Ida Uhse on a camel's back at Mena House Hotel

ON A CAMEL'S BACK

Ida Uhse on a camel's back at Mena House Hotel.

When Wilhelmina and Walther von Hallwyl were newly-weds, Walther spent a lot of time away and Wilhelmina felt lonely. She wanted company and someone to talk to. In the summer of 1878, Ida Uhse arrived from Germany. She became Wilhelmina's lifelong companion, but also supervised the servants' work and took on much of the responsibility for the household as a whole. Her role was somewhere between a family member and an employee.

The lady's companion was not usually considered to be one of the servants. She was expected to come from a similar background as her employers and her job was mainly to make conversation, help her mistress entertain guests and accompany her on journeys. Usually she would not receive a salary, but would be provided with food, accommodation and an allowance. Thus, she was sometimes more dependent on the family than those who were their employees.

Ida Uhse accompanied the family on all their travels and kept detailed diaries. Most of what we know about the trip to Egypt come from her notes.