Mount Sinai

I'm not one to talk about religion on the blog because I know that it's something that personal. I do respect all religions but it's impossible (for me at least) to talk about my experience in the Holy Land without connecting it to my faith. I was born into a Christian family. I spent every summer at a retreat and every Sunday at Bible Study. I was always the odd one since I studied in all-girls Catholic school but I never questioned my faith. As I grew older, I became less and less active in Church. I started prioritizing everything else (school, friends, extra-curricular activities, work) before my relationship with God. I wasn't angry with Him. I don't know what happened but one day, I just stopped looking for him.

I didn't find the need to pray, to go to Church, or to read the Bible. I became fully dependent on myself--- that I could do everything on my own. Little did I know that this was forming a wall between God and I. I couldn't hear Him speaking to me anymore.

It was only last month as I was climbing up Mount Sinai that I heard His voice again loud and clear after three long years of silence. 

We arrived at Morgenland in St. Catherine a little past 5 pm. It wasn't exactly the best hotel (photos can be deceiving!) but it was good enough for one night. We had dinner then took a quick nap before our ascent up Mount Sinai. By 1 am, we were at the foot of the mountain and ready to start hiking!

There are two options on how to go about the hike: You can take a camel or you can walk. However, you cannot take the camel all the way up. The camel only goes up until the second summit. From the second summit, you will still have around 700 steps to reach the very top. I took the camel and walked up to the peak while my parents hiked all the way up. (They are pros.)

Since we started hiking during the wee hours of the morning, it was still pitch black. You couldn't see anything but the stars and the silhouette of the mountains. It was so dark that I couldn't take any decent photos but it was a good time to be quiet and just reflect. As I was sitting on my camel and gazing at the view, I really couldn't help but feel blessed. I was just in awe with God's creation. It was too good to be true that I couldn't help but shed a tear. I was on the mountain where God gave Moses the 10 Commandments. Can you believe it?!?! I sure couldn't. 

Once I reached the top of Mount Sinai, I felt peace inside me. The view was nothing spectacular but the experience was humbling. We waited at the peak for the sun to rise then we started our three hour descent down. Going down was a lot harder than going up because the sun was already out but it was do-able. 

Once I reached the bottom of the mountain, I prayed to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be there. Yes, I finally felt the need to talk to Him again. He was back in my life.

Morgenland Hotel

Of course you need to take a selfie at the top of Mount Sinai!

My parents matching in neon orange