In a Syrian Saddle

In the early hours of a crisp October morning in 1903, a small, eclectic party leaves Jerusalem bound for Jericho. The Lady, a learned doctor, two sportsmen, and a renowned epigraphist set out on a rugged caravan of eight horses, each laden with goats‑hair packs, tin cups and carefully chosen provisions. Their journey is narrated with a dry, witty eye for the oddities of the Holy Land, from fragrant coffee served on dust‑covered furniture to the absurdity of trying to impose English drawing‑room manners on desert hospitality.

Among the companions, the professor stands out in his flamboyant scarlet headcover, a henna‑dyed Circassian horse, and a satchel of cigars and a long wooden pipe that never leaves his side. The two local mukaris, agile as the animals they tend, add a layer of practical humor as they navigate endless desert stretches without water or grass. Listeners are invited to share the playful banter, the meticulous logistics of saddle‑bags, and the palpable sense of anticipation as the convoy turns toward the ancient walls of Jericho.