My Mt. Sinai experience!

I have been to Mt. Sinai before, but my previous groups did not think it was something they had wanted to experience. This time, during our last September 10, 2007 Pilgrimage to Egypt and the Holyland, I made a decision that I will make the climb with the hope that some of my passengers would join me. As a travel agent, I felt it was my responsibility, to have a first hand experience, inorder to be able to advise my passengers on whether or not to make the climb.  

I have been told  stories about how Mrs. So and So made it to the top, so I decided that it was time for me to experience it. “If Mrs. So & So can do it, so can I.” As soon as I got to St. Catherine, I got myself ready for the climb, and together with Cyonie Hermosisima, her daughter Avril Tiu, Harry Pabilona, and Dennis & Gloria de Pio, we set off for our camel ride at the base of the mountain which took about 1 1/2 hours before we reached the final camel station. At 2:00am, I was comfortably seated on top of a camel with my Bedoiun guide whose face I could not see in the dark. I could only recall that his name was Mahmud. My apprehension of a dark night climb was relieved when I watched with awe the beauty of it all — the biggest and the brightest stars I have ever seen, and all over the place of assembly, were at least 500 tourists on camels or simply walking with their flashlights flickering in the darkness.  It was a beautiful sight and to my mind it was a perfect dawn to make the climb! As we were waiting for the caravan to move, I found myself talking to a lady with an American accent from California.  She said that she was of Chinese descent but that she was born in the United States.  She was just as excited as I was, telling me that this was the most exciting thing that she has done in her whole life. Of course, we could not see each other’s faces during the whole conversation, and I will not know her from Adam, if ever our paths crossed again. Suddenly, I felt and heard my Bedoiuin guide make funny noises, which made my camel stand up and move to a direction which the camel seemed to have memorized.  I found out later that camels can see better in the dark.  I tried to apply everything that I have learned about camel riding as I enjoyed the zigzag route which was taking us to around 1,450 meters above sea level.  The summit was 2,945 meters above sea level. 

After an hour and a half, we stopped and I was told that we would have to walk the rest of the 700 steps up to the summit.  I watched all the others start their trek up, so I convinced myself that I too CAN DO IT.  Thank God that I had no idea how it was to climb 700 steps or I would have chickenedout right then and there.  Dennis & Gloria were smarter.  I learned later that they decided not to go any further.  Harry, Cyonie, Avril and I, went on.  Safely tucked in bed at our hotel were the rest of the group: Danny & Lisa Gil, Oscar & Lurline Rodriguez, Myrna Pabilona, Allen and Estrella Anub and Danny & Lina Nellas and Fr. Robin Dumaguit. I tried my best to catch up with Harry Pabilona who seemed not to mind the climb at all.   Somewhere along the way, a Bedoiuin who must have seen me struggle from one rock to another, offered me his arm and I gladly accepted it.  Little did I know that it would cost me $10.00 for the trip up to the summit. Truth to tell, that was the cheapest $10.00 I have ever spent in my entire life. Without his strong arm to prop me up, I would probably be crawling on my knees all the way up.  As the darkness started to lift, I could now see the face of my guide, and I saw how tired he looked. As soon as he got me settled in a huge bolder, he told me that I could have a beautiful view of the sunrise from that vantage point. Together with other tourists, we eagerly awaited the famous Mt. Sinai sunrise, while my guide settled himself between two huge boulders and went to sleep. I felt so sorry for him. He was very thin, very tired and very sleepy. I did not have the heart to wake him up to tell him that I was ready to go down, so I let him sleep a while longer.  I thank God for sending me a guardian angel in the person of Harry Pabilona. He did not leave me until we arrived at where the bus was waiting for us.  We were the last to arrive after three hours of walking downhill in very rocky terrain. How I survived the three hours walk, I will never know.   

After the experience, I can now say, that I will not recommend it to anyone over 50 even if they are physically fit.  For Avril Tiu, she wants to go back and do it one more time.  “It’s easier the second time around”, she quipped laughlingly. In hindsight, I am glad that I did it!  The experience was good for my health and mostly for my ego. But I will never, never do it again!

For those who are still apprehensive about visiting the Holyland, I am a living proof that all is well in God’s country.  Our most efficient guide Exie was there to welcome us at the border together with our very jolly driver Adnan.  Like all the previous trips that I have taken to the Holyland, I continue to be touched by the place as I listen to the homily of our spiritual director, Fr. Robin Dumaguit and the spirit-filled explanation of the sights by our guide.  The places visited are the same, and yet each time I visit the place, I am filled with the same awe and wonder as the bible comes alive with every footstep I take.  The place that touches me most is the place of the crucifixion, as I start to reflect on how the Lord suffered and died for us. Can you imagine how our lives would be, if we do not have our faith?  On this trip, I wept unashamedly when the passengers shared how the trip has changed their lives.  I thank the Lord for keeping me in this profession, and I will continue to do what He wills for me for as long as I am able. To God be the glory!

For your comments, you can reach me at Delmar Travel & Tours, Inc. Tel. 032-25636561 & 2536571 or by email at marilou_ordonez2000 @yahoo.com