Summary

While boarding a two-day steamer from Piraeus to Alexandria, the unnamed narrator expressed his disappointment at the size of the ship, wishing he had taken the journey through alternative means. He compared the overcrowded vessel to a refugee ship, noting the limited size, especially on the lower deck, where people could only have access to sleeping space. He was on the top deck and had access to a bunk and cabin. Among the travelers were Egyptian Greeks who had been exiled from Egypt after the revolution despite years of economic toil, and now were returning as tourists. A couple of Lebanese businessmen were also present, along with American and Egyptian college students. The most notable passenger was a tramp who was traveling by himself and spent the time either talking to himself or drawing in a Yugoslavian...