Palace Hotel, Damascus, Syria
May 30, 1920
Consul Young, a pleasant and accommodating young Virginian, lives in this hotel, and this morning he went out with me to buy some clothes for Ali. We wandered among the bazaars for two hours, and I got the most necessary things, for the poor beggar was beginning to look very disreputable. We have a galabiyeh among our own things at home, which he can wear on state occasions, and I am getting him some cotton ones (two), a girdle or two and a kuffiyeh. He looks very picturesque. Of course he will shed this kind of thing for all heavy work and cleaning for which we can clothe him in khaki, and in old things of Charles and mine. I am just writing out a contract which I will have him sign here before the American Consul. I am proposing to give him $25 a month, besides his food, lodging and clothing for 2-1/2 years, and after that $30 for a second 2-1/2 years, with the privilege of dismissing him at any time if his conduct proves unsatisfactory. I have forgotten to state that Ali speaks enough English so that you can get on with him. He can read and write and pores much over an Arabic cook-book!
Damascus: Straight street; the long bazaar showing the position of booths. (N. 4007, P. 7567)
For the full story of my exciting trip you should come to the special exhibit “Pioneers to the Past: American Archaeologists in the Middle East, 1919-1920,” at the Oriental Institute!
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