New Zealander’s Impressions of Life in Bagdad

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

New Zealander’s Impressions of Life in Bagdad

An interesting visitor to New Zealand has been Mrs Gerald Nairn, wife of one of the Nairn brothers who explored the Syrian deserts and blazed the trail from Damascus to Bagdad. They set up a motor transport service for mails and passengers between the two cities, thus becoming pioneers of transport for that part of the world. | Before leaving on her return to Bag*, dad, Mrs Nairn gave some interesting ' details of life in that city. She explained that in Bagdad throe separate days are set aside for worship t —the Mohammedans observe Friday, the Jews Saturday, and the Britistt Sunday. On Sunday, as well as on other days, the sheiks regularly hold a race meeting, as racing is a favourite sport. The sheiks race their little fleet-footed Arab ponies and great crowds, including King Khazi and the British Ambassador and their friends, attend, making these gatherings important social affairs. 4 4 Elevenses’ * At 11 o'clock each day the womfln enjoy what they call the 44 elevenses.'’ They meet to talk and drink an aperitif, sometimes in a cool underground room called the serdab. It has a special brick floor which, every morning, is deluged with water for coolness. The blinds are drawn and the womon pass a pleasant hour, but if a sudden sandstorm springs up. they experience much discomfort on their homeward journey. Dinner is at 9 o’clock, and many visit the club to dance or play bridge. After sunset is the favourite time for playing tennis, badminton, or golf. On the King’s Birthday each year a garden party is held in the beautiful grounds of the British Embassy, where the British Ambassador and his wife receive the guests and all the other Ambassadors are invited.