Monestaries Trip

This past weekend, a group from work went east and visited two of the oldest monestaries in the world. Full of history, quiet, and friends ("old" and new), it was a very enjoyable weekend away. The first day was spent relaxing in our room and on the beach. Even though it can be cold, the sound of the waves, the breeze in your hair, and the water coming over your toes is so much calming. Then the next day we saw this:

In a chapel at St. Paul's Monestary

Coptic text written over a painting of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

A balcony at St. Paul's

Jars in the community dining area

The door handles were beautiful.

Outside St. Anthony's Monestary (apparently the first monestary ever), a friend pointed out the moon at about 3:30 p.m. You can thank him for this shot.

Looking up an "alley" at St. Anthony's

In St. Anthony's personal prayer area (I think)

One of the messanger angels with Coptic text

Just above where the mountain spring bubbled up

Open window (obviously)

The beginning of the 750 stair climb up to St. Anthony's cave where he lived alone until he was about 90.

From the top looking down. You can't even see where the previous picture was taken from here.

Randee, Emily, and me just outside the mouth of the cave. Preparing to go back down.

All along the path were crosses. Apparently monks go out of the monestary and into the wilderness for two reasons: 1) for repentance and 2) for silence/meditation. They mark their path with crosses to find their way back to the monestary. This was one along the way.