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The rainbow never sets


"Yes, I guess that's what the new regime is aiming at." "So, where are you heading for now?"

"My next appointment is in Papua New Guinea." "Will you be going there straight after we arrive in Melbourne?" "I'm actually going to Sydney on this ship. I will be staying there with my order for a fortnight, and then I will sail on another ship to Port Moresby."

"That should be very interesting." "I'm sure. And what about you? Are you going to Melbourne?" "No, I am also going to Sydney."

"What are you going to do there?" "I don't know yet. In Bremen I was in the wool trade, and I hope to get a job as a wool buyer somewhere. I've got a friend in Melbourne, but I don't know anyone in Sydney."

"Why then go to Sydney and not Melbourne, if you haven't got a job lined up?"

"Funny that you should ask that. I don't think I can answer that in any definite way. You see, there was a possibility to join a friend of mine from Bremen, who went to South Africa, but because of the political situation there I was not interested. Then I read quite a bit about Australia, and I seem to have developed a special liking for Sydney."

"Probably because of it's beautiful harbour and the beaches?" "Could be. I have always loved the water and am keen on swimming, but also the climate. There is more sunshine in Sydney than in Melbourne, and people are far more interested in outdoor life, their gardens, picnics and excursions into the bush. You know, I spoke to one person who had lived in Sydney, and he said that even on a hot day people can expect a cool sea-breeze in the evening."

"Is that so? Well, you seem to have worked it all out, I only hope that you are not going to be disappointed."

"I know it's going to be difficult at first, especially as I don't know a soul in Sydney, but as long as I get a job in the wool trade, I'll be all right."

"I wish you luck." "Thanks, I think I'll need that." Easter Saturday we sailed past Crete on our way to Port Said, where we arrived on Easter Sunday. We were all excited as the captain let us go ashore. The Padre, Sister Eva-Maria and I decided to go together. None of us wanted to buy anything in particular, we just wanted to stroll through the bazaars and soak up the exotic atmosphere, which for us Germans was a most unusual experience. I actually liked to talk to the hawkers and without intending I found myself bargaining with them. We bought a few souvenirs, which seemed extremely cheap to us. We also went into a street-side cafe and I had my first taste of Middle Eastern food, encouraged by the Padre.

"Why didn't you go with the doctors and the others overland to Cairo


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