Jebel Maqla has been proposed as biblical Horeb, a desolate place associated with the Sinai story of the Old Testament. Here, we trail its shoulder and contemplate the identification.
The Sinai Core
Sinai is a pivot point in the Torah--or "the Moses Material"-- found at the beginning of the Hebrew Bible. The literary structure is clear. The geographical reality less so.
An Arabian Night (part 3)
Extreme wilderness camping.
An Arabian Night (part 2)
Extreme wilderness camping.
An Arabian Night (part 1)
Extreme wilderness camping.
A Path of Refreshment? Looking for Biblical Elim
Connections have been suggested between the Wadi Tayyib al-Ism and biblical Elim.
al-Maqnah: Mara or Elim?
The freshwater spring at the site of al-Maqnah in Saudi Arabia has been linked to a biblical story.
Slammin' the Moussies
This swiss-made malt refreshment is a hit in el-Bad, Saudi Arabia.
Jethro's Cave
Visit the community of al-Bad (or Madyan) in northwest Saudi Arabia. Here, a local tradition persists that this was once the home of Jethro (or Shuayb), the father-in-law of Moses.
"Four Corners," Middle East style.
In a moment, you can see Jordan, Saudi, Egypt, and Israel-Palestine (you can't put your foot on the intersection, tho.)
In the Rum. Gateway to the Deep desert.
Checking out a campsite in the Wadi Rum, southern Jordan.
Jordan's Desert Highway
Jordan's Desert Highway is a busy artery that links this desert country to its port on the Red Sea.
A Road to Change
NT memories suggest the road to Damascus is a transformational place.
The other side of the Dead Sea
Midianites and memories of Moses are found on the other side of the Dead Sea.
Contradictory Paris
The fortress at the end
We said goodbye to the crew of the AmaVerde and stepped to the dock at Budapest. It was the last stop of our cruise along the “Romantic Danube.” We had traveled some 500 miles, approximately one-third of the run of this magnificent river. We had floated through beautiful swaths of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. But now we were down to the final 24 hours.
Our viral romance
Some people go to Vienna for the coffee, Others for the opera. I scored COVID there.
You expect to catch viruses and diseases in drab German towns like Feuchtwangen (“Moist cheeks”), Kotzen (“Vomit”), or Elend (“Wretchedness”). But no, no, no. Not me. It was during a night in waltzing Vienna that the symptoms struck: deep cough, tight chest, snotted nose, running wife. Vicki glided in 3/4 tempo to the reception desk and fetched a test kit.
Cycling the Wachau
Lion Cage (Part 1)
Dürnstein may not tickle the eyes as other Danube castles do, but its secrets tickle the imagination— especially for Bible Land explorers. Here, Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way home from the Crusades. How he was captured and how he was released is the stuff of mystery (and music!). Consider his capture here; we’ll save his release for another post.
