M. R. Parkman, a young woman, kept this diary (3 vols.) while on a trip to Egypt and the Holy Land in 1871. Entries describe stops at Alexandria, Cairo, Thebes, Heliopolus, and going by way of the Suez Canal and Mediterranean to Jaffa, thence to...
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M. R. Parkman, a young woman, kept this diary (3 vols.) while on a trip to Egypt and the Holy Land in 1871. Entries describe stops at Alexandria, Cairo, Thebes, Heliopolus, and going by way of the Suez Canal and Mediterranean to Jaffa, thence to Jerusalem for the Holy Week. Parkman describes visits to Jericho, the Dead Sea, Jordan, Bethany, Bethlehem, and other locations, describing eastern dress, customs, streets, houses, shops, villages, and other notable sights from her travels. She also occasionally comments on native living conditions, farming, and other matters The diary includes descriptions of mosques, pyramids, a trip through Cheops, a visit to the Coptic Christian Church, and a trip up the Nile River on a small steamer, including stops at the temples of Karnak, Luxor, and Ammon at Thebes, the tombs of Beni-Hassan and Apis, the obelisk at Heliopolis, pyramids at Memphis, and the scenery along the Nile. Also described is a trip to the port of Jaffa and the party's arrival at Jerusalem Entries include comments on traveling conditions, sleeping in tents, and travel by horseback. Parkman describes visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, David's Tower, and other traditionally holy spots, as well as the Armenian and Russian quarters of Jerusalem. She describes the religious ceremonies which took place on Good Friday and Easter Sunday; visits to the tombs of Nicodemus and Joseph of Aramathea, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Mount of Olives. While on a journey to the Dead Sea and the River Jordan, she visited the Church of the Nativity, cave of St. Jerome, tomb of Abraham, "Place of Wailing" (Western wall), and Ramla. She then returned to Jerusalem and Jaffa
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