Pilgrimage To Sinai Peninsula

written by Amira Lee 06/Nov/2013

Before Revolution

Endless pilgrimage lines continued to Sinai Peninsula years and years. People came from all of the world. The pilgrim from Western were mainly Christians, on the other hand people from Asia mixed with Muslims, Christians and Jews. Among of them the number from Asia was typically increased during last 10years. That phenomenon was definitely based on the economic development of those countries. To people who didn’t need to worry about food for family, pilgrimage to Sinai was not their dream anymore. Western, Asia, Africa and Middle-east were in almost-calm for last decade, and there were some battles in only ancient Mesopotamia area. And there was one more background of increasing pilgrims. That was strong and beautiful support of Egypt the Holy Land. In fact there were so many attractive and well known places in Nile Valley apart from huge deserts. That was why modern pilgrims used to make next plan of Sinai trip. Nobody could run away from its attempt.

People arrived at Sinai continuously, and followed the road – estimated the road – which a great prince and slaves escaped from Egypt millennium years ago. As what the prince must has, the 20century people believed also that they could overcome any unbearable situations if it was for their God. They never avoided from dry weather, hot burning wind, and sudden thugs in desert. It seemed there was nothing to bother those pilgrimage steps under the sky.. till the day comes in Egypt.


How To Go

Now there are several routes to Sinai pilgrimage. One is from main land of Egypt. People used to get the flight from/to Cairo, and mainly use vehicles from Cairo to Suez canal which is the gate of Sinai peninsula. The 2nd route is started from Hurgada via Sharm el Sheik the international resort city in Red sea by ferry, and use micro bus or local bus to St Catherine village. The 3rd route is also started from Cairo. There are many kind of buses. Delta bus goes 2-3times a daily, and micro buses are irregularly working but often. The 4th route is started from Dahab the heaven of international young backpackers. There are local buses several times a day. The 5th is from Nuweiba port which is connected with Aqaba port of Jordan by express ferry. From port city Nuweiba to St Catherine village local buses are working. The 6th is from Taba the border between Israel. There are regular Delta bus line, plus variable and irregular vehicles as well. The 7th is from Luxor by vehicles of private travel agencies. The 8th is from any places in Sinai peninsula by Bedouin’s jeep. And more.

According to each belief, pilgrims wear on their religions and go ahead to their own ways. However those ways do not represent very differences from each other. Although there are no cloud pillar/ no light pillar anymore, although there are not lack of foods and drinks anymore, people aren’t wonder direction. Modern pilgrims drive vehicles. Pilgrims who start from Suez canal arrive at Mara well at the first (it is called Oyun Musa in local language), then meet Bedouin children who play under the shadow of big Sitdim tree in the middle of desert, pass by Rubidim hill or climb – it’s not very high hill but there is no path to climbing, and finally reach under the mountain of Moses. From Suez to the mountain Moses it takes only 4-5hours including rest houses. However to people in present it is recognized as a long travel also.
The area where visitors can stay overnight is called Saint Catherine Village. When they arrive the village people have to be in a hurry to find out the place to stay because after sunset no one be allowed climbing mountains. Many travel agencies in all cities get the booking for accommodation.

In the early morning of next day pilgrims have to move to Mountain Moses by car. Because almost of them eager to see sun rising on top of the mountain. After checking by tourism police all climbers must employ one Bedouin guide by security policy for each team or for individual. Some people want to climbing by walk, some want to ride a camel for climbing. There are camel waiting lot after police checking point. People can see a huge old building suddenly. That is the famous Saint Catherine monastery. They allow strangers to enter some area inside of monastery but the date and time is irregular. Pilgrims can use this big and only monastery in the mountain as a road sign from all directions.

The mountain itself is very rough and filled with rocks and sands that means it’s slippery and dangerous for walking in darkness. The valley is high, no one can see under of feet but only camels. About 2/3 height of mountain camel cannot go ahead anymore. The rest distance is composed of 700 stone stairs to the top - if we can call it stairs. There is another way to reach to the top, but it’s more dangerous because it is composed of 3000 stone stairs –no side bar. It was built for monks long time ago. About 05 to 06 a.m. most of pilgrims can reach to the top of mountain. The mountain where Prophet Moses climbed alone and listened the Saying from God make people forget about all hard time in their lives. During climbing half of it is gone, when they watch sun rising from top of the mountain the rest of it is disappeared. After all hard memories are erased the only thing is remained in each heart - Heaven.



Epilogue


I do not know very much about religious emotion although I have, however what I do know is everyone who have went pilgrimage to Sinai Peninsula becomes very peaceful.

Since 25 January 2011 the Civil Revolution of Egypt, the circumstances in Sinai Peninsula is quietly changed and Egypt government also. Many political issues and events occurred like flood. Local security cannot guard foreign tourists – pilgrims, visitors properly. The situation of Sinai is quietly different from main land of Egypt. From each borders, from Suez canal the gate of Sinai, from middle of desert, from highway to Saint Catherine unexpected events are happened every day. The lines of pilgrimage are not continued anymore, only few pilgrims can be found. However the roads to Sinai will be opened to the world in near future. I believe. I have to believe. Because it is the way to heaven for all. [THE END]

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