in ligypi when the last mail left. According* to the "Egyptian Gazette" numberless Australians, broad of shoulder, sturdy of limb, and well set up, were exploring the insorutable Sphinx and the PyI'amids—and suffering considerably from the impositions and extortions of street touts, cabmen, etc., in Alexandria and Cairo. "It has been suggested," the "Gazette" says, "that the present military arrangements would deprive Cairenes of their favourite outing to. the Pyramids. A military camp on the Pyramid plateau was conjured up, trenches and barbed wire on the path leading to the Sphinx were imagined to be unavoidable, some speculations concerning the position of guns en the Sphinx and Pyramids have been even overheard! It is quite possible that it may come as a real disappointment to our alarmist friends to hear of the peaceful, unaltered condition on the Pyramid Road, and of the ever smiling Sphinx. "The change must be looked for at Mena, usually open to the health-seek-ing tourist, now given over to the military authorities. Australian officers are masters of the terrace which generally holds such a cosmopolitan assembly. Troops of soldiers and stacked rifles occupy the front garden, and all the usual local colour has vanished. "Immediately helow the tennis courts a broad military road has been cut, leading to the racecourse and beyond, right to_the foot of the opposite hills; down this road Australian troops are marohing-, horses still somewhat stiff from the voyage are being exercised; forage carts, laden high with meat, provisions, tenting; all the necessary camp accoutrements pass down. Private carriages and motors find_ their way thither, their occupants intent on visiting the huge Australian camp laid out in big squares, throughout the whole length and hreadth of the wide valley at the hack of the Pyramids. "Here we wander over the fine new military roads, past camp kitchens, tents pitched in even rows, stacks of provisions commandeered from off some German merchantmen. The steam-Toller impedes our way, ■ stables are being erected. In long rows the horses are tethered, some are heing led to water in the valley. Everywhere, on all sides, there ia stir, hammering, pitching of tents, frizzling of ioints over huge wood fires, and pickets_ marching out. "A bugle oall sounds in the distance; cheery greeting come from all sides. and bright faces, energy, strength, and. activity are evident. And over it all a hright Egyptian inn is smiling." The "Egyptian Gazette", is publishin? a midnight pdition for the troons, and in it each day is a block rhowing the coinage of the country (actual gi ze ), with the value. This, according to the paper, lias been found necessary for the protection of Australians, as moneychangers have been found taking advantage of th« soldiers who wish to fliange notes and Australian sovereigns.