Quarentine and Sinai Penninsula

Quarantine

Well, the title says it all. Today we are docked in Sharm El Sheik, on the tip of the Sinai peninsula. Home of Mount Sinai, Bedouin tribes and some of the most fantastic diving on the planet. But sadly, I am stuck in my room on solitary confinement. I went to the doctor this morning with Liana as I was still sick and she had come down with a bad case of pink eye, and faster than you can blink the nurse put us on quarantine and took away our sea passes. I’ve had free room service, free pay per view movies, free mini bar (like I feel like drinking!) – but alas cannot leave the room. Not even to go on deck to see the port. Big sad face....

But at least Randall got away today. He took Clara on a day tour to St. Katharine’s monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. It’s a Greek Orthodox monastery that has been in continuous use since the 4^th century ad! Clara was so very excited as I’ve been reading her bible stories and she loves the one about Moses and the burning bush. And this monastery claims to have a bush that is descended from the original burning bush (how you would know I have my doubts, but hey, I’m glad she has her fledgling faith)....

When they returned in the afternoon Clara’s face was just glowing. They had a fantastic time.

Leaving the coast they traveled through the blistering desert with wild camels and Bedouins dotting the sandy landscape. The monastery sits in an oasis at the base of the jagged Mount Sinai. The Greek Orthodox monks have been the bastion of Christianity in the area since the 5^th century AD. Inside the monastery is a plaza highlighting the burning bush. Passing through the plaza you enter the hall of icons, which is filled by the spirit of belief that the generations of monks have held in this place. The power of the centuries fills you. Incredible artwork and mosaics. The ghosts of the pilgrims who would have crossed such hardships to get there. The view of Mount Sinai rising out of the river of sand, spiky and craggy. It wouldn’t be hard to picture Moses receiving the ten commandments in this place.

Randall said it was absolutely amazing. His exact quote was “when you are there, you almost have to believe” – and those are some strong words from a guy like him.

And to make Clara’s day complete she got to ride a camel named “Whiskey” down from the monastery. I loved hearing her tell the tale. She’s growing up so fast.

Tomorrow we are traversing the Suez canal and will be reentering charted waters, at least for us grown-ups. The Mediterranean Sea is calling.