Climbing Mount Sinai
And the Lord descended on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. (Exodus, Chapter 19)
For a long time we dreamed of meeting the dawn on Mount Sinai, but something always got in the way and plans were postponed to the next year. Sharm el Sheikh booked specifically to get to Mount Sinai. We decided this time 100% - we will ascend. Ironically, I came to Sharm with a cold, and again I had to reschedule my plans. This time for 3 days.
We bought a tour from a "street" agency for $25. USA per person. Prepared thoroughly. Sweaters and small sheepskin coats, water, a thermos of coffee, a scarf for visiting the temple were put into backpacks. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip. I also bought mine for climbing Hoverla. Here it comes in handy again. In the evening we were picked up from the hotel and taken towards Dahab. Brought to the icon shop. The story about the icons itself was short, we waited a long time for everyone from our group to make purchases. At 24-00 we were already at the foot of the mountain. We were immediately attacked by poncho sellers. Everyone promised that if we didn’t buy a poncho, we would definitely freeze. We broke through the sellers, and went to the foot.
We were given a flashlight for a couple and a guide. The ascent was about 8 km, physically not easy, not everyone will rise. Some can't stand it and hire a camel. The first kilometers were hindered by cameleers and camels. They walked ahead of the groups, behind, groups or towards. Everyone asked 120 times: “Do you want a camel? ” Everyone promised that whoever does not take a camel will not climb the mountain. The air was filled with the peculiar smell of a camel. Camel tracks were on the trails, and then on the shoes.
As the height increased, the number of human camels began to decrease. Night, pitch darkness, only the dim light of a flashlight. We slowly climb the mountain, it becomes more and more difficult to go, the weight of acquired sins begins to be felt. Thoughts turn to eternal values, to spiritual principles. Complete unity with nature. In the pitch darkness behind you, right in your ear, you hear: “Do you want a camel? ”. I remember in time that it is a sin to swear on the Holy Mountain.
Let's go higher. Every 500 meters there is a halt equipped as a cafe. You can buy tea, coffee, chocolate, water. There is a place to sit down for a few minutes. The trail ends and comes the penultimate spurt to the last halt - 950 stone steps, of different heights and widths from different stones. The stones are slippery. Dress comfortably. Shoes should be sturdy with good grip. This section is the most difficult, going up steeply. It's hard to breathe, my legs hurt. But you reach the last halt. We spent 1.5 hours there. All this time, the Bedouin persistently offered to rent blankets. The arguments that I was in a winter sheepskin coat did not work on them, but these are trifles.
Before dawn, we went up a little more and ended up on the very top of Mount Moses. There we waited for the birth of a new day. It came very quickly and swiftly.
In a few minutes, the mountains changed hundreds of shades. I have never seen a more beautiful sunrise, words are powerless to describe, it must be seen.
A person who met the dawn on this mountain is considered completely forgiven from his sins. The feeling was just that. I forgot to say, that day was my anniversary. This is not a trite way to celebrate a birthday by making yourself an unforgettable gift.
Morning has already changed night, you need to go back down. I look with horror at the stone steps and see how narrow and uneven they are. This is not visible at night. There is an abyss below us, I suddenly remember that I am afraid of heights. The head starts spinning. I try not to look down, we go down to the trails. Rests are no longer needed. The cameleers and cameleers look at our group with disappointment. Now 8 km down, but there is already a feeling of lightness, despite the pain in the legs. We did it, we defeated ourselves, our fears, fears, laziness, disbelief in our strength, the severity of sins. You need to do this at least once in your life!!!!
Moses was tending sheep to Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. One day he led the flock far into the wilderness and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. 2 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a thorn bush. And he saw that the bush of thorns was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Moses said, I will go and see this great sight, which is why the bush does not burn. 4 The Lord saw that he was going to look, and God called to him from among the bush, and said: Moses! Moses! He said: Here I am (Lord)! 5 And God said, Come not hither; put off thy sandals from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 And he said (to him), I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus, Chapter 3)
Next, visit the oldest Orthodox monastery in the world - the monastery of St. Catherine.
The same Biblical Burning Bush grows on the territory.
It's worth the time, at least once in your life. We examine the monastery itself in the form of a fortress. There are blooming gardens and countless practically tame cats on the territory.
We go to the temple. You can't shoot there.
The temple looks like many other Orthodox churches, only there is a special feeling of peace and light in it. For small donations, you can put candles, order prayers. You can just pray and feel touched by the birth of the Christian faith.
Tired but happy, we are going to Sharm. On the way it starts to rain a little. Probably fortunately!
