From Egypt to Japan

A vivid travelogue captures the restless spirit of two American adventurers as they leave Europe behind and set sail toward the distant East. Their journey through the Bosphorus, past the bustling ports of Constantinople, Smyrna and Syra, and into the sun‑baked waters of the Mediterranean is narrated with keen eye‑detail, from the mournful cries of the muezzin to the chaotic scramble of boatmen at Alexandria’s harbor.

Onboard, a kaleidoscope of passengers—pilgrims bound for Mecca, Turkish judges with their secluded harem, and a mix of Europeans and locals—creates a microcosm of the old world’s cultures and religions. The author’s observations of the pilgrim procession, the clatter of knives, and the solemn prayers against a backdrop of endless sand give the reader a palpable sense of the era’s travel hardships and the awe inspired by ancient lands such as Egypt, with its pyramids and timeless myths. This first act invites listeners to feel the excitement and uncertainty of crossing continents in the age of steam.