Sinai Peninsula
Well, today did in fact begin at 1 AM. Nine of us were up and ready to go. 7 rode camels and 2 walked. (Ann & I walked) All the way up, in total darkness, there were guides that kept calling out camel mister. I think they saw in me a good candidate to not make so they tried extra hard. One even followed us for about ½ mile. The trek was fairly steep in paces but there were rest stops – with vendors – strategically placed. We met the others where their camel ride ended at the foot of the final 750 steps. After a bit of a rest we got to the summit at around 5 with sunrise at 5:30, perfect timing. No wonder Moses stayed up there for 40 days, it would have been a tough commute.
After we walked down and went back to the motel to change and eat, the entire group toured St. Catherine’s Monestary. A very old and very typical Greek Orthodox Church.
After the monastery we got back I the bus and headed for Cairo, again the Exodus in reverse. We stopped at Rephidim and acted out Moses having Hur and Aaron hold his hands up for victory over the Amalekites, Exodus 17. Next came the traditional sight where the Lord gave them Manna at the oasis of Elim, Exodus 16, and finally the oasis of Marah with the bitter waters, Exodus 15. Lessons in all about trusting the Lord.
We finally got to our hotel in Cairo at about 8 p.m. after going under the Suez canal on the way. Tomorrow the pyramids, the Cairo museum and another short night leaving for the airport early the following morning. And as for now this day has already been too long.
Well, today did in fact begin at 1 AM. Nine of us were up and ready to go. 7 rode camels and 2 walked. (Ann & I walked) All the way up, in total darkness, there were guides that kept calling out camel mister. I think they saw in me a good candidate to not make so they tried extra hard. One even followed us for about ½ mile. The trek was fairly steep in paces but there were rest stops – with vendors – strategically placed. We met the others where their camel ride ended at the foot of the final 750 steps. After a bit of a rest we got to the summit at around 5 with sunrise at 5:30, perfect timing. No wonder Moses stayed up there for 40 days, it would have been a tough commute.
After we walked down and went back to the motel to change and eat, the entire group toured St. Catherine’s Monestary. A very old and very typical Greek Orthodox Church.
After the monastery we got back I the bus and headed for Cairo, again the Exodus in reverse. We stopped at Rephidim and acted out Moses having Hur and Aaron hold his hands up for victory over the Amalekites, Exodus 17. Next came the traditional sight where the Lord gave them Manna at the oasis of Elim, Exodus 16, and finally the oasis of Marah with the bitter waters, Exodus 15. Lessons in all about trusting the Lord.
We finally got to our hotel in Cairo at about 8 p.m. after going under the Suez canal on the way. Tomorrow the pyramids, the Cairo museum and another short night leaving for the airport early the following morning. And as for now this day has already been too long.
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