Informal Politics: Street Vendors and the State in Mexico City by John Cross. |
|
The Monastery of Saint
Catherine in Sinai : History and Guide |
Informal Politics: Street Vendors and the State in Mexico City by John Cross. |
|
The Monastery of Saint
Catherine in Sinai : History and Guide |
Read about Mount Sinai and the
Monastery of Saint Catherine
Or get more information about Sinai on the web
 |
From the top of Mount Sinai you can watch the sun rise over the world Here is the fabled spot where, according to the Biblical story of "Exodus", Moses climbed the mountain and received the 10 commandments. Thousands of people hike for 3-4 hours to the top of Mount Sinai, located near the tip of the Sinai peninsula in Egypt, to see the sun rise over the mountains, perhaps reliving the "burning bush" that Moses saw. Of course, it means that you have to start at about 2 o'clock in the morning and walk until the dawn. We don't have any pictures of the way up, but it isn't as frightening as it might seem, since the entire path is lit up by the candles and flashlights used by thousands of pilgrims. There are also some camels provided by local guides who can take up the sick or lazy--as long as they are not afraid of riding five feet off the ground on a swaying animal on a narrow ledge. Personally, I prefer my feet on the ground. |
| There is a small church on the top of the mountain, where some of the pilgrims pray. We were happy to just be able to rest a little from our exertions. See more about Mount Sinai (Mount Moses) on the web. |
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These steps, hewn out of solid rock, guide the visitor up for the last 300 or so feet of the ascent, since there was no way to make a normal path over the large boulders. |
| Here you can see a part of the path that winds its way down the mountain. Seeing this the morning after, it is hard to believe we climbed up this path in the dark. |  |
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In the mouth of
the Eagle At the bottom of the mountain, in the pass leading to the mountain and just outside the Monastery of St Catherine, there is this interesting rock that looks like the gaping head of an Eagle. It was irresistible for John and Alex. |
| At the entrance to the path to Mount Sinai is built one of the oldest active Monasteries in the world. The Monastery of Saint Catherine has been at this site since the 6th Century. See more about St. Catherine's Monastery on the Web. |  |
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The
monastery complex is quite large, consisting of the
central church and dormitories. Inside the tall wall
built to protect the monastery from marauders and
bandits, there are broad alleyways. On the left Alex
waits outside a dark tunnel. On the right it looks as
though we are waiting for a lift. You
can read more about the Monastery of Saint Catherine and
My Sinai in
The Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai : History and
Guide |
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| The Informal Family in Maadi | The Informal Family visits Giza |
| The Informal Family at Saqqara | The Informal Family in Alexandria |
| The Informal Family in Aswan/Luxor | The Informal Family In Sinai |
| The Informal Family on the Red Sea | The Informal Family in Egypt |
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Please!!! ...send me comments or questions! |
