Mount Sinai- Jebel Musa

Map

Starting in September, I took an online class called "Egypt and the Bible" from Jerusalem University College. We spent 3 months learning about Egypt; the timelines, Pharaohs, and history related to Egypt. I learned many things and really enjoyed the class. I loved our Professor, Dr. Paul Wright, who was very knowledgeable. He made the class interesting and inviting. After the 3 months our class met in Jerusalem at the school for a 10 day field study where we toured Egypt for that time. On the last day in Egypt we hiked Mount Sinai. At 1:30 AM we met and started our ascent. I chose to ride a camel up to the base camp. What a ride! I can still see in my mind the darkness. It was just me, my camel, and it's owner. He shared with me his coat half way up. It was very cold. This was in January so temps at night were extremely cold. Besides the cold, it was a wonderful ride. I don't remember when the last time I could see the stars so clear. The mountain was bare and ridged but beautiful in it's own right. I couldn't help but think about Moses and his familiarity of the terrain and the Sinai. How this place must have been so important to him and God. So amazing!

We got up to the base camp 1 1/2 hours later. Needless to say, this man had to drag me off of his camel because my legs and feet were numb and frozen. That was crazy. We spent a while in their tent thawing out. I actually had a cat come and sit on my lap and we kept each other warm! After our class met at the camp we started our ascent to the top. It was 750 rock steps to the top. I struggled and had a local gentlemen helped me to the top, stopping many times a long the way. We were in the clouds and the rocks were icy. That was a tough hike but well worth it! We got up to the top just in time to see the sun rise. We had clouds hiding the sun but it peaked through brilliantly! So, a great experience! I walked all the way to the bottom with many friends and classmates, enjoying this experience and time together!!

Here are the Pics from that day!

Mt. Sinai at 2 am!

Up the road to the start of the accent.

I rode a camel up to the base camp. 1 1/2 hours

Here we are warming up in the tent.

At the top waiting for the sunrise!

Here comes the sun!

Spectacular!!

On our way down. Frozen and slippery!

Monastery seen at the bottom.

Happy to see the sun!!