Chapter 4, South Cairo 1930-1938 Summary

The English patient is a member of the Geographical Society during a period when great explorations are taking place in Africa. The English patient is a member of a team that is attempting to map the greater part of the Gulf Kebir Plateau, searching for the lost oasis called Zerzura. The exploration is difficult. They survive many dust storms, at times having to continue to move during the night to keep from being buried by the sand. The English patient and his team of explorers made several discoveries, traversing the desert with the Bedouin on foot and in cars with large, balloon tires. The English patient loves the desert, finding it a place where a man can be anonymous, wishing to live out his life there.

In 1936, a man named Geoffrey Clifton joins the exploration in order...