The Burning Bush

In the Bible .... many a times, the burning bush is mentioned.
In the Old Testament we read of a smoking brazier and a flaming torch (Genesis 15:17). Also as a flame of fire out of a bush (Exodus 3:2-6) and a column of fire (Exodus 13:21).
Smoke and fire at Sinai (Exodus 19:18) and a consuming fire on the mountain top (Exodus 24:17). All these are manifestations that proclaim God's presence.

St.Catherine's Monastery

Saturday 27/12/08

Up on the mountain, we visited St.Catherine's Monastery. It was a good 15-20 minutes walk. For those who can't walk, it is possible to go by taxi or camel too .... I saw some people rode on camels to reach the Monastery. At this place we saw the plant life that was much talked about in the book of Exodus .... the Burning Bush!

Taba Border Crossing N St.Catherine's

Friday 26/12/08

We had a full day of travelling and began early this morning. We arrived at Eilat the last stop in Israel to have lunch at the restaurant before border crossing at Taba.

So it was here that we left Israel and entered into Eygpt. There was a stretch of land where we had to cross on foot , lugging our own luggage to Eygpt. They called it "no man's land". No Israeli nor Eygptian authorities here so we crossed to Eygpt to catch our tour bus on the other side.

In Eygpt we travelled into the night to reach St.Catherine's a wadi in the mountain. For hours in the bus we saw sand and mountain. There was hardly any greenery.

Here is St.Catherine's ... our hotel in the morning ..... It was cold staying for a night in the mountain resort. The room was very basic and the heater was not working.