In reply to Karlheinz Bergmann (msg # 42):

Haji smiled as he placed 3 rifles in the boot of the other car. "Do not fear. We shall protect you." He was wearing a white gellabiya robe with turban on his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Thu 27 Feb 2014.

"I think your plan for back-up is a good one KH.  Let's go ahead and see what we can find."  He looked to the two women.  "Would you care to change ladies?  We can pack the weapons and ready the cars while you prepare."

In reply to Haji Basara (msg # 43):

Like Haji, his older brother Faruk was armed with a Mauser C96 pistol. This weapon was practically ubiquitous in this part of the world, thousands being made locally. He loaded it by pushing a clip of cartridges down into the magazine through the top port.


This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Thu 27 Feb 2014.

"I believe it is time, Cynthia, to once more go undercover.  At least a temporary one.  Let us go change once more and see how well we can blend in shall we?"

"Of course. Gentlemen? I trust you'll be ready to address any threats that come our way."

With that, Cynthia heads back to her room to change.

Molly followed Cynthia up the stairs and started to look through what she might wear.  Soon she was pulling out her clothing to show Cynthia to see if it would be acceptable.  For a brief moment the pressure of what they were doing was pushed back.  Then Mungo came out to play and give her opinions.

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 48):

Although she was wearing a European summer style, Marjyan assisted the ladies in choosing something more Egyptian to wear.

"Do you wish for the full face veil, the niqab? Or just the head scarf, the hajib?"

Tony

"A full face veil, I think. While that may be slightly less common here in Cairo, it's certainly more common than pale skin and freckles."

JM nodded to Cynthia and Molly.  "We'll do our best to keep everyone safe.  We'll have plenty of firepower certainly."

The Count looked at the offered robes:

"Are we all to go in such disguises or could we still have a small party of tourists ?"


OOC: Sorry if this was covered in game. I am on very limited internet and can't easily read back.

"The women are going in robes, headscarves and veils. My wife is fitting them now.

"For the men, I believe JM, Roger and KH are all going in mufti, that is, local civilian dress. I will be dressed like a Bedouin in gellabiya and kufiya (kheffiya). You and Mr. Perkins can choose between khaki tourist dress and pith helmet, European suit with tarboosh (fez) or lower-class Egyptian dress such as gellabiya and turban or kufiya."

Keeper's Note: The image of a pith helmet or "sun helmet" seems somewhat silly to us now but was almost universal European headgear in the tropics in those days.

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 53):

"Excellent. I hope what I am wearing may suffice for a tourist out in the big city ?"



The Count is dressed in a blue cotton three piece suit, silk shirt finished off with one of his panama hats.

In reply to Alexander Hussein Mahfouz (msg # 53):

"Right you are. I have something similar to what you describe, including the pith helmet. As for weapons I will take my FN Model 1910, it is small and very concealable and I think the Count has his revolvers."

"Give me a second and I shall change."

Mr Perkins is back in a short space of time wearing a cotton khaki tropical dress uniform and helmet.

JM went with Alexander and changed into suitable clothing.

The two parties set out by motor vehicle across the Great Nile Bridge, separating Gezirat Boulaq (the island holding many mansions like Alexander's, the opera house, the Gezira sporting club, embassies and palaces) from the city. Once off the island, the boulevards were wide with narrow cross-streets. Dust was everywhere, along with soot and the smell of dung and automobiles.

And the people were everywhere, leading camels, oxen, donkeys, carts, wagons. A few driving lorries and automobiles. As this was still spring and the real heat was not yet upon them, dress for both men and women was a little colourful than the white robes worn during the summer. Heads were covered by skull caps, turbans, tarbooshes, the hijab and niqab.

Children ran alongside the open touring car as they cautiously made their way through the city, calling out to them. Those that spoke Arabic knew they asked for sweets, for money, for any kind of gifts. The children kept up as long as they could before dropping back. They also passed an enormous number of beggars sitting in the shade of the buildings and on the corners, of all ages and sexes. Crying in Arabic, "Alms for the love of Allah!"

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 57):

While driving, Salim turned to address Roger.

"Sir, we will stop at the government house on Maidan Tahrir. "Liberation Square". My master has given me papers to give to you, Roger, sir. A passport, with your picture but someone else's name. A genuine document. You must be registered or else risk being deported.

