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A Journey to America

N. Aulia Salim
1954
United States (Original Language: Indonesian)

From the Preface These letters were not written at first for publication. When we were heading out of the country, one of my relatives asked that I write letters telling stories of our adventures. They wanted to know everything about our journey from beginning to end. Because our relationship was friendly and our tastes much …

A Journey to Shiraz

Sakineh Soltan
1905
Shiraz, Iran (Original Language: Persian)

On June 1 1905 at the command of His Majesty Mozaffar-od-din Shah and the request of Soltan ‘Abd-ol-majid Mirza ‘Ain-od-dowleh and Her Highness Shams-od-dowleh I had to go to Shiraz with Her Highness Anis-od-dowleh. For several days I was busy with the arrangements and paperwork for his lord Mo’tasam-ol-molk, my husband, who was to take …

Address

Safia Jabir Ali
1920
London, England (Original Language: English)

Text from a lecture on a trip to London: As to the city of London, you have all heard and read of it. I am sure, so I shall not weary you with descriptions all the wonder full things I saw there – the old and new palaces, the huge buildings, the enormous traffic, the …

Manifestations of Light

Nur Begum
1933
Mecca (Original Language: Panjabi)

Arrival in Jeddah [Getting off the boat,] there was chaos and confusion all around As everyone searched through the luggage looking for their name. As soon as we got off the boat and set our feet on the dock God granted us our first sight of the Arabs. There was a stone kiosk beside the …

The World in the Eyes of a Woman

Begum Sarbuland Jang
1909
Damascus (Original Language: Urdu)

City life in Damascus Two-horse carriages can be had very cheaply here, and can also be found at any time. Phaeton carriages and other vehicles are also widely available. In our India, the common people use simple yakkas and tongas, while here fine carriages are the norm. We finally arrived at the doors of the [Umayyid] …

Sea Travel during War

Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah
1940
Mediterranean Sea (Original Language: Urdu)

We left for India on 6 January by Viceroy of India.  We were commanded to arrive at ship one day prior to departure, so that the ship can leave whenever appropriate. Due to war, there were lots of problems in getting out of England. We had to sign on thousands of forms. We had to …

A Tour of Holland

Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah
1939
The Netherlands (Original Language: Urdu)

In the last weeks, my husband had to visit Holland for government related work. I also accompanied him. Holland is a small country in Northern Europe, and for the last two centuries it hasn’t played a prominent role in European politics. Even though the struggle for freedom against Spain in the sixteenth century had great …

The Book of Life

Qaisari Begum
1936
Medina (Original Language: Urdu)

In Medina Now it was time for us to travel to the holy city of Medina. My heart was bursting with happiness. When the dawn of that blessed day arrived, we went down the stairs of the chambers we were staying in and waited for the car to arrive. First, we went from Mecca Mu’azzama …

American Letters

Herawati Latip
1941
Barnard College, New York, NY (Original Language: English)

Across the Pacific August 24. (pg. 19): How queer that after having been two years in Japan, I finally met the right girlfriend on the boat bringing us to America. I just met her tonight. She is Japanese, not that pale white woman face, but she is just like any other modern girl. Modern in …