Ida Winger's letter to family from Port Said, Egypt, 1928.

1. One letter ("Dear Ones at Home") and envelope addressed to Miss Edith Miller (Ida's sister).

Excerpts from, "Memories of...Manchester," by Otho Winger.

There were those who felt that I should take a vacation of a few months, either going to school or engaging in some form of activity that would be helpful to me and restful at the same time.  So just before the December vacation, 1926, Professor J. Roy Blough, representing alumni and friends, surprised me one morning in chapel by handing me a check for a thousand dollars that was for me to take a year's leave of absence, either for study or for travel.  It came as a complete surprise and was very much welcome, I assure all my friends. pg. 113.

At last all was ready, and we were off from home for New York.  There, on the 22nd of December (1927), we boarded th American Merchant ship and were on our way.  It seemed strange indeed to begin an experience of at least six months' duration with nothing to do but to travel and see and record our experiences. pg. 114.

When we started on this trip, I had no idea of writing a book.  I did feel, however, that I owed to our parents, to our children, and to our many friends some report and some impressions of this trip; so almost every evening, at least when I was where I could, I wrote up a report of the day's work in the form of a letter.  I sent these back home.  Those in charge of the chapel got hold of them and read them in chapel (at Manchester College). The "News-Journal " (local newspaper) of our little city heard of it and asked for these letters.  There were printed in the town paper. pg. 122.

....I found folks were more interested in these letters than I had expected.  On our trip we had taken hundreds of pictures.  I began to feel that I would like to make a permanent record of the trip, not only of the letters but also of the pictures; and so with very little change I arranged a manuscript that I called "Letters From Foreign Lands."  This book was published by the Brethren publishing House, Elgin, Illinois.  One printing was readily sold.  This paid for the printing of the book.  The book has made a permanent record of the trip, one that we can refer to with pleasure and refresh our memories on the things we saw. pg. 122.

Archivist's note:  The Archivist, Jeanine Wine, found letters and momentos from this trip encapsulated with accession numbers without paperwork or internet record.  Some of the letters are from Otho Winger, but many are Ida Winger's letters to family members, letters that were written in her hand on this trip..  Further research would need to be done to find out if any of Ida's letters are included in "Letters From Foreign Lands."  Otho appears to have taken a typewriter on his vacation.

Ida's letter is very descriptive, see excerpts below:

"I am dressed in my winter things, have on my sweater and wrapped in the Steamer Rug, and my feet are cold.  We have been looking in vain for warm weather.  None yet."  ......  "My blue dress tore out at the arm.  I cut a piece from my petticoat and patched it.  It tore in the other side but not much.  It is stained with orange juice and spotted with salt water.  The snaps tore off.  I put others on.  The collar is dirty.  I cover it-up with my sweater for I have to wear that all the time.  My stocking had holes in the heels.  I darned them.  One pair of shoes keeps me walking.  Some other things I will not mention.  But we are happy on the way."

"The Pyramids are wonders.  The big one too big for me to climb.  I did go inside with Otho and two Arab guides with candles and lights - When about half way I wished I hadn't - started.  So much stooping and walking down and up but finally reached the center, where there are two air shafts."

"I am a little stiff from riding the camel.  But really when they trot in pace it isn't bad if one were used to it."

Description prepared 21 April 2009 by Jeanine M. Wine.