In the heart of the Sinai, travelling with Bedouin from the Taranean Tribe in the Wadi El Abyad, the White Valley by the Oasis Bir Zayed. The Oasis Bir Zayed is thought to be the possible site of Moses striking the Rock Numbers 20:1-13.
The Bedouin invited our group to see the spring the ein which in Arabic means the water that comes from the rock or mountain. So, standing here touching the water from the spring that maybe the place Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock as the Hebrews in the White Valley grumbled for water. I was honored to be one of the first outsiders to enjoy their hospitality.
After climbing above the spring, our party including Zayed our Bedouin Jeep driver, Muhammed our guide, my son, Seth and myself headed to shaded date palm tree to make a fire as Abraham, Moses, and Bedouin do as to this day as centuries before. The Bedouin life is simple and very hospitable people who enjoy drinking tea by the fire.
We started with us four but within thirty minutes other Bedouin joined us for tea. The group finally totaled nine and the laughter and discussion in Arabic ignored by wildfire. I do not speak Arabic but every once in a while I would a hear a word I knew or Muhammed would explain the conversation, but sometimes I just knew by the laughter and expressions by their faces.
Take for instance the time Zayed was talking to Muhammed, and Muhammed exclaimed back with a remark by Zayed, and I interpreted Zayed's remark as he was going to leave Muhammed in the dessert. Zayed just smiled.
Most of the discussion centered on the difference between Bedouin life in the Sinai and Cairo life. One of the Bedouin pointed to the clear sky and the moon displayed during this afternoon and stated "in Cairo you could not see because of the smog but here we have clean air.". You know he was right.
Then I could make put the words Hummer, Jeep, GMC, and General Motors.
Then Muhammed told me they were talking about the US's economy and how it is hurting. The Bedouin fear Jeep will no longer be made. So here in the heart of the Sinai descendants from Abraham are discussing the future outlook of USA automobiles. If you are not aware automobiles in Egypt are very expensive and compound that fact by the average salary of an Egyptian is 300-500 Egyptian Pounds pet month, so that is less than $100 per month. For a basic 1980's used car an Egyptian is looking at paying around 10,000 Egyptian Pounds that is a lot of money for the average Eguptian not to mention the Bedouin.
I explained to the group, yes Chrysler/Jeep have shut all their plants down for the month of January, but Jeeps will always be made, there is too much demand for that vehicle and the same goes for GMC, trucks etc.
Now there maybe only two USA automakers Ford and GM, but Chrysler/ Jeep will be taken over by GM. Even if the USA automakers shrink into two companies Jeeps will always be made, because there is an ongoing demand for that type a vehicle, even in the Sinai Bedouin need Jeep, because if it was not for the Taranean Tribe's permission and a Jeep from the 80's, I would have not been able to touch the ein that Moses struck with his staff in anger.
-Lex Rex
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