"Just a formality."

From his seat in the rear of the vehicle the Count watched the city pass by in fascination. He had for many years wished to visit the Land of the Pharaohs. He read on the history of the country voluminously and had amassed a sizeable library on the subject in London. With the decline in the interest of Egypt and the Pharaohs after the Victorian period there were many fine works including manuscripts available for rather reasonable prices, especially for someone in the trade.

His own research on the witch cults of Western and Eastern Europe had curiously thrown up several connections with the Middle East and he was finally here.

He waived at the children as they followed the car, but did not continue the sweet giving tradition the effects of the exercise were evident when they came across the older beggars.

Mr Perkins felt very much like he old self even in such a foreign country. Donning military uniform, however sanitised made him feel somewhat more relaxed. He wore no other military items apart from the uniform itself and would not look out of place in Cairo.

He took the seat next to the driver and was glad of his cotton uniform as they drove through the city.

JM felt immediately at home on the crowded, busy streets of Cairo as he recalled his time in the service just after the Great War.  He spoke enough Arabic, although of an accent of the Levant rather than Egypt to understand the children as they begged. "A dynamic, busy city built on the outskirts of the realms of Pharaoh.  It's so much nicer now in the spring before the heat comes in."

The city hadn't changed much from his time serving in eastern Egypt and the Levant during the Great War, or his tour after in Iraq with the RAF. Not far to the south was the City of the Dead, the vast necropolis on the outskirts on the desert. Perhaps the Count could feel it pulling him towards its dusty tombs and population of shunned outcasts? Here in the city and along the Nile there was some greenery, mainly palm trees and manicured hedges.

They arrived in Tahrir Square, an immense plaza with a fountain in the centre. Bordering the square were notable buildings like the Egyptian Museum, the Nile Hotel and other upscale establishments, the palm-shaded campus of the American University at Cairo, and the massive Omar Makram Mosque.

The two cars parked a distance apart, to avoid arousing suspicion. Roger was escorted by Salim into the main government office building. Soon, they emerged, having paid bribes to register Roger's alias as a visitor to Egypt so he wouldn't be deported if picked up by police.

Passing from Tahrir square to the nearby park of Azbakiya gardens, they passed more hotels, the Cairo Opera House, and the Coptic Cathedral around the octagonal plaza. As well, the newspaper building where Alexander's friend Nigel worked.

Cairo/Khedival Opera House

Finally, they navigated through the narrow streets of the Old City to arrive at the Street of Jackals, just up from the Street of Jackals and down from the Street of Potters. It was too small for automobiles, so they parked.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:02, Sat 08 Mar 2014.

Salim studied the narrow Street of Jackals.

It was wide enough to admit an oxcart or two in passing, but due to the throngs of people the car and the lorry could barely fit.

The buildings leaned in towards each other over the street, with opposing wrought-iron or plaster balconies a couple yards apart at most. The air was thick with the stench of charcoal and cooking meat, leavened by the scent of spices and herbs from the shops lining the street. There was a more pungent odour of dung from the laden donkeys led by boys and camels led by Bedouin with their faces hidden. As always, the beggars cried out from the corners and along the building walls.

It was just short of midday, yet the Street of Jackals was somehow shrouded in shadow, redolent with ancient mysteries.

"A thousand pardons. I should have realised there would be no way to take the motor car and the lorry in there. We shall need to proceed on foot or devise another plan."

"Well Molly, shall we?" Cynthia offers her hand.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 64):

Molly smiled at Cynthia and took her hand.  "We shall.  Once more on solid ground we go forth in search of the truth."  Molly paused for a moment and then grinned.  "I must remember that.  It would be a good line in a story wouldn't it."

The Count exits the vehicle and straightens his suit before looking at the general melee of people and animals around them. He nods his head at Mr Perkins as he steps into the road and wordlessly falls in beside him as they make their way towards the shop of Faraz Najir with Salim leading the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:56, Sun 09 Mar 2014.

JM is excited to be back in Cairo and eagerly takes in the sights, the sounds and even the smells.  He breathes deeply as they drive and his eyes are shining with excitement.  When they finally stop he nods and dismounts.  "There is more danger on foot but at least we won't garner attention with the cars.  Let's go."  He will head with the others down the crowded streets toward the shop.