The Wandering Soldier: The Sinai Deployment

Tel Aviv 

I know this happened over 20 years ago, but I now realize the importance of this trip.  It was the moment in my life that opened my eyes to the world.   In 1992 through 1993 I spent 9 months in the Sinai with the 101st Airborne Divison.  I had the opportunity to travel throughout Egypt and Israel.   I did what I like to call the Sodom and Gomorrah tour; just kidding, but I did have fun.

Yes, people, I have walk in the steps of Jesus in Jerusalem.   Then at night seen the discotheques a glow as weapons from young Israelis having stacked arms where they were blowing off steam.  Have been to where Moses saw the burning bush.  Drank wine on a hotel roof in Nazareth. Yes, that little town of Nazareth, a place where Mary and Joseph raised Jesus.  I have wailed at the wailing wall.  Tried to walk on water at the Sea of Galilee.  Floated in the Dead Sea.  Been to the top of  Masada and everywhere in between.

Bethlehem 

I guess it is kind of a misnomer to call this a deployment, my room had a view of the Red Sea with a 5-minute walk to a great swim and snorkel beach.  Then in the evening, it was to the camp club where Heinekens, Rum, and Cokes were 50 cents a piece.  Saturday Night was always steak night.  Oh, how I missed the Army before Order Number One.

The Wailing Wall Jerusalem 

Traveling in Cairo was the biggest Adventure of my life.   The Nile, the Pyramids, the Mosaics in the Churches and Mosques.  I even learned to scuba dive here receiving my certification from a Navy dive detachment stationed at the same camp.   Stopping at Israeli war battle sites on a whim.  Climbing on burned-out tanks and artillery pieces that still had the feeling of War in them.  It was all just living history which I now feel a part of.

Scuba Diving in the Red Sea 

Located in the gated community of South Camp, in Egypt on the southern tip of the Sinai where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea.  It was Paradise for a few months.  This is where I learn to love travel and all the adventure that comes with it.  This is where I learned that; The Dude Abides.