This was our last day in Egypt on the way to Jordan.
I had a choice.
I could get up at 2:30 in the freezing morning and spend 2 hours climbing up Mt. Sinai or I could just let Art climb it and take lots of photos for me to see when I was warm and comfortable. Hmmm... what to do... what to do.
Matt warned me that I should think twice about doing the climb since I have weak ankles and had twice sprained it badly on a couple of other trips. Awwww....
Art got beautiful shots of the sunrise atop Mt. Sinai.
However, he missed seeing the sign that said Camel Path which was supposed to be the quicker way down and took the 3700 Steps of Repentance instead.
He was a bit embarrassed about keeping everybody waiting at the bus as they wondered what happened to him. However, he did get a whole bunch of great photos. This is St. Catherine's as he scrambled down the mountain.
After breakfast, we went back to see St. Catherine's Monastery. It is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world.
I was really impressed to see the actual (transplanted) Burning Bush. I thought it looked like a rose bush. When I checked on Internet, I discovered that it does belong to the rose family, Rubus Sanctus.
And then it was on to Jordan.
OMG, Kay! I've dreamed of going to Saint Catherine's for yeeeeears, and here Art accidentally walked right by it, I laughed out loud!
ReplyDeleteThe British Museum has their Codex Sinaiticus that was stolen from them years ago, and refused to return it when they asked. That just makes me want to break into the Museum somehow, steal it back, and take it St. Catherine's before I'm caught. Or (far more likely a scenario) write a novel about it. LOL Other parts of the Codex are scattered to other museums anyhow. But it's a wonderful ancient place.
Someday!
wow, that's exciting!
ReplyDeleteOh! what a fun post, Kay! Love reading about your trip! What an adventure! Really exciting! Glad you haven't had anything else to write about so you could share this with us! Love the photos! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
you saw the burning bush? amazing and even got to sleep in. lol!
ReplyDeleteKay, here's a question, how would you say that travelling the world has enriched your life? Has it changed you in any significant/particular way that you've noticed?
ReplyDeleteI just caught up on your posts. What an adventure you had! And one of my other blogger friends recently visited St. Catherine's. She didn't mention climbing Mt. Sinai, though.
ReplyDeleteI am like you, Kay -- prefer to let others hike and take pics for me to enjoy later...
ReplyDeleteLike Art, I kept the group waiting on the bus when I took the wrong exit in Korea!
What wonderful memories you and Art share of the wonderful trips you've made. How nice of Art to bring you back lots of photos!
ReplyDeleteSusan: Art didn't miss St. Catherines. He missed the shorter Camel Path down Mt. Sinai. Therefore, he had to do the 3,700 Steps of Repentence which is much longer.
ReplyDeleteYour story about stealing the Codex Sinaiticus out of the British Museum would be fun. I know they have a lot more stuff that countries would love to steal back, too.
Wenn: It was.
Sylvia: Thanks, Sylvia. It really was a wonderful, exciting trip. I was nervous before going but everything turned out well.
Lin: I have to tell you seeing the Burning Bush was a huge surprise that I didn't expect. That was amazing!
Christine: You asked very good, thoughtful questions, Christine.
Has it enriched my life? Definitely! When we hear news from around the world it's a lot more real and you feel the pain acutely. When we read books or see movies, we can relate more to the words because we've been there.
Has it changed me? Yes! I think we've always tried to be open and kind to everbody we meet so I don't think we treat people differently. However, it's just a warm and beautiful feeling to know that everybody around the world is just like us. They have the same needs and wants. They love their families. They're curious about others and they want to be friends.
We were sitting in a very small Jordanian neighborhood eatery with a couple of Aussies, a Brit and another American and everybody around us were so friendly. They loved it that we were having a meal with them and enjoying their food. We couldn't understand their words but we understood their smiles.
Quilly: Hmmm... but maybe her husband did?
Gigi: I'll tell Art. He'll feel better.
Cheryl: I agree. Most of the photos from this post are Art's, I must admit.
Having just climbed up and down the cliffs of Ein Gedi, Wadi David, and Wadi Arugot, I can say I can understand why you were tempted to stay in bed. If someone hurt a foot on these desert trails, don't know how they would be rescued.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Art did a great job of photographing for you.
Too bad he had to do all those extra steps, esp. when he doesn't have much to repent for. But think of the monk who CARVED all those 3700 steps in stone!
Back in the early 70s I went with my Chicago Rabbi and his group to Santa Katarina. But they were tourists with limited time and enough money, so Moshe arranged for the trip to the monastery to be with airplane and bus.
I've really enjoyed reading about your trip.
ReplyDeleteDina: Airplane? Not on our tour, that's for sure. We did everything the rough and tumble way. I sprained my ankle in New Zealand in the forest. Nobody around. I had to use a stick as a crutch and limp out. No fun.
ReplyDeleteIt must have taken the monk decades to finish the steps. I hope he had help.
Laughing Housewife: That's great! It was a lot of fun to relive this exciting trip.
Wow..what a view and what a long walk. I would have taken your choice also Kay...
ReplyDelete