August 5, 1999
On August 5 I woke up at 1:30 am so that I could get ready to climb Mt. Sinai. I started the climb with a Bedouin guide at 2:30 in the morning. Because I was sick, several times while climbing the mountain I had to sit down and rest. This made the climb longer than usual, however, I was near the top at sunrise, at a location the guide said was nice, and then I was able to complete my trip to the top of the mountain. After climbing the mountain, I visited St. Catherine's Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai. At St. Catherine's, they have what they believe is the Burning Bush and a well which Moses used.
These pictures were taken near the peak of Mount Sinai, while the light was getting better but the sun had not yet risen.
These images are taken during and right after sunrise at the spot near the peak of Mount Sinai. These images were taken between 6:00 am and 6:15 am.
These images were taken at the peak of Mount Sinai. There was a small chapel (the first of these pictures) at the top of the Mountain. These was a replica of one which had been made by the emperor Justinian.
On the way down, this site was quite beautiful. The green bushes sort of made it look like an oasis, however, this can not be seen too well from the picture.
Two images of Mount Sinai from my hotel room, after walking down the mountain.
The top of a tower at St. Catherine's Monastery.
Tradition (Christian and Jewish) declares this to be the Burning Bush.
Tradition declares this site to be the site of Moses's Well.
Two pictures taken of St. Catherine's Monastery: one at the public entrance, and the other of the monastery from a distance.