Letters written after Paris en route to Egypt and en route to India.
(November)
To Miss Alberta Sturges
[Swami Vivekananda sent the following postcard.
[Constantinople,
November 1, 1900]
Dear Alberta,
How are you? I am having a grand Turkish time.
Yours,
Vivekananda
[On a postcard, picturing the old decayed fortress walls of Istanbul, Swami Vivekananda wrote the following note.]
[Postmarked: November 1, 1900]
Dear Christina–
I am having a good time here. So I hope you also are having in Detroit–
Yours truly,
Vivekananda.
[On a picture postcard showing dervishes and local fish merchants, Swami Vivekananda wrote the following note.]
[POSTMARKED: CONSTANTINOPLE
November 1, 1900]
Dear Margo [Margot], the blessings of the howling dervishes go with you — Yours in the Lord,
VIVEKANANDA.
P.S. All love to Mrs. Bull.
V.
[On a postcard, showing the temple of Hepaistos, popularly called Thesion, Swami Vivekananda wrote.]
[Postmarked: Athens,
November 11, 1900]
Great fun. I write without the possibility of being written to, as I am changing place all the time. How do you do?
Vivekananda
PORT TEWFICK
26th November, 1900.
DEAR JOE,
The steamer was late; so I am waiting. Thank goodness, it entered the Canal this morning at Port Said. That means it will arrive some time in the evening if everything goes right.
Of course it is like solitary imprisonment these two days, and I am holding my soul in patience.
But they say the change is thrice dear. Mr. Gaze’s agent gave me all wrong directions. In the first place, there was nobody here to tell me a thing, not to speak of receiving me. Secondly, I was not told that I had to change my Gaze’s ticket for a steamer one at the agent’s office, and that was at Suez, not here. It was good one way, therefore, that the steamer was late; so I went to see the agent of the steamer and he told me to exchange Gaze’s pass for a regular ticket.
I hope to board the steamer some time tonight. I am well and happy and am enjoying the fun immensely. How is Mademoiselle? Where is Bois? Give my everlasting gratitude and good wishes to Mme. Calve. She is a good lady.
Hoping you will enjoy your trip.
Ever affectionately yours,
VIVEKANANDA.