Drinking From The Ganges

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Mt. Sinai

Mt. Sinai lays on the Sinai Peninsula, in the Asian part of Egypt, boarding Israel, Jordon and Saudi Arabia. Mt. Sinai rises to 2285m.  There are 3750 step of ‘repentance’ that lead to the top of the mountain, which were apparently laid by one monk as a form of penance. It is believed by the Christians, Muslims and Jews that God gave his ten commandments to Moses at Mt. Sinai.

There are several ways to reach the top of Mt. Sinai, by riding camels on the ‘camel’ trail, walking up the camel trail *the last 750 stairs, must be done by foot* or climbing the 3750 stairs of ‘repentance’. 

‘What would Moses do…..to reach the top’?

He would take a camel up the mountain *that’s what smart people do, right*…..what did Rachelle do??? well, I decided to climb up the ‘3750 steps of Repentance’ to the top of Mt. Sinai!  The climb took me about 2.5 hours of ‘huffing and puffing’ my way up!  I must admit  the climb up was ALOT of work, out of the five of us that actually took the steps up, I was second to last!  Really sad and pathetic.  I guess that’s what happens when you take an extended vacation, too much eating and too much drink…now I cannot climb mountains or fit into my pants!  Once i did make it to the top of the mountain, the view was gorgeous, made it in time for sunset, which cast an amazing color over the surrounding mountains.  The stars were so vibrant, they looked so close, i could almost reach my hand out into the sky and grab a star or two…..regardless of the excruciating amount of energy and calories I had to burn to get to the top, it was well worth it.  I think Moses would be proud….and regarding the monk who layed the bricks, i think he miss counted, there HAD to be well over 5000 steps or so it felt like it!

Nuweiba, Egypt

My final stop in Egypt, before heading to Jordon was Nuweiba.  Nuweiba lays on the Red Sea on the Sinai Peninsula.  Nuweiba is considered a resort town, however it is not as touristy as its counterpart Dahab and the much more ritzy resort town of Sharm-el-Sheikh.  Basically, the two days I spent in Nuweiba was all about rest and relaxation and that is exactly what I did.  I stayed in a hut right on the red sea…so, when I opened my door the sea was at my doorstep.  The accommodations where basic, but the view and the tranquility of the place more than made up for it. 

Following my two days rest on the Red Sea, I took a 45min boat from Nuweiba to Aquaba, Jordon.

Aswan, Egypt

I took an overnight train from Cairo, Egypt to Aswan, Egypt.....which takes about twelve hours (Egyptian time:).  Aswan lays on the Nile river.....the Nile is the largest river in the world (the Mississippi river being the second largest).  The ... [Continue reading this entry]

My first introduction to Cairo, Egypt was at 3:30am on Tuesday June 17, 2008.  I was picked up  by a driver from my hostel, along with two other travelers staying at the hostel.  We all gathered our back-packs and followed the driver to a ... [Continue reading this entry]