Monday Ap 5. [5 April 1909] Off at 6.30. We had been told we cd not
go to Ctesiphon because the Tigris was out, but a charming Kurdish
zaptieh, Abd ul Kerim turned up and said it was all right and he wd
take us. There was in fact no water. We got down to the river Tigris in
about 31/2 hours the last half hour through the mounds of Seleucia.
We camped under the mud brick wall of the city to the N. Blazing hot.
After lunch I went across to Ctesiphon and photographed and took
notes. Very impressive standing by its marsh. It will not stand much
longer however. Near by is the Mazar of Suleiman Pak. There was
an 'aid and pilgrims were camping in tents near it. So back to tea and
a short rest. Then wrote my Babylon article. We crossed the river in a
kuffa which is a round basket pitched outside. It revolves on its axis
and so proceeds. Sand flies.